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Poland Presbyterian to offer summer camp, preschool
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Ginny Meloy , director of Poland Presbyterian Weekday Preschool from 1984 to 1999, and the Rev. David Gilbert, pastor of Poland Presbyterian Church, sit in one of the preschool classes, where a wooden toy train from 1958 remains a fixture. The preschool will be re-launched in September after a year off. A summer camp also is planned.
Poland Presbyterian Church to offer camp, re-launch preschool
By LINDA M. LINONIS
POLAND
Poland Presbyterian Weekday Preschool has served multiple generations of families and plans to continue doing so.
The preschool was founded in 1958 by three mothers, Sue Eich, Marge Walker and Louisa Bailey, who belonged to the church. Information from the church history notes that the three saw the need for a preschool in Poland because at that time, there were few in the Mahoning Valley and none in Poland.
The church supported the idea so much that when the Christian-education building was constructed in 1958, two rooms and a restroom suited to children were part of the plans.
“I think it’s remarkable that the church members had such foresight with the plans,” said Sheila
Wadlinger, chairwoman of the preschool committee. She added that entrance to the preschool rooms is convenient from the parking lot.
The preschool flourished until last year, when enrollment dipped and the director stepped down. Operation was suspended for a year as the preschool committee regrouped and revamped the program. It will be re-introduced with a summer camp in June and classes for 3- and 4-year-olds and for 4- and 5-year-olds in September. Open houses are planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Ginny Meloy, preschool director from 1984to 1999 and church member, said the preschool focuses on age-appropriate activities to stimulate children’s social, physical, emotional and intellectual development. Socialization and interaction among children was achieved through their participation in physical play, art, music, science and cooking, she said.
The curriculum meets state standards. A separate media room with computers and a television on which videos will be screened also will be part of the program.
Meloy also was a teacher, and Lucille Ellis worked with her. Meloy had an early-childhood-education background from Youngstown State University.
“I liked the planning and creating involved,” she said.
“She loved the children, and they loved her,” Wadlinger said.
That nurturing atmosphere always has been a priority at the preschool.
“The church is meant to be a place for all ages,” said the Rev. David Gilbert, pastor. The preschool is a good fit at the church, he said.
Wadlinger added that the church’s location not only provides easy access for parents, but allows children to take walking field trips in the vicinity. She cited Poland Woods as one such site.
The preschool has been a part of Poland’s history, and it was important to the church that it continue, Wadlinger said, adding that the preschool also is a way to introduce young families to the church.
“I saw so many children grow and blossom in the preschool,” Meloy said. Church members and community residents sent their children, and multiple generations benefited from the preschool experience, she said.
“The outcome was positive for children, who flourished,” she said.
The Rev. Mr. Gilbert said the preschool won’t include a faith component except for teaching the children about the Golden Rule. The church provides a safe setting for children with security measures in place, he noted.
Cindy Hritz, the new director and teacher, attended the preschool as a 4-year-old and recalled it as a wonderful experience.
“My goal is to instill a love of learning early on,” she said. “Hands-on, positive experiences help children move forward.”
The preschool rooms provide an inviting setting with large windows that let in natural light and red, blue and green curtains. There are various stations for activities such as the reading nook, puppets, Legos, art, dress up and kitchen.
Hritz said “circle time,” when children gather together, offers learning as each child has a job to do ... such as being the weather person, going over the days of the week and snack helper.
“They all will be involved,” she said.