Spring is just around the corner, bringing longer days, warmer nights, and renewal of life and energy. Why not celebrate the new season by joining your neighbors in a Community Education class? Whether you want to enhance your skills in a new hobby such as learning about digital cameras or taking a sushi cooking class, get into shape with yoga or cycle cardio training, or explore the region with one of our award-winning trips and tours, this is a great time to enjoy any of the hundreds of classes currently offered in our Spring/Summer 2008 Community Education catalog.

For many parents, the summer months present the challenge of keeping out-of-school children active, engaged, and safe. Through Community Education, kids can choose activities just for them, ranging from Chinese, French and Spanish language camps and preschool theatre classes, to digital jewelry and a workshop in 3D graphics and animation. Teens have opportunities to complete driver's education, earn Red Cross certification in water safety, and receive training in baby-sitting. We continue to offer popular classes for families with very young children, such as parent-child yoga and parenting classes for people with children, ages birth-5.

The success of a community education program relies on the active involvement of our citizens - not only those who enroll in our classes, but also those who participate on our citizen advisory boards, volunteer at schools and events, or share their passion and knowledge with others by teaching a class. If you would like to be an active voice for your community or neighborhood, please consider one of these opportunities. For more information, contact the Saint Paul Public Schools, Community Education, Community Programs Department at 651-793-5455, or email stacey.kennedy@spps.org.

I hope you enjoy the Spring/Summer 2008 Community Education offerings. We are proud to bring you some of the highest-quality community programming in the state, and we look forward to seeing you and your family in one of our many classes.