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

February 4, 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

“Nutrition and Wellness” was one of the themes at the junior high after school programs during the month of January.  Guest speakers Ginger Davis wellness nurse from FMC, and Corrine Gail, dietitian from FMC were guest speakers at each of the two sites this past week.  They provided a very good demonstration on how much sugar is contained in various beverage, including monster drinks, juices, milk, and sodas.  Test tubes of fat were used to present to the students how much fat is contained in foods such as hamburgers. The talk concluded with a discussion on what are viable options for snack foods.  The presenters furnished fruits for the students to make fruit kabobs as a healthy snack.

West After School Center

Congratulations to several of our West After School Center students.  Katelyn Johnson was the 2011 winner of the West Elementary School Spelling Bee.  Drevan Moreland, Breona Heft, Brianna Fielder, and Autumn Jenkins were also participants in the Spelling Bee. Bailee Kiger was one of the citywide winners of the Lancaster City Fire Prevention Poster Contest.  Her poster, which was entitled, “Never Go Back in a Burning Building,” is on display at WASC along with the pictures of all of these Students of the Month. We are proud of the achievements of these outstanding students.

East Community Learning Center

Art was one of our rotations last week.  Mrs. McBroom taught the students about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.  Mrs. Draper came on Friday to finish up the lesson.  Students traced their hands and made them into color wheels.  We also talked about Groundhog Day and students made their own groundhogs out of toilet paper rolls.  Finally, Mrs. Carpenter started her unit on crocheting.  Students were broken into groups based on whether they wanted to make a yarn doll or crochet a scarf.  This will be a regular rotation on Fridays until the projects are finished. 

Cedar Heights Community Learning

Last week at Cedar Heights Community Learning Center, we had New Horizons Counselor Jane Cash visit us Monday through Thursday.  We enjoy the group work we do with Mrs. Cash.   We discussed our emotions and what makes up happy and sad.  We also conducted conferences with most of our parents.  The conferences are a good chance to catch up with our parents and make sure we are addressing all their concerns for our students.  As for fun Friday, we had Zumba instructor Maria Mulder here to show us a fun way to exercise.  We did some Zumba, and we also played with a parachute.  It was a fun-filled week with lots of activities to keep our bodies and our minds in shape.

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

We continue to add to our enrollment at Tallmadge Community Learning Center.  We had three new students complete their paperwork who will begin in our program on Monday, January 31^st.   

We also completed many of our parent conferences.  The parents received feedback on their student’s progress in reading, math, and homework, as well as social development.  We were also able to receive parent feedback through our conversations with them, as well as a written parent survey.  Weather permitting, we hope to finish up the conferences next week. 

On Friday, Mrs. Warner again instructed the students in the sport of cup stacking.  The kids love it and are really starting to get proficient at the skill.

Just a reminder to parents:  If Lancaster City Schools are closed, TCLC will be closed.  This includes early dismissal.  So if schools close early, please remember to make arrangements for your child.  Finally, you can see if we are closed on the school closing, bottom scroll on Channel 6.  We will be listed as “West After School Centers” (WASC) rather than under Tallmadge Community Learning Center.

February is Children’s Dental Health Month

           National Children's Dental Health Month has been observed each February for more than 55 years. It serves as an annual reminder to children, parents and caregivers of the importance of healthy oral health habits. We cannot allow children’s dental checkups to be missed or their dental health to suffer because of the economic downturn. If you need assistance, contact a program director.

February is

American Heart Month

             This is the month set aside by the National Heart Association as a time to focus on our cardio-vascular health. We all know how important it is to live a healthier lifestyle, so let’s commit to give the gift of health to those we love and focus on our heart health in the month of February.  Why not change Friday night pizza night at your house to Friday night take a walk night?  Grab your spouse, your kids, your best friend, and your dog and take a walk.  Exercising is so much more fun when you are spending time with those you love.

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.

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 $223.99 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, 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.

ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and COLLABORATION

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

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WASC Closed for

Presidents' Day

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