Alexandria Public Schools Community Education

Anyone can attain personal empowerment. It depends more on your actions than on the size of your bank account or the title on your business card. We will cover 15 simple things you can start doing today to build your competence and confidence. Your Zoom invitation will be sent with all of the information you will need. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during this online event.

Divorce is a course correction in life and unique, with different circumstances, emotions and stories. We each have our own story and look for ways to thrive after this major life change. In this course, you will be given 3 steps and time to reflect and answer questions that will help you reconnect to yourself, identify any patterns of behaviors and help you get clarity on what you want going forward. Once you have registered, an email invitation will be sent with all of the information you will need prior to the course date.

Create a rustic-looking door greeting to freshen up your doorway! Designs are pre-cut to attach to your sign creating that 3-D effect. Choose from a number of message options to match your personal or family style! This course can be taken in-person at the Design Station or as a Take Home kit.

Open gym is a great way to get some exercise in. Most nights a pick up game occurs.

Improve your driving skills and if you're 55 or older, get a discount on your personal auto insurance. If you have successfully completed the 8-hour course, then you are eligible to renew your insurance certificate by taking this 4-hour course. This 4-hour refresher Defensive Driving Course, is taught by experienced, professional traffic safety instructors, including officers of the Minnesota State Patrol. The class consists of lecture, films and discussions using Zoom virtual technology. There is no behind-the-wheel driving and there are no tests. Registration deadline is February 2. According to Minnesota state law, people age 55 and older who complete a state approved defensive driving course are eligible to receive a 10 percent, three-year discount on auto insurance. Contact your insurance agent for details. After you complete the course, you will receive a certificate of completion to give your insurance company.

Improve your driving skills during this initial 8-hour course over 2 days, and if you're 55 or older, get a discount on your personal auto insurance. The Defensive Driving Course, developed by the National Safety Council, teaches basic crash prevention techniques and has a proven record of reducing traffic violations and incidents. It's taught by experienced, professional traffic safety instructors, including officers of the Minnesota State Patrol. The class consists of lecture, films and discussions using Zoom virtual technology. There is no behind-the-wheel driving and there are no tests. Registration closes by Feb. 24. According to Minnesota state law, people age 55 and older who complete a state approved defensive driving course are eligible to receive a 10 percent, three-year discount on auto insurance. Contact your insurance agent for details. After you complete the course, you will receive a certificate of completion to give your insurance company. If you have successfully completed the 8 hour course, then you are eligible to renew your insurance certificate by taking the 4 hour course.

Are you feeling like you have had enough of Winter? Can’t wait to get out of the house? Join Professional Photographer Jay Grammond as he leads us on a photographic journey of possibilities that will get you out of the house and into your own yard, or local park this spring and summer. You will learn to see and compose creatively; how to create or look for great backgrounds; what subjects to focus on; and helpful apps and resources that could help you create your best images yet! Join us online! This class will be held using the online platform, Zoom. Prior to the class, you will receive an email from the instructor with the Zoom invitation to access the class. Simply click the link on the day and time of the class and Jay will lead you through the class from the comfort of your own home!

Did you know that people used to use stacks of newspaper as insulation in the house walls?! Several years ago a friend of our instructor knew of some remodeling that was being done at a family members house. During that project, they found a bunch of newspapers from the 1940’s tucked in the walls of the attic! This class will feature a virtual walk back in time. We will look at the headlines of the day; what was being advertised in those days; and what the ever popular “comics” section looked like! Amateur historian Jay Grammond will weave these pieces together to take you on a virtual walk back in time. Join us online! This class will be held using the online platform, Zoom. Prior to the class, you will receive an email from the instructor with the Zoom invitation to access the class. Simply click the link on the day and time of the class and Jay will lead you through the class from the comfort of your own home!

Raise your hand if you are ready to be able to get in the car and do a day or weekend road trip around the state! We could almost feel the breeze from all the hands shooting up! Join professional photographer Jay Grammond as he takes you on a virtual road trip around the state to learn about some of Minnesota’s waterways which were so vitally important to travel and trade in bygone days. In today’s world, these same waterways are vital to the state and local community economies; and to the citizens as a form of recreation and relaxation. After participating in this class, you should come away with the seeds of your own road trip ideas planted and ready for spring and summer. Join us online! This class will be held using the online platform, Zoom. Prior to the class, you will receive an email from the instructor with the Zoom invitation to access the class. Simply click the link on the day and time of the class and Jay will lead you through the class from the comfort of your own home!

To help prepare for ACT testing, we are offering this intensive test preparation workshop coaches high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to do their best on the ACT. In the five-hour ZAPS seminar, students will learn strategies for using partial knowledge to eliminate wrong choices, gain tips for improving in all four sub-tests: English, Math, Reading, Science; understand the most strategic ways to use limited testing time, take shortened practice tests that mirror the actual testing experience, reduce their test anxiety and gain confidence. Students receive a comprehensive study guide and 24 practice test workouts with detailed answer explanations. Students will also get suggestions for individualized study in the days leading up to the test. The vast majority of students who take this class say that they believe it helped them improve their test score!

You have chosen the At Home screening option to complete your child’s required early childhood screening. This free, mandatory screening is for all Minnesota children. The process will obtain a MN Student ID number for your child.Screening is a simple, careful check of your young child's speech and language, thinking skills, physical development, and social/emotional health. It is designed to ensure the healthy growth of students to be successful in any educational setting and if needed, connect them to resources that will support their development. For school district enrollees, screening must be scheduled prior to starting district preschool or Kindergarten programming

Every successful person in the workplace utilizes financial information to aid effective decision making. The Certificate in Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers explains the financial concepts and accounting processes used in most businesses and will provide practical techniques that will increase your effectiveness and career. First, get a foundation to understand the seven steps in the accounting cycle and use financial information in decision making. Come away with the knowledge to analyze resource allocation and evaluate financial performance. Then find out what you need to know about cash. Cash is the non-financial manager who really makes a difference in the day-to-day cash activities. Discover how to maximize cash flow, learn the importance of cash and find out your role in cash flow success. Finally, acquire advanced knowledge on the financial information that drives your organization. See how business reports are assessed and analyzed. An understanding of this information will help you make smart decisions when it comes to budgeting, setting goals, and assessing performance within your own area of influence. 3-Course Certificate Program must be taken sequentially and includes: Accounting & Finance for Non-Finance Managers: 2/1/21 - 2/26/21 Cash is King: 3/1/21 - 3/26/21 Financial Analysis & Planning for Non-Financial Managers: 4/5/21 - 4/30/21 You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate. CEUs/ILUs: 4.8 Length (in hours): 48

Adult Winter volleyball league is tentatively set to begin the week of January 11, 2021. Registration begins December 1st, followed by an informational captain email on Wednesday, January 6th. League is self-officiated and participants must be 18 or older and have graduated from high school. Schedules will be posted on line starting Wednesday, January 6th. $195.00 fee due at time of registration.

It’s never too late to learn how to play the piano, and there is never a bad time to revisit your faithful instrument after a long break. In this online course students will be treated with an approachable method for playing the piano, whether it be for the first time or if one is aching to return to playing. Though the course will heavily rely on material in a method book, the instructor will be sure to supplement this information with practical performance and theoretical knowledge. Each participant will need a copy of “Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book 1” for this course. The group will provide ample opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and, and support fellow musicians on their journey. Welcome!

Adult Winter volleyball league is tentatively set to begin the week of January 11, 2021. Registration begins December 1st, followed by an informational captain email on Wednesday, January 6th. League is self-officiated and participants must be 18 or older and have graduated from high school. Schedules will be posted on line starting Wednesday, January 6th. $195.00 fee due at time of registration.

Need to learn how to provide first aid, CPR, or use an AED to help save a life for your job or volunteer activity? Do you need a certification card? Heartsaver is the hands-on course for you. Cost includes the AHA Heartsaver student manual and course completion card. The recommended minimum age is 10 or older for training. To receive certification, student must have strength to perform full compressions. Class size limited, register early!

This course is set up to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for them until EMS can take over. The blended learning format allows the student to work independently on theory utilizing a series of informational videos and tutorials, and then combines that online knowledge acquisition with in-person water, First Aid and CPR/AED hands-on skills training. Cost includes participant materials and supplies. This course requires participants to complete online learning prior to in-class skills sessions. Please make sure to provide a valid email address for the course participant when completing the registration, as the web-based learning segment will be assigned via the email provided. Course Prerequisites: 1. Must be 15 years old on or before the final day of the course 2. Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed 3. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs 4. Complete the following events in 1 minute 40 seconds: - Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Face may be in or out of the water. - Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. - Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. - Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. Participants MUST pass the prerequisite swimming skills test in order to progress through the classroom portion of the course - participants will NOT be allowed to continue or be certified even if they have completed the online portion and NO refund will be issued.

April is National Grilled Cheese month! Join Kerry in exploring the options outside of American cheese slices and white bread. This class is not for the faint of heart! Kerry's recipes include grilled cheese sandwiches named The Devil Wears Gouda, The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker, The Blue Pig, The Italian Stallion and The Ranchero. Grilled Cheese has grown up! Not all of the grilled cheese recipes will be demonstrated in the class. Who doesn't need grilled cheese on Tax Day? A few days prior to the start of class, you will receive a link to the ZOOM video conference, informational materials and shopping list. This online class is held in partnership with Elk River Community Education.

What do you say when you disagree with someone? Avoiding the situation or showing up too aggressively often creates even more tension. In this three-session course, you will learn important tools to approach conversations with clarity, compassion, and curiosity. Curiosity plays a key role in creating connection. Asking questions with a sincere desire to understand and listening to learn makes a huge difference. When someone feels acknowledged and understood, the person feels more open to create ideas for resolving issues. It is important to also be curious with ourselves. Identifying what we feel and need shows self-compassion and helps us be clearer with ourselves and others (even if we don't share our feelings). Learn how to apply these skills to those big (and the seemingly little) disputes and show up as your best self. Join us online! This class will be held using the online platform, Zoom. Prior to the class, you will receive an email from the instructor with the Zoom invitation to access the class. Simply click the link on the day and time of the class and Sherry will lead you through the class from the comfort of your own home!

This free, mandatory screening is for all Minnesota children and is best done when your child is 3 years old. The process will obtain a MN Student ID number for your child. Screening is a simple, careful check of your young child's speech and language, thinking skills, physical development, and social/emotional health. It is designed to ensure the healthy growth of students to be successful in any educational setting, and if needed, connect them to resources that will support their development. For school district enrollees, screening must be completed prior to registering in district preschool or Kindergarten programming.

This free, mandatory screening is for all Minnesota children and is best done when your child is 3 years old. The process will obtain a MN Student ID number for your child. Screening is a simple, careful check of your young child's speech and language, thinking skills, physical development, and social/emotional health. It is designed to ensure the healthy growth of students to be successful in any educational setting, and if needed, connect them to resources that will support their development. For school district enrollees, screening must be completed prior to registering in district preschool or Kindergarten programming.