The former Community Club/voting site building in Victory Heights Park has been used as one of North Seattle Community College’s Co-operative Preschools for at least 40 years now. (Nobody is quite sure exactly when it started however, no documentation exists prior to 1982 but Program Coordinator Val Donato says, “I know there was a group there prior to me starting in 1974.”) Though the Community College provides teachers and materials, it is the parents who really run the show and are expected to put in time during classes each day. These parents (one per family) rotate through assigned tasks including playground supervision or providing the daily snacks, plus hold a permanent position throughout the school year such as safety officer, or parent coordinator.
There are four classes available depending on the age of the child: toddlers, Pre-3s, 3-4s, and 4-5s. The older children attend more days a week than toddlers. You don’t have to live in Victory Heights to belong to the Co-op, but registration for newcomers must be done through the Community College (read their webpage for full details on applying). As children age, they automatically can graduate to the next older class. Legacies are available for younger siblings of former students.
In addition to activities, playground time, and readings, the children learn to be with other groups of children on a routine basis, and often will see the same people as they move on to elementary school.
While the Seattle Parks Department maintains the exterior building, the grounds, and playground equipment, the parents refurbish and maintain the interior of the building. They would like to have the jungle gym replaced but Parks says Victory Heights is not on the list. Instead, parents are hoping a fundraising effort might be able to pay for one if possible.
In addition to tuition fees ($70-$180, depending on how many days a week their child’s class meets), parents technically are registered as students at North Seattle, pay a small tuition each quarter and receive credits.
Often, parents stay at the Co-operative and become teachers long after their children have moved on. Karen Truelove (her “house” is now a play area–see photo at top) was a teacher for many decades (with a long waiting list until she retired). Teacher Marianne has also been at Victory Heights for many years and encourages daily playtime outside for the children rain or shine. (By the way, the orange barriers set up when the kids are outside are merely to keep them IN, not the public out. You are free to walk through the park or use the equipment with your kids even when the preschoolers are playing, the Co-op can’t close park.)
Victory Heights is one of over 40 Co-operative Preschools in 13 sites operated by North Seattle Community College, but each one is an autonomous 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The first such Co-op is believed to have been started in the University District after World War II, but Victory Heights is one of the oldest in the area.
According to city records, Victory Heights Park was originally named by the Victory Heights Community Club. The district name originated during WWI. They bought the property and provided volunteer leadership after its development by the W.P.A. But they were unable to pay taxes and it was bought by the city in 1954 (see a pdf document from the city’s Sherwood Historic Files).
Please take a moment to “Like” our Facebook page.
Subscribe to the blog
-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Archives
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- September 2011
- May 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
Categories
Meta
Pingback: Preschool Missing Vacuum Cleaner | Victory Heights Blog
Pingback: Victory Heights Park Playground Needs Your Support | Victory Heights Blog
Pingback: Co-op Preschool Open House Saturday | Victory Heights Blog