September 30, 2019
I’m a stickler for language (not exactly a news alert). At the Y, we believe that what we call our work and our programs is very important and needs to be highly descriptive of what our programming is all about. For example, too many Ys talk about their “child care” programs, which is baffling to me. Why is that? It’s because the term “child care” is an old-school term that implies a low bar for success: simply taking care of kids and making sure they don’t get hurt. Well, at the Y in Central Maryland, that low bar is more than met, but our work with children is much more intentional and robust in its purpose and outcomes.
A recent letter written to Tracie Lefevre, our Vice President of Youth Development for Early Childhood, is as effective a description of what our early childhood work with over 2,500 children around the region (in preschool and Head Start) as I’ve come across. It reads like a page from our strategic plan but it is in fact the testimony of a plugged in, focused parent who understands and appreciates the true value of the high quality Y early childhood experience her children are receiving. Take a look.
Dear Ms Lefevre,
I am writing to let you know how very pleased we are with Towson Y preschool. The early childhood education program has helped my son and daughter with a great start with their early education. We want to sincerely commend Ms. Theruni, Ms. Sandi, Ms. Brenda, Chondra, Ms. Jasmine, Ms. Melanie and Francine for running an effective operation as well as their hard work, commitment and dedication. We appreciate them all.
My son, age 5, started Towson Y preschool when he was two. He has entered into kindergarten this fall demonstrating success in his learning, reading, writing and his love of creating and building. His cognition, motor and social skills are impressive. We want to compliment Ms. Theruni, Ms. Sandi, Ms. Donyell and Chondra for making a difference in my children’s early childhood learning. These teachers are all uniquely gifted and have the skill set to teach and help the little ones learn and grow the way they should go. Both my children enjoy exploring and learning. The hard work from these teachers has prepared and given my children the leg up to move forward in advancing in their learning/education.
Thank you for all your efforts, and those of your team keeping the Y Towson Preschool a success model for early childhood development/education.
Sincerely,
Y Preschool Parent
One of our core youth development strategies is to positively impact well-being, stronger family engagement and more effective whole child development. While this preschool parent may not have known that explicitly, she clearly has experienced it, which is far more gratifying and important.
Congratulations to Y preschool teachers Theruni Bandara, Donyell Walton, Jasmine Blackshire, Brenda Jefferson, Sandi McCormick and Chandra Ranaweera (pictured here) and to our entire early childhood team who are, as said, "doing the hard work which has prepared and given children the leg up to move forward in advancing in their learning/education."
Thank you all. I appreciate you and all you do to serve children and families in such an intentional and impressive manner.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland