Written by Brad Gurgel

The connections between a congregation’s preschool and K-8 program can sometimes be weak. There are many reasons this can happen. The two programs vary in families served, regulations, and policies. They often have separate histories and leaders. And the families from the two programs don’t have many opportunities to interact.

Because of this, it’s not unusual for the preschool and elementary school at a congregation to drift apart over time. And when the transition between preschool and kindergarten arrives, families see this as an ideal time to return to the local public school or look around at other local schools instead of seeing the Lutheran kindergarten as a natural progression.

Building Bridges with a Preschool Harvest Plan
According to Outreach Strategies for Early Childhood Ministry published by the WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools, “The three main areas of a school that need to be strengthened to build relationships with families are a commitment to the Word of God, relationships, and having the pastor play a center role in building relationships.”

In order to maximize the opportunity to build relationships between preschool and K-8 families, all the stakeholders of the congregation and school must develop and carry out an intentional, written plan. A Preschool Harvest Plan is one such plan. It should include the following key sections:

1. The Roles and Responsibilities of Key Stakeholders
   A Preschool Harvest Plan helps all stakeholders understand the unique roles they play in connecting preschool families to the K-8 program. Pastors and principals must be in the preschool rooms on a regular basis to interact with the students. Kindergarten teachers must regularly interact with the preschoolers and be present at preschool events. K-8 school families and congregation members see themselves as important ambassadors of the K-8 program who make it their goal to develop relationships with preschool families. All stakeholders learn to speak of PreK – 8 as one continuous program, articulating in a consistent way the unique and powerful blessings of a continued Christian education anchored in God’s Word.

   Clearly listing these and other key expectations and responsibilities helps everyone work together efficiently to build relationships with preschool families.

2. Key “Bridge-Building Events”
   The Preschool Harvest Plan should include multiple yearly events that bring all the PreK – 8 students and families together, such as joint school plays, Christmas programs, church singing dates, and graduation programs. Plan time for fellowship and interaction between families at these events. List who should attend and what their roles will be. Free up K-8 teachers, pastors, and K-8 school families to interact with preschool families by asking other congregation members to handle such things as serving food and cleaning up.

   Challenging K-8 families, teachers, and pastors to connect with new preschool families at each event—and then training them for their roles—should be part of your Preschool Harvest Plan.

3. Sharing the Blessings of a Continued Lutheran PreK – 8 Education
   Combine school newsletters for the preschool and K-8 programs to keep preschool families “in-the-know,” introducing them to the many Christ-centered educational opportunities their children could have in future school years. This is one effective way to help families begin to think about the blessings of a continued Christian education.

   Finally, plan for specific times throughout the school year when the principal, pastors, and kindergarten teachers personally invite preschool families to consider the blessings of a continued Lutheran education. This is a great way to keep this on the forefront of preschool parents’ minds throughout the school year.

Brad Gurgel (’08) currently serves at St. Peter LES–St. Peter MN. He is currently enrolled in MLC’s Master of Science in Educational Administration—Principal emphasis.

References
Outreach Strategies for Early Childhood Ministry. Milwaukee, WI: WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.