feature story / 15 preschool for children 3 to 6 years old. She hopes to complete her nonprofit registration by the end of the year. The classroom will be 100 percent out- doors except when there are dangerous or extreme weather conditions such as high winds or flooding. For those days, the class may retreat to the library. Par- ents must ensure their children have weather-appropriate clothing; most essential are waterproof footwear and clothes that can get messy. After all, nature isn’t always neat. Coincidentally, Sonneman will be joining forces with one of the only two Cedarsong-certified teachers in the NJ/NY/CT region, who happens to be in the process of moving from Brooklyn to Maplewood. Sonneman notes that this and “so many other ele- ments in this journey have been per- fectly timed,” including the fortuitous conversation with her friend that start- ed her on this path. She has no doubt that parents in our area are ready for a new way to conduct preschool. If she has her way, Sonneman will fulfill her vision to connect as many children in our area as possible to nature. Ellen Donker thoroughly enjoyed her time observing Forest School and wishes there were one for adults. n