Good afternoon,
My name is Liz Kelly, my sons Jack (8) and Oliver (5) attended the coop for the entirety of their preschool years. My youngest son, James (2) will be in the T/TH class in the fall.
This school has been a part of my childhood. I was born and raised in Menlo Park (850 Monte Rosa Drive) both my brothers attended the coop - my mom (Katy Kelly) volunteered extensively in 1991 after the fire at the school while my youngest brother was enrolled - she also served as the membership committee board member. My handprint, along with my brothers are on the wall as you walk in and the sense of community roots this gives me is hard to put into words. I love it there and am so thankful my kids have this special place in their childhood.
After the fires my moms role transitioned into chairing the committee that helped to rebuild our precious school. She always says she helped to connect with the architect that rebuilt it! A place where all three of my children will go and describe as their favorite place on earth. And Teacher Kristy as one of their favorite humans. I can’t even describe the way my son Jack lights up every time he gets to go back to this special place. It’s the happiest I have ever seen him in childhood. As a kid that has had some hurdles to overcome, having this place for him was a gift.
I see coop community in all the places I go. The Menlo Park farmers market, our swim club, my place of work (Stanford Hospital). Coop has served as a place where I have been able to build layers of community in the busy season of raising 3 kids and working full time. We love our coop community and it’s been a vital source of community building for almost my entire life. Even my parents close friends in Menlo Park sent their kids to coop together.
Being a parent of young children can be very isolating; the bonds established at our school last decades - my parents are proof of this!
We have meal trains for people with new babies, babysit each other’s kids, step up to help during crises. This is a vibrant community that keeps people connected to Menlo Park and one another.
My request is for the council to give staff clear direction on moving forward with a long term (10 year) lease with current lease terms.
The layers of community this school brings to Menlo Park is surely worthy of such a decision!
Thank YOU for all you do for our community and for your consideration.
Kind Regards,
Liz Kelly
650-722-2421
