The Kernville Union School District is launching free online classes for parents.

The four-week courses, offered by Fresno State University and funded by a state grant, are designed to help parents improve their computer and financial skills and their social and emotional well-being, said Deputy Superintendent Marie Sampson at Kern Valley Sun.

Classes will take place from September 27 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free child care is provided during those hours at Wallace Elementary School, Sampson said.

Helping parents should, in turn, also help students, Sampson said.

“We really feel like the more we can build up our families, the more we build up the kids and the school environment,” she said. “We are improving the school environment for all children.”

The social and emotional well-being class can help parents boost their child’s self-esteem and create a home environment based on trust, respect and support, Sampson said.

“It will aim to help children learn to cope with problems they have with friends or to cope when they have problems at school,” she said. “It will help them deal with their own emotions inside and outside the classroom.”

It will also teach parents how to teach their children to respect others’ differences, including cultural differences.

“It’s really, really important,” Sampson said. “Especially in a community like ours which is a small rural town. We feel safe here. When students see someone who has a different perspective, it helps them understand that it’s okay. It’s a good thing.”

For more information or to register, please call Amanda Linn at 760-379-2621, ext. 300. Leave a message if there is no answer. Or you can email [email protected]