In Ms Janet's class we talked our trip to UT Arlington and our visited Mr. Darin's friends and the health/exercise center. We saw pushups, running laps and squats.

My Trip To UTA

I love the ASA. I like it when Ms. Janet take us on field trips. Yesterday we went to UTA gym and meet Mr. Darrell and he showed us the workout equpiment.

UT Arlington Field Trip

July23,2007 we went to the U.T.A College in at the big we went to the fitness center and we met a man named Mr.Darrell he took us in this huge exersize place so we went to one of the machie and talked about this screen that could show telvison while you exersize so we went on and talked about many diffrent muscles and sports . Then we went to the smaller one and it was kind of the same but smaller also we discovered a ball that you can do many exersizes only on one ball.So I learned many diffrent muscles.

Daedrin's trip to the UTA Fitness Center

You can click on the pictures to get a more up-close view of them.

Though not the Historian for the day, Daedrin did some great reflection on the way back from our trip to UTA's fitness center. Above are some of the pictures he drew, showing us what he saw in the fitness center.

Below is a picture of Mr. Darrin high-fiving one of his friends at the fitness center. Check out Mr. Darrin's friend's earrings and Mr. Darrin's baseball hat. Great attention to detail, Daedrin!


You're making some great observations, Daedrin! I'm anxious to see what you drew at home last night! Keep up the good work!

Jordan Warren's trip to UTA Fitness Center

Jordan Warren's trip to UTA Fitness Center

C.J.'s trip to UTA Fitness Center

C.J.'s trip to UTA Fitness Center

Jordan Harris's trip to UTA Fitness Center

Jordan Harris's trip to UTA Fitness Center

Great photography, C.J.!

C.J. did a great job taking pictures at the grocery store. He has a great photographer's eye. Here are some of his pictures:

FRUIT REALLY HELPS YOUR MUSSEL

I LEARN THAT FRIUT REALLY HELPS YOUR MUSSEL GETS BIGGER AND IT ALSO HELP YOUR ENGERY, AND IT YOU STORNG. i TOOK ALOT OF PICTURES OF FRUIT.

My Day at Camp

Today I went to Day camp, and I had so much FUN. The class took a field trip to the store and divided into food groups I was in the grain group I had alot of fun!

Hello again, this is my other niece Brianna.

It was fun when we went shopping

we had-wnet_to_the_store today. We had went shopping.

Ms. Janet had showed us a video about Kashia.

We had did exercises. We had did push ups and we had did jumping jacks.

THE what I learned.

Today we went to the grocey store and shopped as we shopped we read some nutrion facts and also mutipled to see how we could get 14 then checked out the grocies so today I learned to check the nutrion facts. Also when we did some exersize to build our mucsles then we took a water break.So when you go the store read the nutrion facts so you can learn.

I went to the grocrery store today, we got vegetebles, the veggies we got were broccoli, spinach, corn-on-the-cob. My favorite part was picking out the broccoli with Ms. Sylvia.

What We Did Today

Today we went to the store and we got milk, cheese, food for dinner today.
We did excrise. For snack we had graham crackers and cheese and I like it.

Kamaurja's trip to the grocery store

The After-School program is fun. It's a bunch of things to do.

We went to go get salisbury steak at the store today.

Hello my name is Danille and I am visiting the camp were my aunt Wyshina works and my favorite part of the day was the trip to the grocery store and the exercising. I had fun at the store, my leader was Ms. Jasmine, and I got to pick out the fruit. I liked when we got on the computers. Thank you to all the teachers and my aunt Wyshina. Everybody was nice thank you.

I like the After-School program

We went to the grocery store. We had fun. We was looking at the healthy food with Ms. Keilani. I learned about the meat. It was healthy.

My favorite thing today was going to the store.

Kamaurja's reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #9

Kamar's reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #8

Tray's reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #7

Daedrin's reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #6

Ladarrius's reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #5

Deshaumbra's reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #4

Jordan W.'s reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #3

C.J.'s reflections

Gabcast! ASA Summer Nutrition Program #2

The tasty apples

Those apples look good and tasty!

I Like Juice

I love juice becuase its good for you and makes you healthy!

I love strawberries

I like strawberries they are so sweet, and just want to eat the whole basket.

I like the Central Market it was fun and I would like to go everyday.

I like it when Ms. Lily let us taste the different fruits. They were all good.

Daedrin doesn't like tomatoes

At Central Market we tried all kinds of fruit. Daedrin did a great job of tasting, but he really doesn't like tomatoes.

Fruits and vegetables

Passion fruit. Sour. It tastes good. Tastes like a lemon. LeDarrius took the picture. Yes, it was my favorite fruit. I tried baby pineapple. I tried watermelon. I tried champagne grapes. I tried blueberries. I tried passion fruit. I tried jazz apples. I tried them what you call them nuts. Them thang nuts. What were those nut things called from China? Yea, those lychee nuts. I tried champagne grapes. They were good. I tried you know them watermelons, those white melons that got something on the inside? What's it called? You know them imitation melons? (You mean temptation melons). Yea, that's all.

about the trip.

This is the being of the trip when was starting see those fruits we tasted .Try to eat some.

Jordan H.'s trip to Central Market

I did it. I tried to bite the tomatoes and it wasn't good. I should've tried the little tomatoes.

The baby pineapple was juicy and good. It was yummy. It was my favorite. I didn't have it before. When I went to the store I saw big ones.

The champagne grapes were good. You put them in your mouth and pull them out. They was good and yummy and stuff. They was delicious!

I DOWNT LIKE GREEN TOMATOS

I DOWNT LIKE GREEN TOMATOS COSET THEY ARE NATSTEY I LIKE RED TOMATOS COSE THAY ARE JUICY.

My Trip To Camp

Last week I went to engineering camp. It was so much fun! We did a lot of experiments we went to chemistry lab and the instructor showed us an experiment using liquid nitrogen. It was so COOL!!!!!!!!!!! Every day was great we went bowling at the uta'sbowling and billards.Wedsenday we went to there gym and played basket ball. I can't wait to next year so I can go again

Kudos to Ms. Sylvia!

I have to give Sylvia her props! After many months of working toward a "Grand Opening" of our new Educational Outreach Center in Turner Courts, Ms. Sylvia is the one who brought it all together.

Sylvia solicited a donation of a comfortable chair from Lori Cullom (Turner Courts resident, friend, and new cook for the After-School Academy), then pulled together a lamp and table and carpet to create a homey little corner so that adults could read, relax, and enjoy the Community Room. Sylvia also arranged for a friend and former co-worker from Eastfield College to be available to talk to people about college and job opportunities.

As I sat to the side and watched and listened, Sylvia welcomed people in explaining the different job openings she has posted, they opportunity and resources to write a resume, the internet capabilities, the opportunity to hang out and read a book or bring children to read a book...and she asked for and is open to new suggestions in case there is something missing.

If you have any suggestions, let Ms. Sylvia know!

I look forward to seeing how it all develops.

Thank You for a GREAT Semester!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to express how much I enjoyed and appreciated my semester at the ASA. I certainly learned a lot through my four months with you all, and I can only hope you learned something from me! Thanks for the memories -- and keep in touch!
~ Miss Catherine
CatherineEBryan@yahoo.com

Art Show

Congratulations to the After School Academy for a successful art show on Friday. All the art and photography pictures found a home to go to. This was my first year being a part of the art show and I really enjoyed myself. The kids had a ball. At first they sat and watched different people bid on their pictures, then after a while of watching they began to walk around introducing themselves as well as their portraits. How smart is that!!!!!!!!!!!!


I look forward to many more art shows in the upcoming years.

Project SEE Award

Recently, the ASA received an e-mail from Jennifer Stimpson. She is one of the organizers that worked with the sixth graders at UTD in science. She was letting us and the teens who participated know that the project SEE committee was awarded Committee Of The Year by the sorority chapter. Ms. Stimpson also stated that she could not host the program without our kids. Now!! That was a nice thing to say. Our kids at the ASA work very hard in whatever they do. SO, congrats to Ms.Stimpson and her committee for this special honor. I also want to thank them for sharing the good news with us. She could have just accepted the award and moved on, but she kept us in her heart and felt that we should know. "That means that our kids finished with honors. "


Way To Go !!!!! sixth graders.

"The Pledge"

No, not the one we all know... ("I pledge alligiance to the flag of the United States of America...")

Every day at the After-School Academy, we have a special time called "Group Time" when we all come together for announcements, "shines" (recognition of good behavior or special accomplishments), review of the word of the week, and "The Pledge."

This is something I find so meaningful; I wish I had heard it when I was these' kids' age! I hope they appreciate it ... and that it makes a difference in their lives, somehow or another.

The Pledge

I pledge alligiance to myself

and who I want to be,

'cause I can make my dreams come true

if I believe in me.

I pledge to stay in school and learn

the things I need to know

to make this world a better place

for kids like me to grow.

I pledge to keep my dreams alive

and be all I can be.

I know I can, I know I will

'cause I believe in me.

Ballet Recital

Great Job! Kashia on your ballet recital. Kashia Jones is a very talented girl, she has participated in a lot of extracurricular activities this school year. She gives 100% in everything that she does. I think that she is an exceptional individual. If you ever see her in passing just stop and visit with her so you too can experience what I do everyday when I talk with her. (A diamond in the Rough)


Ms.Sylvia

Prayer Breakfast

The prayer breakfast was great. And it was an honor to be there and to here all the mayoral candidate's speak. They did an awesome job and it was really a privilege to be there. I want to thank CDM for standing up and doing more than just talk about the issues of so many people.

2007 CDM Prayer Breakfast

This morning's prayer breakfast was a wonderful event. The venue was beautiful, the crowd was great, and the CDM staff coordinated quite a successful morning.

Special kudos go to Ms. Wyshina Harris for courageously and eloquently representing an often-overlooked, yet incredibly important group within our community! Wyshina, you did a fabulous job and we are so proud of you!

I was glad to hear from all of the mayoral candidates present.

I hope that they have heard the voices of South Dallas -- and ALL of Dallas -- regarding our concern for the important issues which were presented this morning.

Thanks to all of those who helped to bring these issues to the forefront of the mayoral race.

Remember, early voting begins this Monday, April 30th, and Election Day is May 12th -- let's all get out there and vote for the candidate who will best lead our city into a brighter future!

• I would like to shine on the kids for book cooks they have improved since we had our class meeting and I am so very proud of them.
• I would also like to shine on the kids in science they are learning and being active in every activity that we do.
• Over all I am proud of the kids in every way. So nice to be around such bright kids.

Parent meeting

What a great parent meeting!

Thanks to:
Talisha Tucker--mom of DeShala and Danielle
Omikla Godbolt--mom of Tyrece, Damian, and DaQwalon
Wyshina Harris--mom of Jazmine and Jordan
Sylvia Harris--mom of C.J. and Phantasia
Chanel Williams--mom of Jazmine, Kendell, Kashia, and Ravyn
Jacqueline Smith--mom of Daedrin and Jordan
Evette Childs--mom of James
Keishunna Magee--mom of Kamaurja and Kamar
Rosalind Henry--mom of Joshua and Jordan
Barbara Landon--grandma of Ladarrius
Tajiman Fields--mom of DeShaumbra, Jhor-Dai, and Deidre

Though I tend to always over-structure meetings, last night we didn't plan much structure...actually, I didn't plan it at all! Wyshina and Sylvia put the plan together. I felt it was one of the best meetings we had. Way to go Wyshina and Sylvia!

Thanks for the great suggestions some of you offered. Thanks for being great parents!

Out door activities

As the months pass on its a joy to come and see the kids have so much fun while playing outside they play football, monkey in the middle, and they seem to enjoy being around each other. And I figure that makes them very happy.

Chemistry Banquet

Congratulations to Daqwalon, Ravyn, Deshala, and Phantasia for their completion of the Chemistry Program at UTD. They were styling and profiling at the banquet. They all did a great job. It took a lot of time and commitment to pull it off and they did it!

Our Future Chemistry Majors!!!!!!

On to the next adventure.

Beauty

I think this picture is so brilliant and sets the tone at the After School Academy. I know for a fact every kid at the A.S.A feels this way about themselves. What feeling you ask ? LIKE YOU ARE ON TOP OF THE WORLD. Truly the kids give me this joy everyday. So Thank You Guys!!!!!!

FYI................
This is a wonderful photo, so can we all say thank you to Curtis?

" Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder."

Piano Recital

I would like to congratulate all the children that participated in the piano recital. They all did a great job, among the kids that were there from the ASA was Kashia Jones and Danyelle Stevenson. At the recital they had a special Guest that use to attend H.S. Thompson in their piano class, and now he is a professional piano player. That just shows you that your dreams can and one day will come true.

Ms. Sylvia

Storytime with Deshaumbra

I would love to shine on Deshaumbra for reading with her classmates during centers yesterday. It was a beautiful day and the children wanted to both read and enjoy the sunshine, so they read outside. I would also like to shine on Dyesha and Oscar for respecting their fellow classmate as she read aloud and shared the story with them.

Photography Class (4th & 5th grades)

The pictures that these kids are taking (already!) amaze me!! And not only that, they are learning to use PhotoShop! I'd like to think I'm fairly experienced in PhotoShop, but these guys already know so much more than I do... Thanks to Mr. Wendell for this awesome opportunity at the ASA!

CENTERS

The kids are such a positive influence on me. Sometimes I find myself laughing with them. They are smart. And no matter how old they get they still learn by watching. During centers it's the best time to learn from the kids. They bring joy to me and I love to see them having a great time.

Foot loose but College-bound!

The After-School Academy's Spring Break was full of events. I was able tag along on Thursday as they went to Texas A & M-Commerce.

Dr. Foote is in charge of the Education Department. She came and talked with us about college, read us a book, and then gave us squeezable lions (the Texas A & M-Commerce mascot) so that we could relieve our stress on the TAKS test.

We met Mr. Jerome, who runs the Rec center. The Rec center was really cool. We went on their basketball courts, ran around their indoor track, saw the huge rock wall, looked in the windows of the racquetball court, and then looked at their huge outdoor pool, sand volleyball courts, and basketball courts...all for college students! Mr. Jerome was so impressed with the way we listened and greeted him that he invited us back in to give us each a t-shirt!

We also met a campus police officer who gave us each a police badge tattoo that we could put on our arm.





Throughout our trip we were toured around by college students who used to be in our after-school and summer programs. Main is a Business major. He is a barber on the side, which helps him make money for college. Bridgette is an English major. She wants to teach English when she graduates. Keith is a Kinesiology major. Kinesiology has to do with sports. He is a football player for the Texas A & M-Commerce Lions. Jessica is an Education major. She has taught us in the summer before. She came to join us after her classes were over and before she went to work at the Boys & Girls Club.

Thanks to everyone who helped make our trip to Texas A & M-Commerce fun and educational!

Way to go C.J., Kendell, and Jordan!!

CONGRATULATIONS C.J., Kendell, and Jordan!

C.J. (2nd grade), Kendell (2nd grade), and Jordan (4th grade) participated in the Sudie Williams Chess Tournament this past Saturday.

I am so proud of these three! Each of them are practicing and participating. It takes a lot of courage, determination, and perseverance to continuously compete in the tournaments.

Please give them a pat on the back and encourage them to keep up the good work. There are several more of our chess students who had other events this weekend and couldn't participate. Make sure to encourage them as well. I know with a lot of hard work, the ASA will become strong competitors in the tournaments.

Keep up the good work and keep playing chess!

Natural Walk at ASA

Today in Miss Sylivia class we went on a wonderful natural walk. The kids loved ever bit of it. We found centipede,worms, caterpillar and a very tiny spider.Crazy as it sounds I found my self wanting to stay out just a little longer.But the amazing part of it all can you believe I was the only one picking up the bugs,all but the spider.

Joshua the Bookworm

Joshua loves to read! Almost everyday for the last
couple of weeks he will sit and read with a teacher. One day I noticed him reading by himself while the other kids were playing games and he never looked up until he was done reading that book. I am very impressed with his concentration skills because it can be difficult to concentrate on what you're reading while other things are going on around you.

My experience so far

The after school program for me started January 8,2007. Since that time I've had a chance to me some really nice kids. They are very intelligent. They greet you. Which makes you feel so welcome. They also help out a lot during class.I think book cooks is the favorite class for all the kids who come.I laugh with them sometimes when I'm trying to calm them down because they are so funny. It's been a pleasure to be around so many talented kids.

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: