Access At CVUHS

Dragonflies, and their smaller cousins the damselflies, re-appear in VT in May and June. Some migrate in from the south. Others emerge from wetlands after one to several years of maturation as under-water predators. Naturalist Laurie DiCesare will share macro photos, a bit of biology and field stories about these amazing aerial experts. She’ll also suggest where and when to search for them and how to gently catch-and-release them with a photo op to document your finds on iNaturalist. Photo Credit: Laurie DiCesare (Shown are: Ebony Jewelwing, Eastern forktail, Cherry Meadowhawk, Aurora Damsel, and Lilypad Clubtail)

Got a digital camera and need a refresher on how to optimize photos using the different functions? In this 4-session course, we will review digital camera functions and how to use them, visual-design and framing considerations, as well as explore some Adobe Photoshop editing skills to bring your photos to life. We will take our camera outside, weather permitting, for a technical and visual exploration around the CVU campus. During registration you will have the opportunity to tell us what you are interested in specifically learning so the instructor can tailor the class to your level and interests. Emphasis will be on each individual student's interests. For novice through intermediate-level photographers. This class will meet at CVU in the Photography Classroom Lab. Each student will have use of a computer loaded with Adobe Photoshop software. This course is offered by minimum donation. Your donation to community education helps sustain, grow, and improve our program. Your kind contribution keeps class fees affordable and accessible to all. Thank you!

Emmy Hilliard of Grow Digital Skills, will help you discover the power of all things tech and computer related. The topics are endless and current based on what's trending in this fast moving digital world. You cannot escape using digital media, social media, the web, apps, and AI in this modern world. All you can do is learn about it, learn how to use it, and learn how to optimize or minimize it to suit your lifestyle. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and be ready to dig deep into each series. Each series is 2-sessions and held in-person at CVU High School. Handouts will be available as a reference during each presentation with Q&A at the end of the class. If you shop online, use smart home devices or own a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, TV, or iPad then you will leave each series more informed and a healthier digital citizen. All ages welcome! 1. "Travel Tech Mastery" (Feb 10 & March 10) Finding the best travel deals online Navigation and translation for travel and map apps Staying connected while traveling 2. "AI Tools for Everyday Life: Your Personal Digital Assistant" (March 5 & 12) Using ChatGPT for writing, recipes, and planning Free AI tools for image creation and editing Practical applications for daily tasks 3. "iPhone/iPad Mastery" (March 10 & 17) Essential features and hidden gems Accessibility settings and health features Emergency settings and security features 4. "Photos to Memories" (March 19 & 26) Organizing and sharing digital photos Creating digital photo books Cloud backup strategies 5. "Online Shopping Safety & Savings" (April 7 & 14) Price comparison tools Spotting legitimate vs. suspicious stores Amazon and Facebook Marketplace basics 6. "Cutting the Cord: Streaming TV Guide" (April 30 & May 7) Understanding streaming services Hardware options and setup Cost-saving strategies 7. "Social Media Without the Stress" (May 12 & 19) Facebook and Instagram basics Privacy settings and security Connecting with family and interest groups 8. "Smart Home Basics" (June 2 & 9) Simple, smart home devices Voice controls and automation Safety and convenience features Each topic within the series is independent. Sign up for your topic of interest, or sign up for all! "Great classes with a passionate instructor, well versed in multiple topics. Would definitely attend another class with Emmy!"

Do you find yourself tapping away to the beat of your favorite song? Have you always been curious to use an acoustic drum kit? Whether you're interested in playing drums in a band or simply exploring rhythm for fun, this 6-week class with Seth provides a solid foundation to get started on your drumming journey. Students will use their own practice drum pads during class and take turns using the full acoustic drum kit in the classroom. No musical experience needed. Come ready to learn! For students 13 and older. Younger students are welcome with a caregiver joining them. Please plan to purchase a practice drum pad and drum sticks (similar to this) to bring to the first class. "Seth is a great instructor who's able to connect with students of all ages and abilities and make everyone feel comfortable and empowered."

David Allan has been teaching swing dance for over 15 years! He has taught at Middlebury and St Michael's colleges, the Waldorf schools and many townhalls throughout VT. You will learn the fundamentals of leading and following which include correct body posturing, connection and foot work. This class is a continuation of the Access class, East Coast Swing Dancing for Beginners. Students must have taken the beginner East Coast Swing Class OR be proficient in the six count open and closed V positions as well as be able to do inside and outside turns. Min Age 16+. Both couples and individuals are welcome! We will be regularly rotating among all class members for a better dancing experience. Couples will have a chance to practice together towards the end of each class. During registration, you will be asked if you prefer to Lead, Follow, or no-preference. To create a balanced class we may ask partners to be flexible. Please wear any flat sole shoe. A leather sole is preferred, but sneakers are an acceptable and comfortable option. We loved our class experience! David is a really great instructor. He answers questions and really wants the students to understand the dance steps. We learned SO MUCH!

Injera is unique staple food to Ethiopia & Eritrea best known for spongy sourdough flatbread. It's a mixture of Teff (nutrient-dense & gluten-free), barley, corn & self-rising flour. Learn to mix the dough in class and carefully observe batter as it readies to be baked. Everyone will take a turn making injera and then take home a dinner prepared by Alganesh to enjoy. One meat and two vegetarian dishes will be served. This is a participatory class. A small group of 3-4 students will work together at each cooking station to prepare the Injera. "I loved this class! Alganesh is a wonderful, joyful teacher who makes the class so enjoyable and everything tastes so delicious. I have taken all of her classes and will take them again." "I loved this class, learned a lot, and would definitely take other classes from her. Wonderful evening of learning and sharing of a different culture. Memorable!" "This was our second class at Access, and second with Alganesh. I can't recommend enough. Alganesh is very warm and welcoming. She has put a lot of thought and consideration into her classes. We had a fun time learning about Eritrean and Ethiopian culture, and learning how to make Injera, the foundation of their cuisine. The best part, of course, was getting to eat our delicious food at the end! Thank you for a wonderful evening!"

Updated with Fresh Features! Discover how AI can make your life easier, more connected, and more fun! This hands-on course introduces you to the latest AI tools, with a focus on using ChatGPT, Claude, and Google's Gemini. You'll learn how to incorporate AI into your daily routine, from summarizing documents and food planning to using the camera to identify everything from plants to rare car parts. Learn how to use AI as an assistant and tutor. We'll also touch on the ethical side of AI, ensuring you're informed and empowered. Optionally, bring your devices with ChatGPT or Claude installed and prepare to explore! This class will meet inside CVU.

Come to this workshop to learn how to make your own set of wind chimes (or sun catchers) out of glass. The wind chimes can be hung outside in a protected spot, inside on a houseplant or in a window. Your finished product will be tack fired after class in a glass kiln and available for pick-up at CVU a week later. All materials are included in class fee. No experience required. For students ages 13 and older. Students aged 8-12 are welcome; they should register with an adult who is also registered for the class, and plan to have one dedicated adult for each child attending. This class will meet inside CVU.

Join us as we learn more about pollinators, and growing pollinator friendly landscapes. Creating pollinator gardens doesn’t just help the bees; it also helps your fruits and vegetables. We will cover the key local and regional native perennials that provide pollinators with nectar and pollen throughout the season. This course also highlights host plants for caterpillars of butterflies and moths, and plants that provide for other pollinating specialists. Participants will take home plant lists and a greater understanding of strategies to incorporate these plants and techniques into your own garden space. This is a workshop for all levels, beginner to professional. This class will meet inside CVU.

This gentle yoga class is a meditative, fluid, and soothing class suitable for all levels. Students will experience slow movements to warm the body and release stress and muscular tension, breathing techniques to support the nervous system, and simple postures to help build strength and stability. Suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Bring your mat and water bottle, as well as blocks and strap (towel) if needed. We will have some yoga mats and blocks available to borrow. This class will meet inside CVU. "Ellen is a wonderful instructor, love her and her yoga classes!"

Do you have any idea how to check if the oil is low, change a tire, add basic fluids when needed? Want to be informed about what to know when buying a used car? Join the techs from Girlington Garage for a quick, down and dirty look at the basics of car care. Get to know the basic layout of your car under the hood, Vermont State Inspection requirements, how to avoid getting taken advantage of at the repair shop, or anything else concerning cars that you would like to know. This class involves lots of standing. You are encouraged to bring a folding/camping chair if you would prefer to sit. This class will meet outside CVU.

We need healthy levels of cholesterol (not too high, but also not too low!). Did you know that cholesterol production in the body is regulated by the liver? Or that cholesterol is the precursor to hormones, and nutrients like Vitamin D? When cholesterol levels in the body are out of balance, it's important we understand why and address the root cause of inflammation and increased cholesterol production. If you're struggling with high cholesterol, join us as we talk about nutrition strategies to stabilize and rebalance cholesterol levels. This class will meet online via Zoom. An invite will be emailed a day or two before the class starts.

Are you presently hosting on Airbnb or VRBO, or have you thought about becoming a host? In this one night workshop you will learn what it takes to start and run a successful business or enhance your listing. David Rose has over 240 reviews on Airbnb and plus 100 reviews on VRBO with a 4.98 rating giving him "Super Host" Status. Learn the "must do" steps from photos, to listing description, client communication and everything in-between. Is being a host right for you? Are you thinking of renting out a room in your home or an entire house or apartment? Do you have an existing listing but want more guests & profit? What is the VRBO platform about? During this presentation, the following topics will be covered: How to best write your listing description How to furnish & decorate Importance of your photos What amenities to offer Guest communication How to price Importance of cleanliness How to get the best exposure VT Laws, Taxes, and Insurance Questions during registration will help us plan accordingly. There will also be a 15 min Q&A at the end of the presentation. This class will take place inside CVU.

Tap into your inner artist and try a new style of painting using oil paints and palette-knives! During this one-night course, Fia will teach you the basic properties of oil painting and color application. Using only a palette knife, you will create a modern impressionist-style painting of Spring Tulips. Grab a friend for this fun evening and take home a small masterpiece! All materials, including paints, are included in the fee. Please wear clothing that may get dirty, and feel free to bring a non-alcoholic beverage! No previous art experience necessary. All levels welcomed! Minimum age: 16+ "Instructor was fabulous. She was able to accommodate all skill levels. I would definitely take another class with her!"

There's a lot that goes into a good night's sleep! Let's dive into the nutrition strategies and lifestyle factors that can help your brain and body power down for a deeper, more restful night sleep. We'll discuss what to eat and when and how to strengthen your circadian rhythm. This class will meet online via Zoom. An invite will be emailed a day or two before the class starts.

If you are an Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop user and know all the knobs and sliders, but would like to learn more about how to actually apply them to your own images, then join this interactive editing session at the CVU photo lab. We will use real life examples of students’ photos (every student should bring 3…5 high resolution images to the class) and see what magic can be done with Adobe’s photo editing tools. We’ll start with the basics of lens/perspective corrections and cropping as well as dust and distraction removal, then apply exposure corrections if needed. After that, we jump into color adjustments and noise reduction and finally look into adding some artistic effects. "The instructor is very knowledgeable and his presentations were well prepared. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in photo editing."

Join John, an enthusiastic musician with years of teaching experience, to learn basic acoustic guitar skills and work on learning a few chords through popular songs. Everyone will be playing music before long! This class is designed for those of all ages, with little or no experience, as well as those who have experience and are looking for a tune-up or refresher and a chance to gather with a group for more practice. Bring your guitar, and an electronic tuner which is strongly recommended, but not a prerequisite. "I learned more in Guitar for Beginners than I have in decades of playing. The instructor, John Creech is outstanding. He is extraordinary in both his knowledge of the instrument and his support for his students. I recommend this course for anyone interested in getting a great start on learning guitar." "This class was a joy to take! John is gifted in his musical talents and ability to teach it to others!" Wendy

During this 4-week course, students will learn basic surface embroidery stitches: cross, stem, lazy daisy, French knots, running, blanket, and satin stitches. Classes are designed to allow for individualized instruction as well as time to practice and refine stitching technique. Students will be embroidering a variety of items including: a breadbasket cloth and a table runner. Students should come prepared with scissors. This class is appropriate for stitchers 13 years and older. Students aged 10-12 are welcome with a caregiver who is also registered. This class will meet inside CVU.