From the Executive Director:
Dear Friends of Coastal Kids,
Winter at Coastal Kids has a rhythm all its own. Days begin with zipper negotiations, mitten matching, and enthusiastic greetings that feel just as big as the snowbanks outside. Inside, there’s a steady hum of learning—children deep in pretend play, teachers guiding with patience and humor, and lots of thoughtful conversations about feelings, fairness, and whose turn it is next.
This year, that rhythm feels especially meaningful because Coastal Kids is celebrating 30 years of serving children and families in our community. Thirty years of showing up for children just as they are. Thirty years of adapting, growing, and responding to what families need. Since the 1995-1996 school year, more than 2,300 children have learned, played, and found their footing here—and we’re incredibly proud of the legacy they’ve helped create.
Coastal Kids has always been rooted in a simple belief: early childhood education should be inclusive, high-quality, and accessible. That belief shows up every day in classrooms where children of all abilities learn together, where differences are honored, and where care extends beyond academics to the whole child—and their families.
As we celebrate this milestone year, we’re also thinking about sustainability. High-quality, inclusive care takes intention, creativity, and community support. One way you can help strengthen this work is through monthly giving. A gift of $30 a month, in honor of our 30th year, helps support inclusive programming, one-to-one assistance when needed, family resources, and the everyday moments that make a big difference for young children.
This winter newsletter is filled with snapshots of what we’ve been up to—projects in progress, friendships forming, and small moments that matter. We hope it gives you a glimpse into the joy and care that fill our days.
Thank you for being part of the Coastal Kids community—past, present, and future. We’re grateful for the trust, encouragement, and shared commitment that have carried us through 30 years and counting. To join our $30 a month campaign or find out more about our 30th Anniversary Celebrations, visit us at www.CoastalKidsME.org/30for30.
With warmth,
Jenn Caron
Executive Director
jenn.caron@coastalkidsme.org
Meet Our Founder:
Priscilla Congdon
Before Coastal Kids Preschool ever opened its doors, Priscilla Congdon was already dancing her way through life—literally. As a child, she loved tap dancing, a joy-filled pursuit that hinted early on at the creativity, energy, and curiosity she would later bring into her work with children.
Priscilla graduated from Deering High School in Portland, earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Maine in Orono, and completed graduate school at the University of New Hampshire. Along the way, she developed a deep love for learning, people, and adventure. After college, she spent three months backpacking through Europe with three close friends, later traveled throughout Central America and across the United States, and eventually made her way to Bali, her last big international adventure. Life also brought Priscilla profound challenges. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor, a journey that speaks to her resilience, strength, and unwavering determination—qualities that have shaped both her life and her leadership. An avid animal lover, Priscilla has always shared her home with dogs (and cats, too), believing deeply in companionship, care, and connection.
In the mid-1990s, Priscilla had just moved to the Midcoast area when she came across an ad seeking a teacher to help start a brand-new inclusive preschool program. As Priscilla’s first job after graduation in the 1970’s had been in a residential school for children with disabilities, a setting that didn’t align with her values, she realized how much she wanted to create something different. The idea of building something new—something inclusive, nurturing, and rooted in community—felt right. She jumped at the opportunity and never looked back.
After three years of running the new inclusive program, Priscilla was asked a simple but powerful question: Did she want to take it on as her own? She said, “Yes.” That decision marked the beginning of Coastal Kids Preschool as a mission-driven, independent nonprofit—one grounded in the belief that every child deserves access to high-quality, inclusive early childhood education, regardless of income or ability.
Since opening in the 1995–1996 school year, Coastal Kids has grown into a trusted community resource, serving more than 2,300 children over the past 30 years. While much has changed, Priscilla’s original vision remains at the heart of everything we do: children learning side by side, families feeling supported, and a community investing in its youngest members.
We are deeply grateful for Priscilla’s courage, compassion, and willingness to say yes—and for the legacy that continues to shape Coastal Kids today. Come talk with Priscilla, along with staff past and present, reconnect with families, and tour our center at our Alumni Event on April 4th.
Remembering Rob Flory, Jr.
Last summer, Coastal Kids lost a champion, a dear friend, and a longtime supporter with the passing of Rob Flory. Rob’s dedication to our mission—creating an inclusive, developmentally appropriate early childhood program for children of all abilities and incomes—was fierce, thoughtful, and deeply inspiring. He was a steadfast supporter of Coastal Kids since the school’s early days, serving as Board Member, Development Committee Chair, and tireless advocate for early childhood education within our community and at the state level.
Rob believed in Coastal Kids not just as a school, but as a place where laughter, joy, and curiosity live side by side. An intellectual at heart, Rob loved conversation and was known for challenging those around him to think, wonder, and see the world a little differently.
This spring, we will be honoring Rob’s love of conversation and connection with the addition of a Buddy Bench on our playground in his memory. The Buddy Bench will be a place where children and teachers can sit together, talk, listen, and wonder—about things like what shapes clouds make, where chocolate milk comes from, and sometimes even what it means to be a good friend.
Classroom Updates
SEA TURTLES
The Sea Turtles have been busy creating and exploring this winter! They’ve enjoyed making Valentine’s cards, learning about Arctic animals, and designing beautiful snowflakes through hands-on art activities. These projects have offered lots of opportunities for creativity, fine motor skill development, and seasonal learning. We created winter-themed art projects and spent time playing games that support reading and spelling, blending fun with skill-building in a relaxed, engaging way.
Our Sea Turtle group is made up of our after-school crew, welcoming children from Nobleboro, Bristol, and Great Salt Bay. They spend their afternoons unwinding from the school day through creative play, collaborative games, and meaningful connections with peers and teachers in a supportive, welcoming environment.
DOLPHINS
January in the Dolphin Classroom was filled with wind, weather, and winter discoveries! The children learned about polar animals and hibernation, and loved exploring science through hands-on experiments like sink or float, absorb and repel, water sounds, and the always-popular blubber glove.
In February, we brightened things up with a World of Color! Along with colorful art and sensory play, we celebrated Valentine’s Day and focused on kindness and friendship.
The Dolphins have been enjoying monthly trips to the library and are excited to begin swim lessons soon! Curiosity, creativity, and connection are at the heart of our Dolphin days!
STARFISH
The Starfish spent this winter learning about arctic animals, how they live, and their habitats. The children enjoyed our blubber mitten experiment, making an arctic habitat in the sensory bin, and reading countless stories about penguins, polar bears, and reindeer. The end of January had us exploring hibernation, migration and adaptation~ highlights included making mixed media bear caves, creating animal tracks in playdoh, singing the “Robin Redbreast/Chickadee Song” and making bird feeders for the winter birds in our own back yards. The Starfish really enjoyed reading Jan Brett books together at circle and predicting what would happen next!
In February, we made and shared Valentines, explored Lunar New Year (the year of the horse) and the many Chinese customs that are practiced as part of this celebration—using chopsticks, wearing red, trying dumplings, and even dragon dances!
On Mr. Chris’s last day, he brought in many brass instruments for the children to experience including trumpets, a slide trombone, and others
for the children to try. He also played jazz (Baby Shark!) for the children to enjoy! He will be missed!
PUFFINS
This winter has been full of cozy learning and celebrations in the Puffin classroom! Our Puffins dove into winter-themed learning with fun Arctic and hibernation activities, exploring how animals stay warm and rest during the colder months. Through stories, art, and hands-on play, the children built curiosity about the natural world while strengthening early learning skills.
The Puffins explored themes of Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, and Pets, offering lots of opportunities for connection, kindness, and shar-
ing. These topics were woven into stories, creative projects, and group discussions as the children learned about caring for others, celebrating
traditions, and the animals that bring joy to our lives. We also took time to celebrate several Puffin birthdays, making each child feel special with
songs, smiles, and classroom cheer. Ms. Sabrina was also in the birthday club this winter! The Puffins are lucky to have such a caring and energetic teacher guiding their days.
MINNOWS
The Minnows have been busy learning and exploring these past few months! We’ve been practicing name recognition and diving into winter-themed studies, with a special focus on hibernation, adaptation, and migration. Hands-on learning was a favorite as we painted with ice and
tried out the blubber glove to see how animals stay warm.
Our days were filled with outside play, music time, sledding, and cozy moments like reading to our friends. Most of all, the Minnows loved exploring their classroom, following their curiosity, and learning through play and connection. It’s been a joyful season of discovery in the Minnow room!
PERIWINKLES
The Periwinkles have been exploring big feelings in fun and meaningful ways! Through stories like Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? the children have been learning to name and talk about their emotions, building early social-emotional skills through conversation, play, and connection.
Creativity has been front and center as well—from painting with blueberries to imagining endless possibilities while playing with giant boxes, the Periwinkles have been busy learning through hands-on exploration. Winter fun has also been part of our days! The children have loved getting outside to slide and play in the fresh snow, embracing the season while building confidence, coordination, and lots of smiles. Looking ahead, the
Periwinkles will be learning about families and pets, continuing conversations about emotions, and enjoying many opportunities to learn, grow, and make connections together each day.
