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
May 14, 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
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING NEWS
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
We had our last art visit from Mrs. Draper for the 2009-2010 school year. We worked on finishing our art portfolios so that we could take all of the beautiful artwork we created this year home. Emma Christ, a fourth grader who is currently running for Treasurer for the 2010-2011 student council, worked very hard finishing a beautiful painting. All of our students enjoyed all of the wonderful activities planned by Mrs. Draper!
East Community Learning Center
The students at the East Community Learning Center celebrated Mother’s Day by creating edible bouquets and making cards. The bouquets were made by wrapping Oreo cookies in foil, placing them on a skewer, wrapping them with cellophane, and then placing them in a "vase" to form a bouquet. It was a great project and we have heard that the mothers really enjoyed them. The card was made from the marbleized paper the students made during 18th century week. That became the cover once it was placed on a piece of construction paper. The inside consisted of an acrostic "MOTHER" poem and pictures of the students.
Serena Rowe Griffin, teacher of English as a second language at the American School in Guadalajara, Mexico, made a visit and presented the East Community Learning Center pen pals with a gift made by their Mexican pen pals. Mrs. Griffin also showed the ECLC pen pals videos that the Mexican students had created. It was a great experience for the students to "meet" their pen pals. Both groups of students use this activity to hone their writing and conversing skills.
Tallmadge Community Learning Center
Last week at Tallmadge, we added a computer lab rotation to our program. This gives the students a chance to do any homework that may include the use of a computer or to get extra practice on Study Island. The students enjoy their lab time and make the most of the extra instruction they receive. On Friday, our guest was banjo player, Mitch Overton. Mr. Overton taught us several things about the banjo such as the source of its name and where it originated. He also showed us how to play the banjo and how to read music. Many thanks to Mr. Overton for a fun Friday afternoon
West After School Center
The students at WASC had a very eventful week last week. On Wednesday, we participated in the ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) program. Children all over the world participated in this program to help raise awareness for childhood obesity and children’s fitness.
Visitors from the Lancaster Fire Department came and talked to the students about fire safety. They showed us all of their gear they wear when entering a fire and other equipment used in fighting fires. All of the students even had the chance to sit in the truck!
Mr. Escarpeta taught us a step dance routine. Step uses the entire body to produce rhythm and sound. Students also had a chance to show off some of their original moves!
Finally, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo by making maracas and bracelets out of recycled toilet paper rolls. Students had the opportunity to learn about the importance of Cinco de Mayo as well as other Mexican traditions.
We thank our volunteers.
The facts-
Volunteers supported our program during 114 days of service.
75 volunteers served students with 1000 hours of combined service = $8-10,000 worth of in-kind service for the West After School Center.
"We thank our volunteers for their time and talents working with the students at WASC. This is a great service to our community and a tremendous in-kind service to our mission. Thank you for another outstanding year!"
WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
The West After School Center will again be serving lunches at nine community sites, beginning June 7. Last year, WASC served over 23,000 lunches during the summer months, and we hope to increase participation and meet the needs of our children.
Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Cedar Elementary Playground
East Elementary Playground
Lancaster Club Apartments 180 Sells Rd.
Medill Elementary School Playground
River Valley Apartments
Robert K. Fox Family YMCA
South Elementary Playground
Tallmadge Elementary Playground
West After School Center
The economic downturn has challenged many families' abilities to adequately feed their children. Help us spread the word that a free lunch is available for children from 2-18 years of age, Monday-Friday at nine locations this summer.
Let's work to feed our kids - and have fun together doing it!
ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and COLLABORATION
We thank the principals and teachers in our partnering schools for their assistance this past week completing surveys on the progress of the students enrolled in our programs. All 21st CCLC programs in Ohio must complete annual progress reports about their program services which is compiled for the U.S. Department of Education by Learning Points Associates. Classroom teacher perception of student progress is one important part of the data collection.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
The West After School Center is pleased to announce a new community partner. The Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council will be providing a summer craft program at the WASC and the East Elementary School summer lunch programs, starting on Friday, June 11, and continuing each Friday until the lunch programs end on August 13. The program will take place at WASC for one hour, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The East program will be a “Crafts to Go," which will be passed out to children between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The children will be able to take the craft home to do on their own. We want to thank this new partner and encourage children to come and enjoy this special opportunity.
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:
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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.
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Encourage children to engage in healthy and productive extra curricular activities at home and at school.
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Teach families how to prepare foods and economical family meals and snacks.
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Showcase the wealth of community resources and personnel that can help kids and families develop healthy lifestyles.
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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
