Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

No matter what time of year it is, the Forest Lake School District hosts continual activity through Community Education programs.

And those programs arenít just for school-age children ó Community Education strives to serve all age groups.

National Community Education Day will be recognized on Nov. 15 and this yearís theme is ìEvery School A Community School.î

Community Education in the Forest Lake School District has existed since 1973, offering a menagerie of activities close to home.

Adult Basic Education options

For adults, continuing their education is an attainable goal through Adult Basic Education.

Whether improving reading, writing, math, or computer skills, working towards earning a diploma or learning English as a second language, the program opens new doors for a variety of adults.

ìWe have success stories all of the time,î noted program coordinator Jean Anderson.

Last year, 86 people from 29 different countries took part in the districtís ìEnglish as a Second Languageî courses.

ìItís amazing how they can grow and blossom,î she complimented.

Adult Basic Education also offers a Family Learning Program, where residents can bring their children (under the age of five) with them to classes. The free, nine-month program meets three days a week.

To coincide with parents continuing their education, their children also take part in a preschool program. Family Learning also provides parent-child bonding time.

Quality time at the Family Center

The Forest Lake School Districtís Family Center has long-served family needs in the area. Approximately 75 percent of families that include children ages 5 and under in the district have utilized Family Center resources.

ìItís familiesí first step into the door of the K-12 system,î explained Tammy Dunrud, assistant coordinator of the Family Center.

Introduction with the Family Center can begin as early as birth. Three times a week, infant specialists visit Fairview Hospital to offer tips to new mothers.

That type of interaction is available for young children as well. Classes and activities through such programs as Early Childhood Family Education and School Readiness, are organized for parents and their young children.

Program fees are based on a sliding scale and early childhood professionals are available to answer parentís questions and offer suggestions as well.

ìItís all focused on parenting goals and ideas,î stressed Dunrud.

District provides youth development

When the school day is done, children and teens have a variety of activity options through Youth Development.

In particular, the Youth Enrichment Program organizes classes and events for after-school, evenings and weekends. Programming is scheduled over the school year and summer.

ìThey need opportunities beyond their traditional school day,î mentioned Kathy Bystrom, Youth Development Coordinator. ìWe donít want to hear from kids, ëWe have nothing to do.î

For children in kindergarten through sixth grades, that means chances to get involved in enriching educational programs such as arts and crafts, music, book clubs and sports.

For teens in grades 7-12, Youth Enrichment coordinates classes including ACT preparation, snowmobile and firearm safety, and career exploration courses.

ìWe try to program to what is popular,î explained Jennifer Connolly, Youth Planner.

Other programs organized by Youth Development include Teen Center events, Study Buddies, Youth Advisory Council, Club 678 and SADD. Enrichment for adults and seniors

Through Community Education, enrichment courses are not limited to youth ó adults and seniors can get into the act as well.

The mission of the districtís Adults and Seniors Lifelong Learning Program is to provide various classes, activities and events that cater to those 18 and older.

Scheduled year-round, class topics can range from personal finance to health and fitness. Examples include ìComfort Yoga,î ìOil Painting Workshop,î and ìCanning Soups and Chili.î

ìPeople are having a whole lot of fun hula hooping,î noted Laurie Drolson, Adult Services Coordinator, of the ìHula Hooping for Fitnessî class that was featured on KARE 11 television.

Updating and adding to the Adults and Seniors Lifelong Learning Program is a continual goal for Community Education.

ìThis winter, weíre starting to offer one-on-one technology instruction,î she mentioned.

School-age care

Regardless of where families are located within the school district, the School-Age Care program provides before and after school care at each of the seven elementary schools.

The School-Age Care program has been a part of the Forest Lake School District since 1989. Available during the school year, breaks and over the summer months, the fee-based program offers a safe-care alternative for families with busy schedules.

School-Age Care is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (before and after school.) It caters to kindergarten through sixth grade children.

Participation in the program includes recreational and enrichment activities for youth. This year, technology time was added to School-Age Care. The program also stresses achievement in school.

ìEach of our sites offers homework time,î said Nancy Blocher, School-Age Care Coordinator.

On non-school days and in the summer, the program also includes field trip options for youth and a summer ìSteps Aheadî program for children entering kindergarten.

Active athletics

Community Educationís athletic opportunities are aplenty throughout the school district.

ìForest Lake area youth have a number of options to choose from - many of which are offered at their own local community school,î mentioned Mary Mathison, Community Involvement Coordinator.

Whether it be summer, fall, winter or spring, children and teens can get involved in many activities. Athletic programs include:

ï Pre-Kindergarten: soccer and baseball;

ï Elementary: baseball, soccer, volleyball and basketball;

ï Junior High: baseball.

Beginning this year, students in grade 7-12 will also be able to participate in lacrosse. Detailed information on the new program will be available in the Winter 2006 Community Education catalog.

Other opportunities provided by the Community Education athletics program include recreational open gym for grades 7-12, a variety of summer clinics and camps and baseball for adults.

LINK service

From offering sign language classes to increasing community awareness, the LINK program through Community Education strives to serve people with disabilities.

The programís mission is ìto enable (people with disabilities) to be included into community activities on an individual basis.î Funding for LINK is provided by state aid, the local levy, grant money and participation fees.

Through LINK, area residents with physical handicaps, hearing or visual impairments, and developmental disabilities can receive support services.

Providing transportation for recreation, offering basic skills classes and having interpreters available for those who are hearing impaired are just a few of the many programs organized through LINK.

Additional options

Aquatics, skating and driver education programs are also a part of Community Education.

ï The Community Pool, located at Southwest Junior High, is one of the most popular Community Education sites and is host to swimming activities for every age group. Recreational swim, clinics, Red Cross lessons and multiple types of classes are held at the pool. The site is also available to rent for birthday parties.

ï Opportunities for ice-skating and hockey are offered at the Maroon and Gold Ice Arena. The arena is available from September through March. Public recreational skating is held on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ï If interested in Driver Education, the school district provides both classroom and Behind-the-Wheel instruction. The courses are offered to teens and adults.

Community Education through the Forest Lake School District has been a staple in the area for decades and its programming continues to expand. For more information, call the Community Education office at 651-982-8110 or visit www.communityed4u.org.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605