Killingworth Nursery School names program director

KILLINGWORTH — Killingworth Nursery School recently announced that Head Teacher Erin DelVecchio will take over as its Program Director, a position vacated by the recently retired Mary Angus. The Killingworth Nursery School marks its 68th year this year as a non-profit cooperative program, and is located in the lower level of the Killingworth Congregational Church.

DelVecchio, or Mrs. D. as she is affectionately called by the children, has lived in Killingworth along with her family for more than 42 years. She said she fell in love with the Killingworth Nursery School after having all three of her children enroll and attend. She joined the staff at KNS in 2002 as a Tots Coordinator and teacher, and when the head teacher retired, she stepped into the position.

“Now in the fall, not only will I continue my role as head teacher, but I am honored and privileged to be the director as well,” DelVecchio said. “I am so excited to take on new responsibilities and to be such a big part of the children’s early education. The importance of making a child’s first experience with school positive is something I take very seriously. And when you reach a child that is unsure or unengaged, it is an indescribable feeling.”

KNS was able to remain open during the pandemic, and had an extremely successful and safe year. “We adhered to the COVID-19 guidelines provided by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and were able to finish the school year without one single instance of having to quarantine. It truly was a joint effort on behalf of the staff and board,” DelVecchio said.

The school is prepared to continue with whatever safety protocols are necessary this upcoming school year. The school will offer the same curriculum and traditions well-loved by generations of young KNS learners. Preschool classes are a multi-age curriculum for both three and four year olds that are available two or three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-11:30 a.m.

There is also the option of extended hours that lengthens the day to 1 p.m., where children can further their kindergarten readiness by bringing and eating their lunch at school. KNS prides itself on offering its families the flexibility to choose what they feel will work best for their child.

KNS also offers the Terrific Tots program, a once a week class for two year olds along with a parent or caregiver. It serves as a great transition for young children in preparation for pre-school readiness where little ones can enjoy activities, art, songs, stories, snack, and exploration. They are also able to enjoy outdoor play in Killingworth Nursery School’s brand new fenced in playground.

Classes start Sept. 13. Enrollment is open at any time. Tours available upon request. Killingworth Nursery School is a nonprofit, interdenominational, cooperative preschool which admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

For more information, visit killingworthnurseryschool.com or contact 860-663-2950 or killingworthnurseryschool@yahoo.com.

Conn. Art Trail invites families to visit

Following Gov. Ned Lamont’s announced Connecticut Summer at the Museum program to provide students and families with stimulating learning experiences, the Connecticut Art Trail is announcing participation by several of its member organizations.

As part of this program, Connecticut children 18 and under, plus one accompanying adult, will be granted free admission to any participating museum between July 1 and Sept. 16. The program is funded with $15 million from federal COVID-19 recovery funds received by Connecticut through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The participating members of the Connecticut Art Trail include: Mystic Museum of Art, Lyman Allyn Art Museum (New London), Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme), Mattatuck Museum (Waterbury), Art Museum at The University of Saint Joseph (West Hartford), Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford), New Britain Museum of American Art, Hill-Stead Museum (Farmington), The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (Ridgefield), Museum of Contemporary Art (Westport), Greenwich Historical Society/Bush-Holley House Museum and the Bruce Museum (Greenwich)

The Connecticut Art Trail is a partnership between 20 museums and historic sites, created to promote Connecticut’s cultural assets as part of a travel experience. The Trail was launched in 1995 as the Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail, celebrating Connecticut’s ten museums and historic sites which highlighted American Impressionism.

Learn to follow the Trail with the Art Passport — a $25 booklet that gives you access to each member museum for one year. Use your Passport once at each location to access exhibits, events and more!

Chamber employment program underway

MIDDLETOWN — The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 version of the Middletown Summer Employment Program kicked off its work experience at almost 40 different host worksites across greater Middletown July 6.

Every year since 2006, the chamber has placed Middletown students into summer employment through this community program. The chamber has the ability to place participants into summer employment in a wide variety of professional fields. Program host sites come from the public sector, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector. The program is designed to provide employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth between the ages of 14 and 21. In addition to the work experience, the program offers employment readiness training including properly filling out withholding forms, time cards, and codes of conduct, as well as financial literacy and dress for success techniques.

For more information, visit middlesexchamber.com/youth or call the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce at 860-347-6924.