Good morning neighbors!
The board would like to thank everyone who came to our annual meeting last night. Turn out was phenomenal! Working at the registration table, I must admit that I stopped counting arrivals when things backed up, but there were easily over 100 people present. If there had been many more, there would not have been enough room in the Sexton cafeteria. The WNA hopes that everyone enjoyed the meeting, and that people were able to connect with neighbors they may not have known before. Below is a photo of our “pin map.” Each pin represents a household in attendance last night. It is wonderful that we saw people from almost every part of our geographically huge neighborhood, but there are still some bare spots. Let’s work in 2012 to fill these in! If you know someone in an empty part of the map, try to get them involved. Our board will continue efforts to engage everyone, but we can only be successful with active and involved neighbors. Each and every resident in our neighborhood is amazing, and we could not have enjoyed success last night without all of you. We hope that everyone reading this is proud of themselves, is proud of their neighbors, and is proud of their community. You all deserve a pat on the back because YOU are the ones who make great things happen in the Westside! Let’s keep this momentum going throughout the year!
A message from Danielle Casavant, 2011 WNA President:
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you read your most recent Westsider newsletter and already have our Annual Meeting on your calendar. Just to remind you:
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Sexton High School Cafeteria
…
6:00 pm Dinner & Socializing (board members, The Irish Pub & Grill and Fork in the Road are providing soups/stews/chili – feel welcome to bring a dessert or bread to share, but it is not required!!!)
6:45 pm Welcome from the 2011 Board President (hey, that’s me!)
6:55 pm Election of 2012 WNA Board of Directors
7:00 pm Brief Keynote by Jennie Grau, nationally recognized Interpersonal Communications Consultant – to get us excited about sharing with and learning from each other about what is important to our neighbors and neighborhood
7:15 pm Small group activity to help inform the incoming board what is important to neighbors
7:45 pm Reporting out the results from the groups
7:55 pm Closing remarks and DOOR PRIZES!!
We have the room until 9:00 so that neighbors may continue conversations and meet more neighbors!
We will have an area set aside with games/activities and adult supervision for kids – so feel welcome to come as a family!
Thanks and hope to see you on Thursday!
Danielle
Always supportive of our neighborhood schools including J. W. Sexton High School, the Westside Neighborhood Association voted at tonight’s Board meeting to formally join the coalition of partners led by the “Save Our Sexton” group seeking to keep Sexton open.
Almost a week ago, WNA issued an open letter to the Lansing School District in support of Sexton remaining open and asking that if a public high school closure decision is necessary that it be based on logical facts and a consideration of the impact to the neighborhoods and the city as a whole. The WNA is planning on speaking to this at tomorrow night’s School Board meeting (7pm – Lansing School District Administration Building, 519 W. Kalamazoo Street) to reiterate this position.
Please visit the “Save Our Sexton” website at http://saveoursexton.weebly.com!
Word from Letts Community Center is that they may have to cancel a Zumba class they are offering due to lack of enrollment. Zumba seems to be quite popular now. This is quite likely a lack of knowledge rather than a lack of interest. If you are interested in this class, or know someone who might be interested (the class is open to all, not just Westside/Lansing residents) please pass the info on. With 8 one hour sessions, this is a bargain compared to commercial options at only $5/session.
ZUMBA (Adults)
A dance fitness class with lots of movement, high powered music, easy to learn steps and routines with interval training! The program combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt. Instructor: Barbara Davis. 8 sessions.
Activity #214113A $40/Res; $60/Non-Res; $8/Drop-in
1/18-3/7 Wed 6-7pm Letts
Activity #214113B $40/Res; $60/Non-Res; $8/Drop-in
1/21-3/10 Sat 10:30-11:30 am Letts
Contact Letts Community Center at 517-483-4311 to sign up.
The WNA has issued an open letter to the Lansing School Board emphasizing our support for Sexton High School amid discussions of a potential closing. This letter has been released to the school board, the local media, and it will be read at the January 19th meeting of the Lansing School Board. A copy is attached.
Sexton Letter
Immense thanks go out to the recent donors to the Westside Neighborhood Association… in the past two weeks alone, donations have come from Jackie Payne, Eric Scheck and Daniel Boutell, Edward Corey, Thomas Remington, James Booth and Kathryn Booth, and Julia Petry! Thank you all so much for the financial support, now and throughout the year!
Anyone else wishing to make a contribution can send a check made out to “WNA” to 1611 S. Genesee Drive.
The WNA is preparing a statement regarding our support for Sexton High School for public release in the next week. Additionally, some concerned neighbors have formed an independent group to discuss the potential for further action. Those interested in joining them are invited to read the attached flyer.
sexton postcard pdf
Made a New Years resolution to be more active? Looking for activities for your children to take part in? Maybe exploring new hobbies? Or looking to connected with other senior citizens? The Letts Community Center on Kalamazoo Street has you covered with tons of possibilities!
Letts Activities – January 2012
The Westside Neighborhood’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26th, starting at 6pm in the Sexton High School Cafeteria (Sexton is located at the intersection of W. Michigan and Verlinden – the cafeteria is on the western side between the two main wings).
All neighbors and interested residents are welcome to attend. It’s a great way to meet new neighbors, re-connect with old ones, and have a good discussion about the happenings in the Westside.
This is also the time when the 2012 WNA board members are elected. Interested in serving on the 2012 board? Contact board@wnalansing.com!
This event is FREE; dinner will also be provided by 2011 WNA board members. Even if you cannot stay for long or have to come late, please consider attending!
High school seniors attending Sexton High School or living in the Westside Neighborhood should read the materials below for information on two $1,000 scholarships offered by the association. Please pass this on as appropriate.
Scholarship letter
2012 Scholarship Application
