Chatham Methodist Preschool Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Contributed by Vannessa Adamo

Chatham Methodist Preschool is excited to kick off its 50th anniversary with a series of yearlong celebrations.

The school, which was founded in 1969, started as an outreach program for the United Methodist Church members felt the need for an additional school in Chatham to accommodate preschoolers that offered more than just babysitting services— somewhere children could play, create and grow.

Director Amy Crandall with students

Anne Fullarton, a Chatham Methodist Preschool (CMP) board member, was on the original committee in 1969 and fondly remembers the group purchasing classroom furniture and playground equipment from a nearby school that was closing. Student registration took place at a committee member’s house on Tallmadge Avenue with a line of parents down the street. For the first few years, tuition was $20 a month--a bargain by today’s standards!

The school started with a class of approximately 16 children in a room that is still used today. By the fourth year, a second class of students and additional teachers were added. The program focused on story time, art, music and play.

“In 1987, I remember being put in charge of my neighborhood preschool search,” said Peggy Melvin, retired CMP and Milton Avenue School teacher. “Six families attended the school with us taking turns with carpooling. The relationships created in those early years spanned decades with one child going on to be valedictorian of her Chatham High School class and my son being in the weddings of friends he attended preschool with.”

Today CMP has 81 students enrolled through six classes that range from an “almost 2’s” class to kindergarten enrichment. Director Amy Crandall is supported by a teaching staff of 13. The school has grown with the community and the needs of its students. This evolution includes research-backed teaching techniques like creative curriculum, an approach that emphasizes active and hands-on learning through experiences. In the past few years, there has also been a move toward incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) into lesson plans.

Generations of children have walked the halls at CMP. Currently, there are a handful of students whose parents are CMP alumni. Katie (Daggett) Bealer and Rachael (Grywalski) Welz both attended in the 1980s and had such happy memories that they wanted their children to have the same experience. Bealer and Welz fondly remember circle time songs, the spacious rooms where children learned through play, and all of the nurturing teachers that made each day special.

Bealer’s mom, Susan Daggett, sent her three children to CUMNS, served as a board member for four years, and was then recruited to teach. Last year, Susan completed her 32nd year teaching at the School, and has countless joyous memories from her time in the Blue Room.

The original school handbook. Interesting elements noted include tuition of $20 a month, due in two month increments, and the school following the Chatham School District snow day policy. Students learned of a snow day by six blasts on the fire siren at 7:00 a.m. or two local AM radio stations.

“Preschool is a time that many of us remember fondly,” said Crandall. “Each member of the CMP team is passionate about their jobs and we are so lucky to be the ones that get to shape young minds and foster a lifelong love of learning. It’s a chance to build social and academic skills in an environment that is caring, positive and exciting.”

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, artist Ingrid Hoerrner, a former student, created a retro inspired logo that’s reminiscent of pop culture and art in the late 1960s.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, artist Ingrid Hoerrner, a former student, created a retro inspired logo that’s reminiscent of pop culture and art in the late 1960s. The logo will be featured on student t-shirts, and school spirit days will be done throughout the year for the children. Additionally, the school will be holding a fundraising event at Centercourt Athletic Club in April to celebrate the anniversary. Proceeds raised by the school in 2019 and 2020 will go toward funding new playground equipment.

Members of the CMP teaching staff, September 2019