WHY 
Many of you can remember the time you spent at KCP with preschoolers outside. As you know, we have a wonderfully large area offering many learning opportunities. 2020 brought us unexpected challenges that forced us to adapt to a temporary hybrid of virtual and outdoor learning. A permanent outdoor covered learning space will allow us to bring more learning outside rain or shine.

WHAT 
Similar to the photo above, the plan is to build a solid, permanent structure on site. This structure will be built to withstand year-round weather and provide year-round use. 

HOW 
​Currently, several professionals have volunteered to donate time and services. Architectural drawings have been prepared and KCP will apply for permits. Corti Construction has volunteered to provide building  consultation and guidance. Parent volunteers will help us build. 

NEEDS 

• Volunteer time: If you have skills, talents or plain old interest in building, contact Sherry at kcppresident01@gmail.com 
• Funds: If making a quick online donation is more comfortable, that is great too. Thank you! 

BONUS!!
Donors giving 250+ will have their names permanently placed on the structure. 

Read more about this 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 10 guest home in The Lookout in Lake Chelan. Owned by Teacher Doreen.

Hosted by a KCP Teacher, this is almost like a bonus day of preschool and is the BEST PLAYDATE EVER!

Need a story time book refresh? Third place prize is a KCP book bag filled with the teachers' favorite books. This will keep your little one busy for hours and hopefully become some of your family reading favorites too!

NEED MORE INFO?

• How to participate
• Try-Athlon ideas

Donors giving 250+ will have their names permanently placed on the structure. ​

Walking
A Change of Pace - go to local park and walk a new path:

• Labyrinth at Rosehill Meadows Park
• Acupressure foot trail at 132nd Square Park

Mini 'Hikes' - here are some local parks that offer mini hikes:

• Farrell-McWhirter park
• Bridle Trails State park
• OO Denny Park
• Boardwalks at Juanita Bay park
• Big Finn Hill Park
• Edith Moulton Park

Create your own scavenger hunt and go for a walk around the block:

• Nature hunt: bird, tree, white flower, pink flower, worm, puddle, etc.
• Cars & trucks hunt: red car, blue car, black car, garbage truck, school bus, mail truck etc.

Reading 

• Turn out the lights and read by flashlight!
• Make a cup of hot cocoa, put on some pjs or curl up under a blanket and pretend its a snowy day. Pull out some old winter tales
• Read a book and then make a food item or drink described in the story
• Have your child read to you! Give your child a book they have memorized and have them read to you
• Dress up as a favorite character from a book and read in character or act out park of the story
• Read a story about spring or nature then go out for a walk to see if you can see something described in the book

Acts of Kindness
Express gratitude:

• Write a thank you note to a delivery person, mail carrier or grocery store worker
• Make a sign to thank delivery people and hang in the window or door

Make someone's day: 

• Send a 'thinking of you letter' or picture to a friend or loved one
• Help deliver something to someone who is having a hard time getting out or drop off flowers or a picture to cheer them up

Give to someone in need:

• Donate food to a food bank
• Go through your toys or books and donate some you are done with to others in need 

It’s time for our annual walk-a-thon with a twist!
This year rather than a walk-a-thon at Grass Lawn Park we invite you to participate in KCP's Try-Athlon. Join us in a walk-a-thon, read-a-thon, acts of kindness bonanza!

What is it?
During the month of April we encourage you to take 4 walks, read 5 books, and perform 6 acts of kindness. Help support KCP by setting a goal to raise $150. 

How Do I Get Sponsors?
Pledges can be solicited from anyone who cares about ensuring your children have a great place to learn and grow. Try your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. This is a great chance for you to tell them all about your child’s KCP experience. If you have employer matching, we recommend that your employee’s family member be listed as the designated walker / reader so all pledges can be matched. This helps us ensure that we can get the most out of this fundraising activity. If you have questions about employer matching, please feel free to contact me directly. Our tax id is 91-0728533.

Prizes! Top fundraising prizes are:
1 st place – weekend at Teacher Doreen’s vacation home in Lake Chelan!
2 nd place – private playdate at KCP hosted by a teacher
3 rd place – KCP book bag filled with teachers’ favorite books
Bonus!! - Donors giving 250+ will have their names permanently placed on the structure. 

Deadline and Payments
Please turn in your completed pledge sheets and donations by May 1 to your teachers. Send donations via paypal.me/kcppayments. Please include with your donation:

• specify it is for the Try-Athlon
• student name and group number​

We would love to hear from you! KCP's registrar, Dawn, is planning to compile your messages into a 2-3 minute video showcasing what is great about our program. We will share this video on kirklandcoop.com and social media. 

Here are some ideas on how you can participate: 

• send a short video clip showing or telling what you love about your KCP class
• a video clip of you doing your favorite virtual or in person activity 
• a photo of you with a favorite art project
• photo of yourself holding a creative sign showing your top three words describing KCP
• email a few sentences to Dawn at kcpregistrar@gmail.com

​Drop your videos and photos in our Google folder at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VS9OyPA7mzZrjGgipZ2P5S5t8qOVQMlx?usp=sharing

On January 4, registration opens for currently enrolled and alumni families. 
On January 27, remaining spaces will be offered to the general public. 

​To register, go to https://www.jovial.org/kcp/family and log in. Look for the link to the registration form on the right side of the front page (starting January 4).
Send questions to Dawn at kcpregistrar@gmail.com.

It is challenging to predict what September 2021 will look like in regards to COVID safety protocols, meeting at school and/or meeting virtually. We are all hopeful we will be back to "normal" in some way.  We CAN tell you about what our program looks like now and all the fun activities kids are engaging in. 
Virtual Activities Include:

• science experiments
• cooking classes
• yoga and movement
• circle time
• group art lessons
• show and tell
• puppet show
• story time

In Person Outdoor Activities Include:

• circle time
• hands-on activities promoting art as well as fine and gross motor skills
• play on KCP playground, play structures, ride-on toys and bikes
• local hike and park meet-ups

Group Schedules: In a mixture of virtual and in person learning, Group I meets twice a week; Group II meets three times a week; and Group III meets four times a week. Each group meets about 75% of the time virtually with the remainder meet-ups being outdoors in person. (This schedule has flexed somewhat to replace in person learning with virtual classes as needed around the holidays.) 
Safety Protocols:​ During our outdoor in person meetings, KCP teachers will guide parents and children to follow safety protocols such as wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and practicing social distancing. Snacks will not be served. An outdoor hand washing station is available. Indoor bathrooms are available as needed.

Send questions to Dawn at kcpregistrar@gmail.com.

Dear KCP Families,

n light of the recent address by Governor Inslee, KCP Teachers and Board have decided to replace all in-person meetings with virtual activities for the next four weeks. We understand that Governor Inslee did not restrict preschools and private schools from operating. KCP chose this course of action based on record setting COVID numbers, sensitive exposure issues with some of our staff members, and the Governor's restrictions on social interactions/gatherings.

The KCP Board would like to remind families that the frequency that classes meet in person outdoors, largely rests within the comfort level of the teachers. Amy, Doreen, and Kym are deeply committed to KCP as they have been for years. It is with great respect that we continue to check in with them regarding their comfort levels.

In the coming days, you will hear from your Group teacher regarding additional virtual learning opportunities. In the coming weeks, you will hear from the KCP Board and Teachers regarding when and how we will resume in-person outdoor meetings again.

Thank you for sharing in this journey with us. We understand the challenges we are all facing. We believe we will get through this together.

​Sincerely,


The KCP Board & Teachers

ENROLLMENT is OPEN at Kirkland Co-op Preschool. A few spaces remain available for the 2020-2021 school year featuring a hybrid learning model.

KCP offers three classes serving children from 2.5 to 5 years old. Virtual activities will include science experiments, cooking lessons, group art lessons, circle time and more. Outdoor activities such as hiking, circle time and playground time are optional.

If you are looking for parenting support, KCP is the place to find it! Parent education topics include potty training, kindergarten readiness, anxiety in children and talking to your child about racism and sexuality.

​Register at kirklandcoop.com/registration or email kcpregistrar@gmail.com. First day of class is September 14, 2020.