Sign-Up for Inter-Village Continuing Ed Classes Now

Ever wanted to learn: silk painting, water running, genealogy or how to become a personal trainer?

The Inter-Village Continuing Education program--which operates in the school districts of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings and Irvington--has a mission to get residents of all ages and backgrounds excited about learning. 

Though some classes started this week, Inter-Village is still looking for students enthusiastic about trying new activities like: astrology, gourmet cooking, business networking, or even parenting teens. 

"We are especially excited to introduce a social and business networking group that will meet once per month at Chutney Masala in Irvington," Inter-Village Director Julie Fraitag-Weinstein said. "The kick-off meeting is Thursday, Sept. 23."

With a long list of classes that range from sports and fitness activities to literature and the arts, Inter-Village has worked to provide an eclectic variety of choices as well as introduce new classes for the upcoming fall students.

"My courses are chosen by interests the community would have, evaluations of past courses, and from people who approach me," said Fraitag-Weinstein. "Everyone's opinion is important to me."

Some classes beginning this fall are: astrology, canine courtesy, water aerobics, water running, Mah Jongg and theater games, among many others.

Classes are usually filled with about eight to ten people, and most of the staple classics like Yoga, fitness and sports, and watercolor fill up quickly, according to the director. 

New classes this semester include: "Baby Boot Camp"--in which moms push kids in strollers to tone-up-- and "Parenting Your Teens"--a life-skills class created to help adults connect and communicate with teenagers. 

"Another course I'm particularly excited about is Adults with ADD/ADHD," Fraitag-Weinstein said. "This is a four-part course in which participants learn to: Manage ADD and thrive, succeed at work with ADD, become self-employed and maintain healthy relationships despite their ADD." 

Since the Inter-Village Continuing Ed program seeks to involve everyone in the community, many classes--such as Photoshop taught by instructor Howard Jacobs--have students whose ages range from young adults to senior citizens.

"I enjoy teaching the basics for beginners," Jacobs said. "And we usually have people in their 30's, retirees, and even some who have had a background in graphic arts."

Jacobs teaches his class similarly to how a small college course would be taught, giving his students hands-on experience with Photoshop as well as direct and personal instruction.

"We work out of a lab in Hastings High School and each student has a computer," said Jacobs. "There's a projector connected to my computer and we go through the process together as a group."

Sue Gordon, a line-dance instructor of over 20 years, first got involved with the program as a student of line-dancing, and took over as instructor as she became more involved. With all her experience as an instructor, Gordon aims to give her students a well-rounded education.

"I keep my class up on the things coming out this year and I keep up with the classics," Gordon said. "But I just make it fun."

One of the most rewarding things any student can get out of educational experience is motivation to continue their learning outside of class.

"Part of the reason I'm interested in being on the board is because the classes I've taken have been really great," board member and Inter-Village student Pam Mitchell said.

"The Ulysses reading course changed my life for a number of years and inspired my group to meet on another day outside of class," said Mitchell. "It's the kind of offshoot that wouldn't have happened if it wasn't such a community-based program."

Many classes are beginning in the next two weeks, so Fraitag-Weinstein suggests students sign-up soon. However, some classes are prorated after the first few sessions, so the director encourages residents interested in enrolling to call--even if the series has already begun.  

For more information on registration, instructors, online classes and school locations, you can visit the program's main site, www.intervillage.org.

To sign-up for classes call: (914) 693-6300 ext. 2224

Click on the pdf to the right to view upcoming classes' start dates and schedules.