Story shared by parent, Ashley Pederson
To Whom It May Concern,
I’m writing this letter in appreciation of the Strong Start program, Get Ready for School. My daughter, Grace Pederson, participated in this program for the past 6 months at the Kinbridge location above Duncan Macintosh Arena in Cambridge and we could not be more thrilled with the program itself, as well as the staff who ran it.
Our family is fortunate to not have to enroll our children in daycare as our schedules allow us to always have someone home with them. As a child, I remember participating in “preschool” structured programs, but now as an adult, I found it extremely difficult to find a similar program that suited our family. Most programs are full-day, daycare and that was not something that appealed to us for our 3 year old daughter. I had heard amazing things about your program and was very excited about the opportunity it would bring for her to be in a structured educational program that did not require her to be away from us for an entire day.
The staff, Michelle (Lead Instructor), Ayan, Naheeda, and Faaiza were absolutely wonderful!! Grace adores these women which is a true testament to the energy and dedication they have provided to this program. She loves to tell me all about her teachers and about all the fun things that they have done in class. They have taught her how to follow instructions and to listen to authority. They have taught her so much on an educational level, but also on a social and personal level. The success of programs like this truly rely on the individuals delivering the curriculum and these women have done a wonderful job reinforcing the values “Getting Ready for School” stand for.
Without a doubt, this program has provided Grace with the fundamentals to be successful next year when she enters Junior Kindergarten. I am extremely grateful that this opportunity is available for our community. I, myself, am a teacher and truly see the value this brings. Thank you so very much for allowing my daughter the opportunity to learn and grow over the past 6 months. The progress that these young children have accomplished throughout the duration of this program is easily noticeable from a parent’s perspective, and I hope that this opportunity continues to be available in the future.
To Michelle, Ayan, Naheeda, and Faaiza – THANK YOU – you women are wonderful and truly made an impact on these children. To the funders, whom without this program would not exist – THANK YOU – the future is bright with individuals like you who see the value in growth and development within education.
