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
December 9, 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
The West After School Center has a new look on Facebook. Thanks to Della Winters for taking on this project and keeping it up to date. Check us out on the web at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-After-School-Center-Inc/252452234788392
and make sure to “Like” us.
East Community Learning Center
We
had a busy week at ECLC last week. Mr. Dorion joined us on Tuesday and
Wednesday to start martial arts with us. He stressed the importance of
using these skills properly and only using them during after school time
with him. Ms. Maria came on Friday for Zumba! Students had fun dancing,
singing, and using her giant parachute. We also started making our
three-dimensional snowflakes to hang in the hallways of the school.
Cedar Heights Community Learning
Last
week in math in afterschool, we studied money. We played new games that
taught us how to barter and trade for items we want. We were pig
farmers who needed to buy feed for our animals and we had to ration our
money for other expenses as well. In Leap Track, we had a challenge
week. Congratulations to Kobey, Kheirra, Claire, and Matthew; they
successfully completed the most cards for each of their groups. We also
had several students earn prizes for good behavior last week. Keep up
the good work! Our Star of the Week was Mckenzie. She is an excellent
student who always follows the rules and is willing to lend a helping
hand to her fellow classmates. On Friday, Mr. Dorion joined us and we
practiced our running and kickball. He had us running for two minutes
at a time with a one-minute rest. We repeated this several times until
we were thoroughly worn out. Thanks to our staff who have worked as hard
as the students to make this a great year at the Cedar Community
Learning Center.
Tallmadge Community Learning Center
It was a good week here at Tallmadge Community Learning Center. We started our group reward system where students can earn links in a chain for appropriate behavior. Each grade has a chain of its own and the links that are earned are added to that grade’s chain on a daily basis. Each chain is hanging from the cabinet in the gym and when the chain hits the stage floor, that grade has earned a party. All of the groups are doing a great job thus far and a couple of them are about halfway to the floor.
We also have a new addition to our staff. Ethan Strope is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University. He has a lot of experience working with youth, especially in a recreational setting. Ethan also works at Fairfield Medical Center and will be a valuable addition to our staff.
One of our rotations all week was working on an art project. The project focused on Mexico and the Mexican holiday, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This holiday involves on gatherings of family and friends to pray for, and remember, friends and family members who have died. It is a joyous celebration of the lives of those who have passed. Our projects were making colorful skull chalk drawings. They turned out very well. Thanks to Miss Ashly for coming up with the idea and then visiting on Friday to help us finish.
Finally, our condolences to Mr. Lawson who lost a friendly wager to custodian Mike McClure. The wager was on the outcome of the Ohio State-Michigan game and because Michigan won the game, Mr. Lawson had to wear a Michigan jersey on Monday. Hopefully, next year Mr. McClure will be wearing an OSU jersey.
West After School Center
Recently we completed a study on the African continent. This study included the culture, food, climate, and art of that region. Mrs. Draper, art instructor for WASC, created a design for an African mask which she illustrated using step-by- step instructions. The students started by making a paper mache form on a balloon, then added colorful tissue paper to the dried structure. Next, they drew a face on the inside of the mask which adults cut out; lastly, the entire surface was coated with decoupage. Now they had the base of their mask and only had to add a few personal touches. Jordan Queen, a third grade student at WASC, was very proud of his creation and insisted we display his mask for everyone to see as they entered the Center. Thank you, Mrs. Draper and Jordan, for a job well done and for sharing your talent.
Youth Development
The students at the West After School Center just completed their first week of youth development! We covered, Have You Filled a Bucket Today, by Carol McCloud. We did a read aloud with the second and third grade group. After learning the information, we played a “Bucket Filling or Bucket Dipping?” game where students had to label a variety of scenarios as representing bucket-filling or bucket-dipping actions.
Third, fourth, and fifth graders utilized the Reader’s Theater version of the book the students at Tallmadge Community Learning Center helped create. We spent several days working on feeling recognition, perspective taking, and personal responsibility.
General Sherman Community Learning Center
Thomas Ewing Community Learning Center
The junior high after school programs would like to acknowledge Ashly
Draper (student and family coordinator) for completing her Master’s
Degree in Special Education. This is a two-year program and Ashly
graduates from Mt. Vernon University on December 10! In addition to her
work as the student and family coordinator, she coordinates the art
program for the elementary after school programs at East, Cedar Heights,
Tallmadge, and the West After School Center. She is relieved that she
has completed this milestone and looks forward to enjoying life.
WANTED!!
A FEW GOOD PEOPLE
Experience not necessary
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 $201.67 during the third quarter of this rewards program! (August, September & October).
****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.
Save the Date!
April 2-4, 2012
Dallas, Texas
