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History Background
In ministry for 8 years, New Hope Early Childhood Center began with a room. The room was built out of a sense of calling toward making deeper connections with our community. Families with children of preschool age in the neighborhood seemed to be an opportunity for the church's early childhood center. Their first teacher/director, Denise Pacilli arrived in late summer and by early fall the first class was up and running! Denise moved to Sunbeam Lutheran School in Kent, WA, full time and Joan Smith began leadership and teaching. Along with this transition, came a new aide, Anna Richarte and her bilingual (Spanish/English) skills. Joan had recently completed an AA with focus on Early Childhood education and began teaching as a 2nd career.
From the start, the School has been financially self-supporting. Grants, fundraisers (with matching Thrivent funds!), as well as tuition have been the sources.
Where we are
New Hope is in the heart of the transitioning Puget Sound basin between Seattle and Tacoma. South of Auburn, east of Federal Way and north of Sumner are the directions that are most often helpful for people who know the area but have never heard of Pacific. We are located in a quiet residential community, across from a large Park that offers flood control for the White River. Around us rumble the trains that move product from port to inland sites. Up the river returning salmon bring re-emergent bald eagles. At one time the railroads and then Boeing were major local employers. Now more of a bedroom community, Pacific, Algona and south Auburn are primarily blue-colar working towns hard hit by the current economy. The cities are made up of many not-to-well connected communities. A high number of new immigrant populations (Mexico/Central & South America and Eastern Europe primarily) find this an affordable place to live. Older populations continue to make their homes where they raised their children.
All of this is at 603 3rd Avenue Southeast, Pacific, Washington 98047. Used to be the end of the road and the edge of the neighborhood dump! Before that, it was the ground over which the White, Green and Stuck Rivers would flood with the spring and fall rains.
What we are doing?
Mixed age classes for students 3-5 years of age meet three mornings each week. Enrichment class for Kindergarten bound students one morning a week. Occasional bonus events for parents and families - reading nights and other fun events.
In a formal partnership with the local school district, our staff is trained and encouraged in early literacy efforts. The informal partnership with Sunbeams school in Kent, Washington continues through Teacher Field Trips, mentoring, resource sharing and encouragement.
With a strong emphasis on the Project Construct model, the calendar is set around key theme units through the year. A Book of the Day and Week with activities and explorations growing from them connect literacy and action. Bible stories for our Jesus time are chosen to connect with the themes of each week. The goal is to offer supporting Center activities that make links with these stories as well.
With our location, we are able to go on regular explorations- taking walks through the local area. A walk to the river to see the Fall salmon run includes the bonus of fall leaves. At the edges of the playground, gardeners at the Community Pea Patch garden are hard at work through Spring and Fall sessions. Walks and visits with these neighbors bring fresh veggies and vivid images of the link between ground to table.
We often make a mess! Christmas saw bales of straw in the play area and in the church. Pictures, creations, murals and more often fill the church entry. We don't have much room to display in the room so they wander out for all to see.
Our current working dream is the planting of a native plant learning area. In a fenced addition to our current outdoor space, we are working to add local native trees, shrubs and maybe a wetland. In experiencing the partnership and pieces in creation, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the wonder of God's daily care for us.
Mission in the community
Partnership is the key phrase to understand much of the mission connection of New Hope and the Preschool. While numerically small, working together with others magnifies the sum-total of our efforts.
The preschool is mission in our community. The large majority of our students come from families who are not members of our congregation. The school works hard to maintain an active "Tuition Assistance" fund to hlep families facing difficult financial times. For many of our students, English is the second language they are learning. The multi-cultural/ethnic makeup of the classroom reflects that of our community.
In partnership with the Algona/Pacific Food Pantry, the results of the Christmas Baby Food drive are hand carried up the steps to the Pantry located just upstairs from the Preschool. Preschoolers get a glimpse, and often lend a hand, in serving over 125 families each week, in partnership with local stores such as Fodd LifeLine and Northwest Harvest. In partnership with Sunbeams Lutheran School over 350 winter mittens are gathered for sharing at the Christmas Toy Day. Also at the Christmas Toy Day parents, referred from the community, get to shop for a gift, a book, warm winter wear for each of their children.
 
 
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