Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 2, 1993 TAG: 9309020718
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY WALKER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The adult education programs of area school systems offer hundreds of classes ranging from remedial math and reading to Lotus 1-2-3. You can prepare for a private pilot's exam, learn to fix VCRs, or create a Victorian French ribbon pin. Business people can study techniques for total quality management and improve their business writing skills.
Here's a look at what area schools are offering for fall 1993: \ \ ROANOKE COUNTY
The Roanoke County adult education program is the fourth-largest in Virginia. Last year, the program offered 305 classes and served 5,450 students, according to Garland Kidd, director of vocational and adult education. You need not be a county resident to enroll.
This year, business and management offerings have been expanded. New seminars include "Customer Satisfaction: The Other Half Of Your Job"; "Effective Management of Limited English Speaking Employees"; "Getting Organized At The Office"; "Getting Your Point Across In 30 Seconds"; "Managing For Quality Customer Service"; "Orienting New Employees To Organizational Cultures"; "Powerful Listening"; "TQM Awareness," and "Planning The Successful Launch." The cost ranges from $39 to $79.
New arts and crafts classes include "Christmas Mantle Spray," "Fabric Fun," "Flags," "Advanced Sewing," and "Stained Glass."
Other new offerings include:
"Bachelor Cooking." Described as "hands-on, fast, easy cooking, low-fat, good food, on a low budget."
"You Can't Take It With You": estate planning.
"Early Childhood S.T.E.P.": parenting effectiveness for parents of children up to age 5.
"Blood Borne Pathogens": an overview of the 1991 Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
The county will continue to offer computer courses such as word processing, desktop publishing, Windows, DOS, and Lotus. It's wise to sign up early; the computer classes "are very popular and hard to get into," Kidd said.
For more information, call 387-6444.\ \ ROANOKE
There's a new twist in the Evening High School program, offered at Patrick Henry High School. By passing an examination, students may obtain a class credit without completing the entire course.
Eight classes are offered: English 9-12, World Geography, World History, American History, and Government. The typical student is someone who dropped out of high school a couple credits short of graduation. The diploma granted by Evening High School differs from a General Education Diploma, which is a certificate in lieu of a high school diploma, said Lloyd Enoch, director of business, technical and adult education.
Roanoke also offers GED testing and review classes.
In addition to basic adult education, Roanoke offers a variety of computer courses, and trade and industrial classes such as "Mechanical Code Review" and "Blueprint Reading for Machine Trades." On a more lofty plane, prospective pilots may take "Simulator Flight Instruction," "Instrument Ground School" and "Private Pilot Ground School."
For more information, call 981-2661.\ \ BOTETOURT COUNTY
New this year are a private pilot ground school and a class in Quicken, a home computer user spreadsheet. Also, classes in introductory and intermediate Wordperfect have been updated.
Botetourt offers classes in business, trade and industry, marketing, agriculture, horticulture, home economics, adult basic education and GED preparation, and other areas of special interest, according to Susan Kidd, administrative assistant for vocational education and auxiliary services.
Classes begin the week of Sept. 13 at Lord Botetourt High School, Botetourt Technical Education Center and James River High School. Secondary-age students may enroll if space is available.
For more information, call 473-8263, 992-8263 or 254-1397.\ \ SALEM
When it comes to adult education, Salem defers to surrounding Roanoke County. "They offer an extensive adult education program,and we don't try to compete," said Joe Kirby, director of instruction.
Salem does offer a licensed practical nursing program, which is filled up for this year, and auto body classes. On special request Salem will provide businesses with training in computers and word processing, Kirby said. For information on the nursing and auto body classes, call Salem High School at 387-2437. For information on computer courses, call 389-0130.\ \ CRAIG COUNTY
"We offer adult basic education, and it really has a twofold approach," said director of instruction Don Ford.
"It's designed to help adult learners whose math and reading skills are extremely poor," as well as serving as the equivalent of pre-GED course.
Classes are offered at McCleary Elementary School, usually on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
For information, call 864-5191.
by CNB