Salmonberry Celebrates Ten Years of Learning
Salmonberry School and Learning Center will be celebrating ten wonderful years on Orcas Island this summer. This year Salmonberry will continue reaching large numbers of both islanders and visitors through its broad array of full and part time options and now through a much expanded palette of summer workshops and classes.
In the summer of 2001, Salmonberry School opened its doors as the newest educational initiative in San Juan County. The original vision was to become an independent preschool and elementary school alternative offering a uniquely child-centered and holistic program to a broad population of island kids.
Throughout this decade, while Salmonberry has always remained flexible and responsive to the demographic and pedagogical needs of this community, it has also always remained true to this initial vision. Salmonberry continues today to be a proud example of progressive education, offering children from age 3 to 12 an experiential, arts-rich and academically outstanding program, one that is rapidly attracting regional and national attention.
This summer Salmonberry School will provide a series week-long classes in an eclectic range of thematic topics.
- Preschool-age children might choose to explore themes of “the intertidal community, fairy houses, introduction to sciences and arts and nature.
- Elementary-age children may explore everything from a ukulele-based music and story-telling class to dance, theater and dramatic arts, to “Chickens 101.”
In all cases Salmonberry’s dedicated and experienced staff will provide careful personal attention and a warm home-like experience for each learner, while kids have an awesome time engaging with these diverse themes.
“I am so thrilled to be able to offer the entire Orcas community such a rich panoply of programs this summer,” said Paul Freedman, Salmonberry’s Program Director. “This particular slate of programs is an excellent representative sampling of what Salmonberry is all about. Learning is an adventure. It occurs year-round and life-long.
“At Salmonberry School what we do is, through the pursuit of rich content and experiential and integrated learning, we connect students with the world around them, with an amazing community of inspiring and caring adults, and with one another”
For a full list of summer programming, visit Salmonberry’s website: salmonberryschool.org and click on the summer programs link. Or call: 376-6310 for more information.