Early Childhood Education Initiative ECEI

01/16/2024

Martin Luther King Jr. made such a tremendous impact on our present society, especially regarding education. In honor of King's relentless efforts and sacrifice to uphold the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in education, ECEI hopes to move toward King's vision of a more equitable world by providing access to high quality early childhood education for ALL children and families on Orcas Island who need it, no matter their economic status or ability level!

To learn more about ECEI and the amazing work that we and our three state-licensed preschool partners have accomplished over the past decade (James Patrick Connell, Kaleidoscope Preschool and Childcare Center, Orcas Island Children's House, Orcas Montessori School), please check out our recently published article in the Sounder and Orcasonian!

Sounder: https://www.islandssounder.com/opinion/early-childhood-education-on-orcas-island-the-work-of-the-early-childhood-education-initiative/

Orcasonian: https://theorcasonian.com/early-childhood-education-on-orcas-work-and-results-of-early-childhood-education-initiative/

Donate: https://www.orcasece.com/donate-index-impact

11/06/2023

ECEI would like to thank United Way of San Juan County for their help in supporting Orcas Island preschoolers in 2023. With the funds awarded by UWSJC, we have been able to provide more hours of high quality early childhood education for the students who need it most! Thank you so much!

05/22/2023

Thanks to everyone who supported ECEI during the Give Orcas campaign this Spring. Your donations helped us to meet our $25,000 goal, and even to raise an extra $1000 on Unique Donor Day. To put this win into perspective, roughly 1/15 Orcas Island households donated to ECEI this year. I'm truly inspired by our community's generosity.

While we still have a lot of work to do, such as raising $750,000 for ECEI's Sustainability Initiative, this accomplishment is worth celebrating!

05/09/2023

ECEI will be hosting a raffle to raise money for the GiveOrcas Campaign. As tomorrow is Benjamin Franklin Day, please consider donating $100+ to help us win an extra $1000 for ECEI! Direct message me if you are interested in entering the raffle! Donate at https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=27161

05/07/2023

Check out ECEI's press release in The Orcassinian featuring quotes from Kristee Rajczi, Special Education teacher of prek-2nd grade students, and Maggie Vinson, Director of Orcas Montessori School!

||| FROM MONIQUE EVERETT for EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INITIATIVE ||| During this year’s GiveOrcas Campaign (May 4 - May 18), the Early Childhood Education Initiative (ECEI) is raising money for Orcas Island’s youngest students. By helping to offset the cost of tuition

05/07/2023

We had a great turn out for ECEI at the Orcas Island Farmer's Market today! Thanks to all of you who helped make this event successful. Many of the children pictured are recipients of ECEI funding. Show your support for Kaleidoscope Preschool and Childcare Center, Orcas Island Children's House, and Orcas Montessori School by donating to ECEI during the GiveOrcas Campaign (https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=27161). Your help is so appreciated! See you next Saturday!

05/05/2023

Today, May 4th, marks the beginning of the GiveOrcas Campaign! Coincidentally, this date in history also marks the birthday of Horace Mann, a legendary American known as the father of public education. He believed that, "in a democratic society, education should be free and universal, nonsectarian, democratic in method, and reliant on well-trained professional teachers" (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Horace-Mann). Let us follow in the footsteps of Mann by supporting ECEI's mission to provide all of Orcas Island's youngest students access to high-quality preschool education! Donate today at https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=27161

Horace Mann, (born May 4, 1796, Franklin, Massachusetts, U.S.—died August 2, 1859, Yellow Springs, Ohio), American educator, the first great American advocate of public education who believed that, in a democratic society, education should be free and universal, nonsectarian, democratic in method,...

04/27/2023

The Early Childhood Education Initiative needs your help in raising money to support the preschoolers of Orcas Island. Check out our website to learn more about ECEI and donate today!
GiveOrcas: https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=27161
website: www.orcasece.com

04/21/2023

See you at the 2023 Pride Festival! ☮️💜💙💚☯💛🧡❤️☮️🏳️‍🌈
Check out the San Juan Island Pride Foundation's website https://www.sanjuanislandpridefoundation.org/ to learn about upcoming events and how to get involved.

04/21/2023

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is offering CPR, AED, and First Aid training courses at the Eastsound Fire Station. Learn how to save lives ❤️ Call to learn more: 360-376-2331 or visit their website https://www.orcasfire.org/education/cpr-and-first-aid-classes/

Someday… You may need to save a life. Learn lifesaving CPR, AED, and First Aid skills through Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.

Courses are regularly scheduled at the Eastsound Fire Station and are taught by certified instructors. AHA Certifications are good for two years and satisfy OSHA, WISHA, and L&I regulations.

Check our Calendar for upcoming classes or call 360-376-2331.
https://www.orcasfire.org/calendar/