GCC has free courses for parents, seniors

WENDY GROVE

The Continuing and Community Education program at Glendale Community

College offers free courses for everyone from children to seniors.

The Parent Education Program holds classes for parents and their

young children at various locations in the community.

In the infant and preschool-age classes, parents learn how to

promote their children’s development by participating in a

stimulating learning environment, including music and story time, art

and free play.

Professional parent educators lead lively parenting discussions.

Classes are held at locations such as John Muir, Balboa, Benjamin

Franklin and Columbus elementary schools, Dunsmore Park and at the

college’s main campus.

There are openings in classes for infants (7 to 12 months old by Aug. 1), multi-age classes (birth through 4 years old), afternoon

classes for 3- and 4-year-olds and the pre-kindergarten class. The

pre-kindergarten class balances academics with play and social

learning while focusing on the school readiness skills.

Beginning in April, the Parent Education Program will offer a new

class for parents and caregivers of children with special needs,

including mild physical, emotional or cognitive disorders to more

profound disabilities. It will be an eight- week class for adults

that examines the impact of special needs children on family

dynamics, education, stress and behavior management. Parental

concerns will also be addressed in a supportive discussion group.

The college’s Parent Education Program also offers the Family

Education Center School Age Class for adults. The class provides

instructions for parenting children of any age, with emphasis on

school-related issues and discipline.

The GCC Lifelong Learning Seminar program offers more than 20 free

classes for older adults. Classes may be joined at any time during

the semester. Among the classes is a health and fitness course held

from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the new

Pacific Park Community Center in south Glendale.

Drama instructor and professional actress Kathleen Coyne conducts

an improvisation workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Adult

Recreation Center. The class helps improve memory, coordination and

communication skills.

Longtime political science instructor Walter Haase leads the

Contemporary World Problems class from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at

the Pacific Park Community Center. It is a lively discussion class

covering politics, the environment, the economy and social issues.

Psychology instructor Joe Denhart teaches the Joy of Living class

from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays at the Life Skills building at the

main campus. The class explores topics such as improving memory,

adjusting to change, challenges of retirement, importance of social

relationships and the mind/body relationship.

For information on either the Parent Education courses or the

Lifelong Learning Seminars, call 243-5196.

JAZZ BAND IN CONCERT

The Glendale College Jazz Band will perform at 4 p.m. Nov. 21 in

the GCC Auditorium.

Director Ray Burkhart leads the band. The program will feature

instrumental arrangements of jazz and popular tunes.

Admission is $7, $5 for students and seniors, and free for

children 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the door before

the performance. For more information, call 240-1000, ext. 5621.

* WENDY GROVE, public information coordinator at Glendale

Community College, writes the monthly On Campus at GCC column. Reach

her at wgrove @glendale.edu or by calling 551-5161.