2012 Annual Campaign Letter

December, 2011

Dear Friend of the Community School,

Last year I wrote this letter asking for your support in what was the most trying year in the Community School’s history.  But, with your support, the support of our staff and Board, and the families we serve, the Community School survived.   This year we have, I believe, turned a corner.  With your support, we will keep be able to sustain our momentum and build on it.

Last year, we had to restructure the school’s program, and became a four-day, school year program with one classroom.   This year, we reinstituted our summer program.   This year, we have begun offering the “Lunch Bunch,” extended care for families that desire or need it and a first step toward re-establishing our full-day program.   And, this year, once again, the Community School boasts two classrooms.

We have done this while staying focused on what matters the most to us as a community.   Our teachers are experienced and committed, the environment is warm and nurturing, the tuition affordable--the most affordable in the area, I would contend.  We have maintained our National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation.   At the same time, we have kept our classes small; our curriculum child-centered.  The results, we feel, continue to speak for themselves:  confident and independent children who are ready for kindergarten.

In addition to our core mission (caring for and educating the children in our community), in the last year we have searched for more ways to interact with the Maynard community and offer our resources.   If you visit our (new!) website, you will notice that the Maynard Boy Scouts partnered with us to redesign, rebuild, and rejuvenate our playground.  You’ll see that we reach out via Facebook as well, and offer on-line resources to parents.  Last year, we also began a series of Community Conversations in which Board member and early childhood development expert Wendy Valentine led free discussions for any parent in the Maynard community.

Despite these continued challenging economic times, the Community School is the vibrant, dynamic place you have come to know.  But it is the support of donors like you who make our work possible.   Our mission is to provide all families an early childhood education experience but with financial assistance from the government greatly diminished, it takes a strong commitment from the entire Community School family.  With your help, we will continue to keep tuition affordable, and offer tutition assistance and scholarships to those who need them. Please consider making a donation, no matter how small.  While a donation form is enclosed, please note that you can also make donations on-line via Pay-Pal at our website.

On behalf of The Community School’s board of directors, teachers, and staff, and especially the children and families we continue to serve, I thank you for your support and wish you a joyous holiday season with peace and good health in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Jon Lenicheck
Co-president, Board of Directors