10/1/2008 1:32:00 PM
Monona Grove Nursery School celebrates 50 years
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Amy Knapp
Herald-Independent Correspondent
It was standing room only at Monona Grove Nursery School's 50th anniversary celebration Sept. 28. Current and former students, parents and teachers joined founders Alice Schuller and DeLoris Vander Velde for an afternoon of fun and reminiscing.
Although some things have changed, like digital photos in weekly emails to parents, the nuts and bolts have remained the same - literally, in some cases.
"Some of the same toys are here, the wooden toys," said Karen Reuss, who taught at the school from 1968 to 1974. "The boat, the rocking horse, the doll house - they've been sanded down and painted again, but they're the same toys."
Reuss said being at the school again was "a lovely experience. This is like old home week."
The kids and adults, as well, appeared to agree. Hugs abounded, adults chatted, kids played and pointed out new toys and activities in the classrooms. As always, parent volunteers were on hand to help out and answer questions.
Parent volunteers have been part of Monona Grove Nursery School from the beginning.
"We'd never ask a parent to do anything they said no," Vander Velde said. "It's just been so marvelous all these years."
Parents assist in the classroom at stations and help clean up after class. Parent participation is required. For some, it is a learning experience.
"When parents participate, they learn about themselves and their children," Schuller said. "They have a chance to see other parents and children together."
Parents also appreciate what the school does for their kids.
"We love having Liam here," said Jodi Bakken, whose son Liam, 4, is in his first year at MGNS. "He comes home every day so happy. He's had a fun, educational day. He comes home talking all about what he did that day. We've had great feedback."
Schuller and Vander Velde discussed the benefits to kids, such as learning how to get along, taking turns, waiting in line and how to be away from their parents for the first time.
From the crowded rooms and happy faces at the anniversary celebration, it might be hard to tell the school has had a huge drop in enrollment this year. Public schools' 4-year-old kindergarten has sapped the student body. Fewer 4- and 5-year-olds are attending, and curriculum has been altered slightly for the higher proportion of 3-year-olds.
"We've cut hours, dropped classes," said Gail Aaroen, a teacher at the school since 1990. "Not even our morning classes are full."
Those who remain and those who came back for a visit are clearly pleased with their experiences.
"I remember the Sit-n-Spins," said a smiling Jake McDade, a 10th-grader at Monona Grove High School. "They told us to change direction so we wouldn't get sick."
His mom, Sue, a former board member, smiled.
"I just love this place," she said.
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