News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Shye Weston, Peggy Houge, Sue Wessel and Bryn Singleton are ready for a new school year.
With new board members and a new, licensed preschool teacher, The Little Cloverdale Preschool is looking forward to a successful school year in September.
Sue Wessel has taken on the role of teacher, after serving for several years on the board of directors. Wessel has a degree in elementary education and is licensed as a preschool teacher.
"When the job became available, I talked to everybody and decided to apply for the job," Wessel said.
The board, including chair-elect Bryn Singleton, treasurer Shye Weston and continuing board member Peggy Houge, are delighted to have her.
"We're just so happy to have Sue, because she's so enthusiastic and she obviously loves the school and the cooperative philosophy," said Singleton.
That philosophy underpins Little Cloverdale's operations. Parents volunteer to work on a regular basis in the classroom. Each parent is encouraged to bring their unique skills and interests to school to aid in the education of the kids.
The Little Cloverdale Preschool is working to adapt to changing conditions as people who have lost jobs go back to school and moms take part-time work to shore up stressed family finances.
They are seeking quality preschool care for extended periods of time, which the school is working toward being able to offer.
"The needs are changing pretty drastically," Wessel said. "So many people are going back to school or going back to work. It (extended service time) is needed."
Currently, the school offers 10 slots for 3-year-old students on Tuesdays and Thurs-days. There are two openings.
There's room for 12 4-year-olds in a Monday-Wednesday-Friday class.
Weston noted that parents can sign up on a waiting list and shouldn't be discouraged if there's no room immediately. That's how her child got into the school.
The Little Cloverdale Preschool will host an open house on August 11, at 6 p.m. to offer prospective school families an opportunity to meet Wessel and learn more about the cooperative model.
The Little Cloverdale Preschool is located at the juncture of George Cyrus Road and Highway 126. For more information visit http://www.littlecloverdale.org or call 541-923-0337.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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