Community Ed classes offer everything from yoga to Cajun cooking to belly dancing

Whether it’s yoga for seniors, the Tumblebus for children or Cajun cooking for all ages, the instructors offering courses with St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ Community Education are among a nearly 100-class fall lineup gearing up to start in September.

“I like yoga because it helps me slow down,” said Sharon Woolfe of Luling, who has taught for 18 years. “Going slow is not easy, but this helps me get back with mental and emotional balance. I think yoga is so gentle with the strengthening effect.”

Woofe’s Yoga for Seniors course will again be in St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ Community Education lineup in the fall.

As to the program’s significance, Woolfe, like many of the instructors sharing their talent and knowledge in the program, beamed as she recounted how a woman with rheumatoid arthritis came to her classes and then her doctor told her to keep doing what she was doing because she was getting better.

Connie Bourgoyne of Norco has been in the program lineup with her Tumblebus since 1997 and she’s seeing the children of former students coming to her classes.

“Every community should have something like Community Education,” Bourgoyne said. “This is where people can use their skills and teach other people. This parish is just really a good parish.”

Jan Thompson of Bayou Gauche will teach the Cajun cooking class, which she has done since 2008, drawing students of all ages who simply enjoy genuine cuisine.

“I think the traditional Creole-Cajun cooking is dying out because of us always having convenience and quickness,” Thompson said. “I do it to showcase good Louisiana cooking and eating … to keep the cooking alive.”

Jayne Tate, West Bank coordinator of Community Education, said some of this year’s new additions include Halloween pumpkin and Christmas ornament painting classes, which fit well with students’ growing desire for more hands-on classes.

Anyone who registers by Friday (Aug. 14) gets a 5 percent discount on class fees. Military, disabled or senior citizens (55 or older) may qualify for a 10 percent discount.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. Deadline to register for classes is Aug. 31. Residents from the parish or surrounding parishes can participate in the classes.

To register, get information about classes or sign up as an instructor, call (985) 785-7268 or visit: http://www.stcharles.k12.la.us/ and go to “About our District” and click on “Community.”

 

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