WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
NEWS & OPINION

June 2007

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

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

Attention all Students — Join Us for Lunch Starting June 4

Plan now to take advantage of the free summer lunch program being offered Monday-Friday during the summer months, 11:30-1:00– p.m. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides meal reimbursement to child care centers for serving nutritious meals. The objectives of CACFP are to:

· Improve the diets of children by providing nutritious meals.

· Help children develop good eating habits that will last through the years.

Again, ANY CHILD under age 18 can participate, regardless of enrollment status for the school lunch program.

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

Cedar Heights Before and After Child Care (Cedar Community Learning Center)

       Barring any unidentified obstacles, the West After School Center will expand child care services to the Cedar Heights Elementary attendance area for the 2007-2008 school year. An initial needs assessment  and parent survey have shown significant interest in both before and after school care as well as extended kindergarten opportunities. Families that qualify for Title XX childcare support can enroll under a co-pay system developed with Fairfield County Job and Family Services. Participation rates will be made as affordable as possible.  We are pleased to be working in the Cedar Heights area and to further expand our mission and address needs within the city of Lancaster.

Summer Programs at West After School Center

For West School Students

Free Lunch for any Lancaster child ages 2 to 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Weekdays, beginning June 4^th through August 17^th (Closed July 4^th) _____________________________________________________________________________

June 4^th – 8^th          

10 a.m. – Noon        Class: Crocheting for Guys & Gals               Students going into 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th grade

               Gals make a Purse; Guys make a Satchel

1 – 3 p.m.          Fun with Beading Girls going into 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th grade

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June 11^th – 15^th

10 a.m. – Noon      Computer Camp! (Limited to 10) Students going into 4^th or 5^th grade

1 – 3 p.m.         Fun with Science Students going into 2^nd and 3^rd grade

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June 18^th – 22^nd

10 a.m. – Noon     Painting, Watercolors, & More Students going into 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th grade

1 – 3 p.m.         Math Made Fun! Students going into 2^nd and 3^rd grade

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June 25^th – 29^th

10 a.m. – Noon     Paper Mache Art Students going into 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade

1 – 3 p.m.         Kids Cooking Students going into 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th grade

OU-L Leap Ahead Reading Program, June 12, 19, 26 and three weeks in July.

Separate sign-up is required. (see below).

California Leads the Way

In 2002, California voters approved Proposition 49 which amended the CA Education Code and renamed and expanded the former Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhood Partnerships Program. The new After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program funds the establishment of local after school education and enrichment programs. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Funding is designed to maintain existing before and after school program funding, and provide eligibility to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications throughout California. The current funding level for the ASES program is $121.6 million.

The ASES program provides an opportunity to merge school reform strategies with community resources. The goal is to support local efforts to improve assistance to students and broaden the base of support for education in a safe, constructive environment. The ASES legislative program intends to encourage schools and school districts to provide safe and educationally enriching alternatives for children and youth during non-school hours. The program creates incentives for establishing locally driven before and after school education and enrichment programs. It involves collaboration among parents, youth, representatives from schools and governmental agencies, such as local law enforcement and local parks and recreation departments, and individuals from community-based organizations and the private sector. Programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment, and safe, constructive alternatives for students in grades K-9. It is the legislative intent that elementary school students participate in the entire time allotment of the after school program every day.

As defined in the initiative, funding could increase up to $550 million for this state program. Money matters, and that amount obviously is a strong endorsement for before and after school programs in California. In Ohio, members of The Ohio After School Network are trying to convince legislators and Governor Strickland to restore $28.5 million of TANF (Targeted Assistance for Needy Families) funds in the state budget, so far with little success. That amount seems a meager request in comparison with California’s lead.

Nationally, before and after school programs are being created and expanded to meet growing needs. Yet, many children and families, especially those most needy, fall between the cracks in neighborhoods and communities without quality programs. You can help by contacting our state lawmakers and voicing your concerns and support of after school programming. If investing in the future of children and communities is good for Californians, it should be the same for Ohioans. You can communicate with our representatives and senators in the Ohio legislature by following the link to The Ohio Legislature.                                                       

Sources: California Department of Education, 1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

The After School Alliance

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