WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
NEWS & OPINION

March 2009

Our mission is to provide opportunities that enrich the educational, social, and cultural experiences of students and families in our community.

620 Garfield Avenue, Lancaster, OH  43130  --    740-653-5678  --  740-653-2402 FAX

Why After School Matters

Non-school hours represent the single largest block of time in the lives of American children and youth. About 40 percent of young people's waking hours are discretionary-that is, not committed to other activities such as school, homework, meals, chores or working for pay. By contrast, American youth spend about 32 percent of their waking hours in school. Young people's participation in constructive learning activities during non-school hours contributes substantially to their success in school.

Email:  pyoung@westafterschoolcenter.org

Visit us at www.westafterschoolcenter.org

Dr. Paul G. Young, Executive Director

Mrs. Jane Hart, Student & Family Coordinator

Mrs. Julie Bibler, Tutoring Program Administrator

Mrs. Chris Kuttler, Office Manager

Early Childhood Conference

Presented by the Fairfield County Family, Adult & Children First Council

Friday, March 27, 2009

Ohio University-Lancaster

For parents, teachers, after-school personnel, administrators, providers, social workers, nurses, etc.

Student Survey Results

In January, our parents completed a brief on-line survey during conferences. During February, the students had their turn. in the computer lab to respond to the questions below. 54 students participated, Gr. 1-5. The results are below.

Code: SA=Strongly Agree; A=Agree; NA=No Opinion; D=Disagree; SD=Strongly Disagree   - Responses are reported by percentages.

Questions:

SA
Strongly Agree

A

Agree

Do Not Know

Does Not Apply

D

Disagree

SD

Strongly Disagree

2.  I look forward to working with my volunteer  tutor.

3.  My academic coach cares about me.

4.  I am reading better because I come to the center.

5.  I do better in math because I come to the center.

6.  I complete all my homework because I come to the center.

7.  I like the snacks served at the center.

8.  I usually eat supper at the center.

9.  My favorite activity is:

10. My least favorite activity is:

The Power of Ideas

As a nation, we have an urgent need for out-of-the box thinking. The conventional wisdom and groupthink regarding the complexities of how we should live and learn have proven not always to be best for the common good.  We need leaders who can inspire us with their passion, persistence, and commitment to a vision of a brighter future. But unfortunately, those who think that way are sometimes ridiculed with put-downs. They are told that they “march to the beat of a different drummer” or that “their lights are on but nobody’s home”.  Tough times make for tough decision making. With a doubt, this is a period in our  history for unrestricted, creative thinking that can stand the test of time!

Young learners are impressionable and can invent solutions for almost any problem that they encounter. But they need successful role models, and the time for bold, new ways of thinking is here. Faced with an increasingly bleak economic forecast, crumbling infrastructure, global political unrest, and threats to the environment, our kids will have much to wrestle with as adults. We must teach them the power of their ideas. Instead of showing them how to identify problems, cast doubt, and lay blame, we need to encourage them to offer brave solutions that benefit everyone. Rather than model a state of desperation, we must inspire them to innovate. Children must see and learn from good role models, from the leaders of our country, state, schools, community, and their households.

How do we do this?

We can learn from experience.  Doing what we’ve always done will get us no more than what we’ve always gotten. Partisan groupthink can be dangerous. Instead, we must become respectful of the problems we face and view them as opportunities instead of obstacles. We must appreciate the ideas that creative thinkers propose and collaboratively work to make them better. We must be willing to take risks. Power will come to those who can best synthesize information and data, make sense of complexities, propose new meaning and solutions, and inspire and lead with courage and confidence.

All of us want to experience good health, financial security, and live freely in a safe, pleasant community in a healthy family. We also want to have fun and experience a sense of fulfillment by giving back to others. Helping each other achieve those priorities in complex time is where powerful ideas become so valuable.

It is important that kids in schools and after school programs learn basic skills. But it is even more vital (to our future as well as theirs) that we teach our kids how to think critically, to compare and contrast, appreciate aesthetics, and overcome challenges with powerful, new thoughts. We don’t have to rewrite or add to an already overburdened school curricula – we just need to promote and celebrate the value of good planning and the promote the power of positive thinking in everything we do as adults.

Watch our Television Show on  the LSN

Channel 6 Time Warner Cable

New episodes air at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Art Opportunities at the WASC

with Instructor Ashly Draper
Students at each of our afterschool program sites have enjoyed their  special weeklong learning opportunities each month when art teacher Ashly Draper brings hands-on projects to each location. As you can see from the student surveys, art ranks as their favorite of all afterschool activities. And studies show that the ability to be a creative thinker will be among the most valuable work skills. Our students are learning how to think like an artist, work in teams, share, learn special techniques, and appreciate aesthetic beauty.  They love art!

We Thank Our Partners

Ohio University-Lancaster (Reading Academy)

The Ohio State University Extension   (Master Gardeners)

The Robert K Fox Family Y (Summer Lunch Program and Recreational Opportunities)

Eastside Center for Success (Summer Art Classes)

Lancaster-Fairfield County Community Action Head Start (ELI Classes)

New Horizons Youth and Family Center

Fairfield County Family, Adult, and Children First Council (21st CCLC Program Support)

Fairfield County Jobs and Family Services (custodial workers)

Red Barn Productions

Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church

Eastland-Fairfield Career Center

Fairfield Foundation (Kitchen)

United Way of Fairfield County

MEAL PROGRAM at the WASC

The West After School Center is registered with the Ohio Department of Education as a meal sponsor with the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

We provide 1 free daily snack for all program enrollees, 2 meals (breakfast and supper) based on income verification. We can also serve supper to those students under age 18 for $3.00.  Parents, staff, and adult visitors are welcome to eat supper with the students, 5:30 each day, for the fee of $3.00.

We thank you for your support of this program as we provide service to the community.

The flagship program of the West After School Center is the After School Tutoring Program which targets those students needing additional help in reading and math.  But most other programs and services are open to all students and families of

West Elementary School. 

Phone 740-653-5678 for answers to your questions.

CHILDCARE OPENINGS AVAILABLE

Looking for a safe, quality program for your child’s care before or after school?  Check us out, stop by for a visit, or call and speak to one of our staff members. We open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Childcare students receive many of the same benefits as those enrolled in the after school tutoring program—and we are open in the summer!

Are the rising prices of food and gas cutting into your wallet?

Plan now to take advantage of the West After School Center’s

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM

FREE for anyone ages 2-18

11:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.  June 4-August 21, 2009

The West After School Center is an independent, non-profit, community-based before and after school child care center licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

This newsletter is from the office of Dr. Paul Young, Executive Director

Happy St. Patrick's Day from everyone at the West After School Center

Monday-Friday

March 16-20; March 23-25

ECOT Testing at the WASC

9:00-1:00

Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow