By Carrie Moritz, Garretson Gazette
A new year in preschool doesn’t mean just a new pack of kiddos, but at First Lutheran Church in Valley Springs, it also means a new director and a new teacher.
It’s not unusual to find a preschool program within a church, though Garretson currently does not have one. The First Lutheran program, which has a 2-day a week option and a 3-day a week option, is in a congregation that shares a joint pastor. Pastor Laura Phillips leads not only this congregation, but the Palisades Lutheran congregation as well.
First Lutheran Preschool Academy in Valley Springs got its start about two years ago, when the preschool program director at Brandon Lutheran reached out. While the First Lutheran congregation opted to start their program independently of Brandon Lutheran, they did have three experienced teachers who got the preschool off the ground.
“We were heartbroken to see them go,” said Pastor Laura Phillips. “But we’re in a good spot [right now].” Each teacher left for new teaching opportunities in the Brandon Valley, Baltic, and Southeast Tech schools, which necessitated finding a new director and preschool teacher.
“The curriculum is going to be new, it’s going to be unique and hopefully fun,” said Brittany Moore, who will be teaching.
“I feel like we’re starting a little bit from scratch,” said Pastor Phillips, “with new ideas, but we are looking to grow the program and would love to add afternoon classes.”
A new director, though, means new ideas.
“We’re going to have monthly themes,” said Dalton Schneider, the new director for the preschool program. “This month is jungle theme, so our art and activities will be around that.”
