Alumni (or, where are they now?)

Letter from Natalie's mom

In April 1986, I moved to Santa Barbara to begin anew life. I was newly divorced, the single parent of Natalie, a beautiful and spirited little freckled faced 3 year old. The beauty of Santa Barbara was a bright backdrop to our new life. I cam into town with a good job, and had secured (just barely) a nice, safe place to live.

But a very important piece of the picture was still missing, and that was the Day Care I needed to find for Natalie while I was working to make our new life possible. Miss Smith's Children's Center was the last stop of that long day of searching. We had visited four other programs, and I was feeling very unsure that I would find the place that would bring a smile to my little girl's face. When we drove up to Miss Smith's, I lifted Natalie out of her infant seat and she was off and running to the vast play yard that beckoned her. "Good Sign," I thought. My meeting with Miss Smith confirmed that this was a school with a mission to develop the child, not merely babysit them for the day.

My first parent teacher conference with Pati Woods ("Miss Woodsy") gave me something further to be thankful for. She handled our first meeting in the most intuitive, gentle, and non-judgemental way. She was able to set me at ease to open up about Natalie's family history. I knew that my daughter had a very important ally in this teacher. It was the deep trust that grew between my daughter and Pati Woods that helped a confused pre-schooler feel safe and secure. I do believe that one person can make a difference to the course of another person's life, and this is what I think of when I think of Pati Woods and little 3 year old Natalie.

When Miss Smith closed her program and Miss Woods created "Little Peoples' Prep," there was simply no question in my mind that Natalie would continue with with her until Kindergarten. Even after Natalie started grade K at Mckinley Elementary School, she would climb on a school bus each afternoon that dropped her on the corner of Anapamu and Bath where Pati would meet her with all the other children in the program in tow. What a fun reception that must have been five days a week!

Natalie, now eighteen, and a celebrated alumnae of Little Peoples' Prep, is a sophomore at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York. Throughout the years, Natalie has returned to Little Peoples' Prep during her school vacations to help assist with the Program. She has maintained a special relationship with Pati Woods that has deepened from teacher to auntie. Pati is a treasured member of our family circle.

In the proverbial village that raises the child, Little Peoples' Prep is the most well lit building in the town, inside and out.

Thank you Pati, for Everything.

Letter to Natalie from Pati Woods

You ascended on my classroom at Miss Smith's Children's Center quite the challenging three year old. You enjoyed books, music and movement, and exhibited leadership abilites. However beyond the timeouts, both teacher directed and self-initiated by you, I saw a wonderfully talented little girl. When I read our class stories, you were the first to answer correctly, thought provoking questions. Absolutely nothing wrong with your cognitive ability!

When I met your mom, Alison, this very soft spoken and articulate female, I pondered where the extra energy emanated. With your help, we redirected that extra energy to positive outlets.

When I opened Little Peoples' Prep Early Childhood Program, you and five of your classmates joinedme in a home school enviroment. Books, puzzles, math, science, music, games, and "pure horsing around." Learning can be fun!

I've watched you blossom into a self-determined and highly motivated young lady. Although you shy away from the adulation I deem on you for your role in Drop Zone with Wesley Snipes...you'll always bemy shining star!

I thank you and Alison for allowing me to be part of your life. Continued love and success sweet Natalie.

From your Early Childhood Teacher and Friend, Pati "Ms. Woodsy"