Michelle Prusso says most fall community center classes are full as Gladstone launches new offerings

Michelle Prusso, the community center manager, told the Gladstone City Council at its Aug. 26 work session that the city—egins a new fall term at the community center with a mix of traditional and new offerings and that most classes have reached capacity. "All the classes are full except creative writing and the youth art class," Prusso said, and later added, "It's been really a success."

Prusso listed the initial offerings: three levels of Tai Chi (beginner, intermediate, advanced), Zumba Gold, Drums Alive, creative writing for multiple ages, youth art classes (separate courses for younger and older children), adult painting (acrylics/oils) and a last-minute addition of yoga after that course did not fit on the school district's schedule. She told the council the school district will continue to offer some classes at the high school, and the city's program is intended to complement—not duplicate—those offerings.

On pricing, Councilor LaBonte asked whether higher fees for the youth art class reflect supplies or other costs. Prusso responded that the city must purchase supplies for the youth art class, while some instructors provide supply lists for classes such as painting, and said the center's price structure is designed to break even and account for supply costs. "Correct. So we had to purchase or we would have to purchase all the supplies for the youth art class," she told the council.

Prusso described the registration and communications system the center is using, "My Senior Center," which staff use to track attendance, invoice participants and send broadcasts by email, text and phone. The software lets staff target communications to the whole center, to specific classes, or to volunteer pools and meal program participants so they can quickly notify users about cancellations or schedule changes.

Councilor Huckabee suggested producing short video clips of classes for marketing; Prusso said the city could partner with the high school's audio group to document classes. Prusso also described bilingual outreach: the creative writing instructor is bilingual and staff produced flyers in both English and Spanish and distributed them online and around town.

Prusso said creative writing needs two more registrants and the youth art class needs four more to meet minimum enrollment and that one of the teachers has offered volunteer time to help the classes run. There was no formal council action; councilors thanked staff and the mayor closed the discussion with a note of appreciation for the new program. The classes are scheduled to begin in the fall term and staff said they will continue outreach to increase participation.