WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
NEWS & OPINION

February 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

Email:  pyoung@westafterschoolcenter.org

Visit us at www.westafterschoolcenter.org

What’s Working in AfterSchool Programming?

Research shows that exemplary afterschool programs have the following components:

· Goal Setting, Strong Management and Sustainability

· Quality After-School Staff

· Attention to Safety, Health and Nutrition Issues

· Effective Partnerships

· Strong Involvement of Families

· Enriching Learning Opportunities

· Linkages Between School-Day and After-School Personnel

· Evaluation of Program Progress and Effectiveness

How are linkages with the school day developed in the programs affiliated with the West After School Center? 

· Collaborative planning meetings occur regularly between principals and program directors.

· Program directors participate in school staff meetings.

· Afterschool staff participate in Intervention Assistance Team meetings focused on helping individual students achieve success.

· Principals meet quarterly with WASC leaders.

· School ad afterschool staffs share information and data pertinent to student learning.

· The use of facilities and resources is coordinated to maximize use of space and money spent to help students improve achievement. 

WWASC afterschool programs have been developed with a focus on student learning. We recognize that some families can provide quality out-of-school experiences, but many cannot. Though our programs are focused on creating learning opportunities, we do not believe children need “more school” during their after school experience. Therefore, collaborative planning occurs to create unique, group and individualized experiences that extend learning afterschool but does not replicate what children learn in school.

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.

The Rule of 10,000 Hours

Why do some people succeed far more than others? Is it innate talent? The extent of positive childhood experiences? High-quality teaching within top-notch schools?

In his latest book, Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell (staff writer for The New Yorker) challenges readers’ perceptions and understanding of how success is achieved. He describes “Outliers” as those people who succeed far beyond what is considered to be normal. What is interesting is that Gladwell cites numerous examples of outliers (Bill Gates and Tiger Woods to name just two) who have achieved fame and success largely because of contributions from lots of different people and lots of different circumstances —despite having innate talent. The overarching point that he makes is that we, as a society, have more a lot influence over who succeeds—and how many people can succeed—than we think. This isn’t a new theory, but it is amazingly hopeful and uplifting idea that deserves further attention, especially for those dedicated to helping at-risk children close their learning gaps and improve classroom performance.

Perhaps the most talked about chapter from the book is the “Rule of 10,000 Hours.” It is in it that Gladwell most effectively challenges the view that people with talent easily rise to the top of their chosen field. Rather, he shows that the closer psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role that innate talent seems to play and the bigger role preparation seems to play. Gladwell notes:

“The idea that excellence at performing a complex task requires a critical minimum level of practice surfaces again and again in studies of expertise. In fact, researchers have settled on what they believe is the magic number for true expertise: ten thousand hours.”

Essentially, the “Rule of 10,000 Hours” means that becoming an expert at anything is determined less by special talent but more by 10,000 hours of dedicated practice. And that’s the key—dedicated practice. A study of “outliers” shows that most all who achieve elite status have identified crucial skills necessary for success and honed in on perfecting them in a very a very deliberate way, often with the help of a mentor, coach, or teacher. Not all practicing is the same, and to become successful requires a huge amount of desire, motivation, and commitment to perfect those skills that others find too difficult to master.

Let’s face it, the premise of putting in 10,000 hours of practice make practical sense. You don’t become an accomplished pianist without practice. The same it true for an accomplished reader or writer. But what kind of practice? We know that doing more and more of the same thing likely won’t produce better results. What we do need is the kind that includes an expert analysis of requisite skills and comes with a comprehensive provision of community support systems that help all kids achieve at high levels.

In any typical school, children are challenged if they are engaged in general learning activities for about 4-5 hours each day. Over 13 years, their training should approach the threshold of 10,000 hours of general learning. But only those who are fortunate to be challenged and supported in deliberate practice, likely an additional 10,000 hours of focused practiced in an area of choice, will ever attain elite status.

To create those opportunities and provide the hours of deliberate, focused practice, schools cannot do it alone. Community-based before and afterschool programs must be created and developed to higher levels to share that responsibility—and success—of helping all learners attain opportunities to achieve potential in every endeavor.

pick up a copy of this book at

any bookstore and read it.

Together, we can create

conditions that will help all kids

achieve success.

Watch our Television Show on  the LSN

Channel 6 and 9 - Time Warner Cable

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

Healthy Living for Kids

"STUDENTS MAKING Art R TOPS"

S.M.A.R.T.  ART

Watch our show and learn about the wonderful art activities the students in the WASC, Cedar CLC, Tallmadge CLC, and Eastside Center for Success experience with Art Academic Coach, Ashly Draper.

Good health involves the mind, body, and soul!

S.M.A.R.T.  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 (Preschool Classes)

New Horizons Youth and Family Center (Counseling Services)

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

Fairfield County Jobs and Family Services (WEP workers)

Red Barn Productions

Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church

Eastland-Fairfield Career Center

Fairfield Foundation (Kitchen & computer training grant)

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 can provide 1 free daily snack for all program enrollees at the WASC, Cedar and Tallmadge CLC, 2 meals (breakfast and supper) based on income verification.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding with the paperwork requirements for this program as we provide a valuable 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.

Did You Know?

21st Century Community Learning Centers are part of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, Title IV, Part B, better known as the No Child Left Behind Act.  They have been in existence for 10 years.

CHILDCARE OPENINGS AVAILABLE

Looking for a safe, quality program for your child’s before or after school care? Check out the affordable opportunities at the WASC, Cedar CLC and Tallmadge CLC. Stop by for a visit, or call and speak to one of our staff members. Our centers 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 21st CCLC afterschool tutoring programs. 

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 Valentine's Day from Everyone at the West After School Center