Community Education

The Clark County Community Education Program Advisory Council held its regular bi-monthly meeting Sept. 21 at Central Bank. New members were introduced: Cindy Banks, Chamber president; Diane Travis, workforce development manager for the Office of Employment and Training; and Mike Kindred, Clark County Area Technology Center principal. Community Education Director Cora Heffner said that Community Education has been providing monthly classes for the Clark County Community Services Center recently.

Registration is currently underway for several Clark County Community Education classes. - Quick and Easy Party Foods, Thursday, April 12 6-8 p.m., register and pay in advance. Cost is $15. - Craft Time for Preschoolers, Saturday, April 14, 10-11 a.m. at Rose Mary C. Brooks Place Cottage 111. Created for parents of children 2-5 years-old and cost is $15. - Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED, Saturday, April 14, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or Tuesday, May 1, 5-9 p.m. at the Clark County Public Library community room.

 The Clark County Community Education Program Advisory Council held its regular bi-monthly meeting March 16 at Central Bank. Community Education director Cora Heffner reported that the extra funds from the 100 Best Communities for Young People celebration went to Hannah McClure Elementary School for their can recycling project.   Eleven students from George Rogers Clark  High School will be job shadowing at the Clark Regional Regional Medical Center and one at a Lexington dentist on March 23. GRC Kentucky Scholars students will attend an activities and tour day at Bluegrass Community and Technical College  in May. The Joe F. Reed Memorial Heart Walk will be April 16 at the Traveling Trail.

Community Education, a program of the Clark County Public Schools, is offering two sessions of State Registered Nurse Aide Training. Saturday classes will begin March 5 and meet from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday/Thursday evening classes will begin March 21 and will meet from 5 to 9 p.m. Each session is 75 hours and will consist of classroom instruction and clinical time. Classes will be held at the Clark County Area Technology Center, 650 Boone Ave., Winchester.   Rhonda Gilmore, RN, is the instructor for both classes.

The Clark County Community Education Program Advisory Council held its regular bi-monthly meeting Nov. 14 at Central Bank. Community Education director Cora Heffner introduced new youth members Kaylee Raymer and Sandra Skinner and guest Jennifer Compton, Bluegrass Area Development District assistant director. Compton explained that six criteria must be met to receive the Work Ready Community designation: high school graduation rate of 82 percent or higher, National Career Readiness Certificate holders 15 percent of the workforce ages 18-64, demonstrated community commitment, educational attainment of 25 percent or higher with two or more years of college/technical training, soft skills development and 90 percent of community must have access to the Internet.

Friday is the last day to register for the following classes offered by Community Education, a program of the Clark County Schools: - Karate, Mondays, March 3 to April 21, 6 to 7 p.m. at College Park Gym. Cost is $60, $30 for additional family members. Instructor is Brian Runyon. - Zumba for Kids, ages 8 to 12, Mondays, March 3 to 24, 4 to 5 p.m. at Central Elementary School Gymnasium. Cost is $35. Instructor is Richard Cates. - Excel for Beginners, Mondays, March 3 to 24, 6 to 8 p.m. at George Rogers Clark High School, computer lab 109. Cost is $30. Instructor is Betsy Dennis.

LANCASTER — The Garrard County school board voted to eliminate a community program and several teacher positions in the 2011-2012 school year at its meeting this week. But the cuts may not be as deep as they appear on the surface, Superintendent Don Aldridge said. In order to cope with a $1.4 million reduction in funding and additional costs this year and next, the board voted to drop about eight instcutional positions and the community education program, which is directed by Lancaster Mayor Brenda Powers.

Community Education announces that openings remain in the following courses: Mountain Dulcimer, Ballroom Dancing, Microsoft Access, Typing/Keyboarding, PhotoShop, Karate, Tai Chi and Concealed Carry Weapons Training. To register or for more information, call 745-3946 or e-mail cora.heffner@-clark.kyschools.us or lisa.stephens@clark.kyschools.us.

TODAY - Clark Middle School Dance Team clinic, 6-8 p.m. Technique skills and tryout routine will be taught at clinic and are required to tryout. Mandatory parent meeting at 6 p.m. Proof of sports physical must be presented at first clinic. - Lighthouse Recovery meeting, 7 p.m., 127 E. Hickman St., for anyone wanting help with substance abuse of any kind. THURSDAY, MAY 16 - Community Education is hosting Pinterest for Small Business class for free. For more information and to register call 745-3946 or email cora.heffner@clark.kyschools.us - Diabetes basics and nutrition basics, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Clark County Health Department.

Winchester has plenty to offer To the editor, I would like to remind our community about some of the many wonderful opportunities for youth that we have locally. Community Education offers various classes, some free and some for a small fee, for youth. We have offered free ballroom dance classes several times. We have a free self-defense class twice a year for females age 12 and up.  We offer yoga and bellydancing classes that are open to teens. We have two semesters each year - fall and spring - and each one offers different opportunities.

I would like to thank The Advocate-Messenger, The Interior Journal and The Harrodsburg Herald for covering the Sheriff's Forum sponsored by the Boyle County 9-12 Group. Our group is dedicated to the educating the community to ensure an informed electorate. The meeting, held at Mallard's Restaurant, was a great example of our mission. We had the sheriffs of Boyle, Lincoln and Mercer counties answer questions and talk about their position on not only gun rights, but the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of these counties.

I would like to thank The Advocate Messenger, The Interior Journal and The Harrodsburg Herald for covering the Sheriff's Forum sponsored by the Boyle County 9-12 Group. Our group is dedicated to the education of the community to ensure an informed electorate. The meeting at Mallard's Restaurant was a great example of our mission. We had the 3 county sheriffs answer questions and talk about their position on not only gun rights, but the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of these counties.

Students at Conkwright Middle showed off their science projects Thursday night. The projects were judged by volunteers rounded up by Community Education, and winners will move on to the regional science fair at Rupp Arena. Brianna Mohammed, a seventh grader, presents her project to judges Mary Grogan and Darrian Carr. Casey Castle/ccastle@winchestersun.com