Sand Castle Preschool, The

Two years ago, we entrusted our only child Lilly in the hands of the teachers and staff at the newly built Sand Castle Preschool. It was her first school experience and a tearful one for the first couple of weeks. Slowly our cautious and careful child developed a love for school through an amazing group of teachers and staff (Miss Jana, Miss M., Miss Annette, Miss Jackie, Miss Aline, Mr. Rolandas) who nurtured her curiosity and helped her find safety in the world away from us at home. You were keen to observe that Lilly needed extra attention and care from Miss Jana and to remain in Red Class for a second year. You also spent a great number of days each week, one-on-one with Lilly, layering the foundation of academics. There was a poignant moment pivotal to my understanding of your role, not as a Director, but as a teacher to an impressionable young child. It was when Lilly's friend Alexandria discovered a cardigan and asked aloud, "whose is this?" Most would hastily respond to her question as trivial. But you instead inspected carefully at the cardigan to find a name and when you didn't find a name, you tried to see where it came from, and once you figured out the owner of the cardigan, you looked at her in the eyes and told her a name. You addressed her with such care and respect that I can only imagine the love you have for every student at your school. I see how much you believe in each one of them to go far and shine and you want to give them a hand to reach it. Knowing your absolute care for our future generation, I want to share a couple of books utilized by teachers nationwide and currently implemented at a local La Canada private school. At that school, these books are shared with parents in a round table discussion. "Quiet" and "Quiet Power" by Susan Cain along with an online teacher's guide are u????ed as a resource to address a population of students who are neglected in the classroom, in a world that caters to an extrovert ideal. I share with you as an introvert and a mother of an introvert, who is often challenged in a classroom where extroverts who easily answer questions aloud are often seen as smarter or as leaders. Your awareness of each child's strengths and weaknesses is exemplary and I would like to see continued growth and progress at this school that focuses on independent learning capabilities. With gratitude, we bid you farewell now that Lilly will be attending Kindergarten at La Canada public school this Fall. Thank you for your guidance, love, and care for Lilly. We will always remember you and your school fondly. We wish you and your school many more years of success and growth.