Starting this fall, La Conner School District will launch Brave Beginnings, a new, no-cost inclusive preschool program to help local families bridge the gap between home and kindergarten.
The full-day, five-day-a-week program will be open to children who have not previously attended preschool. It will mirror the elementary school schedule and environment, where students will participate in art, music, PE, recess, lunch in the cafeteria, and library time — providing a comprehensive school experience designed to build both academic and social-emotional skills.
“Preschool sets kids up for strong kindergarten readiness and success in school,” said Beth Clothier, the district’s director of teaching and learning. “This play-based, social-emotional program is designed to make sure students are really kinder-ready.”
Enrollment is open to children who turn 4 by August 31, with priority given to La Conner School District residents. Families outside the district may be accepted if space allows.
The program will be led by Juliene Wall, a high school teacher with prior preschool special education experience. “She’s got tons of passion and enthusiasm for making a program that is inclusive and educational,” Clothier said. “I’m so pleased she took it — she has all the pieces we were looking for.”
“I’m just really excited to work with littles again,” Wall said.
The program aims to have an 8-to-1 ratio with one certificated teacher, as well as assistants, depending on enrollment. Additional specialized support services, including occupational therapy and speech language pathology, would be available in the classroom for students who require those services.
“The hope is to have a preschool that is a welcoming and active learning space for students regardless of ability, regardless of differences, or obstacles they might be facing in their own learning,” Wall said.
Wall aims to bridge the gap between the high school and elementary buildings by launching an internship program that gives high school students hands-on experience in early childhood education while earning Career and Technical Education credit. She’s especially focused on involving a diverse group of students, believing that preschoolers benefit from seeing role models who are closer in age and reflect their cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Wall hopes the experience becomes cyclical — inspiring young children to one day return and give back in the same way.
The new program will likely be funded for three years through an existing 21st Century Grant which is also used to fund the Braves Hub afterschool program. Clothier noted the program was intentionally designed to qualify for future transitional kindergarten funding from the state if it becomes available.
Brave Beginnings joins two existing programs serving local families: the Swinomish Tribal Indian Community Susan Wilbur Early Education Center, which focuses on culture and language, and the La Conner Cooperative Preschool, which operates on the school campus but is separate from La Conner Schools. The district hopes the addition of Brave Beginnings will help ensure all children in the area can access early learning that meets their needs.
“We’re hoping to fill a gap in services, as opposed to taking away,” Clothier said.
The program is aiming for an Oct. 1 start date for students, following a September setup period that includes family meetings and classroom visits.
For more information or to enroll, families are encouraged to attend the La Conner Community Preschool & Kindergarten Family Information Rally from 3-6 p.m. April 23 in the La Conner Elementary Commons at 403 N. 6th St.
Staci Baird: staci@laconnercommunitynews.org is the managing editor for La Conner Community News.
