About Us: St. John's Preschool in Kirkland Washington

Meet Our Board of Directors

A Day at St. John's Preschool MISSION

St John's Preschool is dedicated to providing children with a solid foundation during the critical years of early learning. We offer a challenging and stimulating learning experience by educating; encouraging social, emotional, and intellectual growth; and preparing children for their next academic and life experiences.

Your child will learn many things while they are with us, although we don't consider ourselves an academic preschool. Our preschool uses music, art, literature, and free play to encourage a child to grow creatively. Through everyday lessons, which revolve around themes, our students are exposed to letters, numbers, shapes, colors, patterns and sequencing. They will be learning how to take turns, how to sit on circle, and how to complete a task. These are all important skills that they will need when starting Kindergarten.

Our main goal is to have our students feel safe and cared for while they are away from their parents. We want school to be "fun" for them so that when they are older they will remember that school is a fun and positive place to be.

St. John's prides itself on its family atmosphere where we feel we take care of the whole family, parents and siblings as well as the student. St. John’s is part of St. John's Episcopal Church and incorporates Christian values and traditions into our curriculum and daily interactions. We welcome children of all faith backgrounds to our school.

FAST FACTS

Established in 1974
Located in downtown Kirkland
33 staff members with an average of 6.7 yrs experience with St. John’s Preschool
More than 200 students enrolled in 19 classes
Proactive parent involvement and volunteer opportunities

SPECIAL EVENTS

We have an Auction in early March and a Carnival in late April. The auction is parents only but the carnival is a fun activity for parents and children. It is also the major fundraising activity in the preschool to help provide those little "extras" for our students while keeping the tuition costs down.

In January and April, children will celebrate the Christian faith with the Praise and Alleluia programs. This is the time when the children perform the songs they have learned in music class.

STUDENT AND PARENT ENRICHMENT

In addition to special events, St. John’s offers student and parent enrichment activities throughout the year. Student enrichment activities focus on exposing students to new activities, entertainment and learning experiences that are not part of the classroom curriculum. Examples of some 2011-2012 school year student enrichment include a Puppet Please presentation and opportunities to visit the Kids Quest Children's Museum. Parent enrichment opportunities, designed to provide parents with parenting information and tools, are also provided throughout the school year. Examples of Parent Enrichment include a Kindergarten readiness discussion and Peace of Mind presentation. These activities are funded in part by money raised at St. John’s annual Carnival event.

If you have a question for our Board of Directors, please feel free to email us at:: stjohnpreschool@hotmail.com

Meet our Board of Directors

Alesia Portugal and Shelli Read

Interim Co-Directors

Tracy

Tracy Benson, President & Hospitality Chair

This is Tracy's second year on the Board and third year at St. John’s. Her daughter is currently in Kindergarten and Science. "We loved the warm feeling we got the day we toured the school and have loved every minute of it since. From Joan to the teachers and all the parents, it is a wonderful family oriented community. My daughter (and even my husband and I) have made lasting friendships at St. John's. We truly love everything about this school!"

Susan

Susan Hughes

Susan has been a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church for 19 years. She has been married for 20 years to Bill Hughes, a high school classmate and met at their 10th high school reunion. They have three boys: Ellis, Arlen, and Quinlan who attended St. John’s Preschool. During that time, she served as a preschool board member. They are currently 19, 16, and 15. Susan was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL and attended University of Arizona, receiving a BS in Merchandising and Fashion Promotion. Her passions are gardening, tennis, interior decorating and design.

John

John Oakerman

John has a BA /MS from University of Washington in Physical Education and Elementary Education. He is a retired educator who taught 5 grade, 2nd grade, and high school math and science, and was a school administrator. He is married with two children who attended pre-school a long time ago and is a current member of St. John’s Vestry. “I’m really impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of the Pre School Board and look forward to great learning opportunities for the children of St. John’s Preschool”.

Aida Ebeling, Secretary

This is Aida's first year on the Board and her third year as a St. John's parent. She currently has a daughter in Kindergarten who happily attends the Science Class, plus another daughter who is thrilled to follow in her big sister's footsteps and is now in the 3's. Aida and her whole family feel so lucky to be a part of this school. It is not only a place where their children love to go learn, make friends and play--but it is also a welcoming place where they have found an incredible community. The teachers and staff are simply phenomenal and really get to know each child. Having the Director know every single family by name and greet you at the door each morning with a smile, you feel like you are a part of a large family.

Deb

Deb Subotnik, Hospitality Chair

This is Deb's first year on the Board and her second year as a St. John's parent. Lauren is St. John's Science program and half day kindergarten at Lakeview, and Caitlin is in the Pre-3's program this year. "We couldn't ask for our girls to have a better place to have their 1st school experiences. This place is like a home away from home for them thanks to the caring staff & families."

Ruth Hanley

Ruth Hanley, Room Parent Chair

This is Ruth’s first year on the board and third year at St. John’s. She has a daughter in first grade, who started St. John’s in the 4’s class and continued the next year in the science class. This year her youngest daughter gets to attend St. John's pre-3 class. “This preschool was such a good fit for both my daughters and their inquisitive minds. The teachers are amazing and the learning, projects and fun that they get to experience on is phenomenal. Also, the science class really helped establish my older daughter's love of science.”

auction chair

Marilee Davis, Auction Chair

This is Marilee's first year on the board and second year with children attending St. John's. Ethan is in kindergarten and attending the afternoon science class is one of the highlights of his week. Jack is in the 3's class and says his best buddy at school is his teacher Mrs. Kerrick. "We couldn't ask for a better experience for our children or us as concerned parents who want to make good choices for our children."

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Fortman, Enrichment Chair

This is Elizabeth’s first year on the Board and her third year at St. John’s. Her younger daughter is in the 4’s class. Her older daughter graduated from Pre-K last year and now attends full-day kindergarten. “My daughters thoroughly enjoyed their preschool experience. Our family is thankful to have found such a warm, caring community.”

Terri

Terri Gatts-Dayton, Carnival Chair

This is Terri's first year on the board and fifth year as a St John's parent. She has a daughter in second grade and a son in the 4's class. "It will be a sad day when we graduate from this school. We keep asking Joan if she will just take on the challenge of making this a pre-school through 12th grade school…please?"

Tanya

Tanya Scharpenberg, Auction Chair

This is Tanya's first year on the Board and her second year as a St. John's parent. Connor is in the 4s and Finley will join St. John's for the 2013-2014 school year. "We loved St. John's from the moment we entered the school for our first tour. Connor has thoroughly enjoyed the teachers, staff, and all his friends at St. John's. We couldn't have asked for a better first school experience."

Devon

Devon Plette, Community Service

This is Devon's first year on the Board and her third year as a St. John’s parent. She currently has one son in the Pre-3s program and one son in the Pre-K program. "I toured six preschools and realized that St. John's was the only school I was really excited about my kids attending. The balance of play-based learning and classroom structure was exactly what I had in mind for preschool. I love all the teachers and really appreciate the strong sense of community."

Karen

Karen Whitmore, Carnival Chair

This is Karen’s second year on the board and third year as a St. John’s parent. Her daughter Ella is in the 4’s class. “So many people recommended St. John’s to us when we were searching for a preschool, and we’ve never regretted our decision to send our daughter here. St. John’s offers structure while also providing time for imaginative play. It’s a well-balanced environment with outstanding teachers that recognize and encourage our daughter’s strengths."