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Date: 3/16/2022
CHESTER – The Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center (SHAEC), located in the Village Enterprise classroom at 26 Main St. in Chester, has a new website at www.umass.edu/shaec and a new series of free online computer education classes this spring.
SHAEC started in the summer of 1999 and is a program of the Partnership for Worker Education, a part of the Office of Human Resources of UMass-Amherst. SHAEC offers the only free adult education program of classes and workshops for the Southern Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts.
Gateway Hilltown residents who need computer or phone help with a program or an app, or who need computer access, may call and leave a message at 354-1055 or email SHAEC Program Director Michele Kenney at southernhilltownsaec@gmail.com.
Both in-person and online classes for the high school equivalency test (GED/HiSet) are offered, and students may call to schedule a time that works for them. SHAEC has tutors in all subject areas that will help students to achieve their goals.
In-person GED/HiSet tutoring can be scheduled at the Village Enterprise classroom, or at the Huntington Public Library or the Russell Public Library. Tutoring is also available virtually by Zoom. There is also a self-paced online program that covers all the GED topics that students may utilize, as well.
“There is no reason to wait any longer, the best time to start is now,” said Kenney.
If students do not have a computer for online learning, they can reach out to SHAEC, and they may be able to help. They can call 354-1055, or email southernhilltownsaec@gmail.com.
SHAEC also offers programs for workplace readiness skills, including computer readiness skills for personal and professional use. Long-time SHAEC computer teacher Heather Morgan is offering a new series of virtual classes on Excel and Google Sheets on Thursdays in March and April at 6 p.m.
“Excel: The Basics” will be offered at 6 p.m. on March 24 on Zoom. Excel is a spreadsheet program that allows users to store, organize and analyze information. This class will teach the basics of Microsoft Excel, such as workbook structure, tabs and toolbars, how to select cells and enter information, and how to move around in the spreadsheet.
“Excel: Beyond the Basics” is at 6 p.m. on March 31 on Zoom. Building on the basics of Microsoft Excel, this class will teach about how to modify columns, rows, cells, and how to create a table, to make content easier to view and understand.
“Doing More with Excel: Charts and Conditional Formatting” is at 6 p.m. on April 7 on Zoom. This class explores data visualization using charts and graphs to illustrate data, including how to use formatting and predictive options built into the software to highlight interesting information that will get the right message across to the customer, boss, or board member.
“Excel: Introduction to Formulas” is at 6 p.m. on April 21 on Zoom. One of the most powerful features of Excel is the ability to calculate numerical information using formulas. Just like a calculator, Excel can add, subtract, multiply, and divide. This class will explore how to create simple formulas.
“Getting Started with Google Sheets” is at 6 p.m. on April 28 on Zoom. Google Sheets allows users to organize, edit, and analyze different types of information using spreadsheets. This class will show the different ways to use spreadsheets and how to navigate the Google Sheets interface, including how to select cells, insert content, and copy and paste cells.
“Creating Simple Formulas in Google Sheets” is at 6 p.m. on May 5 on Zoom. Google Sheets can be used to perform calculations, and this class will show how to create simple formulas that will add, subtract, multiply, and divide values, including an introduction to the basics of using cell references in formulas.
Participants must be residents of Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery or Russell, and must register at www.umass.edu/shaec/register to get a link to these free classes on Zoom.
SHAEC also offers ongoing free classes to support small business owners in the Southern Hilltown region through the Hilltown Community Development Corporation.
“Intro to QuickBooks” with Rosemarie Goyette, CPA, is 6-7:30 p.m. on March 29. This class will include an overview of QuickBooks for both beginners and those needing a refresher, including navigating the program, business accounting overview, set-up for your business including chart of accounts, recording transactions, customers and sales, vendors and accounts payable, working with cash accounts, financial statements and budgeting.
To sign up for the free QuickBooks workshop or see a full listing of upcoming business assistance classes, visit hilltowndirectory.com/events.