Sent Aug 12, 2009-
I apologize for the mass email but time is of the essence. I am not a community activist. I am just a parent who feels passionately about my daughter’s quality education and about seeing our community making the right investments.
As you may have learned today, The Lake Forest Association Board voted, in an emergency closed door meeting, to close the preschool effective August 28th. If you are anything like me your appreciation for the quality program Lakeview provides is beyond words. While several teachers were provided enrollment targets several months back they were not permitted to share details of the ultimatum with parents for some unknown reason thereby taking away one of the greatest assets the preschool has, parents and their word of mouth abilities. We can and should save this preschool.
I have taken the liberty of writing a detailed letter to the Board and encourage you do to the same. Share with them what the preschool means to you as a parent and (if applicable) as a member. If you read my letter, you will glean the facts as I understand them today.
Key point that was conveyed to me by staff is that the preschool is losing money each year. When pressed for an amount, several sources told me the deficit annually is $5,000! YES…$5,000.
I know we as parents can help bridge this gap but we need to hear from the Board what if anything else is causing this decision. Surely, it can’t be the $5,000…can it?
Please click on the following link to view the letter I sent to the Board this evening. It will give you a good idea of the issues we are dealing with.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AScAL5vKyUdPZHp4MnRoZl8xZGZodGtmZDY&hl=en
You can also follow, comment and share with friends via
BLOG: http://savelakeview.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @savemypreschool http://twitter.com/savemypreschool
Lastly, we setup an email address at savelakeviewpreschool@yahoo.com . PLEASE cc that email when sending letters to Cynthia Valdes for the Board (cvaldes@pcminternet.com)
Pete Deutschman
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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As a parent of a Lakeview Learning Center preschooler, I am most taken aback by the lack of sensitivity that has been displayed by the board and management team of the Association in their last minute decision to close Lakeview Learning Center. All of the families who send their children to preschool take great care in choosing just the right school for their child, be it in curriculum, cost, or proximity to work or home.
ReplyDeleteLakeview Learning Center is depended on by local working families in this community. The short notice and seemingly sudden decision to close the school down shows a blatant disregard not only for the needs of community families, but also for the group of 3-5 year old children who have come to love their daily experience at the school. The staff has been unable to prepare themselves, let alone this young group of children and their families for such a drastic change.
If the writing has been on the wall as to the future of the school, I cannot personally understand the decision to give this dedicated staff and the affected families 12 days to find alternative jobs,schooling AND childcare.
I sat through a speech given by Dr. Gardner at the preschool's Parent Night in which he talked at length of a new building for the preschool, to the obvious surprise of the entire staff. I admit I was not surprised when this new building did not materialize, but to close the school down without an equally long speech to the parents seems rather unfair.
As a member of the Lake Forest Beach and Tennis Club for 27 years, I have always been proud to bring friends to the "club" and rave about the gem of a preschool we get to send our kids to right inside. This amenity attracts many families not just to the school, but also to the special events hosted by the Association.
I am anxious to understand the motivation behind this decision, and am confident that if this is merely a financial situation there are helpful resources waiting to be tapped within our preschool community.
Sincerely,
April Madigan
Mother of Chloe Deutschman