Our diversity is rich and multifaceted. We are ethnically (children, families, and staff) and socio-economically diverse (low-income and middle-income families). We have the privilege and challenge of serving children with a broad range of ability levels (e.g., typically developing, gifted, and children with identified and unidentified severe to moderate special needs). We have one parent, two parents, guardians, and same sex parent families.
We greatly value the importance of relationship in our work with families. Relationships between children, staff, and families are nurtured, establishing a strong sense of community, belonging, and acceptance that are vital to an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth and development. Our staff come from our predominate cultures, so we are culturally competent and speak the languages of children and families. Our programs are designed to support this level of diversity and fulfill our vision that children will find their brilliance through our programs and community.
Our Mission Statement
Tule Elk Park EES provides a high quality early childhood education that values the importance of relationships, diversity, literacy, creativity, high individual expectations, and the natural world so all children will realize their full potential.
“Nature provides time for mistakes to be corrected (by both children and adults), for prejudices to be overcome, and for children to catch their breath and restore their images of themselves, peers, parents, teachers, and the world.”
— Loris Malaguzzi, founder of Reggio Emilia schools.
Tule Elk Vision Statement
At Tule Elk Park, we are dedicated to supporting and expanding the potentials, strengths, and capabilities of ALL members of Tule Elk Park's community; staff, children and families.
We believe that play is essential to children's learning and development. We see play as a critical cornerstone to children's understanding of the world and their development as healthy beings.
We also believe that children learn in relationship with their peers, teachers, families and friends. That is why our curriculum is derived from our observations of children's involvement with others during their school day as well as from the connections children make with their world outside the school, with their families and communities.
We value a collaborative process of learning. We do this through:
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Daily observations of children's experiences
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Dynamic dialogue among all members of the classroom
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Active exploration of ideas and materials
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Creative expressions through the "hundred languages" (words, movement, gestures, writing, drawing, painting, clay, playing and other modes of expression)
Family involvement is also an essential part of our program. Families provide the link to our community. They strengthen the quality of our program. The shared life experiences of our families support the optimal growth of all our children.
We are dedicated to developing and deepening children's connection with the natural world through on-going encounters with our outdoor environment, our Tule Elk Park.
In our daily work and in collaboration with each other, we embrace the joy and passion of our work together.
Who We Are
The Center enrolls 196 pre-kindergarten, transitional kindergarten (TK) and elementary school children in the full-day and after-school program. More than 90% of the children are English Language Learners (ELL) and represent 25 languages and 20 ethnic backgrounds. Approximately 62% are Asian, 7% Latino/Hispanic, 14% other White, 10% other non-White, and 7% African American. Five percent of our students are children with special needs.