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
26 staff members with an average of 4.9 yrs experience with St. John’s Preschool
More than 200 students enrolled in 16 classes
Proactive parent involvement and volunteer opportunities
New facilities built in 2004

SPECIAL EVENTS

We have a Carnival in March and an Auction in 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 2008-2009 school year student enrichment include Thistle Theatre’s presentation of “Aesop Fables ” and customized science workshops from the Pacific Science Center. 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 presentation by well known parent educator and Seattle Times columnist Jan Faull. 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: stjohnpreschoolboard@hotmail.com

Meet our Board of Directors

Joan Sullivan, Director

Education: Gonzaga University, Bachelor of Arts, Communication Disorders with an emphasis in Special Education

Joan has been the director at St. John’s for more than fifteen years. Prior to coming to St. John’s, she set up and directed Holy Family Preschool and Kindergarten from 1986 – 1989.

Joan is passionate about working with children “because they’re fun, bright, inquisitive, accepting, and so willing to try new things.” She greatly values the sense of community at the preschool, “I like being at St. John’s because it’s just like one big family. Students, parents, and staff make up our family. It is a pleasure to work with other professionals who enjoy children as much as I do."

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”.

Allison Clevenger, Secretary and Marketing Chairs

This is Allison's second year on the Board and her fourth year as a St. John's parent. She currently has a son in the 4's class and a daughter who is now a 1st grader. "We had always heard great things about the school, but from the moment we walked through the doors at St. John's we knew we had found the right place for our family. We have been impressed with their program and the amount of love and respect the teachers show each child. Our family feels blessed to be members of such an amazing community and is grateful that our children are being given such a strong foundation to build upon."

Caroline

Caroline Adam, Community Service Chair

This is Caroline's first year on the board and second year at St. John's. Her daughter, Riley, is in the 3+ program this year. " My husband and I are so happy to have found a community for our family. We could not be more excited or thankful about the school, its teachers, and the friendships we are making here at St. John's."

Mimi

Mimi Henderson, Room Parent Chair

This is Mimi's first year on the board and her third year as a parent. She currently has a daughter in kindergarten who also attends St. John's afterschool science program. She has a son who is in his second year at the school and is in the 4's class. She also has a one year old daughter who will have grown up at St. John's by the time she goes off to kindergarten. "St. John's has a small town feel to it. Everyone knows everyone. We take care of each other. It is a wonderful place for my children to start their first school experience. My kids love coming to school. When I asked my son who are his friends at school, his first response was the names of his teachers. Not only have my kids made great friends, I as a parent have made lifelong friends. I will be sad to leave this wonderful community when my last child graduates from preschool."

Tracy

Tracy Benson, Hospitality Chair

This is Tracy's first year on the Board and second year at St. John’s. Her daughter is currently in Pre-K. "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!"

Gretchen

Gretchen Moosbrugger, Hospitality Chair

This is Gretchen’s third year on the Board and fourth year at St. John’s. Her son, Carter, is currently in Science at St. John’s and also half day kindergarten. “St. John’s has been a wonderful introduction to school for Carter. He has always loved his teachers, his friends, and his routine here. Our family is so pleased to have found this community.”

Carrie Aull, President and Enrichment Chair

This is Carrie's third year on the Board and her fourth year at St. John’s. This year her younger son, Westley, is starting his first year here in the 3’s program. Her older son, Alex, is now in full day kindergarten after being at St. John’s for 3 years. "I’ve loved St. John’s since I first stepped foot into the building. I love the sense of community and the family-friendly atmosphere. It was really important for my family that we felt comfortable and welcomed at school. My children have truly thrived in this environment. We could not ask for a better school and staff for our children."

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."

Sheryl

Sheryl Vincent, Carnival Chair

This is Sheryl’s second year on the Board and third year at St. John's. Jayden is in Science and half day kindergarten, and Cooper is in the 3's program this year. "Whenever I am asked where my children go to preschool, I am always very proud to say St. John's Preschool. The person usually will respond 'I have heard that it is a fantastic school', and I have to say, it is!”

Karen

Karen Whitmore, Carnival Chair

This is Karen’s first year on the board and second 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."

Vanessa

Heidi Donovan, Auction Chair

This is Heidi’s second year on the Board. Her children have graduated from St. John’s after three years of attending. After relocating from Arizona, her daughter attended a Pre-K class and is currently in second grade. Her son is now in all day kindergarten. “I am continually impressed with St. John’s dedication to providing a healthy, happy preschool experience for all children. This preschool offers such a nurturing and supportive introduction to primary education, for both students and parents.”