North Seattle Fives Cooperative School, a pre-kindergarten program in Phinney Ridge right across from the Woodland Park Zoo, is hosting an open house from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, for prospective families for the 2012-13 school year. Children are welcome at the open house.

The 2012-13 school year is for children who will already be 5 years old by the start of school, but need a little more time before being ready for kindergarten, as well as children who will turn 5 years old by Mar 31, 2013.

North Seattle Fives is located inside St. John’s United Lutheran Church, 5515 Phinney Ave. N. School is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The North Seattle French School is getting off the ground and will hold an informational open house from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Room 2 in the Blue Building.

North Seattle French School is a new elementary school dedicated to bilingual education through excellent academics, creative learning and outdoor activities while promoting a rich multicultural environment.

The curriculum will be in both French and English with a strong majority in French.

NSFS is still finalizing its location, but it will most likely be in Phinney-Greenwood, Green Lake or Ballard. It plans to open in the fall.

According to the website, tuition will be $10,000 for the 2012-13 school year, and they plan to offer an after-school program for parents who need childcare. The first class will have around 15 students. The school plans to begin with one kindergarten-first grade class, then add a grade each year until it offers kindergarten through fifth grade.

North Seattle Fives Cooperative School on Phinney Ridge is holding two open houses for the 2011-12 school year, from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, and from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5th. Children are welcome.

North Seattle Fives rents two classrooms inside St. John United Lutheran Church, 5515 Phinney Ave. N., across from Woodland Park Zoo.

North Seattle Fives is designed to meet the needs of children who are too young for kindergarten or who would benefit from another year before starting kindergarten. The classroom, located across the street from Woodland Park Zoo, is designed to provide a stimulating, hands-on environment for the children and includes specific learning areas such as: Blocks/Construction, Art, Dramatic Play, Science Investigation, Math, Puzzles and Games, Music, Movement, Outdoor Play and many other special projects. In addition to a vibrant, busy, engaging classroom, the children are taken on many field trips each year!

The Seattle Times today had a nice story about a group of Phinney Ridge kids who are part of a “walking school bus” to West Woodland Elementary School.

Columnist Nicole Brodeur joined the “bus” last week to chronicle how 22 children from 18 families joined together to get everyone safely to school, and get a little exercise and socializing in the process.

Okay readers, now it’s your turn. What are your memories of walking or riding the bus to school?

PNA Kids! is now signing up children for its summer programs, including the second year of its preschool summer camps.

After the success of its first year, PNA Kids! will once again be offering Preschool Summer Camp at its Whittier site from July 6th – August 27th. The preschool staff has pulled together a great summer curriculum that includes engaging activities and fun for all preschoolers ages 3 – 5. “A Green Thumb” and “Kids in the Kitchen” are just two of the weekly themes this year. For kids 5 – 12, our Summer Safari is the way to go with two locations at the Phinney Center and Whittier Elementary. Daily field trips and themes such as “Travels in Time” and “Go! Go! Go! In the H2O” will keep the kids entertained. Check it out online or come by the Phinney Center and pick up a brochure.

A new Spanish immersion preschool is starting at the end of January at the Phinney Neighborhood Center.

The Phinney Cooperativa Preescolar en Español (PCPE) is designed to encourage the social, emotional, and physical growth of young children while developing cross-cultural awareness. This program is also intended to be a resource to support bilingual and Hispanic families in North Seattle.

The PCPE is designed for children, ages one to five, who speak Spanish either full-time or part-time at home with a family member. It will be divided into two classes: 1- and 2-year olds meeting once a week and 3- to 5-year olds meeting twice a week. The governance of the preschool comes from an advisory board made up of representatives from each of the classes.

Our goals are for our children to gain confidence and self-esteem by communicating in a Spanish-speaking environment as well as to develop a linguistic foundation in Spanish. We will encourage the sharing of traditions, values, and cultures of different Spanish-speaking communities through social events, fundraisers, and play-dates.

Classes will begin at the end of January, 2010, and will follow the Seattle Public Schools’ schedule. For more information, contact Rosa Urrutia, Registrar, at rosaurrutia17@yahoo.com or call 206-972-3127.

Taproot Theatre’s Road Company presents a free public performance of ”Super School” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Greenwood Library, as part of Live Theatre Week. The show teaches children how to handle bullying and violence.

In “Super School,” it’s back to school at Asteroid Academy, and the first rule is, no superpowers on the playground. But when Danrelle uses her invisibility powers to steal Tilly’s toy and tries to get her to explode in anger, the students risk detention or even being suspended. Students’ favorite superheroes from “Camp Super Friend” are back with all-new challenges and experiences. Will they use their superpowers for good or for evil? Only a visit to Asteroid Academy will tell!

“Super School” is designed to teach even students as young as kindergarten about problem solving, empathy, how to manage their emotions and how to prevent bullying. Taproot Theatre’s Road Company performed “Camp Super Friend” at the FringeJR portion of the New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) in August, and is currently touring at schools.

Snoose Junction Part Dieu at 10406 Holman Rd. is hosting Greenwood Elementary nights on the second Tuesday of the month through summer. If customers mention Greenwood Elementary School, then 10 percent of their sale will go to the school. The first fundraiser is tonight.

Greenwood Elementary School is looking for donations for its annual fundraiser, set for March 14. The fundraiser provides money for school programs in art, music, language, drama and environmental education.

Auction Co-Chair Karen Comiskey says goods and services of all kinds are welcome, including gift certificates. Donation ideas include yard work, knitting lessons, restaurant gift certificates, store gift cards, arts and crafts, homemade jewelry, hotel stays, cabin getaways and boat cruises.

Tickets to ”Puttin’ on the Ritz” are $30 until Feb. 15, then the price goes up to $35. The auction starts at 5 p.m. March 14 at the Ballard Elks Club at 6411 Seaview Ave. N.

Check out the auction website for more information or to download a donation form.