Week 1: August/24

Dear Brain Fitness Students,

Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester! 🍁 Whether you are returning to Brain Fitness or joining us for the first time, we are delighted to have you with us. We hope you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to an exciting semester of learning, exploration, and keeping our brains active together. 🧠💪

Our first day of class begins on Tuesday, August 24.

🌐 Course Website & Canvas

Please visit our Brain Fitness course website for course information, weekly materials, updates, schedules, and important links.

We also ask that you log in to Canvas regularly, as Canvas will be an important resource throughout the semester. You will find recorded class sessions, weekly practice quizzes, learning materials, and other resources there. We encourage you to check Canvas each week so you don't miss anything.

How to Log in to Canvas

1. Click Canvas.

2. Sign in using your SDCCD student email address.

3. Enter your SDCCD password.

4. Once you are logged in, select Brain Fitness from your courses.

🗓️ Class Schedule & Meeting Times for Brain Fitness Topics (HEAL 540):

You are welcome to join whichever class time fits your schedule best. Zoom links are hyperlinked under the Professor's name. 

• 🗓 Tuesday | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

• 📍 CRN 45950 – Minoo Pakgohar

• 🗓 Monday | 2:30–4:30 PM

• 📍 CRN 45956 – Erika Peralta

• 🗓 Wednesday | 6:30–8:30 PM

• 📍 CRN 45960 – Charisse Winston

• 🗓 Thursday | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

• 📍 CRN 45961 – Charisse Winston

• 🗓 Thursday | 1:00–3:00 PM

• 📍 CRN 45948 – Sharon Gregory

• 🗓 Friday | 2:30–4:30 PM

• 📍 CRN 45957 – Erika Peralta

🧭 Week 1: August 24–28

Orientation & Semester Overview

While everyone is warmly invited to attend, this session is especially helpful for new students and anyone who would like a refresher on our Brain Fitness program. We will review class logistics, technology tips, and provide an overview of the exciting topics we will explore this semester.

✨ Week 2: August 31–September 4

From Judgment to Goals: The Cognitive Skills Behind Everyday Success

We dive into our core curriculum with an exploration of the thinking skills that shape our everyday lives. Beyond memory, abilities such as judgment, problem-solving, decision-making, and goal setting help us navigate challenges, make confident choices, and achieve meaningful goals. In this lesson, we will explore how these cognitive skills work together and how strengthening them can support lifelong brain health, independence, and everyday success.

🌟 Additional Course Opportunities

🧠 Brain Toolkit (CRN: 45954)

Looking for more hands-on practice? Join us for Brain Toolkit, a separate four-workshop course meeting Wednesdays from 9:30–11:30 AM.

Unlike the general Brain Fitness lectures, this interactive course focuses on practical, real-world cognitive skills, including:

• Everyday Judgment & Problem-Solving: Evaluating information and navigating challenges

• Decision-Making & Goal Setting: Making informed choices and developing actionable plans

🧠 Understanding Alzheimer’s (CRN: 45955)

This course explores Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, and cognitive well-being and meets Tuesdays from 4:00–6:00 PM.

⚠️ Separate registration is required for these courses. Please check the attached flyers or visit the Brain Fitness course website for registration details. Once you register, you will receive the Zoom information for the course.

We are so happy to welcome both returning students and new members to the Fall semester. We look forward to learning, exploring, and keeping our brains active together!

Your Emeritus Brain Fitness Faculty 🎓🧠

Sharon, Erika, Charisse & Minoo

Sharon Gregory 

sgregory001@sdccd.edu 

Erika Peralta, MS

eperalta@sdccd.edu

Charisse Winston, Ph.D.

cwinston@sdccd.edu

Minoo Pakgohar, Ph.D. 

mpakgohar@sdccd.edu