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.

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 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 March 8. 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.

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!

Here’s a facelift you can do at home. Acupressure is an ancient Eastern healing method that works with the energy that flows through your body. Stimulating facial acupressure points can help erase years from your face naturally, bring a healthy glow to your skin; increase muscle tone; decrease puffiness and eye bags; reduce lines and prevent new lines from forming; even decrease headaches, relieve eye strain, soothe nerves and increase relaxation. Learn how to make your skin as healthy as possible from the inside out. This class is being held online, interactive through Zoom. You can choose to enable your camera and audio, or just view the live content. More information will be sent before class. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art and self-help tool. It can offer great relief with no side effects and help you feel your best. Along with the specific points to help relieve stress, insomnia, anxiety, irritability and even weight gain, learn the Nine Master Pressure Points which are the most helpful and most frequently prescribed to help and assist every system in your body. This class is being held online, interactive through Zoom. You can choose to enable your camera and audio, or just view the live content. More information will be sent before class. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

Have you ever wanted to compose music, but were unsure of how or where to start? Or perhaps you would like to learn to read or study music more in-depth? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you have come to the right place! In this online class you will learn about the basics of written music, fundamental musical concepts, and compositional secrets and techniques in order to create your own songs! The entire course consists of FIVE weekly sessions, with each week covering different compositional techniques. Each session will take place over Zoom, and the class will be using a FREE online compositional software called “Flat”. Students will learn how to use the software in addition to musical content covered throughout the entire course. The course will provide ample opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and other compositions, and support fellow composers on their musical journey. Welcome!

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!

This advanced dog obedience class will teach you how to control your dog off leash. It will build on the basic commands of heel, sit, stay and come and will add a command for lay down and will teach a dog to recall and come to heel. This class is only for dogs who attended our basic obedience course and only for those dogs that are doing very well with basic obedience while on a leash. Week 1: Recap of Basic Obedience and evaluation of the dogs Week 2: Heeling and sitting off lead Week 3: Down and stay off lead Week 4: Recall and trouble-shooting for all the above commands. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

Wish you knew how to use CPR and AED’s to save lives, or want to know what to do if someone you love is choking? If you don’t need a course completion card, this is the class for you. Cost includes a Family and Friends student manual. Class time – 2 hours. Class size limited, register early! NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

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. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.