My family has been involved with the Conejo Valley Adult School parent education program at Horizon Hills since my oldest daughter was 6 months old in 2004. We’ve participated in the infant program, toddler program and the multi-age program every year since then.

Six years later, it remains a cornerstone to my family’s village. Because of this cornerstone, I’m active in many community groups, projects and events.

I’ve often said over the years that I wonder what kind of mother I would’ve been without the Adult Education parenting program at Horizon Hills. Growing up in the Midwest in the ’70s and experiencing the values, ideals and parenting practices of that time, I may have become a parent who:

•spanks

•resolves conflict by punishing

•corrects behavior through humiliation

•doesn’t listen to her children

•thinks playtime is a waste of time

•demands respect from my children without giving respect to them

•doesn’t consider healthy nutrition

The Horizon Hills program is unique in that it allows parents to be with their children. It teaches them to enjoy the experience and enhances every moment of that. It’s not just ABCs and Play-Doh. It’s a caring, loving community of people who all care deeply about their families and their village.

Conejo Valley is home to a huge population of parents who don’t want to simply drop off their kids at preschool and walk away.

We as a community need to keep this in mind when making budget cuts and allocating school facilities and buildings. We must keep in mind the community and the affect that this school has on its many children, parents and families.

It’s not only an affordable alternative; it’s a building block, a cornerstone and a solid foundation for our community and our future.
Stacey Wilson
Thousand Oaks