By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald

The children at the Bonney Lake Co-Op Preschool had an early lesson in crime Dec. 10.

The 3-year-old students arrived at school to find vandals had thrown paint, styrofoam peanuts and garbage across the entrance and side of the building, which is located at Foothills United Methodist Church, 10411 234th Ave. E. (Finn Hall).

The vandals had tried to get into a front window, but either couldn't get in or were scared off.

Shannon Slish, one of the instructors, said they had to lift the children over the paint and debris. Slish's son, Evan, is in the class.

“They asked us what vandalism was and why someone did it to our school,” Slish said. “We told them we didn't know who did it, but someone was not being very nice. It was a difficult lesson for 3-year-olds.”

Slish said the children did not appear to be bothered by the incident once the day's activities started rolling.

“Kids are resilient,” Slish said. “When my son told his dad about his day it wasn't even in the top five things he brought up.”

Slish said East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters came by and cleaned the paint off the building with fire hoses.

Pierce County Sheriff's deputies took a report, but there are no leads at this time.