Category Archives: News

Sponge Elementary Curriculum Night

September 22, 2015

Sponge classes are about to start at elementary schools in the Greater Seattle Area. We’re planning to hold two curriculum nights in October. This is a great opportunity to come learn in detail about our curriculum, goals and methods, see a demonstration, and ask your questions!

You are welcome to attend either curriculum night, regardless of where your student attends school. Both events are open to all interested families, regardless of whether or not you’ve registered.

Join us on Monday, October 12, from 7-8 pm in the Cafeteria at Medina Elementary, or on Tuesday, October 13, from 7-8 pm in the Library at Island Park Elementary.

Questions? Send us an email at info@spongeschool.com or call (425) 274 -5188. We’re here to help!

Open House Roundup

August 31, 2015

Thanks to everyone who came to our Around-the-World Grand Opening! There was a lot of fun happening in the 15 different mini-classes. How many different languages did you try out? We had 5 to choose from!

Did you miss the event? Want to try a language you missed? You can sign up for a free trial class at any of our locations here!

Fall session starts on September 9. Check out the schedule, and feel free to contact us with any questions. We’re happy to help!

Sneak Peek at the New Sponge

August 26, 2015

The doors open this Saturday and Sunday with our Around-the-World Celebration. It’s not too late to sign up for a free mini-class (we’ve added extras!) or to RSVP. Let us know you’re coming, we’d love to have you!

Ready for class to start? We have lots of class offering – check out the fall schedule and filter in the left-hand menu for the Eastside location.

Here’s the first look at our new space!

Around-the-World Grand Opening Event

August 13, 2015

Join us on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 from 1 to 5 pm, for the grand opening of our new Eastside location!

We’ll explore all over the globe with cultural crafts, tasty treats, and free mini-classes in Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese and German. Check out the event schedule, and sign up for a free mini-class. You can win special prizes at the door, including a free class for our first session in Kirkland!

Saturday Mini-Classes:
1:00 pm – French
2:00 pm – Spanish
3:00 pm – Mandarin
4:00 pm – German

Sunday Mini-Classes:
1:00 pm – Japanese
2:00 pm – Mandarin
3:00 pm – Spanish
4:00 pm – French

The new Eastside location is located at 10600 NE 68th Street, in Kirkland’s Houghton Village. It offers convenient access from I-405 and SR-520, with lots of available parking.

You can RSVP by signing up for a mini-class, sending us an email at events@spongeschool.com or calling (206) 227-7138. This free event is geared to children aged 10 and younger and their families.

Announcing Our New Eastside Location!

August 3, 2015

It’s so exciting to be putting down roots on the Eastside! We’re getting ready to open our bright & cheery new space for Fall Session this September. Check out the full Eastside class schedule on our new registration system.

Our new location in Kirkland’s Houghton village is central and convenient for Eastside families, with easy access from I-405 and SR-520. Parking is plentiful, and there are lots of great options for after you drop off at a Just Kids class, like coffee shops and grocery stores.

Save the date! We’re celebrating the grand opening with an Around-the-World Event on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. Explore different corners of the world with Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese, Hindi and German mini-classes, cultural crafts, and refreshments from global culinary traditions. This free event is geared toward children ages 10 and younger and their families. More details coming soon.

Share the news!

New Registration System for Fall

July 29, 2015

We’ve just launched a brand new online registration system for sessions beginning this Fall. If you’ve already registered for classes beginning this Fall, we’ve transferred it to the new system.

The new system makes it easier to find the right class. You can now view our class schedule via the registration link. Choose your location and browse by calendar view:

Here are some helpful tips for navigating our new online registration system:

Go to our Sign Up page, and click the registration button for your type of class.
If you’ve registered online in past years, you will be starting from scratch, so don’t try to login. You will need to set up a new account. Follow the prompts to continue to your brand new, secure personal profile!
It’s now easier to find the right class. You can filter for location, time and age, using the lefthand menu. There is also an option for a calendar view, in addition to the session list.

Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions you have at info@spongeschool.com. We are excited for this upcoming season and can’t wait to hear from you!

A World of Thanks to You!

July 7, 2015

Merci…ありがとう…danke…धन्यवाद! There are so many different ways to say thanks for voting in the 2015 ParentMap Golden Teddy Awards.

With your votes, Sponge earned the honor of finalist in two categories: After-school + Enrichment Programs, and Unique Camps. We are thrilled to receive such wonderful recognition from all of you!

We appreciate your kind words for our classes and teachers, too.

We strive to have an “engaging and effective environment” for learning, and take pride in our top-quality, “interactive language courses.” Every day, our maestras and laoshis bring their dedication and enthusiasm for language and culture to each student. It’s what allows us to put forward our very best, and give your children the language classes they love. Come say hello and see for yourself! Summer session is under way and it’s a great time to get to know our teachers. We’re glad you think they are exceptional. (So do we!!)

Our sincerest gracias and 谢谢 to you for voting for Sponge again this year!

Sample-a-Camp!

June 13, 2015

Interested in a language summer camp for your child but wondering what a day at camp really looks like? Sometimes trying it out is really the best way!

Join us on Saturday, June 20, 10:00-11:30 AM in Mt. Baker (3107 S. Day St. Seattle) for our camp sampler!

We will do crafts, hear stories, sing, play games, enjoy tasty snacks, and have fun learning some Mandarin and Spanish.

Bring your kids (and their friends!) and join Sponge for some mini-camp fun!

Please RSVP to events@spongeschool.com or call 206-227-7138.

Coco-lingo: A World of Chocolate & Language

April 13, 2015

For Swedes, it’s choklad, the French call it chocolat, in Japan it’s チョコレート, and Americans say chocolate. No matter the spelling or pronunciation, chocolate is treasured around the globe! Countries celebrate their unique varieties, whether dark, milk, semi-sweet, or zesty.

To share and savor the international flavors of this much-loved sweet, Sponge invites parents to a free event to sample chocolates from around the world while Kelly Bolen, Education Director at Sponge, offers insight on language acquisition in babies and children. How do children learn language? What is the best time to introduce a child to a new language? Please join us for a sweet treat and insight into your babies’ amazing ability to learn language.

When: Wednesday, April 22, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: Mt. Baker Center, 3107 S Day St, Seattle, WA

Please RSVP to events@spongeschool.com.

This event is geared to parents or caregivers and infants. Babes in arms are welcome.

Come See Caspar Babypants!

April 13, 2015

Heading to the eastside this weekend? Join us at the Puget Sound Family Fest at Redmond Town Center, Saturday April 18, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Hosted by Little Things Collective, this family event showcases the best in the greater Seattle area for families – sustainable products, local businesses, raffles and more.

Pack up the little ones and come for free face painting and hula-hooping, a demo by Babywearing International, and the 5th Annual Cloth Diaper Change! More than 25 local businesses with fun and practical products for babies and children will be on hand, too. Plus, you won’t want to miss a musical performance by Caspar Babypants!

For more information, visit http://www.pugetsoundfamilyfest.com/

Come by the Sponge table and say hi!