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Published August 20, 2008
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Grown Ups Get Smart with Adult Education
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| By Cathy Tyson |
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With the kids heading back to school, perhaps its time for Mom, Dad or the grandparents to consider adult education. There really is an embarrassment of riches available to area adults, in addition to Community Center offerings in Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga; the Acalanes Adult Education Center offers a wide range of classes to encourage lifelong learning. The recently published fall and winter course catalogue outlines twenty-two pages of classes from foreign languages to digital photography to Coping With Hearing Loss held at the Del Valle campus, on Tice Valley Boulevard, near Rossmoor.
Laura Canciamilla, Director of Adult Education, said the Acalanes Union High School District serves a whopping 8,000 adult students per year who enroll for a variety of reasons. Some of those are high school students who are behind in their credits, some adults are working toward their diplomas, others are taking classes for personal enrichment. Although their budget for the next year remains uncertain, Canciamilla is anticipating a 10% cut. “We don’t want to raise our prices, so we expect class size will be a little larger.” She also notes that they are known for their World Language programs, offering French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Arabic and Farsi.
With prices ranging from free, for high school parenting presentations and film appreciation, to around $90 for Spanish language class, discounted to $40 for seniors 55 and over, it’s a bargain. Most classes are $50 or less.
In addition to main campus offerings, there are a surprising number of classes being held at various locations in Lamorinda. Specialized classes for older adults in fine arts, health fitness and safety, communication as well as computers are offered at Aegis, Eden Villa, Moraga Royale and additional locations.
The Lafayette Community Center hosts beginning drawing, colored pencils, and painting classes which are open to all adults. Japanese Brush Painting will be offered at the Orinda Community Center.
It’s not too late to register. The fall term officially starts the week of September 8, sign-ups will be accepted up until, and possibly a little beyond, the first day of class. To read up on the many class offerings too numerous to name here, check out the Acalanes Adult Center brochure that will be mailed mid-August or view it online at www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/adulted.
The Acalanes Adult Center can also be reached at (925) 280-3980 ext. 8001. |
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| Reach Cathy Tyson at: cathy@lamorindaweekly.com |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA