New Preschool Sites - Write to the Rec & Park Commissioners!

New Preschool Sites - Write to the Rec & Park Commissioners! 05/17/2010

We are in the final stages of securing our new sites at Laurel Hill Playground and Cow Hollow Playground. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has been very supportive of our outreach to convert these underutilized facilities into safe, fun learning centers for preschool age children.
Perhaps the most significant challenge for preschools in San Francisco is securing facilities that comply with state requirements for childcare facilities. While we have found many suitable sites for classroom space, the single greatest hurdle is a requirement for conforming outdoor space. These new sites are special among preschools in the city for their expansive access to outdoor space.
The final stage of the lease approval process is a hearing before the Parks Commissioners on June 17, 2010. We would greatly appreciate attendance at that hearing, or written letters of support for approval of these leases. You may write directly to the Parks Commissioners, or if you want to take immediate action, simply comment by clicking the "Comments" link at the top of this entry, including your full name and address. We will submit comments in support of our lease to the Commissioners on June 17.

Comments

Juan-Antonio Carballo

05/17/2010 6:46pm

Dear Commissioner,

Language in Action (LIA) is a breadth of fresh air and a will be a key component of diverse and multicultural pre-school education in San Francisco. Such characteristics are a must for us in our child's upbringin, and we feel there are not even close to enough choices here of any quality. We definitely plan to have our daughter be educated at LIA and really look forward to this wonderful location being approved for its lease. If you would like to discuss further, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Jane Ibrahim Gaito

06/03/2010 12:10am

Language in Action is such a wonderful and important program. It makes language immersion and multicultural education accessible to San Francisco families. Learning Spanish and Mandarin in preschool could not possibly be more timely. Language in Action is a unique program with a model that truly works, laying the foundation for the mastery of these languages. This is a critically important program to families who wish to be part of a preschool that reflects the cultural diversity of San Francisco and goes beyond the traditional preschool curriculum.

Kimberly Branagh

06/14/2010 1:30pm

Our family has been a part of the Language in Action program for over 6 years (one of the first families i believe). This program has been a huge part of both my children's lives and i couldn't see a better location than the Laurel Hill park and rec area for them to grow and develop this dynamic learning oppportunity. For a City that is has such a large Hispanic community, a program like this fills a desperate need for Spanish language and culture learning. We whole heartedly support their move and think it would be a great addition to the neighborhood. We live in Laurel Village and we would welcome their program to the community.

Jessica Mendels, MFT

06/14/2010 2:12pm

Dear Commissioner,
What better use of the buildings at the Laurel Hill and Cow Hollow playgrounds than the Language in Action preschools? They seem to me ideally suited for these locations. These programs are run by a fantastic team and provide a much-needed option for San Francisco parents. As a San Francisco parent and professional, I hope these leases will be approved.
Sincerely,
Jessica Mendels, Marriage and Family Therapist

Dina Wong To

06/14/2010 3:49pm

Dear Park Commissioners,

I am writing you to support the lease approval for Language in Action, a cultural program and preschool founded on a language immersion model for the Spanish and Mandarin languages.

Language in Action is one of the very few programs that offer language immersion based on a play-based model for young children. Its recent transition from a program to a preschool is testament to its success and it already has full enrollment for both the Mandarin and Spanish fall preschool programs, unlike many preschools in the cities that have been in existence for many years.

The program is respectful of its children, its teachers, and its neighbors and to me, has always been a welcome addition the neighborhood. As a former resident of Cow Hollow (near Cow Hollow Playground) and a current resident of Jordan Park (near Laurel Hill Playground), it has been with dismay that I've watched these facilities go unused as budget cuts have affected these recreational facilities. I can think of few better ways to ensure that these playgrounds will continue to prosper than to bring funds in by renting the facilities to responsible tenants such as Language in Action.

Sincerely,

Dina Wong To

Ann Donlon

06/14/2010 4:06pm

LIA is an important part of the community. It teaches tolerance, acceptance and appropriate social skills to our children. Such programs are rare and unique and the families that live near the schools are lucky to have such a facility in their area. They keep the park a safe place and it is good for SF overall.

John Jensen

06/14/2010 6:10pm

Dear Commissioner,

Language in Action is the best language arts program in the San Francisco market for children. The City and County of San Francisco is fortunate to have this amazing program interested in leasing its under-utilized facilities. Please approve this opportunity for San Francisco families. We live in the Laurel Village neighborhood of the City and look forward to welcoming Language in Action to our community.

Brandon Bastunas

06/14/2010 7:49pm

Dear Commissioner-

I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you about Language in Action. I've lived in San Francisco for fifteen years and am a native Californian. I have never seen the City or State in such dire financial straights. Unfortunately, the City can no longer afford to have various rec centers remain open, as they currently are. However, that does not mean they have to be shuttered and dormant. Because of LIA and other programs like it, rec centers will remain facilities of learning and growth for San Francisco youth, without hurting our local economy. Furthermore, it is refreshing to see the City work with educators trying to make San Francisco more hospitable for families. I've had more than five different family friends move out of San Francisco because getting their child into a pre-school was just too difficult. LIA and schools like it alleviate that pressure while teaching a bi-lingual and diverse education for San Francisco children.

Bob Scavullo

06/14/2010 8:47pm

I'm on the faculty at St Ignatius College Prep. Also, I am the father of two grown sons and grandfather of a 2.5 year old girl.

My sons started learning Spanish when they were toddlers. In their cases it was our Spanish speaking nanny / house-keeper who insisted on conversing with them in Spanish. The boys then went off to pre-school where they spoke only English. What a waste! At an age when their brains were most receptive to learning several languages, most of their interactions at school and at home were only in English. Thank God for our nanny / housekeeper who continued to insist that they converse with her in Spanish.

Now, our 2.5 year-old grand-daughter who lives with her mother and father in the Presidio is getting ready for pre-school. Like her father she has had the benefit of a Spanish speaking nanny who insists on conversing with her in Spanish. It will be great if she can enroll in Language in Action and continue developing fluency in both English and Spanish.

I urge you to approve the leases of the Laurel Hill Playground and Cow Hollow Playground sites to Language in Action. Who knows. Perhaps my grand-daughter will then be able to teach me to speak Spanish.

Peace,

Bob Scavullo

Clarice Annegers

06/14/2010 8:55pm

Dear Commissioner,
My daughter has attended Language in Action for over a year and it is a well run school that is very respectful of its place in the community.

Anthony Grumbach

06/14/2010 9:27pm

Dear Commissioners,

Please approve the proposal to lease the Laurel Hill and Cow Hollow Playground clubhouses to Language in Action. Ms. Donahue and her team will make good use of these facilities, which will enrich our multilingual and multicultural city.

katie morford

06/14/2010 10:35pm

Language in Action is a wonderful program for the children of San Francisco. Its founder, Amory Donahue, is a caring, civic-minded, conscientious individual who seems to me just the sort of person The City of San Francisco would want utilizing its facilities.

Kate Poole

06/15/2010 11:33am

Dear Commissioners,

I write to urge you to grant a lease for use of the Laurel Hill and Cow Hollow Playground clubhouses to Language in Action. Providing a safe, educational, and inspirational place for our young children to grow and learn is the goal of both Park and Rec and Language in Action. As the parent of two young children who makes frequent use of City Park and Rec facilities, this proposed use seems an ideal fit.

Sincerely,
Katherine Poole

Michell Kawaja

06/15/2010 12:28pm

I live down the street from Laurel Hill playground and my goodness does that park/area need some TLC. What better business to take over than a well run, successful preschool such as Hola Kids. I could not have been be more ecstatic when I heard their proposal to better the playground and its neglected building. Our neighborhood will only benefit from their occupancy.

Jay Banfield

06/15/2010 2:32pm

Dear Commissioners,

I strongly encourage you to approve the proposed lease of the Laurel Hill and Cow Hollow Playground clubhouses to Language in Action. As former Director and current board member of the San Francisco Parks Trust, I know that this is exactly the type of public/private partnership that the City should seek. The proposed lease will bring tremendous programming to spaces that are currently underutilized. Fully activating these spaces will enhance our neighborhoods and communities. As a homeowner in Laurel Heights, I hope to welcome Language in Action into our community.

Vicki Penny

06/15/2010 2:36pm

Dear Commissioners,

Please approve the leases of the Laurel Hill and Cow Hollow Playground clubhouses to Language in Action. The opportunity for families to enroll their children in a multilingual pre-school that teaches our children to be better and more understanding community members is an opportunity that belongs in a multicultural city like San Francisco. I cant think of a better way to use the clubhouses than to fill them with young children learning and playing. Ms. Donohue and her caring staff of teachers are the perfect group to make those clubhouses come alive. Thank you.

Yvonne G. Neira-Perez

06/15/2010 3:49pm

Dear Commissioner,

Language In Action offers a much needed language program. The staff, teachers, and curriculum are not only outstading, but also effective. For the past three years my daughters have attended Language in Action and are fully bilingual. I credit much of their kept language skills to Language In Action. Please approve their lease as this school offers a unique blend of oustanding education, loving and well prepared teachers, and excellent language skills. Language In Action is an asset to San Francisco!

Ester Azucena

06/15/2010 6:50pm

As a former teacher of LIA, I can speak to the passion that the teachers share for children to learn of our culture and language. LIA strives on teaching children in a safe, nurturing and fun enviorment, it always amazes me at how quickly young children can absorb a language and living in one of the most diversed cities in the U.S, it is wonderful to find a program like LIA.
I can also share of the benefits these children will receive as a result of learning a second language at an early age. I was fortunate enough to learn a second language at a very young age and as a result I speak two languages fluently and have had so many opportunities as a result.
What a gift these parents are giving their children, giving them the opportunity to learn another language.
I hope you take this into consideration and approve LIA's proposal.

Janey McWhorter

06/15/2010 8:08pm

Dear Park Commissioners,

I am writing in support of Language in Action’s (LIA) proposed preschool school lease of the Laurel Hills Playground Recreation Center. LIA meets a crucial need within the immediate community for a Spanish language immersion preschool. Currently, there are less a handful of Spanish immersion preschools in San Francisco. Through the strong programming and exposure to Hispanic culture, LIA preschoolers will become more culturally aware and socially aware citizens. Additionally, the proposed preschool use of the currently underutilized Recreation Center will enhance the Laurel Hills Playground through beautification of the recreation center and thoughtful stewardship of the park facilities by the LIA staff and parent community. Furthermore, having regular preschool programming and consistent use of the Recreation Center will help ensure a safe environment for all park and playground visitors.

I urge you to please support Language in Action’s plan to lease the Laurel Hills Playground Recreation Center. LIA is truly a wonderful asset and enhancement to the community.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration,

Janey McWhorter

Brendan Burns

06/16/2010 6:22am

Dear Commissioner,
When my wife and I first heard of the program we were extremely excited about giving our daughter the opportunity to gain an exceptional education in a language immersion program. My daughter is currently enrolled in Language in Action starting this fall. It is so refreshing to see the city of San Francisco and Language in Action working together in a mutually beneficial fashion to provide a safe setting for our children to learn.
The concept should be used as a model for others to follow.

Sincerely,

Brendan Burns

Stephanie Reynaga

06/16/2010 10:56am

I currently reside on Filbert Street, within one block of the Cow Hollow Playground. My family and I are thrilled that Language In Action has chosen The Cow Hollow Playground and rec facility for their NiHao Kids program. We welcome this program/school to our community!!

Stella Parker

06/16/2010 11:01am

Hi, My name is Stella, and I am four years old. I have been attending NiHao Kids for two years. I can walk to school and Cow Hollow Playground from my house. I am happy it is so close by. I love my teacher.

Olivia Gardner

06/16/2010 11:03am

I am Olivia, and I am two years old.
I will be starting Language In Action program this Summer. I live in Cow Hollow with my mom and dad. My parents are thrilled to have a neighborhood school and playground in Cow Hollow. My mom says that this will be good for the community.

Mark Andress

06/16/2010 3:22pm

We searched high and low for a preschool in San Francisco that teaches children in Spanish. Language in Action was the only one we found. As bilingual parents, we recognize the importance of giving our daughter the chance to learn another language and feel privileged that she will have the opportunity of attending Language in Action.

Please approve the lease for the Laurel Hill Playground and Cow Hollow Playground. This will be a wonderful opportunity to enrich the lives of San Francisco’s children.

Valerie & Jason Saroyan

06/16/2010 3:42pm

Dear Commissioner,

We are newcomers to Language in Action and are thrilled to have discovered such an enriching program for our son. He has begun speaking spanish at home but needs other outside sources of positive reinforcement, to develop his communication skills, while engaged in age appropriate activities.
Language in Action provides a multicultural- bi-lingual learning environment for children that is indicative of the bay area as a whole. The evolution of this unique program will set a precedent that will hopefully be followed by other programs in the future and will diversify the options for pre-school aged learning.
We could not think of a better way to both enrich the community and revive the underused park facilities.
Sincerely,
Valerie and Jason Saroyan

Danielle Cole

06/16/2010 7:34pm

Dear Commissioner,

Our son has participated in the Language in Action programs for nearly two years and will be enrolling in preschool in the Fall. We have gotten to know the staff at Language in Action well. They are always caring and considerate toward our children and the neighborhood. You could not ask for a better team to responsibility a park facility and work in cooperation with the public at the shared outdoor area.

Sincerely,
Danielle and David Cole

Michelle K

06/16/2010 10:12pm

Dear Commissioner -

My son started attending LIA in February and quickly adjusted to his first school experience due to the amazing teachers and engaging program. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to expose my son to another language and was thrilled to hear that LIA received their preschool license. This program is an asset to the community and couldn't think of a better way to utilize the Laurel Hill Playground.

Connie Chieng

06/16/2010 10:34pm

My son is currently a student at Language in Action and has benefited immensely from the immersion program. As a resident of San Francisco for almost 10 years and as a mom of 2 young children I have seen how the budget cuts have impacted the local parks and programs. The proposed partnership between the city and LIA to utilize the space at Cow Hollow & Laurel Heights will be beneficial to the city, LIA, but most importantly San Francisco families. Please approve these leases.

Kathleen Valdez

06/16/2010 10:43pm

Dear Commissioners,
As a Montessori Preschool teacher in San Francisco, I can attest to the importance and value of an enriching early childhood program. Language in Action is such a program. They are dedicated to creating a learning environment that supports growth and development in cultural and social awareness among preschool aged children. This not only enhances the lives of the attending children, but the communities as well.
I encourage you to accept the proposed leasing of San Francisco's Laurel Hills and Cow Hollow playground sites.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Valdez

Bliss Tobin

06/16/2010 11:15pm

Dear Commissioners,
I urge you to approve the leases for the Language in Action program. While the program is private, it has a recognized reputation for building partnerships within the community. The program provides an essential multi-lingual and multi-cultural education to families in the city. It would be a waste of resources to deny the lease to a program for the education of young children, with the possible alternative that the spaces will not be used at all. Thank you for considering this important matter.

Sincerely,
Bliss Tobin

Edward & Christine Palen

06/17/2010 12:37am

Language in Action has been a wonderful, professional and caring center for our 2+ year old. We have been enrolling him for over a year and continue to be HIGHLY impressed with the quality of the teaching and the way they communicate to the parents and the community at large.

These SF Rec Center buildings would be greatly enhanced by Language in Action. The community couldn't be better served by a better tenant who exudes multi-cultural values and educational richness.

We look forward to all our preschool years at Language in Action. Please approve their leases. Thank you!

Polly Layer

06/17/2010 12:43am

Language in Action is a gift to my grandson and a gift to the community. This is a wonderful incoming preschool that will make these SF playgrounds shine.

As a 50plus year San Francisco resident, I believe that this is a great enhancement opportunity for the city of San Francisco.

kimberly burns

06/17/2010 10:10pm

It is unfortunate that our city is in such financial straits, but fortunate for us that a program like Language in Action can come in and help. Yes the cow hollow rec center will not be available for public use-but it probably wouldn't be available to anyone if it is not leased to LIA.
I am excited to have a language immersion preschool to send my daughter to come September-and what a perfect location in the Cow Hollow playground. I am also happy to know that LIA will be helping the city of San Francisco resolve some of its finacial burdens by educating its young childeren. I hope you agree and support the leases for the Language in Action Preschools.
Thank you for your time and attention-Kimberly Burns

Michelle B. McIlwain

07/11/2010 4:00am

As a new resident of San Francisco (only 2 years), Language in Action has been a treasure for my family. My daughter Gabrielle is only 2.9 years and has learned a tremendous amount of Mandarin in just a few months. She adores her teacher and the center so much (and so do we) that we drive from SOMA. Please approve the leases for the LIA Preschools. Our city could indeed use the money, and SF children could indeed benefit from another immersion preschool.

Thank you,

Michelle and Gabrielle McIlwain

Gretchen Lan link

07/11/2010 6:27pm

Our daughter has been attending Language In Action (LIA) for over a year now. We are so grateful for the opportunity for her to learn Mandarin and embrace her Chinese heritage. The teachers at LIA are wonderful and they make my daughter feel so comfortable. She loves going to school. She has learned so much over the last year. We would hate for her to lose such a special opportunity. The ability to use these spaces for children to learn an additional language is a great usage and would supply the city with much needed funds.

We are looking forward to our daughter continuing her education in the Cow Hollow Playground building in the Fall.

Thank you,

Gretchen and Michael Lan

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