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 8, 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
World
drumming has invaded the students at Thomas Ewing and soon will appear
at General Sherman. Sandy McCoy, high school vocal music teacher, spent
three days with the participants at Thomas Ewing teaching them about the
world of drumming. She spent time having them play call and response
and creating and inventing different rhythmic patterns.
Since World
Music Drumming is based primarily on the drumming traditions of West
Coast Africa and the Islands of the Caribbean, it is meant to be taught
orally/aurally. Students and apprentices in these traditions learn
through imitation and aural modes. Teachers actually do what the
dictionary defines as teaching — “to show, demonstrate.”
By the end of the three days, the students were able to blend three
different rhythms at the same time.
The
purpose of World Music Drumming is not to turn students into
percussionists. Rather, it is to teach them that drums and music making
can be fun, especially in groups. Given this perspective, however, it is
still important to teach students good hand technique on drums, proper
ways of holding and striking bells, and traditional ways of playing
rattles. Requiring students to hold an instrument correctly will help
them acquire discipline badly needed throughout their whole lives. It is
an extension of respect for the tradition of the music they are
studying.
We hope that Mrs. McCoy will be able to do a follow-up class and
appreciate her time.
West After School Center
On Friday, April 1st, the West After School Center had a unique experience provided by one of our own WASC parents. Mr. Craiglow, father of Doug and Adrian Craiglow and a representative for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is qualified through ODNR to teach young children the sport of fishing. Mr. Craiglow came to the WASC to instruct our students in a free course called, “Passport to Fishing.” The three instructional sessions included: “Habitat & Handling," "Knots & Rigging,”and “Casting.” Upon completion of this 90-minute class, the students received a free rod and reel provided by ODNR. Mr. Craiglow did a wonderful job instructing the students and the students were appreciative for the opportunity to learn to fish.
East Community Learning Center
Ms. Maholm talked to us about her trip to Africa. She shared with us pictures from Kenya, musical instruments, and various art and crafts made by the people of Africa. There were tunics, bracelets made from recycled glass, wood carvings of safari animals, Kente cloths, maraca-type noisemakers, xylophones, drums, fans made from elephant grass, necklaces, Batik images, jewelry worn by the Massai tribe, and recycled bottle caps painted in great detail. We also tasted Mandazi, a popular type of bread eaten often in Africa. In addition, we received a Kenya flag “stamp” in our passports. Our next trip will be to France!
Cedar Heights Community Learning
The
last week of March at the Cedar Community Learning Center brought a
couple of visitors. We had Mrs. Jane Cash from New Horizons visit
Monday through Thursday. We talked about being safe and what makes us
feel safe. On Wednesday, Mr. Dorian visited us and taught us more
techniques about the discipline of tae kwon do. We really like when Mr.
Dorian visits. It gives us a break from Leap Track, and also gets our
bodies moving and our minds working.
On Mondays, our first grade students get a chance to experience
Leap Track. They really enjoy this activity. Leap Track assesses the
students on individual reading and math skills. It is a great way for
the students to work on these skills in an independent environment.
Tallmadge Community Learning Center
With the end of March here, spring is in the air. We all continue to work hard and, as a staff, have tried to keep the students motivated. We have talked about, and tried to practice, a renewed focus on verbal praise for the students. It seems to be working as we have added even more students and are having some of our largest attendance days ever with fewer behavior problems.
Fun Friday was packed with activities. Chad Reed was here from the Community Action Recycling Center. Chad spoke with the students about what things can be recycled, what they can be made into after recycling, and how the students can help in their lives. The students also went home with a “goody bag” of information and recycled objects. Nan Rowe visited again with her hand chimes. This time, the students learned how to play chords. By the end of the rotation, the students were playing “She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” with Mrs. Rowe accompanying on the piano. Finally, Diane Warner was back with competitive cup stacking. Mrs. Warner and her daughter, Megan, began timing our students so that awards can be given out at our Cup Stacking Family Night Event. If you didn’t know already, we will be having our Family Night Event at the West After School Center on April 29th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. There will be relays, competitions, and prizes. Look for a flier soon from your site director.
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.
FAMILY FUN at Rising Park
Fun activities for families with young children:
CRAFTS and HEALTHY FUN!
Explore what our community offers
· Saturday, April 9, 2011
· 10:30 am-1:30 pm
· Rising Park Shelter House
· Cost: FREE!
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
Questions? Phone: 740-654-0897 or 740-654-1584
Sponsored by: Fairfield Association for the Education of Young Children
Tornado Safety Tips
Know the signs of a tornado: Weather forecasting science is not perfect and some tornadoes do occur without a tornado warning. There is no substitute for staying alert to the sky. Besides an obviously visible tornado, here are some things to look and listen for:
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Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
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Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base -- tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!
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Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.
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Day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder.
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Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.
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Night - Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning -- especially if it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.
WHAT TO DO...
In a house with a basement: Avoid windows. Get in the basement and under some kind of sturdy protection (heavy table or work bench), or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above (pianos, refrigerators, waterbeds, etc.) and do not go under them. They may fall down through a weakened floor and crush you.
In a house with no basement, a dorm, or an apartment: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows. Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands. A bath tub may offer a shell of partial protection. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail.
In an office building, hospital, nursing home or skyscraper: Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building -- away from glass. Then, crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly. Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.
In a mobile home: Get out! Even if your home is tied down, you are probably safer outside, even if the only alternative is to seek shelter out in the open. Most tornadoes can destroy even tied-down mobile homes; and it is best not to play the low odds that yours will make it. If your community has a tornado shelter, go there fast. If there is a sturdy permanent building within easy running distance, seek shelter there. Otherwise, lie flat on low ground away from your home, protecting your head. If possible, use open ground away from trees and cars, which can be blown onto you.
At school: Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly way as you are told. Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms. Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums.
In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Otherwise, park the car as quickly and safely as possible -- out of the traffic lanes. [It is safer to get the car out of mud later if necessary than to cause a crash.] Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If in the open country, run to low ground away from any cars (which may roll over on you). Lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
In the open outdoors: If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Get as far away from trees and cars as you can; they may be blown onto you in a tornado.
In a shopping mall or large store: Do not panic. Watch for others. Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small enclosed area, away from windows.
In a church or theater: Do not panic. If possible, move quickly but orderly to an interior bathroom or hallway, away from windows. Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms. If there is no time to do that, get under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands. http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/safety.htm
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 21st Century CLC’s with bread, bagels and English muffins. They will continue to support us in the coming weeks and months.
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
