Get schooled!

Here’s a roundup of some popular education programs for seniors offered by metro area nonprofit organizations.

Some of these programs offer scholarships or grants or state that they will turn no one away for inability to pay.

Public libraries and senior centers are also good sources of classes and activities. Check their websites for virtual programs.

Enrichment of Life Movement (ELM)

The fall session of Mariettabased ELM was cancelled due to the pandemic. Founded in 1984, ELM provides educational programs, social interaction and volunteer opportunities for residents of the Cobb County area, ages 50+. The nondenominational organization

Lifespan, recently completed a couple of new programs to add to his lengthy repertoire.

“Perhaps the Greatest Cowboy,” is his course about normally offers a full day of more than 60 classes for eightweek sessions in the fall, winter and spring at First United Methodist Church of Marietta. Info: elmcobb.org.

Lifespan Academy

Created in 1981 by a collaboration of churches, Buckhead-based Lifespan Academy is an education and enrichment program of the Lifespan Resources organization. Lifespan will offer virtual classes for its fall session, which begins the week of Sept. 7. A single eight-week class is $50. The full schedule of classes costs from $59 to $84. Info: lifespanatlanta.org or 404273-7307.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Emory University

Four-week online classes begin monthly, except in December, and cost about $50. An optional one-year membership is $50 and provides benefits such as discounts on OLLI classes,

Charlie Goodnight, a cattle rancher commonly referred to as the “father of the Texas panhandle.”

The other is about Bass access to OLLI book clubs and other special interest groups, and discounts at some local restaurants. Info: ece.emory. edu/olli or 404-727-5489.

Other OLLI programs can be found at Kennesaw State University, cpe.kennesaw.edu/ olli and at The University of Georgia, olli.uga.edu.

Perimeter Adults Learning & Services (PALS)

Founded in 1991, Dunwoodybased PALS is an all-volunteer organization led by seniors for adults ages 50+. The fall session of life enrichment learning runs from Sept. 14 to Nov. 11 with four Zoom online classes offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. The $55 fee covers all of the classes. Info: www.palsonline.info.

Seniors Enriched Living (SEL)

This all-volunteer, interfaith organization based at Roswell United Methodist Church is in its 30th year of offering classes for seniors. The fall term begins Sept. 28 and runs for eight weeks. Registered members can take five online classes a week for a registration fee of $55. Open to anyone age 50+. Registration is $55. Info: selroswellga.org.

Reeves, a man who was born into slavery, became the first black deputy U.S. marshal, and was credited with arresting more than 3,000 felons.

Senior University of Greater Atlanta (SUGA)

Tucker-based SUGA will do a virtual fall session beginning Sept. 22. Seven classes will be offered Tuesdays through Fridays, and members can take one or all classes, which run from six to eight weeks. SUGA began in 1979 on the Emory University campus, and later moved to Mercer University and then to leased space at Rehoboth Baptist Church. The normal annual registration fee has been $195 per person, which covers the entire year of classes. For information on current charges, send an email to sugaatlanta@ gmail.com. Info: su-ga.org.

— Donna Williams Lewis

Ross is diving into Zoom technology, adding intermission periods to his programs, and enjoying answering questions sent to him by his audiences. He’s also getting a kick out of creating artificial backgrounds.

“For example, I’m doing a program Wednesday on the Grand Canyon for Lifespan, and I’ve got great pictures of the Grand Canyon, so it’s like I’m sitting on the rim of the canyon,” Ross said.

Virtual programs do have their challenges, though, he said.

“One of the tough things is I’m singing songs and playing guitar. The sound is really, for the most part, not good, and I need all the help I can get,” he said, laughing.

Researcher and ethnographer Dr. Althea Sumpter began teaching at OLLI in 2018, starting with “Documenting Your Cultural History,” a course on how to create family stories through PowerPoint and video.

She’s also taught “Navigating the Gullah Geechee Coast,” a course based on her first-hand knowledge of the area’s culture.

“This year I created a course that is very prescient for the time, ‘Difficult Conversations,’” she said.

The course focuses on the development of the U.S. from a cultural and ethnic perspective with a goal of inspiring people from diverse backgrounds to become allies in forging a common future.

Dr. Sumpter said online teaching for OLLI is working out well for her, “along with the ability to remain in contact with those in the class through email.”

“Zoom allows me to share my PowerPoint materials along with online links to additional materials,” she said. “I also like that a support person is always available if something goes awry.”

Because having the confidence and peace of mind of accreditation is important. That’s why The Piedmont is accredited by CARF International, an independent organization that sets exceedingly high standards for care and service. It’s a lot like an accreditation for a hospital or college. Or a five-star rating for a hotel.

So if you’re looking for assisted living services, take a good look at The Piedmont at Buckhead. We think you’ll find that our CARF accreditation is only one of the many reasons you’ll like what you see.