A Compelling Vision: A Special Invitation from Founder Jerry Stone

"Stepping With The Stones has a vision for its future. For us, vision is the act and art of seeing things not yet realized. Vision energizes and inspires! Vision unifies with specific purpose, for vision moves us together toward tomorrow. Vision, then, guides us on the next part of our journey and so becomes a plan of action for us and others. You see, we want to build on our successful 6 years with a hopeful, compelling vision of the future for all children. We will soon act on this vision, a vision that has historic implications! Soon we will clear a path, for a path needs clearing, to make our future happen!

"We want to share with you an evolving vision for Stepping With The Stones. And further, we welcome you to share your insights and thoughts about this forward pull. Our hope is that you, too, capture something of this vision.

"We offer a powerful vision for Stepping With The Stones preschool. Because we live out a vibrant experience in early childhood education at our SWTS preschool in Camden, ME, we want others to understand this dynamic and to share in this. We want all children, parents, and grandparents to experience SWTS. We know we will grow and expand our influence and impact on the culture of the state of Maine, New England, and the greater United States.

"We see children becoming our real priority in the American culture! We see children as our first priority in all places in America - homes, preschools and schools, community and civic places, places of worship, day care facilities and playgrounds, recreational and entertainment centers - all becoming special places making real the living truth: "Children come first!"

"We see early childhood education not just for a few privileged children but for every child in America! Because we believe foundational values that carry us throughout our lives are gained from birth to age 5 and 6, we see every child in America, ages 3 to 5, receiving preschool education as a right not a privilege!

"No matter the socio-economic or ethnic background, all children are to be given the rich blessing of early affective and cognitive and relational experiences in fun and celebrative, warm and caring, and respectful and peaceful settings where children are honored and family is dignified. We have a clear vision of American children meeting higher standards of education and community that is often not evidenced in the latest evaluative international measurements of education.

"Our vision is that the philosophy and action lived out at Stepping With The Stones preschool and expressed on our Stepping With The Stones website also be lived out in our culture and communities to bring value to all children and families and in turn to transform our American society in ways that will transform the world. Though quickly articulated here, our vision is profoundly compelling!

"I invite you to consider our evolving but compelling vision of early childhood education for all children. Email back sharing your insights, ideas, and suggestions on our vision. Even more, share how you could collaborate with us in clearing a path to make this future happen for the sake of our children, our most precious natural resource."

Most sincerely yours,
Jerry Stone
Stepping With The Stones
Founder and Administrator