Church Street Christian School Rededicated

COURT HOUSE — The flowering maple and Church Street Christian School will grow together into the future.
That was the hope of those who attended an outdoor rededication ceremony on Fri., Sept. 10 in front of First United Methodist Church on North Main Street.
The event was marked by each small pupil placing a tiny shovel of earth around the roots of the young tree.
Church Street Christian School celebrated its Christian roots with that event.
The school is marking its 10th anniversary as well as the arrival of a new director and head teacher Kathleen Wilson.
Pastor Ted Osler and Associate Pastor Jesse McLain commissioned Wilson during morning services on Sun., Sept 5.
For each student, from youngest to oldest, who placed that tiny bit of soil around the base of a new tree on the Church lawn, they enacted their new slogan,” Planting Seeds For Jesus.”
“To help the children to remember our Christian roots,” announced Wilson. The children then “blew bubbles up to Heaven.”
Pastor of Visitation H. Raymond Hughes invoked God’s blessing, and prayed with the children, some of who sat on the church steps while others sat on newly placed sod.
Refreshments followed in the Worship Hall of the church. Alumni, parents and siblings, students and staff, church members and church school board members attended the ceremony.
“We welcome Kathy and her fresh ideas,” said Debra Schellinger, school board president and member of the congregation of First United Methodist.
Church Street Christian School is sponsored by and located at First United Methodist Church of Cape May Court House, 1 Church St. It is a Christian school, yet children of all faiths are welcome.
The school utilizes a “hands-on,” developmentally appropriate approach to teaching and is striving to achieve National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation within the next year, Wilson stated.
“That association has strict standards applying to the facility, teaching methods and training of staff,” continued Wilson,” I would like to thank the volunteer church members and my wonderful staff for the hard work they have done to bring the facility up to par. We have new fluorescent lighting, new carpets and new windows. The school is sparkling clean and shiny new and colorful. Our staff is experienced, well trained and the teachers and myself have certifications or degrees in Early Childhood.”
Under the guidance of 30-year veteran Wilson, the school will no longer be considered a Montessori school, but will implement a unique blend of Montessori, High Scope and Creative Curriculum techniques.
“It will also include some elements of the traditional methods of teaching Early Childhood,” grinned Wilson, “and we have instituted a new positive discipline plan, to help teach the children some borders and limitations, along with respect and lots of character education.”
Included in the daily schedule are prayer times, songs of praise and dramatizations of Bible stories, all presented on the children’s developmental level.
“We teach prayer as ‘talk with God’,” said new Pre-K teacher Catie D’Aleo. “We want our religious teaching to be fun and lively. Joyful!” added Sarah Brannon, Early Skills group teacher.
Brannon stated, “Each classroom is center-based and geared to each age group. Early Skills I is for children 18 months to age 2 and a half. We have very limited spaces available, I believe only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Across the hall is Early Skills II for our older 2 and 3-year-olds. We do have some slots still open. I plan for both groups and travel between them.”
The Pre-K program is full. In it, D’Aleo is aided by Miss Bethany and Miss June.
Members of Church Street Christian School staff are:
• Kathy Wilson, director/head teacher. She has over 30 years experience in Early Childhood Education, with a BA from William Paterson University in EC. Former Director of The Country Day School of Oak Ridge.
Group Teachers
• Sarah Brannon — An experienced Early Childhood teacher, Sarah holds a CDA in EC and is a military veteran who served in Kuwait. She teaches Early Skills I and Early Skills II, and is the mother of three children, Brooklyn, Lily Mae and Dallas.
• Catie D’Aleo — An experienced Early Childhood Educator,” Miss Catie” taught for three years at the Malvern School in PA. She holds a degree in Elementary Education, with Early Childhood Certification, Special Education and in Sociology. She is a newlywed!
Teacher’s Aides
• Kristen Brannon is an experienced Early Childhood teacher, and has a college degree. She is a caregiver in the Early Skills I class, for CSCS’s littlest students.
• Bethany Dolhancyrk has been a teacher’s aide in the four-year-old group for the past three years. She is experienced and loves the children.
• Dorothy Robbins is the assistant teacher, to Miss Sarah, in our Early Skills II class for three year olds. She is warm and funny and the children adore her.
• Susan Mryden, assistant teacher in the Early Skills I & II classes, Susan is mother to two children of her own, Kayleigh and Konner. Susan is experienced and a great help.
• Laura Riehl has been with Church Street School for nine years in the role of teacher assistant and PM Supervisor. She is familiar to our families, and has two teenage girls of her own.
• Linda Monastra is fairly new to CSCS, and is doing a great job. Her specialty this year is bus duty and office help. Linda holds a degree in Political Science.
• June Buthy has been with CSCS for many years and has completed over 90 clock hours of training in Early Childhood.
• Substitute teachers are Ethel Harrison and Joan Loper.
All teachers are self-professed Christians and are valued as role models for the children of Church Street Christian School.
Please call Kathleen Wilson at 609-465 1466 or Email her at churchstreetchristian@comcastmet if you would like to find out more about the school.
Parts of this story were first published at capemaycountyherald.com
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com