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.

On Monday, Sept. 16th, a small group of parents gathered at Highline Public Schools offices in their own version of a classroom.

They were there to try and learn more about the district’s new algebra curriculum, which, as you can expect, has confused a lot of people, both young and old. Luckily, HSD brough in math teachers and specialists to introduce parents to the “Discovering Algebra” textbook series and the online support materials available to parents and students.

The “Discovering” series was adopted by the school board last spring, with some controversy.

At this new “Parent Math Academy,” parents learned what students will learn in the new curriculum (or at least tried to). They were shown how to access online help for students who are stuck on homework problems, and how to find the actual text online so a student can complete his or her homework if s/he leaves his book at school or is home due to illness.

“I’ve been pretty confused about the math and the way they have been teaching it previously, but this new program has a lot of tools,” said Valerie Constantino, who has a son in middle school and one in high school. At the parent academy, “I really learned how to help my kids with their math.”

The next parent math academy will be held on Monday, Sept. 28 at 6pm. at Highline Public Schools central office, located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien. Additional academies are scheduled for Oct. 12th and Oct. 26th.