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Educational
Ideas
From Tango to Tofu: When staying after school is fun The idea of lifelong learning has been around for a couple of decades at least. But it's only recently that the resources have been made available to help bring that idea into practice. Access CVU -- a federally funded project -- is a step in that direction. From Tango to Tofu, from Juggling to Parenting, the offerings of Access to CVU draw from the talents and interests of the extended CVU Community -- Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Williston and St. George. This Program, now moving into its third year, offers fifty courses and workshops for all ages and backgrounds. According to Eddie Krasnow, Director of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, its purpose is "to make multi-aged connections … to bring our community together." ... Krasnow is enthusiastic. "We're using almost every single part of the school, from digital video editing equipment to woodworking equipment." Perhaps he is most enthusiastic about the Intro to Computer Use courses. Why? ... "They'll be taught entirely by students." There will be four students for each 12 person lab class. "It's almost like having your own kid teach you computer skills. It's very, very cool," Krasnow exclaims. The seeds for this ambitious project were planted four years ago when a Community Connections committee of CVU staff, parents and community members recommended greater community use of the building. This goal was adopted and then given life in 1999 with a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the federal Department of Education. According to Krasnow, this federal program -- aimed at keeping young people from making "bad choices" -- funds projects providing after-school and community building programs. The CVU project received $102,000 per year for three years to run Access CVU, as well as several other programs, including a summer program for 9th graders "with a higher likelihood of dropping out." "The nice part of this is that the CVU community is so unbelievably open and encouraging," says Krasnow. "It's not always true around the country. I hear from other grantees. But the culture at CVU is that this school is everybody's." The federal grants, of which there are ten in the State, give money for start-up, with the clear message to create sustainable projects. With this goal of sustainability, Krasnow came on as director in March 1999. "We used a modified business model," says Krasnow. "Last year was the pilot year with 15 courses offered and 13 running. This year our goal was fifty." The last year of the grant is next year -- 2001 -- and it is the test year for sustainability. For Krasnow, who taught high school for five years, two things attracted him to this grant: the student population and the chance to develop alternative approaches to learning for 9th graders. "Maybe I have a ninth grade sense of humor," Krasnow offered. But he was also interested in the chance to build community. "I have been building community all my life," he said, reflecting on his 16 years as a homemaker and primary care giver, coordinating recreation programs at Charlotte Central School, and running a number of business projects. "This job totally answered the call for me." The opening night of the Winter 2001 session is scheduled for January 9. Registration is underway. ... The course listing can be viewed or downloaded right from the CVU Access web page: http://www.cvu.cssd.k12.vt.us/departments/guidance/ Simply click on Access to CVU in the left-hand window frame. ... You can also e-mail Eddie Krasnow with any questions at eddie@cvu.cssd.k12.vt.us. So ... If your New Year's resolution is to learn to dance, you can choose from swing, tango. fox trot, or waltz. If 2001 is your year to be creative, there's pottery, clay, video, photography, woodworking, rug hooking, and cake decorating. And if it's time for your inner self to come out, look for meditation, yoga, and martial arts. "The key," says Krasnow, "is coming out and having a good time." . ******* ******* DownStreet is particularly interested in publishing the Educational Ideas of teachers, students, and others from our local communities. If you would like to submit an article to Educational Ideas, please e-mail it -- in the body of the e-mail or as an attachment -- to ... We look forward to hearing from you. ******* ******* . |
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