WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
NEWS & OPINION

May 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

WASC Will Be a Sponsor of the Summer Food Program, 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).

A New Potential for Volunteerism

                In the not too distant future, a majority of the baby boomers will have reached an age when they can make a difference by giving back and address their community’s needs in a variety of ways. Our nation has never experienced such an enormous portion of the population (75+ million) reaching their 60s, and for most boomers, soon to experience their forthcoming retirements, comes an opportunity to contribute in a role that their communities need most – a volunteer - especially as a mentor for a school-age child.

                 Those who were born between 1945 and 1964 can learn a lot about volunteerism by getting involved in existing programs established by those of the “greatest” (1911-1924)  or “silent” (1925-1945) generations. At the West After School Center, many of our veteran volunteers share those pre-World War II birthdates. Over the past decade, they have established an excellent model of volunteerism which has been recognized numerous times and ways by the media, schools, and organizations throughout central Ohio. On the horizon is a time when they may no longer be able to contribute. The boomers must assume their place, expand volunteerism in new ways and at higher levels, and support the children who continue to enter school with multi-faceted needs.

Already, the signs are positive. According to data released by the American Association of Retired People (AARP), 87% of people age 45 and older are already engaged in some form of volunteering. They donate to numerous charitable causes and make giving of their time a worthwhile practice. On average, people 45 and over contribute 15 hours of monthly service toward faith-based, public, or private ventures.

                The boomer generation has enjoyed unparalleled success in their careers. They have experienced medical advances that are contributing to their longevity more than any generations before them. But that might not hold for those following after them. We are dealing with life-endangering obesity levels among our children, less commitment to fitness, disinterest in learning, outsourced jobs to developing countries, and cultural demise. To insure that all kids have increasing opportunities and experience the good life, there is much that boomers must do. Lancaster’s needs are no different than the rest of the nation.

What are those needs? Here are just a few:

· Fit volunteers that will walk with kids, engage them in physical activities, and teach them about nutrition.

· Persuasive mentors, capable of being positive role models, and willing to invest time and energy to assure that kids grow up with socially-accepted behavior.

· Skilled tutors that can motivate kids to learn and teach them the technologies of their future.

· Volunteers willing to teach kids various arts and crafts, music, games, and engage them in numerous forms of apprenticeships.

· Resources, including money, which can sustain programs, initiatives, and the creativity found in non-profit ventures.

The Lancaster community is indebted to our senior citizens (as well as those from younger generations) for their contributions toward making this community a great place to live and work. It is now time that a spontaneous combustion of goodwill within the baby boomers sparks the spirit of volunteerism and makes Lancaster the most desirable place to raise children. Join us, and experience inspiring stories that will create that reality.

Watch our Television Show on  the LSN

Channel 6 Time Warner Cable

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

OU-L Summer LEAP AHEAD Reading Program at the WASC

The Spring Quarter reading academy is well underway with three Saturdays in May remaining (5, 12, and 19). The summer class can accommodate 35 students and twice that many have registered. Plans are being made to accommodate all children's needs. These classes are a great way for students to receive one-on-one attention and assessment of their reading skills and progress. Classes are scheduled for three Tuesdays in June (12, 19, and 26) and a three week period, Monday-Friday in July (July 9-13; July 16-20; July 23-27). If you would like your child to participate, or know of children from other schools that would benefit, please visit our website, complete, and return an application.  www.westafterschoolcenter.org

Friday Fun Day Swimming

Robert K. Fox Family Y

Friday, May 11, 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!