Lotus and the Golden Pearl - a Young Girl's Peace Odyssey

Children's Book Author Libby Pink presented her new book, "Lotus and the Golden Pearl - a Young Girl's Peace Odyssey" to the After School Collaborative in Novemeber.

Students and families at Argonne, Alamo and Lafayette got to meet and hear book author, Libby Pink, read from her new book. The story about a young girl's quest to find peace aligns with our anti-bullying theme at the After School Collaborative and also supports the San Francisco Unified School District's balanced scorecard goals. Youth participated in activities exploring ideas around world peace and the benefits of working together as a community. All children were able to get a free bookmark. There also was book signing opportunities and a juice and healthy snack social for all to enjoy.

Some wonderful photos included of the event.

For more information on the book, please go to Libby Pink's website at http://lotusandthegoldenpearl.com/

Announcing Winter Arts Showcases!

Without a doubt, 2009 has offered change and challenges for all of us. It also has been filled with opportunity to create new ways of working together toward a more collaborative and innovative future for our youth, staff, families and communities. At the Richmond District Neighborhood Center’s After School Collaborative, 2009 has brought hope, change and new possibilities.

With your participation, the After School Collaborative will continue to bring you, your children and future generations some of the best and most diverse visual arts, dance, drama and music classes and performances in the city for school-aged youth!

Indeed, the Richmond District After School Collaborative is prepared to take the leap forward into 2010 but we can’t take this leap without you. This December as you attend the Winter Arts Showcase at your school’s site (see below for schedule) and contribute to our healthy potluck initiative, please join in supporting us with a donation!

For over fifteen years, the After School Collaborative has been a safe, fun, arts enriching, academically ehancing and culturally relevant after school environment for youth. Though we are faced with different challenges each year we grow, we have no less of an opportunity to achieve lasting and meaningful experiences for you, your neighbors and your neighborhood!

Let’s do this together!
Warmly- Anne Mannes, RDASC Director

Join us this December for our annual winter art showcases at 5pm! Don’t miss out!
· December 9, 2009: George Peabody showcases dance.
· December 10, 2009: Argonne showcases poetry readings.
· December 17, 2009: Lafayette showcases music performances.
· December 16, 2009: Alamo showcases visual arts puppetry.

Snack Time!

Have you noticed the new healthy snacks your children are eating now at the sites?

In September 2009, we were given notice that our Richmond District schools no longer were eligible for snack through the San Francisco Unified School District. This change in our funding caused to us to turn to our families for support and come up with different solutions for our snack program.
Well, the After School Collaborative never turns down a good challenge! We want to thank our Lafayette families who contributed by donating snack items for October. We also will be turning to ALL OF OUR FAMILIES in the month of May to donate healthy snacks to their sites. Between now and then, however, we have hired Revolution Foods to supply healthy fruit and dried goods to the students. Revolution Foods sets high standards for food quality and we are very excited to partner with them!
We are committed to boosting healthy behaviors and choices for our youth! Thank you in advance for helping us achieve this important goal!