From Healthy Living to Career Advancement: KCSD’s Adult and Community Education Classes Offer Something for Everyone This Spring

PublisherFebruary 2, 2024Last Updated: February 1, 2024

5 minutes read

By Emily Wright

MILL HALL — March 5th, 2024 marks the beginning of a new session of Adult and Community Education classes offered through the Keystone Central School District. The program features a variety of classes designed to provide hands-on education and promote lifelong learning. Classes are open to anyone in the community who is interested in learning a new skill, pursuing a new hobby, or advancing their career by earning a certificate.

According to Becky Conklin, Community Education Specialist for the program, the classes are a part of Central Mountain High School’s Career and Technology Center, and they were created as a way to bridge the gap between the school district and the community. To do this, the district made the facilities at Central Mountain High School and Middle School available to host the classes.

The classes offered through the program do not require any prior knowledge, so they are open to both beginners and advanced learners. The district provides all necessary materials for the classes offered and interested individuals can sign up for classes either online through the KCSD website or by requesting a paper form. The enrollment must be completed at least one week before the class start date or when the class reaches its maximum capacity; whichever occurs first. Each class has a maximum number of participants it can allow, which ensures the best learning experience for everyone.

While many of the classes offered through the Adult and Community Education program are based around learning a new skill set or hobby, some can lead to Pre-Apprentice Certifications that can be helpful for individuals searching for a job, starting a new career path, or preparing them to enter college. Currently, the Adult and Community Education Program offers certificate courses in manufacturing, two such examples are “Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Mill G and M Code Programming” and “MasterCam 2D Milling”.

To provide the certification classes, the Keystone Central Career and Technical Center located at CMHS, partnered with Commonwealth University of Lock Haven. The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist Pre-Apprentice Certificate Training is taught by a certified instructor one evening per week for four hours over 10 weeks. All resources are included in the cost to enroll, and all students in good standing receive a CNC Machinist Pre-apprentice Certificate from the Keystone Central Career and Technical Center.

Apart from certificate courses, the Adult and Community Education Program offers a variety of classes for those seeking to learn habits that lead to a healthier lifestyle, how to crochet, and how to prepare a one-pot meal at home to name a few.

A new cooking class called “What’s Cooking?” will be offered this year for those interested in learning how to prepare one-pot meals. Participants are welcome to bring along a partner of their choice – whether it’s a child, grandchild, or anyone who wants to learn their way around the kitchen. Taught by Michelle Hoy, the class will provide a recipe along with step-by-step guidance on making different one-pot meals. Participants will also learn new tips and tricks when it comes to grocery shopping. The class will be held at Central Mountain Middle School on April 14th, 21st, and 28th from 6-8:00 p.m. Participants are asked to bring an apron, tie back long hair, and meet at the Main Office of the school by 5:45 p.m. The cost to enroll as a pair is $30.00.

Trudy Fritts, the owner of Trudy’s Yoga & Beyond located at One Piper Way Suite 3-B in Lock Haven, will be teaching a class this spring that is also new to the program. Trudy is a registered Phoenix Rising Yoga therapist and a member of the Yoga Alliance. The class, called “From Stress to Bliss,” aims to help individuals lead a more mindful and healthy life. It is based on two principles; the first is that yoga can reduce stress and increase happiness, and the second is that we all have a unique way of finding happiness and minimizing stress. Most classes offered through the KCSD Adult and Community Education Program are held at CMHS or CMMS, but Trudy’s class will take place at her new studio on Monday evenings beginning on March 4 and running until March 25, from 7-7:45 PM. The program costs $60 and can accommodate up to 12 students.

This year, a popular class that has been previously offered will make a return. “Crafty Cards Night” taught by Elaine Barth provides step-by-step instructions on how to create unique holiday cards as well as cards that are appropriate for any occasion. All necessary materials will be provided, and there is no prerequisite or need for equipment like a Cricut to enroll. The first class will take place on Tuesday, March 5 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in Room E019 at Central Mountain High School, and the cost is $25.00 per person. “Crafty Cards Night” can accommodate up to 12 participants.

Also new this year is “Charcuterie Board Making”, which has a capacity of 10 students. In this class, students will learn how to make their own charcuterie board for parties, events, and potlucks. Kari Boyle will be leading the class and teaching students “charcuterie board hacks” such as how to make a rose from cheese or meat slices. Each participant will get to make their own snack board and then take it home to share. This class will be held in Room E9 in the kitchen at CMHS on Thursday, March 21 from 7:00-9:00 pm, and the cost to enroll is $45.00 per participant.

Sue Morris will be returning this year to teach “Introduction to Herbalism”, covering topics such as plant-based healing, how to prepare herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes, and how to grow your own medicine garden. Sue is the owner of Sue’s Salves, a local business that crafts organic herbal and aromatherapy products. In this class, students will learn the basic concepts of how common herbs can benefit their everyday lives, and each class will focus on a different topic. Introduction to Herbalism classes will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. in Room E019 at CMHS, and the cost to enroll is $20.00/class. There are 10 spots available to enroll.

For more details about the classes, see the full list of class offerings, and to enroll, interested individuals can visit the Keystone Central School District website and click on the tab titled, “Our District”, then “Adult and Community Education”. To secure a spot in a class, the enrollment fee can be paid through the website as well.

For individuals who prefer to fill out a hard copy enrollment form or pay by check, enrollment forms can be sent by mail upon request.

Contact Becky Conklin directly with questions about the program or to request a paper copy of the enrollment form.