The Village Preschool • 2156 E. Liberty Lane

The 94th annual Children’s Book Week, the national celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading, officially starts May 13, but youngsters can join activities sooner at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe:

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.

The company looking to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Ahwatukee Foothills has located a new site for a possible dispensary at 48th Street and Warner Road.

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.

Lottery confidentiality

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

About five years ago when Children of Hope Preschool needed funds to install sprinklers, staff and volunteers were able to raise about half needed to pay for the expensive price tag through the help of the community.

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.

A series of close calls and years of speeding have finally been enough for one Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhood. A group of neighbors living along the eastern portion of Kachina Drive are working together to get speed humps placed on their street.

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.

The city of Phoenix will hold a meeting open to the public on Thursday, March 14 at 9 a.m. to discuss an application for a zoning variance that would allow a medical marijuana dispensary to open in a shopping center at Chandler Boulevard and 48th Street in Ahwatukee Foothills.

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.