Frequently Asked Questions

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    What are the West Seneca Community Education Office Hours?
         Our office and telephone hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, and 8:30 am to 3:00 pm on Friday during school sessions. During school breaks and summer the hours are 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Buildings are closed on Fridays during the summer.

    Where is your office located?
         The West Seneca Community Education office is located in East Middle School at 1445 Center Road at the end of the bus loop, door #37. There is a sign above the door that says "Food Service" and "Community Education".

    Who can attend your classes?
         Community Education classes are open to anyone in the local community, or anyone who has access to a computer for our on-line classes. All registrants who are not taxpaying residents of the West Seneca School District pay a $5 non-resident fee each semester they enroll, per family. Adult classes are for those over age 18; children's classes usually indicate appropriate ages in the course descriptions.

    Do I need to pre-register?
         Pre-registration and payment to our office is required to reserve a place in all classes. We accept registrations on a first-come, first-served basis up to the first class meeting, space permitting. A decision to hold or cancel a class is based on enrollment numbers approximately one week prior to the class date.

    Can I register on the day of the class?
         You may register on the day of the class if space is available and the class is running. All registrations must be made through the Community Education office; instructors do NOT accept registrations in class. We encourage you to sign up as early as possible as many classes fill quickly, and classes with low enrollment may be cancelled one week prior.

    How do I sign up for a class?
    ON-LINE: You can select and sign up for classes at the Web Store on our main webpage, using your Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express. You will need an email address for the confirmation. (A charge of $1.00 is added for credit card processing.)

    BY PHONE: (716) 677-3107. Use your Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express to sign up from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:30 am to 3:00 pm on Friday. (A charge of $1.00 is added for credit card processing.)

    BY FAX: (716) 677-3244. Simply print registration form from our website or remove it from the brochure and fax the completed form with your Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express card numbers and expiration date. (A charge of $1.00 is added for credit card processing.)

    BY MAIL: Mail to our office at 1445 Center Road, West Seneca NY 14224. Fill out a separate registration form for each person you are registering. For credit card payment, include your Visa, Discover, MasterCard or American Express number and expiration date. (A charge of $1.00 is added for credit card processing.) Checks should be made payable to West Seneca Community Education.

    WALK-IN:  Come into the office during regular office hours, and pay by cash, check, or charge. (A charge of $1.00 is added for credit card processing.) 

    Do you offer a discount to senior citizens?
         Yes! Through our GOLD CARD program, we offer a discount to district residents who are least sixty (60) years of age. To get a Gold Card, bring proof of age and residency (preferably a driver license) to the Community Education office during regular office hours. The Gold Card program enables eligible residents to register for most classes at a reduced rate, up to 50%.

    Do you send confirmation of registrations?
         You will receive an email confirmation if you provide an email either through the on-line Web Store or through our office.

    To whom do I pay the "Lab fee"?
         The class description indicates if the class has a "lab" fee for materials or supplies. Lab fees are payable to the instructor on the first class night.

    Where do classes meet?
         Classes meet in most of the district schools and at selected community locations. The location is indicated at the end of the course description as "Bldg:", and a map is located on the brochure or on the website Map page.

    What if class is cancelled due to bad weather or emergency?
         Listen to the local radio and television broadcasts for weather cancellations or emergency situations - if "afternoon and evening activities" are cancelled at the school district, our classes are also cancelled, with the exception of our Afterschool program, which runs until parents pick up their children. We do NOT notify registrants individually, except in cases where an individual class is cancelled or postponed due to an instructor issue or a problem with the location.
         If the district cancels school in the early morning, NO classes are held that day. In addition to the radio/TV notifications, we will place a message on our voicemail system. You will be contacted when we return to the office, as soon as a reschedule date is determined. We make every effort to reschedule cancelled classes as quickly as possible; you will be offered a refund if you cannot make the new date(s).

    What is your refund policy?
         Request for refunds (or transfers to another class) will be honored up to one week prior to the scheduled class start date.  The refund will equal the tuition minus a $5 processing fee. A credit minus $5 will be recorded in our computer for withdrawals received less than one week prior to a class. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN ON OR AFTER THE FIRST SESSION OF A CLASS.  Exceptions: refunds or credits for medical reasons may be issued at the discretion of the Director at any time during a course, with submission of a physician’s verification before the course endsNo refunds are available for trips.
         A full refund will be processed for a course cancelled due to low enrollment. You will be notified by phone before the scheduled start date. Refund checks may take 4-6 weeks after cancellation to process; charges are refunded to your credit card within one week.

    Are your classes handicapped accessible?
         Community Education makes its classes accessible to the members of the disabled community. Handicapped parking is available at all sites.

    May I bring a recording device to class?
         No photography, tape or video recording during classes without prior permission from the instructor.

    What do I need to bring to class?
         If your class has any special requirements, it will be listed under the course description in our brochure.

    Are these programs supported by school tax dollars?
         No, our classes are self-supporting. The district supports the program by providing access to school buildings available to all taxpayers.