Back to School Night

Our Back to School Night was a great success this year.  We would like to personally thank 3M and Thomson Reuters for donating school supplies and back packs to our members this year,.  Because of these donations we were able to make sure that nearly 100 members were fitted for backpacks and school supplies.

In order to get their backpacks and school supplies, our members had to write down three academic goals for the school year.  Our volunteers and members of the Keystone helped the younger members fill these out.

We ended with a nice dinner for all who came.  Look forward to seeing everyone September 8th when we open again and hear all about your first day!

Al Lenzmeier West Side Talent Show

For our end of summer programming, we hosted a talent Show that featured several dancers, singers, gymnasts', comedians and two plays.  We would like to thank Suzanne Cross, who comes to us from the Theatre Del Pueblo Theatre and donated time to teach a three week session to both our K-3rd and 4-6th grade members.  They were able to showcase a short skit that was member driven, written and acted. 

It was great to see so many parents and grandparents come for this event.  A special thanks to our STARS Coordinator, Teria Masterjohn and our Education Director, Samantha Hausker for facilitating this event!

Members of the Month

Staff have chosen our Members of the Month.  Members that are chosen for this honor exemplify great leadership skills, participate in programs, and show great citizenship.  Thank you to Serenity, Isaiah and Antwan for being great role models at our club.  Keep up the great work!

STARS Room Competitions

Yesterday in the STARS Room, members had the chance to participate in several different tournaments that included: UNO, Connect Four, Hangman, and Sight Word Bingo.  It was a wonderful sight to see all of these members engaged in literacy and having fun.

Theatre Class with Teatro Del Pueblo

We have been fortunate to have the Teatro Del Pueblo Theatre come to our club and facilitate drama classes to two groups: kindergarten through third grade and fourth through sixth grade.  Members have been learning different acting and performance skills, while learning the language of the theatre.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our members to gain a new skill.  Thank you to Suzanne Cross for volunteering your time with us.  here is the link to their theatre site as well:Teatro Del Pueblo

Juniors Field Trip to Como Zoo

On Monday, selected members aged 4th grade through sixth grade were chosen to participate in the field trip to the Como Zoo.  Members were able to see the primate exhibit, learn about polar bears with the newly installed IPADS and had a wonderful time eating lunch at the Zoo Cafe.  It was a beautiful day to be outside and roam the park!

Art with Coretta

Today members of the art club with Coretta learned about Mandalas.  Mandalas used to be made out of sand and it would take people a long time to make them.  People would watch them blow away in the wind as a symbol of letting go.  Today, members created their own mandalas choosing four colors that represent things about themselves. 

Last week members had the chance to create collages.  Before they began, Coretta explained that the word collage was a french word that means to glue.  An artist by the name of Picasso started turning this into an art form.  Members found pictures from magazines that symbolized characteristics of themselves and created their personal collages.

Leadership Camp

We had fifteen of our members aged 12-14 leave today to go to our Leadership Camp located at our very own camp called Voyageur in Mound, MN.  These members will be away for three nights where they will experience the wilderness and learn leadership skills.  Have a great time and see you in three days!

Teens Take Field Trip to History Museum

Career Day with Teens

Our teens had the privilege to go to American Engineering to learn about careers in the engineering field.  Thank you to American Engineering for taking time to meet with us!  Our teens appreciated it very much.

National Night Out Celebration

This year we had a fabulous time at our National Night Out Celebration.  Members had the chance to participate in carnival games like the bean bag toss, golf, duck pond, and ring toss for prizes as well as partake in treats provided like popcorn or cotton candy.  We also had a disc jockey playing music and served over 60 chickens to our members, their families, and friends within the community thanks to the generous donation by Augustana Lutheran Church.

A huge thanks to 3M and Old Navy for sending volunteers to help us orchestrate and run the games. It is because of you that we are able to do what we do!

Thank you to our Amazing Summer VISTAS!

This summer we have had the opportunity to have two summer VISTAS at our location from the Minnesota Literacy Council.  This will be our third year in this program and it has been a great addition to our K-3 STARS Program.  As an organization, we have made it our priority to make sure that every member can read by the third grade, with the goal of helping them improve their literacy skills and fight the summer slide.  With the help of our VISTAS, members are able to get  one on one reading instruction and improve their reading skills through enrichment activities and computer games.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to literacy and our members.  You will be missed!

Save The Date!

It's getting to be that time of year again when many of our members are transitioning to thoughts about the upcoming school year.  We will be hosting our annual Back to School Night.  Members will have the chance to write three academic goals for the school year that will then be revisited throughout the school year to make sure they accomplish them.  A membership and three written goals done with staff and volunteers will give you a backpack with some school supplies.  Look forward to seeing you all at this event!