A Note from our Executive Director
Dear friend,
"To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated."
- James P. Carse
Life is full of surprises and that’s especially true when you work with children. Last week, we received a surprise emergency alert – there was a mountain lion spotted on the West Campus of UCSB – quite close to the West Campus site of our Children’s Center. When you work with children, you expect to be surprised by their new ideas, their funny sayings, and their kindness. Finding out that a lion is on the loose near them is not a normal surprise! Fortunately, our excellent staff did a great job of sharing information with one another, preparing a safety plan, and providing calm comfort for our parents and children. Even more fortunately, the mountain lion never appeared near the children.
I’m happy (but not surprised) to share the news that we hired Franky Viveros as the new Director for our Children’s Center. Franky is doing a terrific job inspiring our teachers, engaging with our parents, and caring for our students. This week, begins an important holiday for me – Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. I will be welcoming surprise as I reflect and focus on goals for the new year. I invite you to notice what surprises you as well.
Lori Goodman
Executive Director
