History of the Preschool:
Our preschool was part of the vision of more than a few members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 2001. After some informal discussions the visionaries realized there may be significance to their ideas and a feasibility committee was formed. Five people were part of this ground breaking committee to study the real possibility of having a preschool on site at our church. On the day we went to ask our church's properties committee permission for space to begin a preschool, was also the day the visionaries of Mount Rainier Lutheran High School asked for space to begin the high school on our church property. God was at work for both schools! By allowing the high school to use the space first, necessary changes to the main room were funded and made by the high school, for which we are very grateful.
The three years gave us time to prepare for the preschool. We began with fundraisers and a long wish list of items to fill the classrooms. God's timing is perfect! At the beginning of September, 2005, we opened our doors to students for the first time. On September 11, 2005, we dedicated the preschool to our Lord and Savior with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Our first year, we offered one class for three year olds on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We had six students and felt blessed to have them!
In our fourth year, we offered a three day program to older three year olds and young fours; still focusing on young students to compliment our neighbors (Concordia Lutheran School) pre-kindergarten program. The year went well and we considered the two classes we offered a success. During our fifth year we were able to split our one class completely as we grew from eight students in September to seventeen students in February and offer a Monday, Wednesday, Friday program for older threes and young fours and a Tuesday and Thursday class for three year olds. Feeling that God is with us at this preschool, we are now offering both classes at separate times for the school year.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
