The kids at EAVP started some seeds indoors in peat pots. The kids were excited to see that the seeds had sprouted. We will plant them outside in our playground garden, which will have flowers and vegetables, too. Pictured here are Griffin and Leo Jones, Scarlett Drewery, Azalea Morgan, Logan Bain, and Zachary Kalinin. Caption and photo: Julie Friedline

Last August, 27 children arrived at our little school on the hill in East Andover. A few knew each other, and a few had attended the preschool the year before, but for the most part, they, and their four teachers, were strangers.

There was excitement, hope, and some fear and anxiety as we were thrown together. Over the following months, we became well acquainted; anxieties waned, friendships formed, and learning, play, and fun ensued. Bonds strengthened, and we became a family.

We learned a lot about each other; who loves penguins, who loves monster trucks, and who likes to sing Katy Perry songs. We watched as children helped and learned from each other, with things like writing letters, zipping coats, or setting up mats at nap time. They learned to negotiate and problem-solve. We watched children’s faces light up with pride when they mastered a new skill or created something amazing.

We went on field trips and welcomed visitors to our classroom. We harvested from our garden in the fall and replanted in the spring. Children collaborated on building projects and art projects, sang songs, and wrote stories about each other. Teachers have watched and assisted children as they’ve grown to become scientists, teachers, chefs, athletes, engineers, gardeners, and naturalists.

We played. We got dirty. We made big messes and worked together to clean them up.

On Wednesday, June 15, we will celebrate these children and all their accomplishments with our End of the Year program and barbecue. We will also say goodbye to 17 of our preschoolers who will be off to kindergarten in the fall. As they move on to the “big school,” we hope they will always remember that at EAVP they were loved and accepted for who they are, and that they will always be a part of our family.

We are currently enrolling for the 2016-17 school year. Please call 735-5105 or e-mail us at EAVP@nulltds.net for more information.