New preschool at PV church New preschool at PV church (May 26, 2004)

By Sharon Driscoll
Special to the Almanac

A new preschool is coming to Portola Valley this September with the opening of Carillon Preschool at Christ Church Episcopal.

The preschool's program will be "faith-based" and children will attend chapel once a week with Christ Church's rector, Father Scott Hayashi, said parishioner and parent Donna Howe.

Carillon will replace Trinity Preschool, based at Christ Church but run by Trinity Episcopal Parish in Menlo Park. Trinity Preschool will move to a new facility at Trinity Church.

Parishioners said they wanted a school more involved with the church, said pastoral associate Mary Fleishman. "My dream has always been to have a preschool that serves the families of our community of Portola Valley and Woodside," she said.

Preschool children and families will be invited to participate in church activities, but enrollment is open to people of all faiths, she said. Common core Biblical themes and practical life lessons will be used in teaching, she said.

Rebecca Wheeler, the recently hired director of Carillon Preschool, has 18 years of experience teaching and directing preschools, such as Ventura Kids Corner in Palo Alto.

In addition to art, music, gardening and cooking, children will be introduced to math concepts and pre-reading skills, she said.

The program may include "teeny tennis." Ms. Wheeler has 30 years of experience teaching tennis to children, most recently at Stanford University affiliated programs. She is finishing her master's degree in human performance at San Jose State.

The preschool will use two classrooms and a playground at Christ Church. Ms. Wheeler plans outings to the nearby redwood groves, the library and shops. "This is such an idyllic location for a preschool," she said.

INFORMATION

** An open house for September classes at Carillon Preschool will be held at Christ Church, 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley, on Saturday, June 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

** Preschool classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The cost for the 2004-2005 school year: two half days a week is $3,600; three half days is $4,500; and five half days is $8,100.

The author of this story, Sharon Driscoll, is a member of Christ Church.

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