Courses will be offered to adults through Rocky View Schools (RVS) beginning Sept. 8, and will go beyond traditional focuses of reading and writing.
Classes span a wide gamut of subjects including photography, horticulture, self-defense, investing and professional development.
“Rocky View Schools believes in life-long learning and providing educational opportunities for people of all ages,” said Leanne Hall, community learning coordinator of RVS Community Learning (CL) program. “We are very excited to get our initial roster of courses up and running.”
CL helped develop the initiative and Hall said the shift back to adult learning is a result of a desire to learn from county residents.
An online survey allows residents to fill out a questionnaire about interests and what programs they want to see implemented.
One area people expressed great interest in is painting, according to Jacqueline Warrell, community learning coordinator.
“We’ve had a lot of requests for it because it’s something they want to see in their community.”
Hall said CL examined schools divisions including the Calgary Board of Education to develop their programming template.
Classes will be held in schools, libraries and community halls, according to Warrell. The program has received subsidies from organizations including Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.
Programs such as family literacy are fully subsidized while others only receive partial funding. Priority programs being funded include adult literacy, English language learning, employability enhancement and community issues.
Special interest courses such as meditation or home improvement are self-supported through registration fees.
Registration for classes begins Sept. 8 and details are available through http://communitylearning.rockyview.ab.ca or by calling 403-945-4114. Classes will run depending on interest.
