WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
NEWS & OPINION

January 2007

Our mission is to provide opportunities that enrich the educational, social, and cultural experiences of students and families in our community.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

620 Garfield Avenue, Lancaster, OH  43130      740-653-5678                  740-653-2402 FAX

What are Friday Fun Day Activities?

             In addition to the tutoring, mentoring, recreation, and homework assistance provided throughout the week, we plan special learning and fitness activities on Fridays each month. Students can explore areas of their interest alone, work in small groups, or enjoy group presentations from speakers and other guests at the WASC. Students also have the opportunity to utilize our computer lab on Fridays as well as other days throughout the week. In January, students will meet David Wayne, from Columbus’ NBC-4 TV and learn as he shares about his work as a television news reporter. Students will also have an arts and crafts and an opportunity for swimming at the Robert K. Fox Family Y.

Parent Opportunities at the WASC

             A good group enjoyed time together making holiday crafts in December.  Join this group as it grows and meets again to make and take items on January 22. Meet and talk with Jane Hart, Student and Family Coordinator, to learn how you can get involved.  If you have needs, she should be your first contact. She can be reached at the WASC by calling 653-5678.

Email:  pyoung@westafterschoolcenter.org

Visit us at www.westafterschoolcenter.org

Dr. Paul G. Young, Executive Director

Mrs. Jane Hart, Student & Family Coordinator

Mrs. Julie Bibler, Tutoring Program Administrator

Mrs. Chris Kuttler, Office Manager

Playing Better Than Fair

When asked to describe what it means to treat others fairly, words such as just, honest, impartial, open-minded or evenhanded might come to mind. Teachers remind their students to 'play fair' according to the rules on the playground. In the business world, every consumer wants to be treated fairly without overt favoritism or discrimination. In courtrooms, judges are charged to determine the outcome of cases in a fair and impartial manner. But the reality is that each individual’s concept of fair is different, and playing fair in human relationships doesn’t always work.

The reason that playing fair doesn’t always work in relationships is that there is a prevailing attitude that it is acceptable to give another just what they deserve. When someone snubs another, it is considered 'fair' by many to snub the person back. Sarcasm is typically exchanged with more sarcasm, But usually those behaviors create a spiral of interactions that negatively impact relationships, fair as they might seem. When one child hits another, some parents advocate that it is fair to hit back. And far too often, those same parents encourage their child to give back better than they received.

So what if everyone taught that lesson about hitting back, but from a different point of view? What would happen after someone utters a derogatory comment, makes a mistake, or drops the ball in professional work if everyone knew it was fairer to help and rise above those situations, rather than to get back and even the score. What would really happen? There would be fewer problems. Relationships would improve. People would learn to treat each other better than fair.

When one person wrongs another, the stronger individual shows a better way rather than allowing a situation to deteriorate further. But being better than fair doesn’t mean that one can get away with hurting another. Instead, it stops bad behavior from continuing and further eroding interactions and relationships. Playing better than fair means you treat others kindly regardless of how they treat you. Playing better than fair means always to play right.

Think about it another way. In partnerships where you get fair treatment, but no more than you deserve, the quality of the relationship is usually lacking. But when you are raised up because of your relationship, everyone prospers. Fair is good, but it doesn’t adequately support relationships over time. We must model behaviors that teach our children to be better than fair.

Throughout our popular culture there is prevailing desire for fair games, opportunities, and treatment. Yet there is an overriding adage that says life is not fair. If our expectations and actions were always to be better than fair, that sage advice would no longer hold true. Learning to play better than fair is a concept that can make the world a better place. We owe it to our children that they learn that lesson well.

Inspiration source: 9 Things a Leader Must Dom by Dr. Henry Cloud (2006) 

Watch our Television Show on  the LSN

Channel 6 Time Warner Cable

Healthy Living for Kids

New episodes air at 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

Coming in January to

Healthy Living for Kids

"STUDENTS MAKING Art R TOPS"

S.M.A.R.T.  ART

Encourage your child to draw!  Submit your child's or grandchildren's art creations in JPEG form via email to: pictures@westafterschoolcenter.org

Include the artist's name and age. Copies will be made and added to the West After School Center Student Art Gallery, posted on the WASC Website (www.westafterschoolcenter.org), and featured on subsequent episodes of Healthy Living for Kids.

Good health involves the mind, body, and soul!

S.M.A.R.T.  ART

MOM’S CRAFT GROUP

All Moms are invited to join the fun!  Monday, January 22^nd, at 10:00 a.m.. Come and join us at the WASC and make a friendly snowman! No special skills required – we provide all materials.

Call Jane Hart, WASC Student & Family Coordinator,  if you want more information, 653-5678.

Friday Fun Day Swimming

Robert K. Fox Family Y

Friday, January 12, 2007

3:40-5:00 p.m.—busing provided

Children do not need to know how to swim.

Encourage your child to learn while enjoying the fun and recreation!

We Thank Our Partners

Ohio University-Lancaster (Reading Academy)

The Ohio State University Extension   (Master Gardeners)

The Robert K Fox Family Y (Summer Lunch Program and Recreational Opportunities)

Art & Clay on Main (Summer Art Classes)

Eastside Center for Success (Summer Art Classes)

Lancaster-Fairfield County Community Action Head Start (ELI Classes)

New Horizons Youth and Family Center (Conflict Management Training)

Fairfield County Family, Adult, and Children First Council (21st CCLC Program Support)

Fairfield County Jobs and Family Services (custodial workers)

The Recovery Center (Family Nights)

Red Barn Productions

Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church

Eastland-Fairfield Career Center

Fairfield Foundation (Kitchen)

United Way of Fairfield County

MEAL PROGRAM at the WASC

                 This year, the West After School Center is registered with the Ohio Department of Education as a meal sponsor with the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Because we no longer partner with Lancaster City Schools for snacks, we must provide our own documentation for reimbursement as a sponsor in this program. As a result, family income documentation must be on file at our center.

We can provide 1 free daily snack for all program enrollees, 2 meals (breakfast and supper) based on income verification. We can also serve supper to those students under age 18 for $3.00.  Parents, staff, and adult visitors are welcome to eat supper with the students, 5:30 each day, for the fee of $3.00.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding with the paperwork requirements as we establish this program and service  to the community.

The flagship program of the West After School Center is the After School Tutoring Program which targets those students needing additional help in reading and math.  But most other programs and services are open to all students and families of

West Elementary School. 

Phone 740-653-5678 for answers to your questions.

Plan Now to Attend the

2007 Strengthening Families Programs

Jan.  29, Feb. 26, March 26, April 30 — 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Free Dinner & Programs for Adults and Kids

Thank You

To Marilyn Clark of Clark-Behrens Insurance and Dick Schorr for the donations that made our holiday party possible.

The WASC is helping West School purchase a license to Study Island, a leading provider of web-based state assessment preparation programs and standards based learning programs. Students and tutors will be able to access sample test questions from any computer. It is used by 2 million students in over 6000 schools.  More to come later.

LATCHKEY OPENINGS AVAILABLE

Looking for a safe, quality program for your child’s care before or after school?  Check us out, stop by for a visit, or call and speak to one of our staff members. We open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Latchkey students receive many of the same benefits as those enrolled in the after school tutoring program. 

The West After School Center is an independent, non-profit, community-based before and after school child care center licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

This newsletter is from the office of Dr. Paul Young, Executive Director

Happy New Year from everyone at the West After School Center