ENROLLMENT IN FIRST CTE TRADES COURSES ON VERDE CAMPUS IN NEW TRADES BUILDING CAUTIOUSLY PROCEEDING

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, July 17th, 2021

One class full, another almost full, several around half-full and one showing only a single student enrolled so far; Administration gives optimistic report to Clarkdale Town Council on enrollment (as incentive all first semester CTE trades classes apparently tuition free)

Yavapai Community College has begun developing a Career and Technical Education trades training program in newly constructed CTE building cautiously.  It is, as one might expect, a first-year, first-time work in progress.

As of July 16, the construction (plumbing) class is full (exact number unclear).   The HVAC program has a total of 25 unfilled slots in its three courses that will accommodate 41 students (plus 10 more available from a wait list).  The CNC Machine Operator’s course has only one student enrolled so far; it can accommodate 20 students.  Enrollment numbers in the remaining courses is mixed with several around half-full. 

The College has initiated instruction in the Integrated Systems Engineering Certificate by offering one of eight courses needed to obtain the Certificate.  There was only one student enrolled so far in that program as of July 16.

At the Clarkdale Town Council meeting on July 13, the Administration sounded a hopeful note when it came to beginning CTE training in the new facility.   Vice President of Community Relations and  Student Development, Rodney Jenkins, told the Town Council that “we’ve done a phenomenal outreach along with a series of incentives to help students made a decision to enter into these trades. We almost went door to door [in addition] to our mailings and our letters.”  He also said that “we are very targeted in our outreach.”

On current registration, Mr. Jenkins, reported was  that “Most all of our classes in the Verde Valley Skills Center are almost full.  A couple of them are full.  Electrician, HVAC, Plumbing; there are maybe one or two seats left in those classes. We still have a month to go before classes start.  To start out this way, when in the beginning I was very, very nervous; the community has responded very well.”

You may view a video clip of Mr. Jenkins remarks to the Town Council made July 13 below.  You may also view below enrollment data as reported by the Community College as of July 16 in courses identified by the Blog as locating in the new Skills Center building as a part of the local trades education effort. 

Categories : Career and Technical Education

COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. LISA RHINE TELLS CLARKDALE TOWN COUNCIL SHE MUST COMPLY WITH GOVERNOR DUCEY’S COVID-19 PROHIBITIONS

By R. Oliphant
Friday, July 16th, 2021

Governor’s mask mandate contrary to CDC guidelines; Covid-19 showing potential surge in Prescott/Prescott Valley

Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine, told the Clarkdale Town Council July 13 during her update on the College that she must comply with Governor Doug Ducey’s order regarding COVID-19. She said that “the Governor put out an executive order that does not allow any public college to require masks, vaccines, [or] testing . . ..”

As of Friday, July 16, COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised unvaccinated students and staff to continue to wear masks inside school buildings. 

Meanwhile COVID-19, driven by the Delta virus, is making itself heard in Yavapai County and in particular the Prescott Valley/Prescott area.  Yavapai  County reported a total of 45 new COVID cases in total appearing in those two cities in its July 15 report.  A day earlier it had reported 28 new cases in total in those two cities . Worse,  the July 13 report from the County found a total of 80 new COVID cases in total at the same two locations. On Friday, July 16 the State reported 64 new COVID cases in Yavapai County with two deaths associated with the disease. The state also reported 1,251 cases state-wide with 17 persons dying from the disease on July 16.

(Video/audio clip below of Dr. Ryan speaking to Clarkdale Council about the Ducey Executive Order.) 

Categories : COVID 19

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERING 77 COURSES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION THIS FALL

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, July 10th, 2021

68 classes on Prescott Campus; 5 on Verde Campus; 3 on-line; and one at Chino Valley Center

Yavapai Community College is offering 77 courses in physical education this fall.  Of that number, 68 classes are being held on the Prescott Campus.  Five classes can be found on the Verde Campus in Clarkdale.

There are three classes on-line and one physical education course is being offered at the Chino Valley Center.

The large number of classes offered on the Prescott Campus when compared to the rest of the District suggests the College’s efforts over the past half century to develop those programs primarily in one location. One might also surmise that the large number of physical education  classes may reflect the fact that the Community College  has student athletes housed only on the Prescott Campus who are available to register for  these classes from the baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball teams.

Moreover, unfortunately the Community College does not offer a bus program operating  between the communities it serves and its  various campuses and centers. The result is that most  of these physical education  classes are out of the reach  of a large number of  Yavapai County citizens who reside outside the Prescott area.

 

Categories : Sports in General

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESCOTT CAMPUS FITNESS CENTER REOPENS JULY 6; HEATED SWIMMING POOL ALSO OPEN

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, July 10th, 2021

Closed since March 2020 because of pandemic restrictions, Center resumes normal hours of operation; has staff of six  fitness trainers

The Yavapai Community College Prescott Campus Fitness Center reopened  July 6.  It had been closed by pandemic restrictions since March 2020.   The Fitness Center, with its full complement of free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment, will be available to students and Prescott  community members at the following schedule: Monday – Friday: 6 to 9 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Yavapai Community College photo

The Pool is also open to the public for open swim hours.  It  reopened to the public on June 7.

The College has a staff of six personal trainers. 

The Fitness Center and pool are Housed in Building 2 on the Prescott Campus.  The Community College says that the “ Fitness Center and pool are staples of the College’s Health & Wellness courses and double as an indoor exercise and recreational resource for the [Prescott] community. “

Adult Community Members (Non Students) may  purchase 1, 6 and 12 month pool, fitness center or pool/fitness center combo passes for use at the Prescott Campus.  The College charges non-students a daily rate of $5 for the pool or the Fitness Center, while  a monthly pass for a Prescott Community member is $25.  For fulltime faculty, staff and students the monthly rate is $12.50 and the daily rate is $2. School-aged children, (6-18) may use the pool at the $2 daily rate.

For information on the Yavapai College Fitness Center, including memberships, please visit www.yc.edu/fitnesscenter or contact Fitness Facilities Coordinator Paula Tomitz at (928) 776.2238.

Categories : Fitness Center

COVID-19 PUTS BRAKES ON COLLEGE FOR KIDS PROGRAM; SEVEN AREAS OF INTEREST AND 29 COURSES OFFERED ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS; ONE SUBJECT AND SIX (POSSIBLY EIGHT) COURSES IN WRITING OFFERED ON VERDE CAMPUS; TWO COOKING COURSES AT SEDONA CENTER

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, July 10th, 2021

Far cry from 1,000 or more students on Verde Campus in 2017; since then enrollment in this program on Verde Campus has been plummeting; appears not so in Prescott

The Covid-19 pandemic no doubt played a role in limiting the number of courses offered by Yavapai Community College in this summer’s College for Kids program.  According to registration data from the College, the Prescott side of the College was able to marshal courses in seven areas of interest (see chart below) while offering a total of 29 courses.

The Verde Campus/Sedona Center was able to offer six courses in the writing area all taught by the Director of the program.  (See chart below.) The program is entitled “Writers Bootcamp” and offers four writing courses to students ages 6-9 and two courses to students 9-12. The Sedona Center offers two one-day cooking classes.

According to the College, the classes will take place at the Clarkdale campus of Yavapai College as well as the Camp Verde Community Library through the third week of July. The class in Camp Verde is called “How to Write Pop Fiction,” and takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. the week of July 6 to 15. (These may, or may not, be in addition to the two bootcamps listed on the schedule for the same week but beginning a day earlier.)

The Community College has also contacted a private nonprofit online educational company, Black Rocket, and on the Verde Valley website it is encouraging students to consider signing up for on-line STEM classes at a cost of around  $169 per class.  How many , if any, of the Black Rocket courses will have live instruction on the Verde Campus in addition to on-line classes is not clear from the information supplied by the Community College. However, the College advertises the courses  as virtual and live so it is anticipated some portion of these Black Rocket classes will have live classes on the Verde Campus.

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS ARTS & CRAFTS CLASSES

  1. Cartoon Characters & Critters • Ages 8-13

  2. SU21CK-001 • Mon-Thu, 6/7 to 6/10/21 9:30 – 11 am • WebLive

  3. SU21CK-002 • Mon-Thu, 7/12 to 7/15/21 9:30 – 11 am • WebLive

  4. Discover and Create Native Arts • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-003 • Mon-Thu, 7/19 to 7/22/21 9 am – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

  5. Flights of Imagination: Sewing Felties • Ages 10-15 SU21CK-004• Mon-Thu, 6/14 to 6/17/21 1 – 4 pm • WebLive

  6. SU21CK-005 • Mon-Thu, 7/12 to 7/15/21 1 – 4 pm • WebLive

  7. Watercolor and Mixed Media • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-009 • Mon-Thu, 6/14 to 6/17/21 9 am – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

  8. Kaleidoscope Art • Ages 5-13 SU20CK-006 • Mon-Thu, 7/26 to 7/29/21 9 am- noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

  9. Paint Like the Masters 101 • Ages 5-13 SU20CK-007 • Mon-Thu, 6/7 to 6/10/21 9 am – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

  10. Paint Like the Masters 201 • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-008 • Mon-Thu, 7/12 to 7/15/21 9 am – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS FOOD & COOKING CLASSES

  1. Edible Explorations • Ages 11-14 SU21CK-010 • Tue/Thu, 6/8 to 6/24/21 11:30 am 1:00 pm • Mountain Oak Charter School 1455 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott
  2. SU21CK-011 • Tue/Thu, 7/6 to 7/22/21 11:30 am 1:00 pm • Mountain Oak Charter School 1455 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott
  3. Natural Cooking for the Soul: Live and Raw Foods Ages 5-13 SU21CK-012 • Mon-Thu, 6/21 to 6/24/21 9 am – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS LIFE SKILLS CLASSES

  1. Babysitter’s Boot Camp • Ages 11-15 SU21CK-013 • Mon-Thu, 6/21 to 6/24/21 1 – 5 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 3, Room 204
  2. Random Acts of Kindness • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-014 • Mon-Thu, 7/19 to 7/22/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102
  3. Social Influence and Persuasion • Ages 14-17 SU21CK-015 • Tue, 6/15/21 1 – 3 pm • Prescott Campus • WebLive
  4. The Good Life • Ages 14-17 SU21CK-016 • Thu, 6/3 to 7/8/21 11 am – 1 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 19, Room 207

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS NATURE CLASSES

  1. Prescott Junior Audubon Nature Club • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-017 • Mon-Thu, 6/7 to 6/10/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102
  2. Prescott Junior Audubon Nature Club presents “The Grand Canyon Club” • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-018 • Mon-Thu, 7/12 to 7/15/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES

  1. Drama Camp: Comic Relief • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-019 • Mon-Thu, 6/21 to 6/24/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102
  2. Drama Camp: The Funny Bone Show • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-020 • Mon-Thu, 7/26 to 7/29/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102
  3. Drama Camp: Zany Improv • Ages 5-13 SU21CK-021 • Mon-Thu, 6/14 to 6/17/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 31, Room 102

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS SCIENCE CLASSES

  1. Earth’s Treasures • Ages 9-13 SU21CK-022 • Mon-Thu, 6/14 to 6/17/21 9 – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 3, Room 216
  2. SU21CK-023 • Mon-Thu, 6/14 to 6/17/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 3, Room 216
  3. SU21CK-024 • Mon-Thu, 6/21 to 6/24/21 9 – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 3, Room 216
  4. SU21CK-025 • Mon-Thu, 6/21 to 6/24/21 1 – 4 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 3, Room 216

PRESCOTT COLLEGE FOR KIDS WRITING CLASSES

  1. Camp Writing S’mores • Ages 11-14 SU21CK-026 • Mon-Thu, 6/7 to 6/10/21 1 – 3 pm • Prescott Campus • Bldg 3, Room 204
  2. Intro to Blogging • Ages 14-17 SU21CK-027 • Mon & Wed, 6/7 to 6/23/21 10 am – noon • Prescott Campus • Bldg 19, Room 207
  3. Writing and Being – The Gift of Language Ages 14-17 SU21CK-028 • Tue, 6/22 to 7/27/21 1 – 3 pm • WebLive

VERDE CAMPUS/SEDONA CENTER COLLEGE FOR KIDS CLASSES

Writers Bootcamp Schedule (as found on Community College web site)

  1. Writers Bootcamp: Science Fiction! (Grades 6-9) M,W, 10 am – 12 pm, 6/7-6/162.
  2. Writers Bootcamp: Horror! (Grades 6-9) T,Th, 10 am – 12 pm, 6/8-6/17 
  3. Writers Bootcamp: Fantasy! (Grades 6-9) M,W, 10 am – 12 pm, 6/21-6/30 
  4. Writers Bootcamp: Graphic Novels (Grades 6-9) T,Th, 10 am – 12 pm, 6/22-7/1 
  5. Writers Bootcamp: Outlining YOUR Novel (Grades 9-12) M,T,W,Th, 10 am – 1 pm, 7/5-7/8 
  6. Writers Bootcamp: The Writing Career (Grades 9-12) M,T,W,Th, 10 am – 1 pm, 7/12-7/15

According to the College’s Director of Community Education for the Verde Valley, the classes will take place at the Clarkdale campus of Yavapai College as well as the Camp Verde Community Library through the third week of July. The class in Camp Verde is called “How to Write Pop Fiction,” and takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. the week of July 6 to 15.

The Community College has also contacted a private nonprofit online educational company, Black Rocket, and is encouraging students to consider signing up for on-line STEM classes at a cost of $169 per class.  How many, if any, of the Black Rocket courses will have live instruction in addition to on-line is not clear from the information supplied by the Community College.

It is also not clear from the Community College’s web site whether the Camp Verde Classes discussed by the Director in the Redrock News  of July 7 are in addition to the six bootcamp  classes listed.

In his July 7 interview with the Redrock News, the Director said so far he had five students sign up for each of the Writers Bootcamp offerings.  He said because of the small enrollment, he has been able to focus on the students and gain experience teaching the news courses.

The College for Kids program on the Verde Campus has a checkered history.  It was completely closed down in 2012 and 2013 but was  resurrected in 2014.  In 2015 only 14 programs were offered.

Then, in 2016 Steve King and other superintendents in the Verde Valley stepped in to give the Community College a helping hand. There began a joint, serious effort to build the program with bus transportation provided by the District schools and extensive scholarships offered by the District schools and the Community College.  Dean James Perey told the Governing Board on May 9, 2017 that in 2016 485 children and young adults attended the “College for Kids” on the Verde Campus. By 2017, with leadership being provided by local superintendents, it had an estimated 1,200 slots for youngsters in its summer program. 

However, since 2017, the program  has been gradually sliding backwards in its  enrollment and programs in the Verde Valley.

Categories : College for Kids

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS 58 MUSIC COURSES ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS; NONE ON VERDE CAMPUS OR AT SEDONA CENTER

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, July 8th, 2021

Prescott based Music Department has full slate of concerts and musical theatre performances scheduled for this fall; there is no music department on the Verde Campus or at Sedona Center

This fall Yavapai Community College will offer 58 music/voice courses on the Prescott Campus.  According to its registration data (see below), there are no similar courses being offered on the Verde Campus or at the Sedona Center.

For the last half century it appears that the Community College has shown little or no interest in seriously developing music education courses anywhere but on its Prescott Campus.  For students in the Sedona area, to participate means a round-trip drive of from 100 to 150 miles to take a course.   For most in the Verde Valley, the dangerous drive and the obstacles created by going over Mingus mountain on 89A mean their opportunity for music education is extremely limited, if not outright barred.

The Community College has never offered an explanation about why it does not create a music department and promote music education on either the Verde Campus or at the Sedona Center.

On the Prescott Campus, the Community College  Music Department has announced a  full slate of concerts and musical theater performances this fall that it says will serve two ends: “Showcasing students and entertaining the community” (mostly the Prescott community, no doubt).

The Music Department also announced it will have four choral, five instrumental and one musical theater group participating in  a wide range of performances, “from jazz to American classics and from symphonic instrumental music to musical productions of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and Handel’s “Messiah.””

The music department’s fall performance schedule is available on the YCPAC website, www.ycpac.com.  It appears there is at least one event scheduled on the Verde Valley Campus.

 

Categories : Music

NURSING PROGRAM SHOWS ROBUST FALL ENROLLMENT AT VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Friday, July 2nd, 2021

Many classes already full six week from beginning of semester; New facility and increased interest  in nursing because of Covid-19  may explain enrollment; recall how Valley Advocates only a few short years ago successfully fought the  College to prevent it from moving all nursing training out of the Verde Valley

The Yavapai Community College nursing program is showing a robust enrollment for fall 2021. On the Verde Campus, three classes are completely full, while seven classes have only one seat left and three others have only two available seats.  The remaining classes are mostly two-thirds full. 

The new facilities in Building “L” may account for some of the enrollment on the Verde Valley Campus along with increased interest in nursing created by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Whatever the reason, the overall interest in nursing training  is high.

Some may recall that as a part of the 2013 ten-year $103.5 million renovation project launched by the Community College (with 95% or more of renovation going to the West side of the County), that the Community College was considering moving the existing Verde Campus nursing program to Prescott Valley. Because of the strong opposition from Verde Valley Education advocates, that plan was eventually scrapped. 

Today, the wisdom of keeping the nursing program on the Verde Campus and the decision to renovate Building “L” on that campus are paying huge educational dividends as the 2021 Nursing program fall enrollment  so vividly shows.

Categories : Nursing

VALLEY ACADEMY FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MOVING SEVERAL PROGRAMS TO YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE VERDE CAMPUS FOR FALL 2021

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, July 1st, 2021

VACTE will retain  Law Enforcement and Dispatch, Teacher Training I and II, and Construction Technology I and II programs at its campus on Highway 89 in Cottonwood

The Valley Academy for Career and  Technical Education (VACTE)  with a central campus located 3405 E. State Route 89A, Building B, Cottonwood, will be moving, or has already moved, five major Career and Technical Education programs to the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale for fall 2021.  Those five programs are:  Heating and  Ventilation, Manufacturing CNC operator, Phlebotomy, Plant and Horticulture, and Pre-Engineering I and II.

It is anticipated that the Horticulture program will take advantage of the new greenhouse on the Verde Campus, which was just completed.  The other four programs will be housed in the new 10,000 square foot Technical Education Center on the Verde Campus, which is moving toward completion and should be ready for August classes.

VACTE  will also offer Culinary Arts I and II at the Sedona Center. However, according to the VACTE website, the Sedona Culinary Arts programs are not available to high school students at the Camp Verde High School.

Three programs will be retained at VACTE’s central campus:  They are  Law Enforcement and Dispatch, Teacher Training I and II, and Construction Technology I and II.

The Certified Nursing Assistant Program  will continue to be taught at the Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood. The Emergency Medical Services program and the Fire Service program will also continue to be taught at the Yavapai Community College training Center in Cottonwood.

The VACTE  is a public school district that works in partnership with Yavapai College and the high schools, charter schools, and home schools throughout the Verde Valley and Sedona to provide high school students with career focused courses where they can earn high school credits, college credits and industry recognized certifications.

  VACTE pays the majority of student expenses including college tuition, books, uniforms, and industry certification fees. Students must provide footwear, or other personal items, as required.

Categories : Career and Technical Education

VITICULTURE/WINE MAKING PROGRAM ENROLLMENT APPEARS STRONG ON VERDE CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, July 1st, 2021

Two courses full six weeks from start of fall semester while  others are nearing capacity; new low cost textbooks in use

With classes beginning  August 16 at Yavapai Community College, enrollment in the  Viticulture/wine making program on the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale is showing a great deal of early student interest.  Enrollment in almost all of the classes is nearing capacity, if not already full.

For example, the Sensory Evaluation of Wine course taught by Paula Woolsey is already full despite the fact that it is one of two classes that don’t begin until October.  Michael Pierce’s course, which begins in August,  on the Science of Wine Making is also full with students now being taken from a waitlist.

The Winemaking Practicum, also taught by Mr. Pierce, has 18 of its 20 classroom seats already taken.  Robert Alexander’s Viticulture Practicum has only six seats remaining. Craig Martinsen’s Introduction to Viticulture course has 26 of its seats filled with an opening for only four more students.

The Science of Winemaking course to begin in October already has three of the 24 seats taken.

One new feature of the Viticulture program is the use of low cost textbooks in five of the  seven classes being offered this fall.  These textbooks are a part of the Community College’s effort, led by Vice President Diane Ryan, to reduce the student economic  burden of attending the Community College’s  educational programs. 

Categories : Viticulture

EARLY REGISTRATION INDICATES BEER BREWERY CLASSES ON VERDE CAMPUS BEGINNING FALL SEMESTER 2021 QUITE POPULAR

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, June 26th, 2021

Already, 23 of 45 seats filled; Brewery Technology Certificate requires 16 hours of credit

The Brewery Technology Certificate classes will not kick off for the first time until August 16.  However, if June early registration is an indication, they will be near full. Registration for the courses as of June 27 showed  what appears to be immediate popularity of them with  23 of the available 45 seats already taken.  

The Community College has set  up an industry-standard pilot-brewery similar to those used by breweries to make small batches of beer for experimentation.  It will not  be doing a “tap” as the focus is on training students who are employable. A certificate in Brewery Technology requires successful completion of  four eight-week courses  totaling  16 credits.

Students will have the small pilot-brewery, a series of fermenters, a brew station, and some smaller brew kettles to make beer on their own.

The Community College does not intend to grow hops or other crops on its vacant 80 acres of land on the Verde Valley Campus.  Rather, it will purchase hops from sources in  the town of Camp Verde. 

Categories : Career and Technical Education
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