Foothills classes: a daytime delight

> Community Schools cater to adults with kids <

By Ryan Kraft

FOR THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR

While their children are at school, some Foothills-area parents are salsa dancing, discovering the benefits of aromatherapy and learning how to make chiles rellenos.

Last fall, the Catalina Foothills School District's Community Schools began offering adult and family classes during daytime hours, making the classes accessible to many parents who have to care for their children after school.

Many of the adult-oriented classes — which range from parenting and financial strategies to cooking with chiles and dancing — are now available during the day and in the evenings throughout the week.

Since the change, the program has seen an increased attendance of young adults and parents, especially in popular classes such as body makeover boot camp and Latin aerobics.

"We're now reaching to a demographic of people who have kids in school during the day but no time at night," said Missy Smith, coordinator of the Adult and Family Program.

The Community Schools, which are a part of the Catalina Foothills district but are fee-based and don't receive funding from the district, provide educational opportunities for adults.

However, until last fall the program could offer classes only at night, when school facilities were available.

That excluded many people who had nighttime obligations. Most students were people whose children had graduated and moved out.

But after new sites became available last fall, the program could offer day classes as well.

Parents now can learn to cook at Terra Cotta restaurant or enjoy a relaxing yoga session before their kids come home from school.

Sandra Casado used to teach dance in California. Now she leads aerobics classes, which also cover the basics of salsa, samba and cha-cha dance.

While Casado teaches all age groups, she's especially excited about having her Latin aerobics class available in the afternoon. It's one of the most popular classes the program offers.

"I try to do something during the day and at night to meet the needs of the community," said Casado, who often has been told by students that she ought to offer more classes.

Each class has between 10 and 25 students, and with spring coming, the program expects more.

More information on classes can be found online at www.cfsd16.org, or call Smith at 577-5077.

● Ryan Kraft is a University of Arizona journalism student who is apprenticing at the Star. Contact him at 573-4142 or starapprentice@azstarnet.com.

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