Tucked away in a shady spot on South Water Street in Vergennes, a hive of preschool activity buzzes during the school year. At Evergreen Preschool children aged 3-5 arrive at school two or three days per week to have an opportunity to learn and grow with peers in an environment rich with energy and warmth.
The cooperative school’s mission is: To be a progressive leader in Vermont’s early care and education system by nurturing the growth of every child with the fundamental belief that all children succeed when their natural thirst for knowledge and meaning are cultivated through play, and when their role as our community’s youngest citizens is respected and valued.
Our family has been part of the Evergreen community since 2010, and I have had the privilege to serve on the board of directors for the past three years. It has been an honor to help the school continue to flourish. Most recently the board updated the mission and vision of the school, piloted an extended-day option (which has been a success and will be offered in both programs this coming fall), expanded our service area to include children outside the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union district, and continues to make improvements to the indoor and outdoor space.
Most importantly, the entire Evergreen community is always working to nurture the play-based, family-supported school to ensure that the school’s vision comes to fruition: A new generation of compassionate, creative and active learners whose education was planted and nurtured at Evergreen Preschool.
Each year the school holds elections in May for four seats on our eight-member board (two-year terms) and opens up the nominations to the entire community. Anyone may run for a space on the board though we especially encourage those with a background in education (ideally early childhood with an emphasis on play-based learning) and/or experience in nonprofit management or grant writing.
If you have a passion for early childhood education and would consider serving on Evergreen’s board, please contact me at (802) 877-3574. You may also learn more about the school by visiting our website at www.evergreenpreschoolvt.com.
Alexandria McGuire
Vergennes