Willmar Community Education

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To register for Behind The Wheel (BTW) with Willmar Community Education, students must have successfully completed 30 hours of Driver’s Education Classroom training. The Certificate of Completion from the classroom course must be provided at the Community Education office along with a $300 fee in order to register and receive a blue card. A blue card is required for students to take the permit test at the Driver’s License Exam Station. Once you receive a valid permit, please call Pam at 320-231-8492, ext. 6335 to schedule your six hours of BTW instruction. We strongly recommend students drive 5-10 hours with a parent/guardian before their first BTW driving session. BTW registration fee is non-refundable. BTW driving lessons must be completed within six months of receiving your blue card. Missed or cancelled driving lesson will incur a $50 fee and require rescheduling that driving lesson. Unused BTW driving lessons are non-transferable. We offer a driver training program approved by the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Our instructor is a licensed school teacher with special certification in driver education from the state of Minnesota. At this time, scheduling preference is given to students who have taken their Driver’s Education Classroom training with Willmar Community Education or Willmar High School programs. How To Get Your Driver License (ages 15-17) Classroom Instruction: Students are eligible to register and attend the classroom portion of the training program. You must attend all 30 hours of the training to be eligible for the next step of training. The Blue Card: After completing 30 hours of classroom training, you will receive a certificate of completion that you must provide when registering for Behind the Wheel (BTW) instruction. You must be registered for a BTW program in order to receive the blue card. Get Your Driving Permit: Arrange for the permit test independently at a Minnesota Drivers and Vehicle Services location. You will need the blue card, appropriate ID, your social security number, corrective lenses (if needed), and payment for the permit test fee. Schedule BTW: After receiving your permit, schedule six hours of BTW training by notifying the Community Education office when you are ready to begin the training. Complete BTW Instruction: BTW consists of one instructor and one or two students in a school district vehicle. After completion of the required six hours, you will receive a white card necessary for the license test. Practice: You will need to practice driving for six months. Minnesota law requires a student to have a permit for six months and maintain a driving log. The driving log must be submitted at the time of the road test. Road Test: Schedule the road test at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services location. Students must be 16 years old to take the road test. Bring your white card, driving log, proof of insurance, fee, permit, social security number, and corrective lenses (if needed).

Willmar Community Education offers private or semi-private swimming instruction for all ages and ability levels. These lessons are 30 minutes in length and geared toward specific goals of each student.

Summer session #1: June 17-18, 20-21 and 24-27, 2024 Summer session #2: July 8-11 and 15-18, 2024 Summer session #3: July 22-25 and 29-August 1, 2024 AquaTots: ages 1-4 (with parent/guardian) The purpose of this class is to provide a confidence-building experience while guiding adults in helping their child explore the aquatic environment through water play. Swim diapers are required in the pool for any children that are not yet potty trained. A parent, guardian, or household member (at least 15 years old) must accompany the child in the water. Tadpole: ages 4+ This class introduces a child to a structured lesson with an emphasis on having a fun and fearless experience. They work on getting face wet, basic float techniques, rolling from front to back, and more. Safety skills include asking permission before entering the water and using a lifejacket. No prior swimming lessons required. Octopus: ages 4+ Students will work on the fundamentals of the front and back stroke using a combined arm/leg motion and learn to achieve independent floats. The desired outcome is for the student to be comfortable with less instructor assistance. Safety skills include calling for help, throwing assists, and treading water. Prerequisite: Must be comfortable putting face in the water while doing assisted front float. Jellyfish: ages 5+ Students continue to work on the front and back stroke, working toward swimming 10 yards with face in the water and without assistance. Safety skills include treading water and survival float. Prerequisite: Independent front and back float. Seal: ages 5+ Students will work on freestyle and backstroke with an emphasis on rotary breathing, body roll, and arm extension. Safety skills include using a lifejacket. Prerequisite: Be able to swim 10 yards independently with face in the water (no doggy paddle). Sea Otter: ages 6+ Students continue to refine freestyle and backstroke for the full length of pool and butterfly is introduced. Safety skills include learning how to help others in an emergency. Swordfish: ages 6+ Students continue to refine freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly. The breaststroke, open and closed turns are introduced. Safety skills include water safety concepts, treading water, and survival float. Unsure of your child's swimming skill? Let us help you determine the appropriate swim level for your child in our program. Please call 320-231-8492 for more information. Registering for a wait listed class does not guarantee you a spot. Our swim lessons are held at the Willmar Middle School pool. Please access the Middle School pool by entering through door #22 on the east side of building (facing football field), then go up the steps to pool entrance. Cancellations at least 5 business days prior to the first class will receive program refund less a $10 processing fee. Cancellations fewer than 5 business days prior to the start will receive a refund for half the class cost less a $10 processing fee. We reserve the right to adjust the length of classes, combine classes, or cancel classes with low enrollment.