Burien Goodwill is offering FREE classes in English and computers as well as job search workshops from Jan. 4 through Feb. 25th at their Job Training and Education Center at 1031 SW 128th Street.

Registration begins Monday, Dec. 14th and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 15th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Goodwill’s FREE classes in English and computers as well as job search workshops

WHEN: 8-week classes run from Jan. 4th through Feb. 25th, 2010; Registration is Dec. 14-15th

WHERE: At Goodwill’s Job Training and Education Center in Burien, located at 1031 SW 128th Street

COST: FREE!

INFO: Register on Dec. 14th-15th for free classes in the eight-week session that runs from Jan. 4 through Feb. 25, 2010.

These courses teach people with significant barriers to employment valuable skills needed to find and keep jobs.

Classes fill up fast, and sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis, so contact the center soon to reserve your spot!

The center will offer classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), from basic to intermediate skill levels.

Computer Basics and Microsoft Word classes will also be available.

Additionally, the center will present several Job Search Workshops during the session on the following topics:

• Resume Writing
• Internet Job Search
• Online Job Applications
• Interviewing and Self-presentation

For class availability and enrollment information, please call (206) 957-1026.

Burien’s own Puget Sound Skills Center announced Monday (Oct. 19th) that it is now offering online classes in the hopes of better serving students who want to gain skills for the growing information technology job market.

The IT market is consistently listed in the top three sectors for future job growth.

Students who enroll can earn college credits as well as qualify for nationally recognized industry certifications.

“This is an exciting step for our school,” said Skills Center Director Sue Shields. ‘The online option for information technology opens opportunities for students who have previously not been able to take advantage of all that PSSC has to offer.  Scheduling conflicts simply disappear when a student is able to participate in the program on their own time.”

Computer Network Systems (CNS) instructor Jim McMurchie added: “Distance-learning courses can be completed by students with a relatively current computer and internet access.  All software required is provided by the school.”  He went on to say, “The best part is that PSSC is part of the public school system so, these courses are offered to students at no charge.”

Examples of courses that will be offered online include:

• Computer-Aided Design
• Cisco Networking and Microsoft IT Academies
• Basic computer hardware and software
• Basic networks

A student can elect to complete the course entirely online or in a blended-learning format which involves doing the majority of the coursework online wtih a limited number of sessions at PSSC for hands-on labs and review.

This Computer Network Systems program is the latest addition to PSSC’s online offerings.  Other programs include:

• Digital Media Production
• Engineering Design
• Leadership and Management in Business

Interested students should contact the Skills Center at 206-631-7300 or at their webiste: www.pugetsoundsc.org.

Puget Sound Skills Center is located at 18010 8th Avenue South in Burien, and it serves students from Highline and Federal Way Public Schools, Fife, Tahoma, and Tukwila School Districts and is hosted by Highline Public Schools.

by Mark Neuman

Construction continues on the new Environmental Learning Center located at the north end of Seahurst Park.

“The vision of the Environmental Science Center (ESC) is to construct a world-class, state-of-the-art Learning Center,” said Jan Glick, ESC Executive Director. “The framing is almost done. As the fall comes in it’ll be sealed up and roofed. To finish the project we still have to raise an additional $350,000.”

From the ESC’s website:

“The new Learning Center will be constructed on the former site of the Caretakers’s Cottage, and will be built to include many green features. It will be located conveniently next to a freshwater stream, .7 mile of saltwater waterfront, plus 178 acres of forested trails which all will be incorporated into ESC’s curriculum.

In addition, the Learning Center will accommodate two full classrooms (fifty person capacity) of students or community groups for environmental educational programs.”

Target date for building completion is April 2010.

“We have raised about $950,000 going back to 2001,” Glick said. “We need to raise another $350,000 to pay for the $1.3 million project.

“We are in discussions with several foundations and corporations in Washington state. We are optimistic we will be raising some significant portion of the needed $350,000 from institutional donors.”

But the probable size of those potential grants still leaves a gap between realized and needed funds.

“The other thing that is happening right now is that the price tag on the project is $100,000 lower than first estimated a few years ago. This is due to the current soft construction economy,” Glick said. “We are now receiving lower bids from various contractors.

“This combination of interest from institutional funders and the lower cost is providing us an opportunity to finish off the fundraising.”

This is where area residents can help, Glick points out.

“We are making an appeal to the community now to make donations and help open up to the public this community asset. It’s a great community asset. It will be open to the public. It will be free.

“We serve over 10,000 kids a year, mostly from the Highline School District but also from all over the Puget Sound area.

“We’ll have indoor demonstrations and exhibits. It is located right next door to the Marine Technology Center and its salmon hatchery.”

The ESC also offers naming and recognition opportunities for Learning Center donors. Contact the ESC office for further information.

The ESC is a 501(c)3 organization and contributions are tax deductible.

For online donation information go to:

www.envsciencecenter.org

Then click “Capital Campaign” on the left hand side.

Or call 206-517-5199 and talk to Jan Glick directly.

Mailing Address:

Environmental Science Center
126 SW 148th Street
Suite C100-170
Burien, WA 98166

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Ground Broken For New Environmental Learning Center
• Spring Classes Starting Up At Environmental Science Center
• Learning Comes Naturally At Environmental Science Center

The B-Town Blog welcomes its latest Advertiser: Sylvan Learning Center in Burien!

Sylvan Learning Center was founded over 27 years ago with the sole purpose of providing tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages (from Pre-K through High School) and all levels.

Affordable tutoring instruction is available in “readin’, ritin’ and ‘rithmetic”, as the old saying goes, but make it Reading, Writing and Math Essentials, plus throw in study skills, homework support and test preparation for those all-important SATs. Use Sylvan’s amazing diagnostic assessments to find exactly what your student needs, mix liberally with tons of attention from certified teachers, and you’ve got the successful recipe for the Sylvan Advantage.

Sylvan Learning Center in downtown Burien has offered their personalized learning plan to hundreds of students since opening its doors in Burien nearly two years ago. Prior to their move, they had been in the West Seattle area.

In Burien/Normandy Park, when they want real results, parents, teachers and students all turn to Sylvan for tutoring services. Sylvan’s individualized approach ensures every student develops the skills, habits and attitudes for lifelong success.

Get “The Best” for Less
Right now, through the end of January 2009, Sylvan Learning in Burien is making it more affordable to enjoy the many benefits of Sylvan. $94 per week/per student will bring your student through the door for two hours of instruction each week, with the testing, registration and enrollment fees waived ($164 savings). Interested in Sylvan now? Let’s see what it’s all about.

The Recipe for the Sylvan Advantage
It all starts with a Skills Assessment, which identifies where your child may have ’skill gaps’ or areas of academic struggle. Then you add in a large dose of a Personalized Learning Plan which is designed to meet your student’s exact needs, goals and learning style. Stir in Highly Trained and Certified Teachers, who love to teach and are dedicated to helping your child succeed. The tutoring programs have been designed so that every student has immediate access to their teacher, while benefiting from the opportunity to work independently to master the material. Throw in a bunch of Individualized Instruction, supplemented by independent learning, and you have the key to helping your child build confidence, motivation and success.

Finally finish it off with Regular Progress Reports to determine if your child is progressing as planned, or if his/her program should be accelerated.

Top Notch Teachers-Top Notch Educators
The Sylvan Advantage is only as good as the staff and teachers who work there. Let’s meet them.

First there’s the Giller twins, Michael and David. Michael is the Executive Director, has a master’s degree in teaching from UPS and has taught in the Tacoma and Puyallup school districts. He’s worked with students of all ages and finds that an individual has the best chance to make an impact on the environment through literacy. David, the Center Director, has a BS in Management from Park College. He loves having the opportunity to help children reach their fullest potential through Sylvan Learning (he’s the guy you see when you walk in the door).

Marre Giller, Michael’s wife, has a major in mathematics and chemistry from UW. Her skills in multitasking, documentation and project management are put to use creating a schedule that will suit your busy life and make it easier for you to give your student the Sylvan Advantage.

There’s six teachers at Sylvan. Kayleen Diaz has a BA in Special Education K-12 and an elementary education K-8 from SPU. She has a special gift for working with young and special needs kids. Nik Dukich graduated from Evergreen State with a BS in mathematics and minor in physics. He’s the math guy. Jen Parker has a BA in Liberal Arts from Southern Louisiana University. She’s taught English at university and high school levels. In addition to her teaching at Sylvan, she is chair for the English Department at Kennedy High School. Kelly Kirk has a BA in Education from UW. She substitutes in the Highline School District and is getting her masters in Special Education. She teaches reading, math and study skills. Kasey Clay has a BA in Elementary Education from City University. She also teaches elementary school in Kent. Will Bielawski has a BS from University of Michigan, he’s been teaching for three years. He’s the reading and writing guy for all levels.

Great programs. Great Teachers. Right in the neighborhood. What are you and your student waiting for? Stop by soon, or check out their ad on the upper right sidebar. Click-through to the local website for much more of the recipe for success.

For more information call 1-866-735-9209 Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or stop by Sylvan’s Burien location, which is located at 636 SW 152nd Street, Suite B.

Some interesting and somewhat unusual art classes worth noting coming up soon at Moshier Community Art Center:

INTRODUCTION TO BROOM MAKING
In this hands-on class choose to make one round or one flat hearth broom.  All materials are provided.  Learn about decorative options and the history of broom making.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry to say, but witches will not be allowed ]

To see some sample brooms please go to www.moonwiseherbs.com.

• Instructor:  John Holzwart
• Monday, June 9, 6:00-9:00pm
• Fee: $40.00

HERBAL SOAP MAKING
This hands-on class will allow you to explore the art of combining oils and herbs to create your own special soap.  Participants will take home recipes as well as their soap! 

• Instructor:  Linda Conroy
• Monday, June 9, 6:00-9:00pm
• Fee:  $40.00

Please register for these classes online at www.burienparks.net or by phone at:  (206) 988-3700

All workshops will be held at Moshier Community Art Center, located at 430 South 156th Street in Burien:

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