Schools

Second Round of Community Classes Community Classes at Rich East


Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Now that the holidays are over, you’re probably looking for something to fill some idle time. The Community Classes program at Rich East High School may be just the cure for winter boredom.

From 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, the school will be hosting the second of a special 10-week program, for free of charge special classes on business, careers, health, fitness and many other topics. The program is being funded through a special $232,000 School Improvement Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education. The classes are open to all Park Forest residents, including Rich East students.

More than 100 residents turned out for the opening of the program on Saturday, Dec. 12, and the same numbers and more are expected for the future.

“We had a great turnout last month when we introduced the program,” said school principal Mark Kramer. “Our goal is to help our community become more involved in Rich East and raise student achievement as well as provide better career opportunities for our community.

“This is another great opportunity to showcase our school and give something special to the entire Park Forest community.”

Among the class offerings include: Computer Skills; Excel; Word and Power Point; Culinary Arts from a local restaurant and caterer; Wellness-Yoga; Weight Training and Line Dancing; Fitness-Boot Camp; Legacy Initiative-Cradle to careers; 2+2=Success-Algebra strategies for the visual learner; “Right to Read” and Fine Arts, which will again highlight Community Chorus.

“This special day will be a different program than what we will normally do so that participants will get a chance to sample all of the activities,” Kramer said.

Other scheduled class dates are: January 30, February 6, March 6, March 20, April 10, April 24, May 1 and May 15. Classes will be from 8 a.m. to noon. A person will be able to sign up for up to three different courses in one Saturday session. Food will be offered on five of those sessions, but not all nine. There will be no charge for the small meals.

The classes offered are, in part, a response to suggestions made at a special community forum at Rich East in November.

“We also want input from participants to shape the sessions over the next two years,” Kramer said. “This is something we want to keep going for the Rocket community.”

The classes are free of charge but registration is required. Rich East High School is located at 300 Sauk Trail, Park Forest, Ill. For more information, please call 708-679-6100, weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Regular classes for students will not resume until Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.


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