Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
First-time preschool classes begin at Ss. Simon and Jude
37 children enrolled in inaugural preschool program at Catholic school
WESTTOWN » The guests of honor took all the hoopla in stride.
Most of 37 three- and fouryear-old enrollees in Ss. Simon and Jude’s brand new Little Explorers Preschool didn’t seem to know what the fuss was all about.
Until this fall, Ss. Simon Jude’s school taught just kindergarten through eighth graders.
This year’s class of preschoolers is the first ever for the Catholic church and school.
Bishop Michael Joseph Fitzgerald, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Education, the Chester County Foundation for Catholic Education, the Ss. Simon and Jude School Board and teachers attended last week’s formal blessing of students and their newly renovated classroom.
“Look at the innocence and beautiful potential … their joy, their enthusiasm — the Lord’s work,” Fitzgerald said. “We have the opportunity to touch young lives.”
Sister Regina Elinich, IHM, principal, was pleased.
“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice in it,” she said.
During the fall of 2016, the school formed its first School Board of Limited Jurisdiction.
Under the board’s guidance, the Little Explorers Preschool Program was developed.
Proceeds from a golf tournament and dinner contributed to the $84,000 startup cost.
The preschoolers will learn in a comfy room with plenty of natural light. The former music room was lovingly renovated this summer, with everything needed for the young students, including kid-sized chairs and tables.
Chairman of the School Board Peter Federico said the new board was established for marketing and development purposes.
The board examined the demographics, Federico said.
“They’re the leaders of the next generation,” he said about the students. “God was directing our path.”
Elinich said the program will keep families together.
“We wanted to offer the opportunity for families already sending their children here and offer a Catholic education for our parish family starting at a young age,” Elinich said.