Dear Mayor Fergusson and Menlo Park City Council,
 
I'm writing you to "plead the case" for Casa dei Bambini which was
planning a new location for a preschool at 1215 O Brien, in Menlo Park.
I understand that there has recently been a turn of events, that I don't
have thorough knowledge of, but which, at this time, prevents or even
halts the plan from moving forward.
 
About Casa dei Bambini: We have looked at several preschools for our
young son, and Casa dei Bambini struck us as being the most passionately
and beautifully run. Its director, Sandra Balzaretti, has a solid back
ground in preschool administration and a fierce commitment to providing
an outstanding program that is intelligently and lovingly offered to its
students and their families.
 
The problem with Casa dei Bambini is that the one existing location in
Palo Alto is not large enough to support all of the children who would
like to attend there. Families come from Menlo Park, Atherton and
beyond. Because of capacity, many many families, including ourselves,
are excluded from the program.
 
Apparently, this problem is not uncommon. I suspect that given the
growing population in the Peninsula, space for preschools, like space
for everything else (but shopping malls, it seems) is in short supply.
 
I don't need to tell you how important preschool is for our children, or
to lecture you about tax benefits or civic responsibility. I am sure
you are aware of all that. What I do hope is that you will listen to my
plea for the expansion of this special place and resolve to ease the
planning difficulties the school is experiencing so that my and your
kids can benefit from its unique offering.
 
Thank you for reading this letter and for your thoughtful consideration.
 
Sincerely,
 
Chrystal Gordon Kafka
2376 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301
650.289.7748
Received on Sat Jan 20 23:06:15 2007