 |
These kids don't mind getting a bum wrap
Pastoral Pondering: Thank the lord for his
sustaining gifts
|
Family Treehouse Preschool: 30 years of teaching kids |
By Schellene Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
|
In the 30 years since Family
Treehouse Preschool was founded by Judy Elliott and Nancy Woodward,
not too many of the core ideas have changed.
Begun as a discussion at the pool between two mother’s who had only
just met, the preschool was exactly what Elliott and Woodward were
looking for.
Now, parents and grandparents remain a big part in the education of
the 3- and 4- year-old students, field trips are still taken to
interesting places in the community once a month, and children are
encouraged to take part in cooking exercises.
Michelle Akins, who’s children have both been students at the
preschool, said since there are very few co-ops around, the current
crop of parents and teacher Carol O’Reilly thought it would be fun
to celebrate the school’s three decades of operation. The co-op is a
nonreligious preschool even though it has been housed in the First
United Methodist Church building for the past 26 years.
“We focus on developmentally-appropriate curriculum for the kids,”
Akins said. “Parent/Child Preschools of Oregon teach a lot through
play with hands-on experiences.”
For example, a recent monthly field trip involved a stop at Critter
Cabana in downtown Newberg. “They had so much fun; the classroom
theme area is now a pet store.”
In December the group will make its way to the fire station.
Parents help out in the classrooms to improve the adult-to-child
ratio, Akins said. And parent involvement keeps costs down.
Kids learn basic math, science, reading and writing skills. The
idea, Akins said, is to let kids explore all those things but try to
let the kids lead what’s going to go on to some extent.
“We want them to learn without knowing they are learning,” she said.
“They are learning a lot, not realizing ‘oh it’s class time.’
“From a parent standpoint its a welcoming place for families to get
to know the other parents working in the school. It’s been a fun
place to be an adult.”
The preschool costs $55 a month for the “Threes” class and $65 a
month for the “Fours” class. The Fours class is held Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and the Threes class is
Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at First United Methodist
Church, 1205 Deborah Road.
For more information leave a message for Wendie Wierstra,
membership chairperson, at 538-3339.
There are still slots available in the “Fours” classroom, but
anyone interested in joining the “Threes” classroom should call to
be placed on a waiting list. |
|
From
Nov. 20, 2004,
Newberg Graphic
Click Here to Subscribe |
|
|
