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:

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. :)

Positive encouragement leads to confident children

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. :)

Raising money for the ASA

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

Go on...make my day! :)

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

Pre-teens taking initiative

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

Partnerships

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

Bridging the Digital Divide

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

Raising the bar

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

Setting limits

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

Coping Skills

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

Book Club progress

I'd like to shine on michael and Curtis for suggesting a great activity for Book Club. They suggested we take a ball outside and toss it back and forth while talking about our book. I refined the suggestions, and we turned the game into "Hot Potato." Jazmine, Curtis, Michael, and I each took turns. When the ball was tossed to us, we said something we remembered about the book, and later, what we would have changed to make the book better or worse. My goodness those kids can remember! They were telling all sorts of details I didn't even remember and really got into the game! We had to toss the ball away before a car would pass--everyone was a great sport and really involved. Thanks guys!

~Miss Rachel

Cool things

Every morning after I drop my kids, CJ and Phantasia, over at Ms. Chanel's house, CJ and Kendell play chess until it's time to go to school.

I am very proud of the children on how they are managing their time wisely in completing their homework now that we have our new system that limits the time they have to do their homework.

I've noticed how the Kinder through 1st graders behavior in my class has changed dramatically. They now listen to me and have respect for their classmates.

I also like how the staff is really pulling together ot make the ASA a success amongst ourselves and the children.

I would like to say thank you to Ms. Wyshina and Ms. Janet for believing in me so that I can take a stand at H.S. Thompson with CJ.

~Sylvia

Shifting the Tide

The South Dallas Crime and Safety Task Force (an initiative of the FCE, a group involved in working with the community to better South Dallas) met with the ASA staff yesterday to hear what our parents/staff had to say.

Though the task force had originally wanted to do a survey in Turner Courts, Sylvia and Wyshina did an amazing job of communicating more pressing issues specific to our Turner Courts/Rochester Park community. By the end of the meeting the group had changed their agenda somewhat.

They invited a few of us to be on the Put it in Action bus tour (a bus with police, city leaders, and community members that goes through South Dallas so the residents can identify crime spots and police and city leaders will take notice and take action).

They offered to train our key community leaders in some strategies and ways to approach different sectors of our city that we usually have problems with (police and such).

Omar Jahwar, Director of Vision Regeneration and a gang prevention and intervention specialist, is going to work with some of his guys who hang out around Turner Courts to become our “protectors” because little girls are being followed after school by men in cars.

Ms. Hill has invited us to be her guest at the Southeast Dallas crime watch so she can introduce us to Paula Hill, the chief (I believe) of the Southeast division.

Changa, a good friend and leader of the New Black Panthers, has done some great work in organizing communities to help prevent crime. He has agreed to explore some of those options with us.

And, finally, the committee agreed to begin talking to us to find out what is already offered in TC and to look toward an asset approach of what we are already doing in TC.

I felt energized after that meeting. It is encouraging to know that there are people willing to assist us in creating the most positive community possible!

I am also so encouraged by the strong leadership Sylvia and Wyshina demonstrate on a regular basis. We welcome your involvement in this process. Let us know if you want to be involved. We are stronger together than we are separately.