Principal Shelley Conner said she’ll miss camaraderie the most at St. John Bosco in Ahwatukee.

When Victoria Burton heard about a girl in preschool at St. John Bosco Interparish School in Ahwatukee, she immediately wanted to help.

Getting started with its second session, which lasts through June, newLife Church is offering a series of classes for all ages through its new university.

Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy • 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway

Ahwatukee Foothills kids and parents can rejoice as a variety of summer camps and activities continue to be offered this year by area churches.

Ahwatukee Music Maker Workshops has summer camps for all levels to get kids rocking, moving and mastering music.

4515 E. Muirwood Drive

For all the flak that our state’s education system has taken over the years (I’ve dealt some of it), we proudly lead the nation in an important segment: career and technical education.

Sitting in a wing catty-corner from the front office at Desert Vista High School, nestled behind an outdoor play area, Thunder Tykes preschool has catered to children of school staff and other local residents since 1996.

Summit School of Ahwatukee • 4515 E. Muirwood Drive

All preschool through high school teachers are encouraged to visit Lifetime Eye Care for teacher appreciation week, March 11-15. Teachers visiting for an eye exam will receive a gift bag with chocolates, a $10 gift card, glasses cleaner, and more. Teachers will be entered into a raffle, where one could win a $100 gift card to the Melting Pot restaurant.

Keystone Montessori School’s primary students, ages 3-6, celebrated their 17th annual peace program on Feb. 12.

The Ahwatukee East chapter of MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club is hosting a Preschool and Summer Camp open house on Wednesday, March 6 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA, 1030 E. Liberty Lane.

Area preschools and child care centers are seeing slightly better days after a rough few years of continued cuts in funding for child care tuition assistance, and some families may see funding next year.

Arizona is facing a literacy crisis and it begins in early childhood.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This special observance started as a one-day event in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, to raise public awareness about the importance of oral health. By 1949, the American Dental Association (ADA) held its first national Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8. The local festivities included school essay and poster contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, presentations, and various activities to stimulate children’s interests about dental health. Soon the special day affair became a week-long event in 1955, and in 1981 became a month-long observation known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Summit School of Ahwatukee

Spencer Elliott and Swaroon Shridar of Mountain Pointe High School have been selected to be among the top 40 students in the state of Arizona to be considered for Flinn Finalists.

Last week children returned to school after two weeks of winter recess. Two weeks of fun and frolic are over. The excitement of the season, treats, family reunions, unscheduled activities, late bedtimes, and no early morning hustle of getting ready are all in the past. The return to school brings a different routine requiring a disciplined approach.

On a chilly Thursday afternoon, Desert Vista High School junior Ava Posta worked contentedly at Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee Foothills, stamping pastry bags and coffee sleeves with the local cafe’s signature pink logo.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School has left many parents hugging their children a little closer but one Ahwatukee Foothills children’s psychologist said it’s getting back to the regular routine that will be most beneficial for kids.

Registration is under way for a new class at the Ahwatukee school starting in January.

With the holidays fast approaching, television and radio ads herald virtually every high-tech toy imaginable. These toys promise to reap educational benefits for our kids and can come with a price tag to match. If you want your baby, toddler or preschooler to have tons of fun and learn at the same time, the best toys can be found in your house or among the cheaper items at the store. This along with your time and attention will ensure that your child arrives at school on the first day prepared to succeed.

For its 17th year in a row, the kindergarten and preschool classes at Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori have performed a Thanksgiving sing-a-long and skit for proud parents.

Saturday, Nov. 24