To register for a class, visit us at GFW Elementary, mail registration or register below.

GFW Community Education Office
323 East 11th Street
Gibbon, MN 55335

*NOTE: You are not registered until we have received payment for your trip or class. Make checks payable to GFW Community Ed. 

Questions?

Contact Tonia Schiro
Phone: (507) 207-2236

Adult Basic Education Classes
The Area Adult Learning Cooperative offer these no cost programs in the GFW area: ABE (Adult Basic Education) allows you to brush up on reading and academic skills; GED (General Educational Development) helps prepare you for the four basic tests on the GED examination, which includes: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Mathematical Reasoning; ESL (English as a Second Language) helps you to learn to speak, read, and write in English and/or study to become a citizen of the United States.

Las clases de Inglés Como Lengua Secundaria son diseñadas para aprender y proporcionan la instrucción necesaria desde habilidades de supervivencia hasta educación básica para adultos.

Classes are held ONLINE or in person at the GFW (Winthrop) MS/HS upper level on Thursday evenings. 

Call (507) 665-4626 for more information.

GFW Community Ed Gymnastics

Classes for Boys and Girls

Get your kids fit for life!
Instructor: Cheryl MacFarlane

Children will learn a variety of Gymnastics skills in an age appropriate manner. They will do Floor, Vault, Bars, Beam, Trampoline, Rope and other activities to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Also our 25’ Air Trak!!
FUN! FUN! FUN!

Classes will be held in Gibbon in the Elementary School Gym
Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 7 – Feb. 27 (8 weeks)

Cost for the 8 week session:

• $64 per student attending once a week

• $90 per student attending twice a week

For more information or to register, email cherylwmac@yahoo.com or call Community Ed at 507-207-2236

Also, join our Facebook page!

You can also register by phone at GFW Community Ed 507-207-2236.

Tuesday

• Beginner Boys and  Girls 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

• Advanced 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

• Boys and Girls 3 and 4 years 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

• Intermediate 6:15-7:15 p.m

Thursday

• Intermediate 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

• Boys and Girls 3 and 4 years 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.

• Advanced 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

• Beginner Boys and Girls 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.

Jellie Plate Printing! 

Explore the new craze with Jellie Plates.

Create prints using craft paints instead of messy inks. All supplies provided, but you can bring papers, leaves, stencils, or anything you want to play with. This class could bring your homemade cards or memory books to another level.

• Date: March 11, 2025

• Time: 6 -7:30 p.m.

• Cost: $25

• Location: GFW Elementary School, Gibbon

Heartsaver CPR/AED First Aid Certification Course

Jeffery T. Allersonn

The American Heart Association’s CPR/AED First Aid course is designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for a job, regulatory (for example,OSHA), daycare provider or other requirements. This course can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. After the course, participants will receive a course completion card that is valid for two years. This course will develop the skills for choking relief and will learn how to recognize an emergency. This course also includes first aid so participants will learn critical skills to respond to and manage an emergency in the first few minutes until an emergency medical service arrives. 

Participants learn duties and responsibilities of first aid rescuers; first aid actions for medical emergencies, including severe choking, heart attack, and stroke; and skills for handling injury and environmental emergencies, including external bleeding, broken bones and sprains, and bites and stings.

• Monday, Feb. 10, 6-9 p.m.
  GFW Elementary School ECFE/Community Ed Room

• $60 per person

• Register by Feb. 3

• A second class will be offered:

• Wednesday, June 4, 1 - 4 p.m.

• GFW Elementary School ECFE/Community Ed Room

• $60 per person

• Register by May, 27

Music Lessons:   

Private violin or piano lessons available after school. 

• 30 minute sessions. 

• $25 per session. 

• Contact instructor for availability at lehi.gertz@gfwschools.org

Golf Lessons:

• 4th - 6th Graders

• Four Dates:

• Wednesday, April 30 and Monday, May 5, 12 and 19

• 5 - 6 p.m.

• Winthrop Golf Course (possibly one practice at the Fairfax Golf Course)

• Cost: $40

Come learn chipping, putting, driving and golf etiquette with Ryan Jacobson (GFW High School Golf Coach) and members of the GFW High School Golf Team.

If you don’t have a set of golf clubs - no problem! When registering, let us know if your golfer needs left or right handed clubs.

Register by April 21, 2025.

Sign up early! Maximum of 20 golfers.

55+ Driver Discount Program for Senior Citizens

Steve Soeffker (Instructor)
55+ Driver Discount Programs will be offered during the school year. These are renewal classes for those that have already taken the 8 hour course. 

For more information and to pre-register and prepay St. Cloud MHSRC/55+ Driver Discount Program, please call 1-888-234-1294 or register online by going to mnsafetycenter.org. Persons aged 55 and older who complete the course will qualify for an approximate 10% discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years, according to Minnesota Law.

Pick one date to attend:    

• Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2025  9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Wednesday, March 12, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 21, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• All Classes are held at the GFW Elementary School in Gibbon

  Community Ed/ECFE Room 
  

Valentine's Cookie Class 

• Tuesday Feb. 11 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• $15 a person (kids must have an adult present, adult doesn't have to pay fee)

• Limit 15 kids Age 8+

• GFW MS/HS Kitchen Winthrop

Bake Valentine's cookies to share with your friends and family. We will be making three different kinds of cookies. You will be able to take home two dozen cookies at the end of the night.

After School Cooking Classes

Join us after school and learn new cooking skills with the cooks from the high school.

• Grades 5-12th grade 

• $15 per class 

• 3:30 - 5 p.m.

• Limit 12 kids

• GFW MS/HS Kitchen Winthrop

• Jan. 14 - Snack Mix Day - make chex mix, puppy chow, granola bars 

• Jan. 28 - Chocolate Day - Chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered frozen bananas, chocolate pudding pie 

• Feb. 25 - Pie Day - Apple Pie, Peanut butter pie, ice cream, whip cream 

• March 11 - Pizza Day - homemade pizza and garlic sticks 

• April 15 - Dinner Day - homemade rolls, mash potatoes, chicken nuggets, Banana bread

Sourdough Classes

Come join us for a fun and interactive sourdough workshop! Learn the art of making your own sourdough bread from scratch. You'll be walked through the process, learning tips and tricks along the way. This is a hands-on event, so be prepared to get your hands dirty (in flour)! Don't miss out on this delicious opportunity!

You will leave class with dough to bake at home and a well established, 105 year old starter!

Please bring: Large Mixing Bowl, tea towel or dish towel 
Any questions please contact Elaine Dube, hellosimple.elaine@gmail.com

The cost is $60

Two Dates Available:

• Tuesday, Feb. 18 6 - 8 p.m. - GFW Elementary Cafeteria, Gibbon

• Saturday, April 12 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - GFW Elementary Cafeteria, Gibbon

Elementary School First Lego Team – 

This is our seventh year having an ESFLL team. It involves exploring a real world problem, creating a model together of their ideas to help solve this problem (using Lego WeDo2 or Spike Essential parts), sharing this model and a Show Me poster at a Festival.

• Instructor: Bix Baker

• Age Level: 6-10 years old

• Mondays Jan. 6 until March 17, 2025 From 6 - 7 p.m.

• Cost $20 plus team t-shirt for the festival

• GFW Elementary School Library, Gibbon

Lego Building with DAD –

*inclusive of fathers, stepfathers,grandfather, uncles, brother, foster fathers, father-figures and male role models

Dads can spend quality time with their child doing themed Lego  projects and simple programming that make their project react to the environment. The Lego set connects with bluetooth to an iPad and students can control motion with a motor, add sound effects and senses its surroundings using the motion and tilt sensors.

• Instructor: Bix Baker

• Age Level : Kindergarten to 3rd grade

• Tuesday, Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, 2025 from 6 – 7 p.m.

• Cost - FREE  

• GFW Elementary School Library, Gibbon

Lego Spike Essential and WeDo 2.0

Spike Essential is the newest and best Lego kit for elementary students. It uses Scratch

programming language. It has 2 motors that can be connected to its hub so turning is possible for a robot built. No cords are needed except to transfer programs to the hub. It also has better sensors for better robot control. WeDo 2.0 kits will also be used if not enough Essential kits are available for the students that sign up.

• Instructor: Bix Baker

• Age Level: Grades 1-4

• Tuesdays Jan. 7 to March 11, 2025 from 3:10 – 4:15 p.m.

• Cost: $20

• GFW Elementary School Library, Gibbon

Lego EV3 or Spike Prime Robotics Building and Programming – 

Learn how to connect motors and sensors to either the Lego EV3 or Spike Prime brick (microcontroller) and use Scratch software to make your robot move and react to its environment. Students can program robots to run tasks on a First Lego League (FLL) field.

• Instructor: Bix Baker

• Age Level: Grades 5-8

• Mondays Jan. 6 – March 10, 2025 from 3:30 – 5 p.m.

• Cost $20

• GFW High School Robotics Room, Winthrop

Social Emotional Growth and Tools for Home

Big emotions? Confusing stages? New or increasing behaviors? This interactive session will have discussion about social emotional skills and ways that parents can engage with their child to help them grow. We will discuss strategies for all different ages. This session will be available in person and online. Those attending in person will be able to make and take some tools for home. If you join virtually we will arrange a pick up time for you to get the supplies and make the tools at home. 

• Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025

• 6 - 8 p.m.

• GFW Elementary School - Community Ed/ECFE Room

• Fee: $5 for supplies

• Child Care Provided $5/child

• Register by Jan. 9, 2025

  
  

Development and Growth: What Should I Expect of My Child?

There is so much information around us about what our children should be doing physically, emotionally, academically, and socially. What is real? What should we really expect as parents? When should we possibly be concerned? We will dig into development and growth at different ages and stages to understand our children better. Also, we will discuss the resources and assistance that is available when there are concerns as well as how we can best support as parents.

Join us virtually or in person! 

• Thursday, April 10, 2025

• 6 - 8 p.m.

• GFW Elementary School - Community Ed/ECFE Room

• No Fee

• Child Care Provided $5/child

• Register by April 1, 2025

Home Alone:

Kirsten Dean (Instructor)

This class will cover the basics of staying home alone and coming/going from home safely. Topics such as appliance safety, responsibilities, first aid and more. There will be time allowed for questions and answers from attendees. You will feel confident and educated to stay home after attending this class. Take home materials will be handed out. This class is for 4th graders and older.

• Monday, Jan. 27, 2025

• 3:30 - 5 p.m.

• $45 per student

• GFW Elementary School - Community Ed/ECFE Room

• Please register by Jan.17, 2025

  
  

Babysitter Training: 

Kirsten Dean (instructor)  

We will cover appropriate games and activities, telephone common sense, basic first aid, good decision making skills and much more. Participants must be 10 years old by the start of class. Children will receive printed materials, several items to add to their babysitter kits and a certificate upon class completion. Please bring a doll and snack to class.                                       

• Monday, April 14, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.  

• $45 per student.    

• GFW Elementary School - Community Ed/ECFE Room.  

• Please register by April 7.

Messy Art: 

Kirsten Dean (instructor)  

Ages 5 yrs and older  

Hands on fun with multimedia projects. Kids will create their own works of art using their imaginations. Very hands on and messy! Kids will be bringing their works of art home with them. Please dress in messy clothes.      

• Monday, Feb. 3 - Valentine Themed

• Monday, March 3 - St Patrick Themed

• Monday, April 7 - Easter/Spring Themed    

• 3:30 - 5 p.m.                                                                                  

• $18 per student/per class

• GFW Elementary School - Community Ed/ECFE Room.  Please register by one week prior to each class.

Just the Way You Are - Friday, February 14, 2025

• Cost: $106 per ticket

Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re headed for the Ives Auditorium in Bloomington where we’ll begin with an included lunch of honey garlic chicken breast, cheesy potatoes, roasted broccoli & cauliflower, salad, dinner roll, assorted desserts, coffee and hot tea. (Special dietary meals available by request ahead of time.) Then we’ll head to the theater for Just the Way You Are, an array of classic romantic songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, featuring hits from Elvis Presley, the Righteous Brothers, the Bee Gees, Carole King, Billy Joel and more. Just the Way You Are showcases your favorite Sidekick Theatre musicians with some of the Twin Cities best vocalists performing such songs as ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, ‘Wonderful Tonight’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes off You’ and of course ‘Just the Way You Are’. Enjoy an atmosphere of fun and romance at Sidekick Theatre this Valentine’s Day!

Bus will pick up in Fairfax at the old Middle School at 8:30 a.m., in Gibbon on the west side of the building at 8:45 a.m. and in Winthrop at the MS/HS bus loop at 9 a.m.. Bus will return to Winthrop at approximately 5 p.m., Gibbon at 5:15 p.m. and Fairfax at 5:30 p.m.

Killer Country - Tuesday, March 25, 2025

• $104 per ticket

We’ll begin with an included buffet lunch at the Coyote Moon Grille and then head for the St. Cloud Paramount Theatre for Killer Country. The Vees grew up on the road and in the business and have spent the better part of the last 40 years wowing audiences across the world! They have performed, recorded and/or toured with a virtual who’s who of Rock And Roll. In 2008 Jeff and Tommy joined forces with their cousin Matt Vee and his talented wife Julie Velline to form “The Killer Vees.” Tommy’s 17 year old son Bennett Vee will be joining the Killer Vees playing lead guitar. Bennett is the grandson of the late Bobby Vee and the third generation of the Vee family to take the stage! The Killer Country band is rounded out by Brian C. Peters from the Mary Jane Alm band on pedal steel and other assorted guitars along with Kale Reed of Johnny Holm Band fame on fiddle, mandolin and vocals and Alexandra Green sharing female lead vocal responsibilities.

Bus will pick up in Fairfax at the old Middle School at 8 a.m., in Gibbon on the west side of the building at 8:15 a.m. and in Winthrop at the MS/HS bus loop at 8:45 a.m. The bus will return to Winthrop at approximately 5:45 p.m., Gibbon at 6 p.m. and Fairfax at 6:15 p.m.

Perfect Wedding - Wednesday, May 7, 2025

• $106 per ticket

We’re headed to the Ives Auditorium in Bloomington where we’ll begin with an included lunch of  creamy chicken breast with roasted red potatoes, glazed carrots, coleslaw, dinner rolls, assorted desserts, coffee or hot tea. (Special dietary meals available by request ahead of time.) Then we’ll head to the theater for Perfect Wedding: A Riotous Comedy and Touching Love Story About The Big Day That Goes Hilariously Wrong! A groom wakes up on the morning of his wedding day with a hangover and a strange woman in his bed. Mix in the bride, her mother, the best man, and a maid that knows too much, and you have a recipe for disaster. Wedding bells or running for the hills? Their big day will be far from a piece of cake!

Bus will pick up in Fairfax at the old Middle School at 8:30 a.m., in Gibbon on the west side of the building at 8:45 a.m. and in Winthrop at the MS/HS bus loop at 9 a.m. Bus will return to Winthrop at approximately 5 p.m., Gibbon at 5:15 p.m. and Fairfax at 5:30 p.m.