We have some new school gossip to share with you all. The first review is courtesy of Joyce Szuflita, our School Expert.

Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill: First, If you live in Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill (and even if you don’t) you should check out the new Spanish dual language program at PS 46, Edward Blum School, in district 13. Karyn Nicholson, their energetic new principal, is reaching out to the community. The staff which has long experience with bilingual education is well suited to put a dual language program into place. They started this fall with preK, k and first grade dual language classrooms. If the program proves popular there would be room for a second class on a grade. They are assessing students who are interested in the program for language proficiency (they are looking for both English and Spanish speakers) as well as looking for strong learners who will be able to handle the challenge of the dual language program. The k class I saw was focused and engaged and reading the Spanish lesson easily. The hallways are lined with excellent and varied writer’s workshop published pieces.  Ms. Nicholson has a strong vision for the school and there are good facilities and lots of enrichment in place for her to build on. The school has a beautiful Robin Hood library. There is an art classroom and teacher with a science focus and a second art room/teacher with a math focus. There is also an extensive music program. I was very impressed with the science teacher, who is clearly transferring his enthusiasm for his subject to his students.  The parent coordinator, Cecilia Lopez (347) 563-5323 has a open door policy and her parent’s room is open from 8 to 4. Contact her to find out about the next open house which will be scheduled shortly. I will also list it in my newsletter.  They have also have a new review on insideschools as of May 09.

Red Hook: The Red Hook Playgroup is relocating to a new space! It will be located at 295 Columbia Street (between Woodhull and Summit).  It features two large classrooms, a generous multipurpose space, lots of space for art projects and cooking, a separate office for teachers, high ceilings with lots of natural light and even stroller parking. Construction will begin soon and doors will open in 2010!  RHP is a progressive preschool serving children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years old. They are open Monday-Friday, and offer 3, 4, and 5-day a week schedules. They also offer an after school program, Monday-Friday, for currently enrolled children.  Tours are on Thursday and Friday mornings, from 9:45 am – 10:45 am. They will begin on October 29th and run into early February. Interested families should contact [email protected] to schedule a tour.

South Slope: El Pequeno Artista opened its doors in 2006, but just this fall they added a bilingual montessori preschool program.  It is designed for children ages 2.5 years to 5 years and currently goes from 9 am- 12 pm and you can choose between 2, 3 or 5 days.  However, in fall of 2010 they will be offering full day options. A sample tuition since it isn’t published on their site: $11,750 for full time 3 days a week for 2010 and $6,000 for part-time 3 days a week in 2010.  The school is not montessori accredited, but it is montessori based with montessori trained teachers and tools. The school is a spanish immersion environment.  You can hop on a tour to check the school out.  Tours are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6th from 10:30-11:30 am and Saturday, March 6th from 10:30-11:30 am. RSVP is required: 718-965-1406 or e[email protected].  Only adults are welcome for the tour.  Address: 249 20th Street at 5th Ave. By subway take the R to Prospect Ave. Station. By bus, take the B63, B103; the B37 and B67 make stops along 3rd and 7th Avenues respectively.

***and, lastly, we have great gossip about an exciting move for an existing school to an awesome space- but we promised not to disclose it until it’s official. I promise to “let it out” as soon as it’s official!

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