April 10, 2008

A Letter from Education Soaring Founder and Director, Kristine Fosback

For the last six months, I have explored every potential facility in west Portland in hopes of being able to offer at least one week of the three-week 2008 Summer Program on the west side of the Willamette River, a more convenient location for many of our families. I've conferred with personnel in public and private schools, colleges and universities, community centers, commercial building owners, and event space providers. Among available sites, each in some way either compromised student safety, limited the scope of our classes, restricted the age of our participants, or diminished the integrity of the program.

When all things are considered, the safety and interests of the students we serve must come above all else. It is possible to compromise on transportation issues, convenience for staff and, in fact, everything EXCEPT the program.

Even with the inconvenience of not being centrally located, Davis School has shown itself to be the best location for all three weeks of the 2008 Summer Program. Classrooms, computers, the Internet, securely fenced outdoor gardens, a large Common Area, centrally located restrooms, air conditioning and a willing principal are just a few of the components that make Davis School the best choice for the program this year. Reynolds School District administrators are to be commended for their vision and support of an academic program that provides "capable, motivated" children with opportunities to learn in a safe, vibrant and appropriately leveled academic environment. And this year, Education Soaring spreads its wings beyond the Pacific Northwest as it also welcomes students from California, Wyoming and Florida.

My desire to locate a comparable and willing facility in west Portland remains constant. If you feel that you might be helpful in this area, please don't hesitate to contact me. Despite the disappointment this year, I remain hopeful for the future.

I realize that the Davis School location may preclude some students from attending the Summer Program from July 7-11. If there is anything I can do to help ease the transportation hardship in addition to providing carpool connections, please let me know. Every child is important to me. I truly look forward to "moving every child ahead" each summer and am saddened by the possibility that any child might not be able to participate in our program due to circumstances beyond his or her control.

Thank you for understanding.

Kristine L. Fosback, Education Soaring Founder and Director
kfosback@educationsoaring.com