25 Mar April Tuition Cancelled, Donate What You Can

Hello families, 

Thank you for all of your support and patience as we navigate these ever-changing times. We’ve been looking into every possible option to help keep this community connected and whole.  I’m writing to you to let you know that our board of directors voted unanimously last night to cancel April tuition in response to the coronavirus, continue to pay our staff throughout this closure, and continue to offer modified education services. We are asking families to instead donate as much of your regular tuition as you can to support our school.  

We will be continuing to provide virtual story times, activities for home, and other learning opportunities to all Tiny Trees families throughout April, regardless of how much they can contribute.  

Cancelled April Tuition

In an effort to respond to the financial needs of our families, and the closure of Tiny Trees classrooms through April 24th, we are cancelling April tuition for all families. We wanted to give you as much flexibility as possible, and understand that you may need to find alternate care. If you need help finding emergency childcare for work that is essential, email admissions@tinytrees.org and we’ll help. You can also check out our blog with community resources here.

You will receive notification of this cancellation through Curacubby shortly. If you have already paid April tuition via Curacubby, we will be reimbursing you this amount, and ask that you instead donate your tuition as a tax-deductible gift at tinytrees.org/donate.

Donate What You Can

We implore all families to donate as much of their April tuition as they can by making a tax-deductible gift to Tiny Trees via tinytrees.org/donate. Considering 80% of our revenue comes from tuition, we are making an unprecedented financial loss to cancel April tuition because we know this is what’s best for our community right now.These unprecedented times call for collective action. As a result, we ask that you give what you can to keep our remote services going through April, and help ensure that this community we all know and love stays intact throughout this crisis. You can also help by asking your employer if they can match your donation. 

You can make your tax-deductible donation online at tinytrees.org/donate, by mailing a check to 900 1st AVE S #205, Seattle, WA 98134, or by calling our Philanthropy Manager, Katie Weiss, at 206-701-0245 x 7. 

Enrollment Impacts & Withdrawals

The decision to cancel April tuition does not affect your enrollment status now, or in the future. If you intend to stick with us and return when class is open, you do not need to notify us – we consider you family until you tell us otherwise. If after reading this email you’d still like to withdraw, please let us know. 

We are continuing to find our way forward, and will update you when we have information about any future closures, calendar updates or other changes. At this time we cannot offer refunds for March, or credits for summer or fall.  We will continue to consider all possibilities, and as this situation evolves day by day, we will make decisions as new information and guidance becomes available. Rest assured that you will be the first to know of any other developments as they come.

Remote Learning will Continue

Classroom teams have developed joyful and innovative ways to stay connected. Staff will be hard at work helping to extend learning from our classrooms into your homes; from virtual story times and morning meetings, to backyard nature guides and opportunities for your child to connect with their friends. We hope you are able to engage with your teachers and classmates in this virtual fashion, and encourage you to let your teachers know what is working and what can be improved. We are a learning organization and that is still true today. 

Seattle Preschool Program

For the month of April, Seattle Preschool Program – Pathways (SPP) will continue to provide funding for families receiving modified services like ours during a closure. If you need emergency childcare to work in an essential role, Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) can help. Some full day licensed programs are offering childcare for families who are approved through SPP. Let us know if you’d like help finding temporary care. 

Relationships are not cancelled. Connection is not cancelled. Nature is not cancelled. We miss you, and we miss your kiddos. As this crisis unfolds, we are listening, learning, and adapting: maintaining our commitment to equity and quality, and to learning and nature. Thank you for joining me in strengthening our community. 

With deep gratitude,

Kellie Morrill, Executive Director (she/her)