Monday, May 29, 2006
The program has only 15 enrolled this year.
By SARAH WEBER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- After 33 years of chasing after 4-year-olds, Sally Campbell is ready to spend some time gardening, reading and visiting her daughter in California.
Unfortunately, Campbell isn't the only one retiring. The Mahoning United Methodist Preschool, which Campbell directed, is also closing its doors after 35 years of operation because of shrinking attendance.
The preschool, while housed in the Mahoning United Methodist Church on Mahoning Avenue, gave children of many different denominations and backgrounds an education for $75 per month, Campbell said.
In past years, Campbell remembers having both afternoon and morning classes, teaching up to 65 children, but this year the program has only 15 enrolled. The preschool, which operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon during the school year, had its last day May 26.
Fond memories
Debbie Zalovcik, Hazelwood Avenue, put all of her four children through the preschool and said she is sad to see it close.
"I think maybe parents are looking for bigger preschools that have more accommodating hours," Zalovcik said. "But for those kinds of places it's more primary care, not teaching. They might do school work, but it's basically baby-sitting."
Becky Chance, Cherokee Drive, said both she and her husband went to the preschool and they sent their two children there as well.
"They are kind of like a family," Chance said. "I sent my kids there because I knew how wonderful the teachers are." Chance said that because the preschool is closing, she had to enroll her daughter in a different program for next year.
Deeply missed
Both Zalovcik and Chance agreed that Campbell and her teaching assistant, Sandra White, who has worked with Campbell for over 20 years, would be missed.
"It's sad to them go but I'm glad for Mrs. Campbell," Zalovcik said. "She's earned her crown. There are so many children out there whose lives she's touched."
Campbell said that she will also miss the children.
"In 33 years, you can have a lot of children and a lot of good memories," Campbell said.
Though her preschool days are over, Campbell said she plans to stay busy in the community by volunteering at a local nursing home.