Arlington Community Education

An innovative taco stand, a shirt that never stains, a shoe that is also a wallet—do you like to imagine business ideas or products that should be invented? Become a young entrepreneur as you learn how to go from an idea, to the marketplace. You will create a vision, pitch your idea, and then go about making it real. You will develop a prototype, formulate a business plan, and devise a marketing strategy. You'll learn about competition, profits, and branding as you create print ads, write and perform in a TV commercial, research locations, and prepare for your grand opening.

Learn how to make spring rolls. This versatile and delicious appetizer includes a variety of fresh vegetables rolled up in a delicate, thin wrapper. The style and ingredients of spring rolls vary, reflecting the region and culture they are from. Learn how to prepare spring rolls from China, Southeast Asia, and more. We’ll prepare the fillings and learn different wrapping techniques. As we snack, we’ll vote on which one we like best.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year by learning how to make traditional Chinese-style pork dumplings. Dumplings are not only loved around the world, but they are also a symbol of wealth and longevity. Learn how to prepare fillings, and wrap and cook in various ways, while also learning a little bit about the history and cultural influence of delectable dumplings.

Please note: The February 4 class is online and is for students with or without family members. Registration is per family/screen. Knowing when a child is ready to stay home alone is a challenging decision, but preparation can make this milestone much easier for your family. Home Alone Safety is a readiness program that builds self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and stronger decision-making abilities through a variety of fun, interactive activities, discussions, and situational role-playing. It is a stepping stone for younger grades as they explore and become comfortable with the idea of being home, and for older grades to better understand and gain confidence with being home alone. Topics include: ● Confidence & Readiness Strategies ● Trust, Communication, & Good Decision Making ● Creating a Safe and Positive Environment ● Checking-In with Parents ● Walking Home & Arriving Home Safely ● Securing Your Home ● Someone is at the Door ● Handling Real-Life Situations and Emergencies ● Safe Snacks & Activities ● Taking Care of Siblings & Pets ● Creating an Emergency Contact List ● Creating Action Plans Guidebooks and parent handouts will be provided via PDF attachment prior to the course. Materials will be included for parents and guardians to create safe environments and family emergency action plans. "Frank was an excellent instructor. He responded well to children's questions and comments, was inclusive of different home situations and made sure that children were prepared but not anxious. It was awesome that he laid out various situations in such a clear way. I definitely recommend this class for other children in our community!" –Fall 2022 parent

Let’s get cooking, tasting, and thinking about healthy ingredients. Working as a team, we’ll slice, dice, peel, measure, and cook to prepare a special dish. We will celebrate seasonal produce and offer ideas for quick and healthy family meals. Take home the key ingredient or a sample of the finished dish, and the recipe to show off what you’ve learned. Recipes may include: bok choy & tofu soup, yellow squash queso dip, atypical tacos, pumpkin mac 'n cheese, no-bake granola bars, and other vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights. Food allergies are taken into consideration, making sure that everyone is having fun and staying safe. Please note: These classes will not meet March 4th, 5th, or 6th.

Connect with the world by studying Mandarin, the official language of China. Learn the vocabulary to have basic conversations including greetings, numbers & colors, school & home life, dining, shopping, and more. Also learn how to read and write basic 汉字 (hanzi)-written characters that represent words or phrases. Explore Chinese historical events, traditional cultural practices, and holidays.

Plant lovers, bring your green thumb to this plant party where we’ll decorate pots, plant various kinds of seeds, and learn all about propagation. We’ll also make seed bombs or seed paper to bring home and spread nature’s beauty.

Spanish is everywhere! Learn by asking everyday questions, performing skits, making crafts, and singing songs. Each term we will explore a different theme, so our skills will grow throughout the year. In the invierno (winter) session, learn how to talk about what you like to do and where you like to go. Each week we will practice language skills through dialogue, drama, crafts, and song. Lessons are adapted for a variety of levels, making this an excellent introduction for beginners and an opportunity for returning students to practice what they know. The classes for younger grades include a weekly take-home book (fee included) to help students remember what they’ve practiced in class.

Speaking in front of a group, or even sometimes at all, can be scary. Practice by making it fun! We will play improvisation games, serve as newscasters in a classroom studio, take the pro- or con- side in a debate on whether teachers should assign homework, and have staring contests while we talk. We will coach you in using a loud voice, scanning the room, making your audience relaxed, speaking from notes, and making persuasive arguments. Confidence is a life skill that can be built.