Stillwater Christian to open preschool program

A long-standing mind-set at Stillwater Christian School is wavering in the face of demand.

For years, Stillwater administrators urged parents, especially mothers, to stay home with their preschool-aged children. The school still advocates that, but now wants to offer a Christian preschool for parents who can't stay home with their young children.

Beginning next fall, Stillwater Christian will provide a preschool program with space for 24 youngsters.

"I think what we would say as a school is a kid being home with their mother is a great opportunity for them. Preschool is not necessarily a better choice," Superintendent Dan Makowski said.

But "there are moms who have to work. There are single moms. There are families who have to have preschool time," he added. "We're not going to make that decision for them or say they shouldn't or can't" send their kids to preschool.

In the past, parents who wanted to enroll their children in preschool went elsewhere when they learned that Stillwater Christian didn't offer classes for pre-kindergarten students.

"So many of our parents were using preschool," Makowski said. "The demand really is what leads to it."

Joni Williams, a longtime educator and current co-owner of Meadowlark Montessori, will head up Stillwater's preschool program.

"It's a great opportunity for myself and for my son to be able to go and get a Christian education. [And] it's a challenge for me to go and open up another" preschool, she said.

Williams worked in the Helena Flats School Montessori program for years. She received training at Woodland Montessori in Kalispell and has owned Meadowlark Montessori, also in Kalispell, for the last two years.

Williams said she will use many of the same hands-on techniques at Stillwater that she has used at Meadowlark Montessori.

"My view on this is having these children come and be learning life skills, like the basics of how to spoon something out of a bowl or how to pour," she said. "We'll really be fine-tuning their fine-muscle control. They'll be learning to be independent."

Williams said she understands the conviction that preschool children should be at home with their parents if possible, but she also believes preschool can be a valuable experience.

"Children, they're like sponges. In their environment, they're just soaking up everything," she said. "What … better place for these kids to be than in an environment where they can grow and just become successful little beings?

"I wish we could all stay home, but many [parents' have to work. For kids to be in an environment where they can love learning I think is great."

On the Web:

www.stillwaterchristianschool.org

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com

Preschool preview

Stillwater Christian is hosting a preschool preview at 7 p.m. Thursday for those who want to learn more about the new program. For further information, call the school at 752-4400.