Wednesday, August 19, 2009

We Did It! WE SAVED LAKEVIEW LEARNING CENTER!

Allow me to start with how my night ended. One cannot express how it feels to walk into your daughter's room as she is being tucked into bed and tell her, with 100% confidence, that her pre-school is NOT closing.

"Daddy, I saved the pre-school?" she said. "Yes, Chloe...you saved the pre-school."

But I don't think it is fair to let Chloe take all the credit. Tonight's decision to rescind the Board's previous decision to close the pre-school was a group effort.

Thank you to the Board who dutifully listened to the association members passionately speak from the heart about what the pre-school means to the community as an asset and as an educational institution and for courageously making the motion required to keep the pre-school open. I hope the standing ovation of nearly 100 demonstrated the appreciation.

Thank you to the parents, family, friends and association members who spent the last week writing letters, tweeting, clarifying points about not needing city permits to run the pre-school, commenting on blogs, speaking with neighbors and gathering hundreds of names on petitions showing support for the pre-school as a viable and important amenity to our community.

Thank you to the OC Register (see today's story and photos about the rally), OC Metro, Twitter friends @OCParent, HeatherCinOC, @OCWeekly, @OCRegie, @Lagunaini, @TitanIceHocky, @Rebecca_Rose and more who re-tweeted our posts. Your coverage brought local and national awareness to our pre-school and we thank you.

And of course to the teachers of Lakeview Learning Center. While you were not permitted into the board meeting (because of the association members only rule) your waiting in the Clubhouse lobby in support of the kids and families you service is a testament to the commitment you have to the long-term success of this pre-school. Nothing was more rewarding then seeing you all celebrate the decision to keep the pre-school open! (except for my daughter's reaction of course).

Also, as the minutes will show, the Board approved a motion to appoint a parent committee. This committee will work in the immediate and near term to confirm and present a longer term plan to the Board. A plan that should focus on self-sufficiency if not profitability. As an Association member I can say it will be nice to boast having a revenue generating amenity cloaked as a Nationally accredited pre-school.

Now to the issue of registration.

WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS and ACCEPTING STUDENTS.

please, please, please REGISTER for FALL AND STAY FOR WINTER TERMS.

TELL A FRIEND.

TELL A STRANGER.

WE HOPE TO CAPITALIZE ON THE EXPOSURE.

WITH ONLY 42 OPENINGS ALLOWED BY THE STATE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ACT QUICKLY...ESPECIALLY YOU CURRENT OR PREVIOUS TERM FAMILIES!!!!!

We did it!

Way to go!

Pete

5 comments:

  1. WooooooHooooooo! Thanks so much for all you've done to organize this, Pete. The blog, especially, was an awesome tool to rally support. What a great community!

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  2. Way to go Pete! This was so awesome to hear! I even got a little choked up by the victory. I always love a happy ending. Lindy

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  3. thanks go to everyone!

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  4. Hi Pete,
    Great job! What an emotional week it's been! Thank you for all of your hard work...what a great role model Chloe has in her dad...it's very inspiring.

    What's the scoop on the parent committee? Can only parents who are members be involved with that? Thanks! Carrie

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  5. Carrie, anyone who wants to help should help. We will have several sub-committes. Please email me @ pete@thebuddygroup.com

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