ABOUT TCS
The Children’s School, Inc., (TCS) is a non-profit corporation established by employees of Arlington Public Schools (APS) to provide quality childcare and an early childhood education for their children. The program is an inclusive community-based program licensed to care for children from infant through 4 years of age. The school is located in the Walter Reed Elementary School Building in the Westover area of Northern Virginia.
Opened in 1987, the program was the first childcare facility in the United States to be owned and operated by employees of a large school system. Since then, TCS has gained a national reputation as a model facility.
The Children’s School program serves as a benefit for the APS by reducing absenteeism and staff turnover, the program helps with staff retention and recruiting tool as well.
TCS is a parent cooperative and every family enrolled in TCS automatically joins the co-op.
Meet the Board
Jason Lynch,
President
Jason and his wife Megan have been part of the TCS family since their son joined the Puffins in 2017. Their daughter is now in her final year as a Flamingo. Jason is an executive at a design-build general contracting firm, and acts as liaison for TCS construction projects and long-term agreements. Jason and his family love the uniqueness of the TCS cooperative model, which owes its success to contributions from all members.
Patrick Leonard,
Vice President
Patrick joined the board in 2019 while working for a local youth non-profit after-care program. He is from Maine and has been in the DC area since 2004. When Leonards aren't working for Arlington—where they also live—they are either finding a park for their son (an Owl this year) or a rooftop restaurant at night. Patrick is honored to help support TCS families and staff!
Eric Duchaj,
Treasurer
Eric and his wife Chloé have two children at TCS, in the Lorikeets and Toucans. Eric grew up in Scottsdale, AZ and attended Northern Michigan University. After graduation, he moved to Maryland where he taught for seven years. Since 2016 he has taught HyC Social Studies, PE, Health, Personal Finance, and Economics at Meridian High School in Falls Church.
Julie Hutsell,
Secretary
Julie's role on the Board is to support our awesome room parents, as well as take notes at the Board and Co-op meetings. She teaches Science 6 at Swanson Middle School and enjoys seeing many familiar faces at pick up and drop off. Julie's daughter has been attending TCS since 2018, and they love how TCS is a supportive and welcoming learning community.
Kate Towne,
Technology
Kate and her husband Jonathan joined the TCS family in fall of 2020 and their daughter is a Hummingbird. Kate is originally from Ohio, but has lived in the DC area for almost 20 years. She is the Digital Design Manager for a structural engineering firm, and lives in Falls Church.
Ken Bickel,
Fundraising
Ken and his wife Becca are native Washingtonians. They lived in Arlington for over six years before moving to Falls Church in 2020. Ken is a commercial real estate professional while Becca teaches 3rd grade at Carlin Springs Elementary. Their son is a Toucan and has been at TCS since 2020.