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
29 staff members with an average of 4.9 yrs experience with St. John’s Preschool
More than 200 students enrolled in 17 classes
Proactive parent involvement and volunteer opportunities
New facilities built in 2004

SPECIAL EVENTS

We have Carnival in March. It 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 the spring children will celebrate the Christian faith with an Alleluia program. This is the time when the children show their ability in front of all parents.

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 2007-2008 school year student enrichment include Thistle Theatre’s presentation of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and customized Mad Science hands-on workshops. 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.

Meet our teachers

Coming soon.

Meet our Board of Directors

Joan Sullivan 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 thirteen 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.”

Annette Schwientek, Assistant Director
Education: Kohlstrasse College, Wuppertal, Germany, Early Childhood Education

Annette has worked at St. John’s for twelve years. Prior to that, she worked at a preschool in Wuppertal and a home for teenage girls before getting married and moving to the United States. While raising three daughters, Annette ran a daycare out of her home, was part of the Bothell co-op preschool, and taught Sunday school at St. Jude’s Parish in Redmond.

Annette is motivated by working with children because it “gives me the opportunity to keep learning as well. It is not just the preparation for the lesson or class time but it is challenging to bring all there is to learn to their level. The children’s never ending curiosity and excitement over every little thing make it a joy to be a teacher.

Annette appreciates the energy at St. John’s and it’s commitment to the children. “St. John’s Preschool is a loving place where each child is treated as an individual. We make learning fun and help kids to succeed in their first school experience. St. John’s Preschool, with its supporting and loving staff, helpful board, and wonderful parents, is and has been the perfect place for me to work over the past 12 years. I have been able to work in different roles, from assistant, to teacher, to administrator; and there has never been a dull moment. It’s a busy place; it’s my kind of place.”

Megan Crissman

Megan Crissman, President, Web/ PC Support
This is Megan’s second year on the St. John’s Preschool Board. She also served for two years as a room parent in her son’s 3’s and 4’s classes. “ St. John’s Preschool has a very warm, nurturing community. Every child is truly cared for as an individual. I appreciate the enthusiasm, commitment to learning, and patience the faculty and staff demonstrate everyday. The school continually strives meet the needs of both the parent and student community. This year we initiated school-sponsored Parent and Student Enrichment events, as a response to requests from the school community.”

Liz Brackett, Enrichment Co-Chair, Slient Auction Co-Chair, Hospitality Co-Chair
This is Liz’s 1st year on the Preschool board. Both of her children are currently attending St. John's Preschool – her son is in Pre-K and her daughter is in the Pre-3s class. “St. John’s provides our children with a warm and nurturing environment where they develop as unique individuals. The school community provides a positive foundation which helps our children to become independent, self-confident, motivated and find a distinct pleasure in life-long learning.”

Danielle Cantu, Hospitality Co-Chair and Corresponding Secretary
This is Danielle's first year on the board. Her son Jaden is attending his second year at St. John's in the Pre-K class. Danielle's youngest son, Riley, is eagerly anticipating next Fall when he will join St. John's in the Pre 3's. “St. John's is a place where the whole family can grow. There are many opportunities to connect with the community and to make new friends. It's been a joy to watch my son flourish in such a caring and positive atmosphere!”

Beth Day, Secretary, Silent Auction Co-Chair, Book Exchange Co-Chair
A second year board member, Beth has three children. Her oldest two children are both St. John’s alums currently at Lakeview Elementary and her youngest daughter is learning lots and making friends in the 4’s class. “St. John’s is very warm, welcoming and fun, it’s the perfect introduction to school! St. John’s also offers parents the chance to build their own friendships through shared work as room parents, field trip drivers, committee members, Carnival helpers or Board members. In sum, St. John’s looks after everyone in the family. My family feels so blessed to have found this little school with such a big heart.”

Lisa Diller, Enrichment Co-Chair, Community Service

Cindy Laukaitis, Carnival Co-Chair, Hospitality Co-Chair
This is Cindy’s second year on the St. John’s Preschool Board and fourth year as a St. John’s parent. She currently has a son I the 3’s class who started last year in Pre-3s. Her daughter attended the 3’s, 4’s, and Science programs. Cindy has also been a member of St. John’s Church for over 9 years. “The staff at St. John’s Preschool makes every child feel acknowledged and special. My kids have had lots of fun and learned os much at the same time!”

Lynn Mizulo, Community Service Co-Chair, Book Fair

Cathy Peters, Carnival Co-Chair, Room Parent Chair
This is Cathy's third year on the St. John's Preschool Board. Her daughter spent 3 consecutive years in the 3+, 4+, and Pre-K programs at the preschool and is currently enrolled in the Kindergarten Science program. Her son began attending St. John's Preschool this year in the 3's program. Cathy and her family live in Redmond. "My husband and I are so appreciative of St. John's Preschool's approach to the whole family. We have been welcomed with open arms and are thrilled to be part of such a vital and nurturing community!"

Anna Wheeler, Vestry/Church Member
This is Anna's fourth year serving on the St. John's Preschool Board. She also serves as the Church's Senior Warden on the Vestry. She has a son who attended the 3's, Pre-K and Science programs and a daughter who attended the 3's , Pre-K Extended and is currently in the Science program. "St. John's has been the best 'first school expierence' for my children. They both learned to love learning in a safe and loving enviroment - I could not ask for anything more."