Registration under way for Penta adult post-secondary programs

        Registration is under way for full and part-time programs at Penta Career Center, Adult Post-Secondary, which begin Monday, Aug. 31.
        Full-time programs include Automotive Mechanic Technician; Builder, Contractor and Remodeler Technology; Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic & Repair and Welding.
        Penta Adult Post-Secondary announced a second location at 760 W. Newton Rd. in Bowling Green for adults interested in Welding programs.
        Part-time courses offer flexible starting dates and include programs like Plumbing Apprenticeship and Forklift Training.
        For companies and businesses, Penta offers customized workforce development training at reasonable costs at a business’s location or in Penta’s classrooms and labs.
        Penta also offers more than 300 online courses in areas such as medical terminology, computers, finance, and marketing. Through Penta’s partnership with Ed2go, the online courses are taught by expert instructors and start at $115 per six-week course.
        For those interested in the health care field, Penta offers online heath care courses through a partnership with HeathEd Today. Courses include Medical Billing & Coding, Phlebotomy Technician and Pharmacy Technician.    Adults who want to improve their reading, writing, and math skills or study for the High School Equivalency exam can register for Penta’s Aspire Career Pathways Readiness program, offered at a number of locations.
        To register for any of the Adult Post-Secondary programs, call 419-661-6554 or visit Penta at 9301 Buck Rd. in Perrysburg.
        Additional information is available by visiting www.pentacareercenter.org and clicking on “Adult Education.” Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
 
Kindergarten screening
        Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools has rescheduled kindergarten screening for Tuesday, Aug. 4 and Thursday, Aug. 6. The plan for screening will be approved by the Ottawa County Department of Health to protect all students, families, and staff.
        Parents or guardians who have a child who will be beginning kindergarten this fall may call the R.C. Waters Elementary School Office at 419-898-6219 to make a screening appointment.
        In order to be eligible for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old by Aug. 1. All kindergarten students should be screened and registered to begin the school year.
 
OHHS class of 2021
sets testing benchmark
        The Oak Harbor High School class of 2021 has set the benchmark high in regards to the State-Funded ACT testing.
         State law requires school districts in Ohio and community schools to administer the state-funded ACT test to all students in grade 11 in the spring of the school year. A total of 129 11th-grade students at Oak Harbor High School were tested during the 2019-2020 school year and scored above the state average in all categories.
        Students were tested in the categories of English, mathematics, reading and science.
        Oak Harbor High School Principal Cheryl Schell expressed how pleased she is of the students and staff on their performance. “We saw our juniors average score in math, English and reading jump by 2 points on each test, comparative to the past five years,” she said. “I’m really proud of the staff and students who worked hard to achieve those big gains.”
        B-C-S Local School District Superintendent Dr. Guy Parmigian said, “The students and staff have been strategically focused on increasing ACT performance over the past several years, and I am proud to see their efforts pay off. These gains are truly significant.”
 
Young Artists at Work
        For the first time in its 26-year history, Young Artists at Work (YAAW) apprentices are working from home due to COVID-19.
        YAAW is a six-week, paid summer apprenticeship program where area teens ages 14-18 learn artistic and professional skills under the direction of professional artists, art educators or instructors.
        YAAW apprentices come from diverse neighborhoods and communities around Toledo, working 30 hours per week from June 29 to Aug. 7.
        “So far, I'm really enjoying working from home. I think that it's easier to be comfortable, and I feel more productive in my own space,” said first-year apprentice Abbi Pfaff, 16. “I also feel like I have access to a lot of supplies, so I don't feel inconvenienced by the situation in any way, and I'm really enjoying it.”
        This summer, 41 apprentices are creating makeshift home studios and working with clients on design projects. Featured client projects include an installation for the League of Women Voters celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment, a photo essay project for the Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center at the University of Toledo, and artwork for the facade of the Ottawa Tavern on Adams Street.
        “Working from home has been completely different from working in-person, but I still feel like we're making the best of the experience and being productive – and it's very fun," said senior apprentice, Alexandra "Sonny" Rohloff, 16.
        This year, Toledo Lucas County Public Library generously provided apprentices with iPads to assist with remote work. Lucas County Jobs and Family Services and the City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods helped provide funding for apprentice positions.
 
TMA offering art classes
        Toledo Museum of Art is offering virtual art classes for youth and adults and in-person workshops for adult students beginning Aug. 10.
        Courses will be offered in a variety of media, with materials included and no experience necessary. Class topics include glass, jewelry, drawing, comic book design (ages 12-18) and a colorful Japanese marbling technique for children (ages 5-7). Registration for August classes closes Aug. 6.
        Instruction will be provided for virtual classes using a combination of prerecorded videos and live-stream sessions from the instructor. Select adult workshops will take place in-person at the Museum with small class sizes and enforced guidelines for physical distancing.
        Each registration includes a kit of materials for the class. Glass participants will pick up class supplies on Friday, Aug. 7, and youth will pick up supplies on Monday, Aug. 10. Live sessions for select virtual classes will take place on Monday, Aug. 10, and Wednesday, Aug. 12.
        “Toledo Museum of Art looks forward to continuing our tradition of quality art instruction this summer,” said Mike Deetsch, the Museum’s Emma Leah Buppus director of education and engagement. “These classes can be a fun way to explore a new medium or an opportunity to increase skill and hone technique in an artist’s area of interest.”
        Due to the nature of the class format, scholarships are not available, and the teen work-study program has been put on hold temporarily.
        To register for an August art class, visit tickets.toledomuseum.org or call 419-254-5080.
        The schedule includes:
        Aug. 10-14:
        Virtual Adult Classes
        • Glass Fusing with instructor Misha Nalepa. Participants will cover glass fusing, the process of melting multiple pieces of glass into one fused sheet in an electric kiln. The class will cover how to set up and adhere glass color and scraps to a clear pane and the process of fusing to create a design.
        All instructional videos will be emailed to students on Monday, Aug. 10. Students will be invited to virtually attend an optional, live session with the instructor on Monday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. The cost $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
        Note: All fusing will need to be completed at the museum by the instructor. Students will drop off their finished glued pane on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and can elect to pick up their completed piece or have it shipped for a nominal fee.
        • Glass Mosaic with instructor Misha Nalepa. Participants will create their own glass mosaic at home. Mosaic work is made by inlaying various materials onto a base to create imagery or patterns. Pictures or patterns are created by arranging these different materials such as stone, glass or ceramic and sealing them together with an adhesive.
        All instructional videos will be emailed to students on Monday, Aug. 10. Students will be invited to virtually attend an optional, live session with the instructor on Monday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. The cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
        Aug. 14-16:
        In-Person Adult Workshops
        • Cuff Bracelets with instructor Hans Rubel, Friday, Aug. 14 from 1-3 p.m. Participants will create a unique cuff bracelet in brass or copper using hammers, stamps and mallets. The cost is $50 for members, $60 for nonmembers.
        • Draw from Nature with instructor Michael Clink, Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m.-noon, outdoors. In this one-day workshop, participants will explore the Museum grounds and learn how to use observational skills to draw what they see. Supplies will be provided and no experience is necessary. In the event of inclement weather, the class will take place in the galleries and classroom. The cost is $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers.
        • Hammered Earrings with Hans Rubel, Sunday, Aug. 6 from 1-3 p.m., outdoors at the museum. The cost is $50 for members, $60 nonmembers. Class participants will explore how to make their own earrings with a hammered texture. The class will be located outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, the class take place in the galleries and classroom.
        Aug. 10-14:
        Virtual Youth Classes
        • Family Art Club (ages 5-7 with adult partner) with instructor Regina Jankowski. Participants will discover suminagashi, a Japanese marbling technique used to create a vibrant and colorful work of art using water and ink. The cost is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers.
        All instructional videos will be emailed to students on Monday, Aug. 10. This class does not include a virtual live session.
        • Comic Book Design (ages 12-18) with instructor Imani Lateef. Students will learn the basics of comic book storytelling, page building and character design.
        All instructional videos will be emailed to students on Monday, Aug. 10. Students will be invited to virtually attend an optional, live session with the instructor on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon.
        The cost is $55 for members, $65 for nonmembers.
 
Library patrons can
use reading app in 10 languages
        To better serve the needs of Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s (TLCPL) diverse reading community, the award-winning Libby reading app is now available in nine new languages.
        This new feature allows non-English speakers to easily browse and borrow eBooks and audiobooks in their native language. TLCPL serves their diverse community with thousands of eBooks and audiobooks in a variety of languages for free including Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.
        “We are very excited about the new multilingual interface on the Libby app, said Kristie Lanzotti, Collection Development Coordinator at TLCPL. “It is a fantastic way for customers to find the World Language eBooks available on Libby. Now our customers can have the entire experience in their language of choice.”
        Libby users can change all of the helpful information and guides within the app to Spanish (Latin America), French (Canada), Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Swedish. If a user’s device is set to one of these languages, Libby will automatically display in that language.
        Named one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019 and one of Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s, Libby seamlessly connects first-time users and experienced readers with TLCPL’s digital collection. This tailored collection offers eBooks and audiobooks including bestsellers and new releases in a variety of topics. Readers of all ages can select from virtually every subject ranging from mystery, romance, children’s, business and more.
        Readers may browse TLCPL’s digital collection, instantly borrow titles and start reading or listening for free with a valid library card. This service is compatible with all major computers and devices without waitlists or holds.
        Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [US only]. All titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.
        To get started enjoying eBooks, audiobooks and more, visit https://toledo.overdrive.com/ or download Libby today.
 
Terra State grant to 
support youth in foster care
        Terra State Community College received a Short-Term Certificate Foster Youth Grant that will be used to help improve the success rates of youth as they transition from the foster care system into college.
        The grant was awarded to 19 colleges and universities in Ohio with a statewide total of $385,000. Funding will be shared equally among the higher education institutions.
        At Terra State, the grant funds will go toward financially supporting approximately 20 eligible students while they complete a short-term certificate program, which are designed to take less than one year.
        The eligible programs at Terra State include Medical Coding, Medical Scribe, Phlebotomy, PC Technician, Networking Technician, Manufacturing Foundation, Mechatronics, Power and Controls, Precision Machining, Programmable Logic Controllers, Welding, Automotive and CAD/CAM.