mcpherson
McPherson

This spring you can learn how to write a screenplay, plan for retirement, become fluent in Spanish, or even tour Civil War battlefield sites in Virginia through the Princeton Adult School.

The adults school is now accepting registrations for the spring semester, with more than 150 classes to choose from.

One of the highlights is the May tour of Civil War battlefield sites with Pulitzer Prize winning historian James McPherson, who will lead a three-day tour of the battlefields in Virgina. Participants will re-live a critical time in the nation’s history,  walking the battlefield of First Bull Run, tracing the three battles in the Shenandoah Valley east and south of Winchester, and walking the battlefield of Second Manassas.

For those who want to stay closer to home, the adult school offers a range of one-time and multi-session classes covering subjects ranging from literature and film to fitness, music, and technology. The adult school’s spring film series features “eleven films you should have seen but didn’t.”

“Every year we aim to offer something for everyone,” says Princeton Adult School President Mark Branon, “We’re closer than ever. We have more than forty new courses ranging from the cerebral to the recreational. We’re really excited about our Science Times lecture series, which will help people understand complex new developments and their policy implications. The creative range of our studio art courses, along with our financial planning classes give students so many things to choose from.”

Highlights for the spring semester include a close look at the Supreme Court, a course in early 20th century women’s literature, and a self-defense class for women. New courses include  “From Giotto to Raphael: A Renaissance Adventure,” a “Strudel Party,” and “Build or Remodel Your Own Home.” There are also ten cooking classes including “Cool Meals for Alfresco Dining,” and “Fantastic Thai Cuisine,” along with two courses featuring chefs from local restaurants. The school continues to offer such old favorites as digital photography, yoga, ballroom dancing, guitar and a fiction writing workshop.

The adult school also offers more than one hundred non-credit, on-line courses ranging from web page design to genealogy basics.

Most classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Princeton High School beginning Feb. 14. Registration for the spring term can be completed on-line or by mail. Students can register online at www.princetonadultschool.org or by mail using forms in the back of the catalog. Copies of the catalog can be found at area public libraries. Registration forms and the entire catalog are also available on the adult school web site.

In-person registration is required for English as a Second Language Languages (ESL). Registration for ESL will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, 7 -8 pm at Princeton High School.

The Princeton Adult School has been offering classes for more than 70 years. Beginning with 20 classes in 1939, the school now enrolls more than 4,000 students a year.