Educational Programs

Elementary Sign Language:

Come join us and learn to talk with your hands! This fun, interactive class will have you learning American Sign Language in no time. Each class session will teach basic ASL in themes which include food, family, animals, and other topics you may be interested in. This popular class taught by Heather Schwerdtfeger will fill up quickly, so please register early! Ages 6 to 12 are welcome. Class will meet in the Gauntlett Community Center.

SAT Prep Course
(New SAT):

This course will give High School students an introduction to perhaps the most important test they will ever take, the SAT. Students will find the course entertaining, educational, and interesting. The format of the verbal section of the SAT will be uniquely presented through science, social studies, entertainment and sports information. Strategies for successfully taking the SAT will also be taught. In addition, vocabulary will be developed using clever tips to learn over 200 words that commonly appear on the test. Some SAT math preparation will also be covered. The instructor, Dr. Joseph Lafferty, is an experienced teacher who has taught several SAT courses and has written books on SAT preparation. Copies of SAT books will be given to each student. The course will be held at the Community Center. 

Driver Education:

Fully accredited ten-week Driver Education course (classroom only) will be held at the Community Center on Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:00pm beginning September 22, 2008. Minimum age for the classroom work is 15.

Price: $85.00 (Classroom only)

Babysitter Training:

This course offered in conjunction with the American Red Cross will teach teenagers (ages 11-16) the responsibilities and qualities needed to be a good babysitter and what to expect from the person who hires you. Participants will be taught how to best respond to an emergency situation, how to prevent accidents before they occur, how to play with and supervise children of different ages, how to select safe toys and games, how to diaper and dress infants, and much more. Each student completing the program will receive a babysitter handbook and certificate. Training will be conducted at the Gauntlett Community Center. Please bring a brown bag lunch to class.

computer Explorers:
Preparing Children for the Future

Marple Newtown Recreation has partnered with Computer Explorers to offer two unique after school computer programs. Both programs will take place at the Gauntlett Community Center.

Video Game Animation (Ages 8-11): You won't believe what your child can accomplish! Participants will snap together "blocks" (commands) on the computer to create interactive stories, games, and animations and then share their creations on the web. While having fun, students will develop math concept, logic and problem solving skills as well as an understanding of the process of design. Your child can actually be successful using what Harvard University uses in its introductory computer science courses.

Comic Book Creator (Ages 9-12): Children will have fun creating their very own comic books! Each student will decide what they want their book to be about, and then they will add backgrounds, clip art and speech balloons to tell their stories. Sound and animation will be a part of each book. Once the story is complete, the participants will design book covers and then publish their books in PDF format. Come join us and design a book about a superhero, pet or your favorite character!