Middle School Learning Center

Our Mission:
The mission of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative is to lead the community in a partnership that builds and sustains quality after school programs.

Our Vision:
The purpose of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative is to create community partnerships and develop systems that will provide quality after school programming to students in Omaha Public Middle Schools. These high quality and free after school programs are directly tied to the school day curriculum and focus on recreation, academic enrichment, nutrition and cultural activities. By emphasizing all these areas in a collaborative effort with community organizations the initiative will create a paradigm shift in how after school programming is administered in Omaha. Stimulating learning environments will address students’ individual needs through extracurricular activities that promote study skills and enriching, recreational options. It is our belief that extended day learning opportunities that are provided in caring and safe environments will nurture positive relationships and foster the growth of responsible behavior.

Our Staff:
Megan Addison serves as a Co-Coordinator for the Middle School Learning Center Initiative. The majority of her duties include overall budget management for the MSLCI and 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants, grant writing, and administrative support to coordinating agencies. She provides leadership and support to nonprofit community partners to provide quality programming at the middle school sites. Megan serves as a liaison to funders for the initiative and its partners and is the lead contact for moving the partnership forward into a citywide after school network. Megan can be reached at 402-932-2025, ext.1003 or by email at maddison@MSLCI.org .

Barb Farho serves as a Co-Coordinator of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative and Coordinator of the Greater Omaha After School Alliance. The majority of her duties include grant writing, administration and connecting city and county resources to support these initiatives. She also serves as a Mayor’s Office liaison on other youth related projects and collaborative efforts within the community. Barb can be reached at 402-444-5151 or by email at bfarho@ci.omaha.ne.us .

Bob Whitehouse serves as a co-coordinator for the MSLCI representing the Omaha Public Schools. Bob's past experience as a secondary principal serves as a connector to various resources within the school district. He provides leadership and understanding to community providers as they work with and provide services to OPS students. Bob serves as a liaison for the MSLCI to the building principals and site directors. Bob can be reached at 402-932-2025, ext.1001 or by email at bob.whitehouse@ops.org .

Cary Tobin serves as a Co-Coordinator of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative. In her role as Co-Coordinator she recruits individuals, private businesses and nonprofit organizations to participate in the Middle School Learning Center Initiative sites. She manages and oversees the School Neighborhood Advisory Committee budget, program proposals and individual provider performance for the School Neighborhood Advisory Committees at each MSLC site. In coordination with Omaha Public Schools and the agencies, Cary oversees and coordinates all marketing strategies implemented as it relates to the MSLC and the Initiative via website, printed materials and promotion of events at the MSLC sites. Cary provides administrative support as needed regarding vendors and office related business accounts as well and manages the MSLCI website. Cary can be reached at 402-932-2025, ext 1004 or by email at ctobin@MSLCI.org .

Professional Development Opportunities
Please see the attached document to view a presentation that speaks to the professional development opportunities provided to afterschool program professionals and our providers through the Greater Omaha After School Association (GOASA) as well as the hands on programming that takes place within our Middle School Learning Centers.
MSLCI.pdf

	Photo Gallery Our Mission: The mission of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative is to lead the community in a partnership that builds and sustains quality after school programs. Our Vision: The purpose of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative is to create community partnerships and develop systems that will provide quality after school programming to students in Omaha Public Middle Schools. These high quality and free after school programs are directly tied to the school day curriculum and focus on recreation, academic enrichment, nutrition and cultural activities. By emphasizing all these areas in a collaborative effort with community organizations the initiative will create a paradigm shift in how after school programming is administered in Omaha. Stimulating learning environments will address students’ individual needs through extracurricular activities that promote study skills and enriching, recreational options. It is our belief that extended day learning opportunities that are provided in caring and safe environments will nurture positive relationships and foster the growth of responsible behavior. Our Staff: Megan Addison serves as a Co-Coordinator for the Middle School Learning Center Initiative. The majority of her duties include overall budget management for the MSLCI and 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants, grant writing, and administrative support to coordinating agencies. She provides leadership and support to nonprofit community partners to provide quality programming at the middle school sites. Megan serves as a liaison to funders for the initiative and its partners and is the lead contact for moving the partnership forward into a citywide after school network. Megan can be reached at 402-932-2025, ext.1003 or by email at maddison@MSLCI.org . *Barb Farho* serves as a Co-Coordinator of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative and Coordinator of the Greater Omaha After School Alliance. The majority of her duties include grant writing, administration and connecting city and county resources to support these initiatives. She also serves as a Mayor’s Office liaison on other youth related projects and collaborative efforts within the community. Barb can be reached at 402-444-5151 or by email at bfarho@ci.omaha.ne.us . *Bob Whitehouse* serves as a co-coordinator for the MSLCI representing the Omaha Public Schools. Bob's past experience as a secondary principal serves as a connector to various resources within the school district. He provides leadership and understanding to community providers as they work with and provide services to OPS students. Bob serves as a liaison for the MSLCI to the building principals and site directors. Bob can be reached at 402-932-2025, ext.1001 or by email at bob.whitehouse@ops.org . *Cary Tobin* serves as a Co-Coordinator of the Middle School Learning Center Initiative. In her role as Co-Coordinator she recruits individuals, private businesses and nonprofit organizations to participate in the Middle School Learning Center Initiative sites. She manages and oversees the School Neighborhood Advisory Committee budget, program proposals and individual provider performance for the School Neighborhood Advisory Committees at each MSLC site. In coordination with Omaha Public Schools and the agencies, Cary oversees and coordinates all marketing strategies implemented as it relates to the MSLC and the Initiative via website, printed materials and promotion of events at the MSLC sites. Cary provides administrative support as needed regarding vendors and office related business accounts as well and manages the MSLCI website. Cary can be reached at 402-932-2025, ext 1004 or by email at ctobin@MSLCI.org . Professional Development Opportunities Please see the attached document to view a presentation that speaks to the professional development opportunities provided to afterschool program professionals and our providers through the Greater Omaha After School Association (GOASA) as well as the hands on programming that takes place within our Middle School Learning Centers. MSLCI.pdf