NEWS
from the West After School Center, Inc.

620 Garfield Avenue        Lancaster, OH  43130
740-653-5678  740-653-2402 FAX   Email:  westafterschool@westafterschoolcenter.org
Visit us at www.westafterschoolcenter.org

April 1, 2011

from the office of Julie Bibler, Executive Director

This weekly update is distributed via email to the WASC Board of Directors & Staff, Volunteers, School Staffs, Parents, State and National Afterschool Advocates, Providers, and Community Leaders

WE

ARE

21st CENTURY

COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
 

Our mission to is provide programs and services that enrich the educational, social, and cultural opportunities of students in our community

General Sherman Community Learning Center

Thomas Ewing Community Learning Center

The national Kick Butts Day was held March 23, 2011. On this day, thousands of young people at hundreds of events from coast-to-coast gathered to STAND OUT ... SPEAK UP ... and SEIZE CONTROL AGAINST BIG TOBACCO. General Sherman after school participants placed cups in the fence where the high school students catch the bus, and posted the slogan, "Kick Butts Day 2011."  At Thomas Ewing, students explored the cost of smoking and had discussions on how that money could be used for something more lasting.  Some suggested that they would save the money for college or to buy a car.

Mrs. Cash from New Horizons completed her year with the students from Thomas Ewing and Mr. Dorian is working with the General Sherman students on becoming proficient in tae kwon do. 

Both schools participated in a tornado drill; ironically there was a tornado watch in effect at the time of the drill!  The electricity even went off for about 45 minutes.  

Read next week to hear about our world drumming experiences.

West After School Center

The West After School Center has completed a week of alcohol and tobacco prevention activities.  Wednesday, March 23^rd, was Kick Butts Day.  This was an event to Stand Out...Speak Up…Seize Control Against Big Tobacco!  The purpose of this program was to arm our children with facts about the dangerous ingredients in one puff of cigarette smoke. WASC was joined by West Elementary School to Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids by signing pledges to remain tobacco free. Then, on Friday, March 25^th, WASC had a guest speaker, Amanda Neighborgall, from Hocking College’s Drug and Alcohol Program.  Amanda taught about the dangers of abusing alcohol and encouraged our students to compete in a poster contest displaying what they learned in their time together.

East Community Learning Center

Mrs. Warner came to cup stack with us and timed the students’ cup stacking to compare against the other after school centers.  Awards will be presented at a family night on April 29.  Mrs. Rowe also came back to teach us, “She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” using tone chimes.  Students learned more about the music scale and how to play the chimes.  Finally, students celebrated Kick Butts Day by completing various anti-tobacco activities.

Cedar Heights Community Learning

Wednesday, March 23^rd, was the national Kick Butts Day.  All the Cedar Heights After School students signed pledges to be tobacco free.  We joined thousands of young people at hundreds of events from coast-to-coast to take action against the use of tobacco. March 23rd was also the day Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered and named Florida in 1513.  Ponce de Leon visited the after school program to share information about his many voyages and the experiences that led him to the New World.

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

We continue to move on through the school year here at TCLC.  Grade cards went home this week and we will be sending our progress reports home the week of March 28^th.  We are in the process of reviewing our students’ grades; the early analysis looks positive. 

All week, we worked on an art project that Ms. Ashley devised.  It is based on the work of Chuck Close who is an American painter and photographer.  His best known works are large-scale portraits in the genre of photo-realism.  On Friday, Ms. Ashley came by to help us finish our works.  Once everything is completed and dried, we will tape all of the works together to make one large painting.

MEAL PROGRAMS at the WASC

Busy parents can take advantage of the availability of supper at the WASC, Cedar Heights, East, and Tallmadge, Monday-Friday, throughout the year.  The snacks we serve are free, and the supper program (5:30-6:00 pm) is open to any child in our programs . WASC is the sponsor of the snacks and meal programs for the after school programs serving children at East, West, Cedar Heights, and Tallmadge CLC.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The West After School Center wants to thank  Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio and its Choice Food Pantry for providing families at all six of our 21^st Century CLC’s with bread, bagels and English muffins. They will continue to support us in the coming weeks and months.

WANTED!!

Do you have one hour a week to make a difference in the life of a child?

We need volunteers at all our locations (WASC, East, Cedar Heights and Tallmadge)

To learn more, contact RuthAnn Petrovay at 653-5678
Our volunteers are key to our success.

The West After School Center is a provider for the Ohio Benefit Bank. If you are in need of assistance related to childcare, food, health coverage or home energy needs, please call the WASC at 653-5678 and set up an appointment to do a quick check to see if you might qualify for help.

The Kroger Community Rewards!

You can help support the

West After School Center

every time you shop at your local Krogers.  It's simple.  Just sign up and every time you shop and have your Krogers Plus Card scanned, a portion of the amount comes to the West After School Center. Encourage your friends to help us - and support our mission! 

Thanks to our supporters. 

We received over $250.44 during the third quarter of this rewards program!  (November, December & January).

****TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

1. All current and new members must enroll after April 1, 2011.

2.      Please log on to

www.krogercommunityrewards.com

and click on "Ohio" to register your Kroger Plus Card. After registering, a portion of each purchase you make using your Rewards card comes to the West After School Center, Inc.

ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and COLLABORATION

WASC Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, April 7, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

National Afterschool Association Conference, Orlando, Florida, April 15-18, 2011

WASC Closed for Spring Break, April  18-22, 2011

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WASC Leadership Team attending the  National Afterschool Association in Orlando, Florida

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Break

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Closed!

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21st CCLC Brown Bag, Athens, OH

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