Alexandria Public Schools Community Education

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!

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.

Have you been in or near an emergency situation where someone was hurt? Imagine being able to help out in a situation where first aid is needed. Children can make a difference in an emergency situation. It is important to let them know basic first aid steps in different situations. Topics include: recognizing an emergency and knowing what to do, calling 911, basic first aid techniques, personal safety tips, tricky people, basic gun and fire safety.

Join us for Black Light Dodgeball 2.0. We will play multiple games and versions of dodgeball throughout the night. Teams will have a max roster size of 6. Want to play with your friends? Tell five friends your team name so they can enter it when registering. Want to be assigned to a team? Then register as a free agent. Any teams that do not have 6 players will be automatically assigned with free agents to make a team. ALL PLAYERS will need their own white T-shirt.

Have some fun participating in this LIVE virtual BAKE-ALONG class! Support your children in creating a variety of 3 cookie masterpieces! Masterpieces will include drop cookies, stuffed cookies, and a cookie pizza! We will be using the same cookie dough recipe to create all three! Choose which ones you would like to make and watch a demonstration of the others, or create all three if you like! Your children become the bakers as you support them in creating this cookie magic for the family! Have your questions answered by the instructor, and interact with other participants as you bake-along. While baking-along is loads of fun, it is optional. Note: One registration fee for this online class can include participants from the same household only. In addition, please know that every attempt will be made to keep to these wonderful menu items. Given current circumstances however, the instructor may have to make substitutions. Thank you for your understanding.

Middle school students will learn the silly and interesting history of Gnomes in European and American Culture, and then learn how to craft their own adorable gnome using white earthenware clay. In the first class, the gnome will be hand built. The gnomes will need one week to dry and be fired in a kiln – and finally, on week two, the gnomes will be painted and sent to live in their new home. Gnomes are known as symbols of good luck. Originally, gnomes were thought to provide protection, especially of buried treasure and minerals in the ground. They are still used today to watch over crops and livestock, often tucked into the rafters of a barn or placed in the garden.

Indoor rally tennis provides small group tennis instruction in a fun and safe environment. The goal of the program is to provide children of all ability levels with the opportunity to learn the basics of tennis on a reduced, indoor court size. Rally tennis makes it easier for players to develop basic footwork, hand-eye coordination, ball anticipation, and racquet technique. In addition, players practice life-long skills of respect and sportsmanship. Participants MUST wear tennis shoes and are strongly encourage to provide their tennis racquet; age appropriate tennis racquets will be available if needed.

Bring the family to learn a great outdoor activity! This course will teach participants the basic rules, safety, disc types, grips, and throwing styles. We will play a modified 9 holes of disc golf by the end of this course. Bring your own discs if you have them, a limited supply of discs to use will be available.

Have some fun participating in this LIVE virtual BAKE-ALONG and CREATE class as you support your children in creating muffins, a no-bake dessert, and learn how to dye eggs for Easter the Instant Pot® Your children will learn the foundations of baking muffins, and a how to create a no-bake spring-time dessert! In addition, the entire family will enjoy learning how to dye eggs using the electric pressure cooker called the Instant Pot®. Choose which ones you would like to make and watch a demonstration of the others, or create all three if you like! Your children become the bakers as you support them in creating these wonders for the family! Have their questions answered by the instructor, and interact with other participants as you both bake-along and create. Note: One registration fee for this online class can include participants from the same household only. In addition, please know that every attempt will be made to keep to these wonderful menu items. Given current circumstances however, the instructor may have to make substitutions. Thank you for your understanding.

Looking to work on your game, or looking to play a pickup game with friend. Open Gym is a great opportunity to practice your skills with friends and family in an open gym format! Youth and adult Basketballs are provided. New for fall 2020 is the location Douglas County Gym, which allows us to offer a lower basket for the younger ones. Each participant will need to sign in at the door.

Looking for indoor activities this winter? Come play ping pong! Tuesdays a new skill will be taught with some time to practice and Thursdays will be reserved for games, with a goal of getting four games in each session. If you have your own paddle great, if not we have some for you to use. Sign up early as space is limited.

Have some fun participating in this LIVE virtual Pizza COOK-ALONG class! Learn how to make your own homemade pizza with homemade dough a variety of ways! Pizza Menu choices dishes for this class will include Party Pan Pizza, Stuffed Crust Pizza and Pizza Pinwheels OR stuffed Pizza Rolls! Choose which ones you would like to make and watch a demonstration of the others. Make lasting memories with your children as you create a wonderfully satisfying dinner together that will definitely become a family favorite. Your children become the chefs, as you support them in creating Pizza for the family! Have your children’s questions answered by the instructor, and interact with other participants as you both cook-along. While cooking-along is loads of fun, it is optional. Note: One registration fee for this online class can include participants from the same household only. In addition, please know that every attempt will be made to keep to these wonderful menu items. Given current circumstances however, the instructor may have to make substitutions. Thank you for your understanding.

Steve Deitz, Vocal Music Instructor at Alexandria Area High School will be teaching private lessons. In addition to being a professional voice teacher/choir director, Steve has been playing and teaching guitar for 30+ years. Experience includes playing in a band, studying classical guitar, and studying jazz theory at the master's level. Steve has an extensive background in the visual arts. His cartoons and illustrations have appeared in several noted local and national publications. Private lessons include: Guitar Voice Electric Bass Beginning Piano Drawing Lessons are available at 30 minute increments. Please note type of private lesson and desired time on your registration form. Lesson contract will include a “make-up” lesson if student has a conflict with scheduled time.

This is an introductory rugby class. Students will learn and compete in a simplified version of rugby played with flag belts. The rules and program of Rookie Rugby tie together child development, healthy activity, fair play, fun and safety. If your students have soccer cleats, bring them but not mandatory to play the game. Click on the price drop down to get your Compass Discount rate, if applicable.

Join Science Explorers in a virtual laboratory as we become crazy chemists! We will investigate the Periodic Table and learn about its families with fun and exciting experiments as we discover the science side of STEM. We will break some chemical bonds, get messy with polymers and much more. Our classes are hands-on...so be ready for a mess! Crazy Chemistry Kit contains an outline and much of the materials needed to complete this pre-recorded class. A 30-day link will be provided to access a private video on YouTube. Kit Includes: an outline to indicate supplies needed for each experiment blank Periodic Table pH color chart dropper and spoon 30ml measuring cup Magic Snow purple cabbage extract magnesium powder vinegar and citric acid powder baking soda, salt and rice liquid starch and glue iodine weakened with water storage bowl with lid shaving cream, travel size nail sand paper and more Materials Not Included with Kit: internet access crayons or color pencils towel or paper towel for spills pitcher cups and bowls scissors plate 10 pennies old markers, optional tray, optional to help contain spills tape, optional Tablet or a laptop/computer to view the pre-recorded class. A person who can be available to help with any technical or experiment difficulties. A non-carpet workspace, near a sink, that can get messy (kitchen table). sink and water Kit Warnings: WARNING--Items in this kit are for external use only. Do not eat or drink any substance contained in this kit. Keep out of eyes, nose, and mouth. WARNING-- This kit contain citric acid, which is a naturally occurring weak acid found in fruit. Wash hands after conducting experiments. If left on hands, can cause skin irritation. WARNING:SHARP POINT HAZARD--Toy contains functional sharp point. Not for children under 4 years of age.

This kit will have your budding scientist exploring the Science side of STEM with engaging experiments and activities. First, learn about primary and secondary colors with Color Mixing Magic. Then, in States of Matter your scientist will investigate the three most common states in our environment with four exciting experiments. Finally, with Silly Slime, learn why slime is delightfully bouncy, stretchy and sticky as your scientist mixes up their own batch of slime and explores it's properties. This kit is more than hands-on...it’s hands in! Be prepared to have fun and get messy. Kit Includes: pipette color mixing tablets color noodles bottle of bubble solution and wand blank greeting cards and envelopes powdered paint glue shaving cream craft stick 30ml measure cup bowl with lid for storage Color Mixing Magic Activity Guide States of Matter Activity Guide Silly Slime Activity Guide and more Materials Not Included with Kit: water paper towels scissors bowl and cups small waterproof containers of different size and shape for pouring water markers glue optional paintbrush Kit Warnings: WARNING: Items in this kit are for external use only. Do not eat or drink any substance contained in this kit. Keep out of eyes, nose, and mouth. WARNING:CHOKING HAZARD--Small parts. Not for children under 3 years of age.