Kwanzaa at the ASA

Over the past semester the 4th and 5th graders have been learning about Kwanzaa. They learned about each Kwanzaa principle and then lit the candles to represent each principle. Umoja--Unity; Kujichagulia--Self-Determination; Ujima--Creative Work and Responsibility; Ujamaa--Cooperative Economics; Nia--Purpose; Kuumba--Creativity; Imani--Faith;

Below are some pictures taken from their Kwanzaa presentation:

It takes a village

Last Saturday I went to pick up Chanel and Kashia from a photo shoot. As we were leaving, Kashia picked up an extra bagel from the kitchen. She then said, "Thank you," to the lady who was there. The lady commented on how polite Kashia was and told Chanel what a great job she had done with her child. Chanel shrugged the comment off and told her that her manners were because of the After-School Academy.

Thanks, Chanel, for giving us so much credit. However, there is no way the After-School Academy could accomplish what it does without parents like Chanel...parents who ensure their kids access every opportunity that is available to them...parents who ask questions and work to understand what they can do to help their child more...parents who see what's going on at the After-School Academy and try some of the discipline and structure that we use in their own home.

Of course, I believe the ASA does great things, but we don't do it alone. It really takes a village. And we have a great "village" at the ASA. :)