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 30, 2010

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

See what we've been doing this week -- after-school, and meet some of the special people that make our programs work!

Cedar Community Learning Center

East Community Learning Center

 18th Century Week at  the East Community Learning Center found the students actively involved in drill meets, creating marbleized paper, making butter and learning about the accoutrements (equipment worn by soldiers in addition to their clothing and weapons) of the 18th century militia.  As a diversion from the Ohio Achievement Tests, Assistant Director Robin McBroom organized a weeklong unit that culminated with a visit from the Ohio County Militia.  Each day, the students were involved in a hands-on project encompassing life in the 18th century. Butter was made churning whipping cream and the students were able to taste their product on saltine crackers.  Each participant made a game of the time a-Jacob's ladder. Also, the marbleized paper will be used for the covers of the Mother's day books each student is making.  The militia came in full military dress, taught the children how to march in drill formation and discussed the life of a soldier.  It was a great week of learning and fun. Parents were invited for the final day with the Ohio County Militia. 

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

Last week at Tallmadge, we had art with Ashley Draper. Our inspiration was Postimpressionist painter Vincent van Gogh.  We painted our versions of Starry Night.  They turned out great and are on display in the front hall at Tallmadge....We have also been working on our code of conduct also known as “HEROES,” which stands for “Honesty, Effort, Respect, Ownership, Excellence and Safety.”  This code of conduct is vital to the success of afterschool and the social lessons we strive to teach to our students.  They have been doing a great job and we plan a reward for this week.

West After School Center

MEAL PROGRAMS at the WASC

Busy parents can take advantage of the availability of supper at WASC, Cedar Heights, East, and Tallmadge CLC, 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. The WASC is the sponsor of the snacks and meal programs for the after school programs serving children at East, West, Cedar Heights, and Tallmadge.

ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and COLLABORATION

2010 NAA Convention & the Afterschool for All Challenge

Washington D.C.

What an amazing time the lead staff had at the 22^nd Annual National AfterSchool Association Convention and the Afterschool Alliance Afterschool for All Challenge. This conference brought together 2,500 afterschool providers from all 50 states and Australia.  The convention was opened with an inspirational message from Hill Harper, a Harvard graduate with an MBA and a JD. The NAA offered many workshops on a variety of subjects from Learning in Afterschool, Service Learning, and Engaging Community Partners, to Being an Afterschool Champion and many more. The high point for all was the Afterschool for All Challenge Congressional visits. Over 600 conference attendees travelled to Capitol Hill and spoke with over 90 Congressional representatives. We took our message that afterschool programs need to be funded equitably and that the funding should to be dedicated to the 21^st CCLC and not shared with other line items. Afterschool programs have a proven record of increasing our children’s learning day, keeping them safe during the high risk hours from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., and providing healthy meals to those who would not otherwise have them. We were promised support by those who we spoke with and plan on keeping in touch to monitor the ESEA’s (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) progress through Congress.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

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 $80 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, 2010.

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.

Watch  Healthy Living for Kids weekly on the Lancaster Schools Television Network

The Goals for our Television Program:

1. Create and sustain a community dialogue and awareness campaign that helps every individual learn to make healthy choices about what and how much they eat as well as how much daily exercise they get. 

2. Encourage children to engage in healthy and productive extra curricular activities at home and at school.

3. Teach families how to prepare foods and economical family meals and snacks.

4. Showcase the wealth of community resources and personnel that can help kids and families develop healthy lifestyles.

5. Demonstrate the positive impact and benefits that participation in before and after school programs can have on children's mental health and social development.

Kids You Should Know - look for this interview with Kaitelin Lansinger and Kayla Crist, 5th Graders at West School, coming soon to Healthy Living for Kids Show

 OAN Meeting at the Vineyard, Wednesday, May 5,  9:30 a.m.

 21st Century CLC Grant Read Bethel UMC, Wednesday,  May 19,  8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

WASC Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, May 20, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

Ashley Fiore Benefit Bank Training in Columbus

Ohio After School Network

Meeting at the Vineyard

HLFK Preview Mtg.

PPICS Training Web Seminar

WASC Leadership Mtg.