Susan Blankfeld is a mom on a mission.

She moved to Anza last May with her preschool-aged daughter, drawn by the inviting horse property potential.

Shortly after moving, Blankfeld began the tedious search for a school for her daughter. She was shocked to learn that Anza did not have any kind of free preschool.

After much research and hours on the phone, she discovered that Idyllwild had a free preschool and they were willing to accept her daughter.

Blankfeld began driving her little one 35 miles a day in order to educate her.

She couldn’t understand why a town with a population one-quarter that of the Anza/Aguanga area had preschool and Anza didn’t.

She also learned that Hamilton Elementary had an empty classroom just sitting there; she said, "I pay my taxes and we should have a preschool!"

So she started her quest.

In August, Blankfeld began pounding the pavement at local events with a petition and flyers, looking for parents who had the same need.

It didn’t take long before she had more than 30 signatures.

With the help of preschool principal Ana Monagas, coordinators Ana Nosigila and Elizabeth Blum and Hamilton K-8 principal Jackie Price, there was no stopping Blankfeld.

They provided her Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] with the information and assistance she needed.

The next step was a town meeting. Blankfeld put an ad in the papers, put up flyers and sent flyers home with Hamilton and Cottonwood students.

The Community Hall donated the building and on Oct. 23 almost 100 residents turned up.

At the meeting Mr. Davies, a kindergarten teacher at Hamilton, spoke up about how essential preschool is.

Kindergarten isn’t what it used to be, he said; there is a lot more learning involved and the Anza children entering his classroom are already way behind.

By the end of the meeting, Nosigila announced that the funds would be released Dec. 2. Anza was on track to get its preschool.

As of now, funds have been awarded for 16 full-time students and preliminary applications have been filled out by parents and submitted to Riverside County for approval.

There are income guidelines so not everyone who applies will be approved.

Finishing touches are being put on the classroom, the room is getting licensed and teachers are being hired.

It looks as though Anza has its preschool.

Parents of preschool-aged children who may qualify for the First Five guidelines may fill out applications at Hamilton Elementary of call (951) 763-1840.