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
September 2, 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
East Community Learning Center
East Elementary held its Welcome Back Picnic/Open House on August 25th. Miss Fiore joined East in celebrating a new year, as well as celebrating being rated as “Excellent with Distinction” by the Ohio Department of Education. She also used this time to enroll students in the afterschool program as well as offer families free bread donated to the Center by Lutheran Social Services.
If you have questions about East Community Learning Center, please call Ashley Fiore at 687-7197.
Cedar Heights Community Learning
The Cedar Heights Community Learning Center is open and ready for business. We have 17 students enrolled and are matriculating more every day. Our first week will start with a bang with a fun art project created by Ashley Draper. We will also help the students get settled into the school year with an easy transition into the afterschool program. We look forward to a great year with lots of fun activities.
Tallmadge Community Learning Center
With only one week until the program begins, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our staff. My name is Randy Au and I am the Site Director at TCLC. This is my second year working for WASC. Some of my previous experience includes working as a School Psychologist, a Camp Director, and a YMCA Executive.
In our homework area, we have Nate Stephenson, Holly Robitzer, and Leah Kraft. This is the second year at TCLC for Nate and Holly. Nate teaches during the day at Crossroads Alternative School and Holly has worked for Lancaster and Hilliard City Schools. Leah is new to TCLC this year and works as a math teacher at Amanda Clearcreek High School.
Dee Wright is in charge of our first grade. Dee worked in the tutoring program last year and is also our AM childcare staff person. Dee previously worked as an Educational Aide for Lancaster City Schools.
Last, but not least, we have Cindy Andres and Mary Peresta. Cindy is our Math Academic Coach and has worked at TCLC since the ’09-’10 school year. Her previous experience includes working for Fairfield Christian Academy, as well as for Lancaster City Schools. In our reading area is Mary Peresta. Mary is beginning her third year at TCLC and currently teaches at Crossroads Alternative School.
Keep in mind that the tutoring program begins on Monday, August 29th. All paperwork must be completed before your child can begin so if you have not done so, please contact Randy @ 740-475-9229 or rau@westafterschoolcenter.org. We are looking forward to another exciting year.
West After School Center
This is the first week of our new school year and we are quite busy. The fifth grade students at WASC planted a garden in early June and one of the first things on our agenda was to check on its progress. Staff and participants of the Summer Childcare Program enjoyed cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers. Our job this week was to weed and prune back the lettuce plants. We still have a few weeks to enjoy fresh produce as we wait for the green tomatoes and peppers to ripen.
General Sherman Community Learning Center
Thomas Ewing Community Learning Center
Student success in the afterschool program is not only measured by academic success but through the social and cultural advances that students make throughout the program. This week, we would like to highlight two of our long-time afterschool participants-Trista McCarthy and Darien Shaffer. Both of these students have been a part of the afterschool program during their elementary years at East. They transitioned into the Thomas Ewing program last year and will continue this year. The reason we would like to highlight them is because they are now a part of the Thomas Ewing Cross Country team. They have been practicing throughout the summer with the team. Mrs. Tripp, the team’s coach, is working with the afterschool program to make sure that these students can continue to be a part of the program and run cross country. Congratulations to Darien, Trista, and Mrs. Tripp!
WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM-FINAL NUMBERS!
The West After School Center has finished its fourth year, serving free summer lunches, this time exceeding 22,600. Serving at nine sites over 49 days with a staff of 18 people was a great accomplishment and a benefit for the children of Lancaster. We want to thank our partners, the Lancaster City Schools, Head Start, Fox Family Y, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio and its Choice Food Pantry, for their support.
Science Fun at West After School Center
We want to thank Tim Huston for the Science Fun Days at WASC. Mr. Huston introduced the children to a hands-on world of science. He brought concepts of electricity, magnets, magnification, weather, buoyancy, light, and refrigeration to the Center every Monday afternoon. Tim allowed the children the experience of making a project while learning the fundamentals of science. A big “thank you” goes to Mr. Huston for these programs.
The West After School Center, 21st CCLC before and afterschool programs for school-age children, were informed that our programs have passed the annual inspection and will continue as a one-star-rated Step-Up-to Quality Center.
Congratulations to our staff and our board of directors for continued good work and governance.
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.
We appreciate the many community agencies that help students and families with acquisition of their back to school supplies. Likewise, with a limited budget and six centers to provide for, the West After School Center is always in need of the list at the right.
Donations are appreciated
regular markers
tissues
Clorox wipes / hand sanitizers
Zip-lock bags (gallon size)
glue sticks
colored pencils
erasers
crayons
AA batteries
The West After School Center would like to thank our community partner, The Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council, for providing a summer crafts program at the WASC and East Elementary School summer lunch programs. The children enjoyed making a variety of crafts, including swap pins that are traded at summer camp.
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 $204.76 during the third quarter of this rewards program! (May, June & July).
****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
