Swartz Creek — Once upon a time, Swartz Creek Community Schools operated a strong community education program, offering numerous classes to help area residents develop their skill sets.
However, the program began to wind down a few years ago. Then Covid shut everything down.
Now, Community Education is back, with Community Education and Physical Education Executive Director Laura Radley at the helm.
“The more things we bring back, the more people feel like what’s next,” said Radley, who has been working to expand community education since April 2023.
Among the popular products that quickly returned were pickleball and walking clubs. An open swim soon followed.
“We introduced karate, fitness and babysitting CPR classes,” Radley said.
Karate started with classes two days a week and grew to five days a week within six months. Within two weeks, 30 people signed up for the fitness class at Schilling Elementary School.
“We've looked into yoga, art, music, youth robotics, engineering, and more,” Radley said. “We have reached out to our staff and are waiting to see what they can do to help.”
“The number one thing people said they wanted back” was swim lessons, which will resume in April, she said.
Given that the district has two varsity teams and one middle school team and rents pools to neighboring school districts that don't have their own pools, finding lifeguards, let alone available hours, is difficult. was.
“We welcome ideas,” Radley said. “Every time people post on his Facebook page for Swartz His Creek, I comment, and that’s where I found the fitness instructor.
“I have a lot of ideas, but it's hard to put them out there. I want to provide music. I love art. I also want to take gymnastics, tumbling, and driver's education. But that's an important question that people often ask.”
Community Education also directs the Fearless Theater Productions community theater group and presents the Swartz Creek Gold Pass Club.
The Gold Pass is available to residents of the Swartz Creek Community School District who are 60 years of age or older. Admission is free to all school-related home athletic events, except MHSAA events, as well as open and lap swims.
More information about community education, available classes, and costs can be found on the SCCS Community Education Facebook page or in the community education section of the district website.
“If anyone is interested in hosting a class or has an idea for a class, please contact us. We are here,” Radley said.
She can be reached via email. lradley@swcrk.org.
“Community education is expanding,” Radley said. “It gives everyone in the community an opportunity to grow.”