Written by Shawna Tech

Just because parents choose to send their children to a Lutheran preschool doesn’t mean that they will have them continue at the Lutheran grade school. What can Lutheran elementary schools (LES) do to bridge the gap between them and their preschools?

As ministers of the gospel, Lutheran school teachers want to share the good news about the Savior with as many children as possible. Unfortunately, many LES have seen a decline in enrollment over the years. Possible factors include families having fewer children, charter schools offering a “free” education, and homeschooling. Opening a preschool to feed the LES may seem like a viable solution to declining enrollment, but it seldom works as hoped.

Demonstrate the Value of a Christ-Centered Education
A Christ-centered education is important. Proverbs 22:6 says: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Lutheran schools can assist parents in teaching their children the important truths of God’s Word, but they must also show parents the importance of a Christian education. When parents see the value, they will choose to keep their children at the LES—even if they have to pay tuition, which can be a hardship.

Build Relationships
Another way to bridge the gap is by building relationships with preschool families. A relationship must be established between the preschooler and the kindergarten teacher. The preschooler should get to know the teacher and become comfortable with him/her. Invite the teacher into the preschool room to read a book to them. To build on that connection, have special days such as “Messy Mondays” or “Tip-Toe to Kindergarten,” where preschoolers join the kindergarten class for art, science, PE, or a fun activity. During recess, have them play catch or games together. Preschoolers may also join the kindergarten class to sing in church or perform a play or musical at the school talent show.

Continue to build on this relationship by having monthly “fun nights” that bring families, students, and faculty together. Plan a pajama party/movie night where everyone, including the adults, wears pajamas to school to watch a movie. An ice cream social is a fun way to visit and get acquainted with each other while cooling off during the warmer months. Other ideas might include holding a fall festival, birthday party for Jesus, international food night, mother-son “Minute to Win It,” father-daughter dance, science or history fair, game night, or family night where every class performs a short skit or song.

These social events should be free and not become fundraisers. The idea is to get everyone together for fellowship. Encourage the faculty to mingle with families and get to know them. Give attendees the goal of meeting someone new and learning something about their family. It’s a natural progression from learning someone’s name to greeting them in the school hallway each morning. In addition to getting to know the faculty, the parents will meet other families and feel connected to them too.

Help Preschool Families See the LES as “Their” School
Lutheran school teachers want preschool families to see the school as “their” school all the way through eighth grade—not just preschool. The goal is for preschool families to see teachers and think, “That is my kindergarten teacher … my fourth grade teacher … my eighth grade teacher.” When they think of the LES as their school, they will be more likely to stay through eighth grade graduation.

All school teachers are busy and have lives outside of school, but dedicating one night a month to building relationships with school families is important. When preschool families feel connected to the school, they are more likely to keep their children there beyond the year or two of preschool.

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” With that as their mission, Lutheran school teachers want to have classrooms full of students ready to hear the gospel. One way to help Lutheran schools grow is to have preschool students continue into the elementary grades. So, show your preschool families the importance of Christian education, build relationships with preschool students and their families, and help them feel that it is their school for the next eight or nine years.

Shawna Tech (DMLC ’93) serves as the preschool director at Grace-Glendale AZ.