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

January 21, 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

General Sherman Community Learning Center

Thomas Ewing Community Learning Center

Attendance is a key factor in making progress in the after school programs. Students perform better in their classes, have better grades on their report cards, and, in general, feel better about attending school.   At General Sherman this past week, there were six students who reached the 30-day goal and were treated to a Blizzard from Dairy Queen by Site Director Nan Rowe. Those students are: Jewel Wilson, Maliyah White, Seth Thomas, Hailey Van Sickle, Brianna Biggins, and Jordan Brooks. There have been a total of 10 students at General Sherman who have reached this milestone. Parents will see the results of their attendance when parent conferences are held later this month.  We are very proud of their efforts so far this year.  Look for the picture next week of the 30-day attendees from Thomas Ewing. 

West After School Center

The students at the West After School Center had a difficult time choosing their favorite activity this past Friday.  Mrs. Draper’s art activity was painting while demonstrating the difference between primary and secondary colors. Ms. Stebleton’s music class was a combination of singing and rhythmic motion.  The students’ favorite song was called “Action Leader;” they sang the words to the song and made up their own movement.  One other activity on their list of favorites was making pine cone bird feeders.  A slather of peanut butter and a little bird seed on a pine cone create winter food for our feathery friends.  The students decorated the pine trees at the Center with their feeders.

East Community Learning Center

Mr. Dorion stopped by on Friday to teach us more about karate.  He explained the importance of each move and the proper way to use karate.  We also learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Students read a story about him and watched a clip of his “I Have a Dream” speech.  After watching the video, they wrote their own speeches about their dreams.      

Cedar Heights Community Learning

We hope all the families of the Cedar Community Learning Center had a happy and safe holiday season. Now it is time to get back to work and have a good start to the New Year. The first week back was Art Week.  Mrs. Warner worked with us and taught us about the color wheel. Here are some facts we learned about the color wheel. A typical artist's paint or pigment color wheel includes the blue, red, and yellow primary colors. The corresponding secondary colors are green, orange, and violet. The tertiary colors are red–orange, red–violet, yellow–orange, yellow–green, blue–violet, and blue–green. Art is fun and it stimulates our creativity and our senses.

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

We really started to get back into the swing of things last week.  With parent conferences coming up the week of January 24^th, our instructors have begun compiling information that we want to share with our parents.  We will be letting parents know how their students are progressing in reading and mathematics, as well as social and communication skills.  Our goal is to meet with a parent(s) of every single one of our students.   

Last week, we also had Jayne Cash from New Horizons visit from Monday to Thursday.  She was talking with the students about the feelings of happiness, sadness, and anger.  Even if the students were not able to verbalize these feelings, they had a chance to express them through drawing and coloring. 

Finally, on Fun Friday, Maria came back for more Zumba.  This time, she brought with her a very large parachute (probably 30 feet in diameter) that she incorporated into the program.  The children had a blast lifting and running under the parachute.   

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

National Thank Your Mentor Month

National Mentoring Month (NMM) is the time each year when our nation spotlights the importance of mentors and the need for every child to have a caring adult in his or her life. When you serve as a mentor, you enrich your own life as much as you do the life of a child. The West After School Center thanks all of our volunteers for their many hours of dedication and service!

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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Columbus, 10:00-3:00 p.m.

21st CCLC Brown Bag Meeting

Delaware, Ohio

21st CCLC New Grant Meeting

21st CCLC Continuing Grant Meeting

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