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Sanford Community Adult Education
21 Bradeen Street • Suite 201 • Springvale, ME 04083adulted@sanford.org • (207) 490-5145 • Fax: (207) 490-2478
News & Events
Category: News
Pam Cote of SCAE Chairs Literacy Conference
Read the full article here.
Posted by Margie Genereux on March 10th 2010 | Read more in: Events and News
Fred St. Cyr joins Nasson Community Center board of directors
Thursday, January 21, 2010
SPRINGVALE — Fred St. Cyr has joined the Nasson Community Center's board of directors.
"Fred has extensive experience that will assure the continuing success of the Center," Marynel R. Driscoll, the president of the board, stated in a press release.
A graduate of Sanford High School, St. Cyr received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Science degree in Education from Gorham State College. He has completed postgraduate studies at a number of colleges throughout New England. He is currently "retired" from education, following a career devoted to eight years of teaching Industrial Arts and Science in Maine and Coastal Connecticut and 27 years in Secondary School Administration; he served as the director of the Sanford Regional Vocational Technical Center and the assistant principal and, later, the interim principal at Sanford High School.
St. Cyr also served as Industrial Education Instructor of graduate and teacher recertification courses at the University of Southern Maine. As well, he taught a variety of courses in Sanford's adult education program.
Among his diversified experiences, St. Cyr was employed by the Sanford-Springvale Redevelopment Corporation, for which he focused on the redevelopment of the Nasson College Campus. He is currently focusing some of his energy on a small part-time design-development business — F. St. Cyr Associates — as a designer, project manager and consultant.
St. Cyr has donated numerous services to Sanford and Springvale. Some of these include assisting with the designing and planning of the present Sanford High School and Regional Vocational Center, as requested by Architect Irving W. Hersey Associates, of Durham, New Hampshire; renovating the former Sanford High School to the new Willard School; designing the addition to the Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library and, years later, its recent marquis; consulting for the Sanford Town Hall's "new" Town Clock project; and remodeling and renovating the Sanford Memorial Gym. He is and has been affiliated with a variety of professional and service organizations.
St. Cyr is married to Elizabeth J. St. Cyr, the Superintendent of Sanford Public Schools.
He has been a professional musician since the early 1950s and is still very actively engaged in that delightful avocation.
Also new to the Nasson Community Center and Little Theatre are Sanford Community Adult Education students who are volunteering as receptionists, including such assignments as scheduling the events calendar and other various clerical duties from 3 to 5 p.m. on weekdays. These students, under the direction of ESCP Coordinator Lisa Blanchette, and SCAE Director Kathi Metcalfe are: Jean Allain, Rebecca Bolduc, Lisa Merlin, Richard Rodney, and Betty Ryder.
"The Center thanks the adult education staff and these students for this very important and helpful service," Driscoll said.
Posted by Margie Genereux on January 25th 2010 | Read more in: News
Meet Georgina, our newest face!
Meet Georgina Hutchins!
Fortunately for us, Gina very bravely just accepted the position of day-time secretary/receptionist (really a jack-of-all-trades) with Sanford Community Adult Ed.
We would be lost without her! She’s quickly learning what a busy, crazy office ours is.!
We’re sure you’ll love her as we already do! Stop in with your walk-in registration to our office at the Anderson Learning Center in Springvale and say, “hello!”
Gina would love to meet you!
Posted by Sue Colley on January 7th 2010 | Read more in: News
SCAE Team Traveling to Savannah for Inspiration & Training!
A team from SCAE will travel to Savannah, Georgia, for the annual LERN Conference in November. An international organization, LERN (The Learning Resource Network) is the foremost authority on enrichment education programming, marketing and success. This year a group of four will attend the three-day event. Director Kathi Medcalf, Assistant Director Theresa MacDonald, Marketing Coordinator Sue Colley, and Web Designer & Instructor Margie Genereux will attend a variety of workshops and lectures from nationally recognized presenters and experts.
Workshop topics range from "the 10 best promotion strategies of the year" to "Recruiting, Developing and Keeping the Best Talent," to "An Introduction to Virtual Worlds" to "Marketing on a Shoestring" and the "Shift from Information to Solutions." Workshops are divided into subject strands such as Advanced Marketing, Decision Making, Best Programming, eMarketing, Beating Tough Times, Strategic Planning and Leadership. In all, more than 70 individual workshops will be offered.
This will be the fourth time that SCAE staff will have attended the LERN Conference. We're very excited to see what innovations we will be bringing home with us!
Posted by Sue Colley on November 2nd 2009 | Read more in: News
The ROAD to College
Removing Obstacles Achieving Dreams
In the Fall of 2006, the leadership at Sanford Community Adult Education became aware of a discouraging statistic regarding area adults and local state and community colleges. Many area adults looking to go to (or go back to) college were not being successful in their endeavors. A requirement for admission is taking the Accuplacer exam. This exam shows a student’s strengths and weaknesses in mathematics and language arts and helps to determine that student’s placement in appropriate-level classes.
Many adults achieved scores that placed them in classes that were lower than the college level. The colleges had a solution to this problem - which was to develop pre-college (non-credit-bearing) classes for these students to take in preparation for credit classes. And, the good news is that these classes would be eligible for financial aid funds!
The bad news? People were using up all their financial aid on expensive developmental classes through the colleges and not earning any college credits in the process!
The better news? SCAE developed the Removing Obstacles Achieving Dreams (ROAD) program where students could take the same preparatory classes with SCAE at a fraction of the cost.
Who should apply for ROAD?
•Current adult high school diploma and GED candidates who want to go to college
•Past graduates of high school or adult education who need a skills boost to succeed in college
•Adults who are referred by local post-secondary schools as needing multiple developmental classes
Why should you apply for ROAD?
Going back to school can be a scary decision. Let ROAD (Removing Obstacles, Achieving Dreams) help you ease back into school. Develop and sharpen your skills for success in math, reading, writing and computers. Gain the confidence you need to succeed. Get the “inside scoop” on college life and expectations. Network with others who have “been there, done that!”
Are there benefits?
•Placement in classes that are appropriate to your skill level
•Registration fee waived for ROAD classes
•Free daytime childcare during ROAD classes
•Free transportation for those who qualify from Sanford/Springvale to ROAD classes
•Monthly cohort meetings over lunch
•Site visits to local colleges
•Free career & college counseling
•Assistance with college applications
•Assistance with applying for financial aid
•Eligibility for up to $500 in scholarships
Requirements for ROAD:
•Minimum of 4 hours of career/college counseling.
•Successful completion of ROAD courses (up to 3 English classes, Math through Algebra II, How Do I Get There from Here?, Computer Literacy, and Computer Applications).
•Book rental, materials & lab fees.
•Adherence to the attendance policy of SCAE.
•Cohort meetings.
Meet James Wakefield
"I am now a graduate from SMCC (Southern Maine Community College). When deciding to go back to school I wondered if there was a program out there to help me, then I found SCAE and their College Transitions program. The staff at SCAE helped me realize my dreams and put it all at my fingertips. I doubt I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for SCAE and their ROAD program."
Posted by Sue Colley on November 2nd 2009 | Read more in: News
Sanford Community Adult Education sees an Enrollment Boom in Adult Ed Classes
By Ellen W. Todd, Sanford News Writer
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SANFORD — Fall enrollment in Sanford's Community Adult Education program is up 85 percent from last year's fall enrollment — and that's in just the academic courses like employment skills, high school and General Educational Development (GED) diploma classes and college transition classes.
Last fall, 137 students registered for SCAE's academic courses, this year 258 students have registered.
"It's a huge increase for us," SCAE Director Kathi Medcalf told Sanford School Committee members at their Sept. 14 meeting. Despite the increase in demand, Medcalf said SCAE administrators were able to enroll everyone in the programs they wanted.
In addition to its own programs, SCAE provides services for the University College system and there has been a 20 percent increase in enrollment in those courses — from 75 last year to 90 this year.
Medcalf said the economy is the primary reason for the increase in students. The closing of several area businesses in the last year means an increase in the number of people who are unemployed. In order to receive unemployment compensation, they must be actively looking for work or enroll in a retraining program. With so few jobs available, Medcalf said, there is a lot of interest in SCAE's employment skills and GED classes.
Most jobs require a high school diploma or GED, Medcalf said, but that was not always the case. Workers who did not complete high school and worked in manufacturing for 20 or 30 years, for example, are finding themselves in new circumstances.
"People are coming in and saying, 'I've done this for 20 years. I never thought I'd have to be looking for a job again,'" Medcalf said.
This fall, former R.R. Donnelley employees have been coming into the SCAE office. The company announced in March that it would close its Wells plant in June. Employees received severance packages, but those are running out and former Donnelley employees who have not found jobs are eligible for unemployment benefits.
Medcalf said that in addition to the economic situation, Maine Department of Health and Human Services rules have changed increasing the number of hours a parent must work or attend school in order to receive benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. A majority of SCAE students are receiving some kind of services — unemployment or TANF — Medcalf said.
For some, getting their high school diploma or GED is the first priority and math is most often the area where they are a bit rusty. "We're offering more math classes this fall we ever have before," Medcalf said.
SCAE also provides counseling to help displaced workers figure out the kind of job they'd like to do, and help them get the education and skills they need.
Along with the increase in enrollment in its own programs, SCAE is the biggest University College ITV site in the state, Medcalf said. There are 51 ITV courses offered at the Sanford center and the SCAE staff is responsible for proctoring exams for ITV courses as well as for students taking online courses. They also collect papers and troubleshoot problems for students taking ITV classes.
SCAE receives a $2,000 stipend for holding ITV classes and $122.69 per course offered plus $30.67 for each enrollment, which helps offset the expenses, Medcalf said. This year's increase in enrollment has meant a big increase the work for SCAE staff, she said.
Posted by Margie Genereux on October 23rd 2009 | Read more in: News
Bruce Jacques Comedy Extravaganza!
Bruce Jacques Comedy Extravaganza!
SCAE's Annual Fundraising Event
Friday, March 26, 2009 ~ Knights of Columbus Hall, Sanford
Join us for an outstanding comedy experience with entertainer Bruce Jacques!
Bruce's career started in 1977. He played in several bands until going out on his own as a solo artist at age 19. Using the latest synthesizers and computers along with his guitar and live vocals he produces the sound of a four or five piece band.
Bruce incorporates comedy spoofs on artists such as Devo, Guns and Roses, Britney Spears and many more. His repertoire is a mix of songs everyone knows by heart from the sixties to today's top hits. He also involves the audience with a six foot L.E.D. light board that displays the words for sing-a-longs.
Jacques' ability to connect with audiences of all ages, through all moods and in all types of settings, is something that comes only with years of experience. He also possesses the natural ability to make people feel comfortable - to make them laugh, sing, and dance.
The SCAE staff saw Bruce perform in June and we laughed 'til we cried! Tickets will be $20 per person (advance purchase before 12/31/09.) Doors open at 6:30 pm. Cash bar and snack bar will be available. This will be a PG rated show.
Posted by Sue Colley on August 4th 2009 | Read more in: News and Events
Former First Lady Barbara Bush presents Lighthouse grant check to Pam Cote
Click here to read the article in The Sanford News.
Posted by Margie Genereux on June 27th 2009 | Read more in: News
Graduation 2009
Our recent graduation celebration was another wonderful evening. Check out this story from the Sanford News.
Posted by Margie Genereux on June 27th 2009 | Read more in: News
SCAE's Employment Program Trains Students for the Workplace
courtesy photo Sanford resident Lisa Bernier says Sanford Community Adult Education taught her the skills she needs for the new job she loves. EDITOR'S NOTE. The following feature is the latest installment in a series of occasional entries about individuals who have improved their lives by attending Sanford Community Adult Education at the Anderson Learning Center in Springvale.
By Gail Lemley Burnett
Sanford News Guest Writer
Thursday, March 19, 2009
SPRINGVALE — Anyone would have forgiven Sandy Hilton if she'd felt sorry for herself four years ago. The Vishay Sprague plant in Sanford was shutting the last of its departments, putting her out of work for the first time in 23 years. She was middle-aged, her children were grown, and she had no high school diploma.
But Hilton, a Sanford native, didn't waste any time on self-pity. She sat down and considered her options.
"I figured I would go either toward the medical profession or the law," she says.
Neither was likely to be sent overseas, as Vishay Sprague's manufacturing jobs had been.
The first step was finishing her high school education. Hilton had always enjoyed school and had dropped out decades earlier, only because her mother couldn't afford to drive her to Sanford High from the outskirts of town. (No bus was available back then.) She took the tests for the GED (General Education Development) diploma at Sanford Community Adult Education (SCAE) and passed all subject areas easily.
"I surprised myself," she recalls.
Next, Hilton enrolled in the Employment Skills Certificate Program (ESCP) at SCAE, which gives high school graduates a chance to earn a number of job-related certificates. Initially, she was thinking of working in a doctor's office. That meant brushing up on basic skills such as English and math and exploring areas that were entirely new, like accounting and computers.
"I felt a little awkward at first," she says, because she was so unfamiliar with the computer. "But nobody else seemed to notice, and it didn't bother me after awhile."
Hilton eventually earned three certificates in the Employment Skills Certificate Program — her Clerical Certificate, Administrative Assistant Certificate, and Medical Secretary Certificate. Although she earned her certificates from SCAE, she needed to supplement her SCAE classes with courses offered at another school because of scheduling problems. Shortly afterward, she was hired by the billing department at Goodall Health Partners and has worked there for the last two and a half years.
She says that the Employment Skills Certificate Program gave her training that was both academic and thoroughly practical. She learned about writing business letters and resumes and got valuable pointers on how to present herself during a job interview. She learned the specialized language of medical billing; she still has a notebook from SCAE instructor Shirley Ross on her desk at work.
She advises anyone facing unemployment today to consider taking advantage of local training opportunities like the ESCP program.
"Don't be afraid to try it. It's the greatest thing. It makes you feel so good about yourself," she says.
That's the same advice Lisa Bernier gives to people these days.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, you can go back to school now. Things are different," she says.
Bernier, also of Sanford, worked a series of jobs before she was laid off from U.S. Optical Disc two years ago. She had graduated from Biddeford High School in the mid-1980s and then worked for Rich's department store, Vishay Sprague, and the U.S. Census Bureau. She ran her own housecleaning business for awhile, but found that transportation to job sites was too expensive. She was offered some retraining money after the U.S. Optical layoff and decided to take it.
"I did self-employment and I did the factory, and I did very little office work, but that's what I really enjoyed — and that's where I really needed brushing up," she says.
Bernier studied reading, writing, accounting, computers and other skills to earn a General Career Skills Certificate as well as a Clerical Certificate at SCAE. This led directly to her job as an administrative assistant for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition program at York County Community Action Corp. in Sanford. She loves helping young mothers nourish their children and themselves.
She says that her time at SCAE gave her more than employment skills; it brought her new confidence in reading and writing in any context. It had been 20 years since she'd studied things like apostrophes and paragraphs, which she knew she'd need in an office job.
"Even my sentences are a lot better than they were before," she says.
Like many returning students, Bernier had a few moments of hesitation when she registered for her first SCAE classes.
"At first, I was thinking I'm 40 years old, could I do it? Well, I could," she says.
She has a new perspective on the all-too-familiar story of layoffs and business downturns now. She says she's encouraged her sister, whose job at RR Donnelley in Wells will soon disappear, to consider the ESCP program.
"This could actually help you," she tells her sister. "Try to brush up your skills and go for something you really want now. It's worth it. Why not?"
The Employment Skills Certificate Program at SCAE offers a General Career Skills Certificate, a Clerical Certificate and three advanced certificates, Administrative Assistant Certificate, Accounting Clerk Certificate, and Medical Secretary Certificate. It is possible to be working on more than one certificate concurrently.
SCAE is located in the Anderson Learning Center at 21 Bradeen Street in Springvale. For more information or a registration appointment, call coordinator Lisa Blanchette at 490-5145.
Posted by Margie Genereux on March 19th 2009 | Read more in: News
