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
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.
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.
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!
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!.jpg)
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.
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.
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:
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. :)
Wyshina, Sylvia, and I were at a literacy conference today. They told a story about how positive comments can do wonders. Mike Moses (former DISD superintendent) explained that how he grumpily answered his door one day only to have a little girl selling girl scout cookies look at him and tell him, "You are handsome!" As a result, he ended up buying 4 boxes of cookies.
Isn't that the truth? We all want to be affirmed. A lot of times that affirmation will lead us to be better and do better.
Wyshina agreed with Dr. Moses and explained to me that Ariana (I believe she might be in 2nd grade), used to come into the After-School Academy and greet with her head down and her hand covering her mouth in a shy, hesitant way. Wyshina said she would always tell her, "Ariana! You have such a beautiful smile! I want to see that beautiful smile!" The more Wyshina affirmed her, the more confident she became...until now, she greets with a big smile and a good handshake.
Wyshina saw the abilities Ariana possessed and affirmed a quality that Ariana wasn't confident enough to share. As a result, we have yet another confident greeter in the ASA.
Way to go, Wyshina.
Thanks for sharing your smile with us, Ariana. :)
We had a wonderful turnout for our ASA fundraiser on November 10. We had grilled hamburgers, smores, chips, drinks, candy, etc. The kids enjoyed a couple of activities such as painting socks and t-shirts which both cost $1.25 each. There was a chess game set up where the kids could play for 25 cents per game. Ravyn and Kendell both beat their teammates in chess and recieved a prize. The children played outside until it became dark out. I must say it was fun and exciting for the adults as well as the children. We had extra volunteers that day, some of Ms. Rachel's family and some others. Things went smoothly as expected.
-Ms. Fields
Kevin Bryant is one little boy at the ASA who always has a smile and a big hug for me every time I pick him up from school. I always look forward to seeing the kids and Kevin. It makes my day even brighter.
-Chanel
I noticed that in Ms. Wyshina's class they were working on art. Deshala (one of our 6th graders) took the initiative to teach the kids. It was her own idea, she wanted to teach the children art. The volunteer that helped her was Jhor-Dai. They did a very good job. They are showing leadership.
-Sylvia
What I like about the ASA is that it partners with St. Phillip's Community School to give the kids opportunities to "Discover Dallas" through field trips that are generally going out and having fun at the roller rink, parades (which sometimes they are able to join in), rodeos, etc.
~Miss Chanel
Monday, November 6, in Computer Class with the 2nd and 3rd graders, we are learning how to type and this week we learned about the home row keys. When we first started, all the kids were asking to get on other programs like paint or the games but when we got started they seemed to really enjoy learning how to type.
Ask our 2nd and 3rd graders, "What is the home row on a keyboard?"
~Ms. Wyshina
The coolest thing!! Our kids got their report cards this week and a high percent of our kids went up in their grades. Way to go After-School Academy!
~Ms. Wyshina
Today I noticed all of the kids when they arrived, they ate their snacks and did their homework in record time. This made me realize they are aware and utilizing their time management skills. We have recently changed snack time to only 15 minutes and made homework time only 30 mintues. Everyone manages to complete their tasks in the time allowed. GREAT JOB!
~Rhonnie
I'd like to shine on Danyelle for excellent coping skills. One day at the ASA, another child said something that hurt Danyelle's feelings. I coudl tell because Danyelle became withdrawn and seemed very sad all of a sudden. A little while later, she brought me a picture she had drawn of a girl crying and words saying, "I'm sad because..." I thought this was a very excellent way for her to express her feelings, and it gave me the opportunity to reassure and encourage her.
Miss Rachel
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