A Short History
The St. Philip’s Parish House has been a part of many children’s lives in its 100-year history. It has served as home to Sunday School for the families of the congregation. During the early 1940s, an “informal” nursery school was held in the rectory, the present home of the Rev. and Mrs. Frank Geer. In the late 1940s, the church offered a kindergarten in the Parish House. From 1948-1950, the Garrison School rented the Parish House for their kindergarten and first grade classes, as well as in some years for a gym.
St. Philip’s Nursery School, as it has continued until today, began in the Parish House in 1960. At that time, a nursery school was being run in the home of Anne Osborn Prentice. Vestryman Alexander Saunders proposed the establishment of a nursery school in the Parish house, assimilating the Prentice school. A Vestry committee consisting of Alexander Saunders, Edwin Gasperini and Henry P. Dain was appointed to oversee the project, assisted by a committee of Willy Roda, Abby Cain, and Jeannette Anthony. The Nursery School opened in September 1960.
St. Philip’s Nursery School then and now are similar in many ways. Enrolling three and four-year-old children with an emphasis on the uniqueness of each child and a commitment to the importance of play, art and music have always been a part of the philosophy. The first Nursery School director based the program on the developmental approach of the Wimpfheimer Nursery School at Vassar College. “Rabbits” and “ducks” have been the terms to designate the two age groups since 1966, after one year of “rabbits” and “squirrels”. The mixed age approach has also been a constant, dictated somewhat by the configuration of the Parish House building. A simple non-denominational chapel service has evolved into daily meeting time.
Enrollment has varied over the years, reflecting demographic trends Garrison, and, increasingly, Cold Spring. For the last five years, total annual enrollment has been between 31 and 42 children with about half of the families from Garrison and half from Cold Spring. Families from Beacon, Cortlandt Manor, Putnam Valley, and Fishkill have also been represented.
The goals of the Nursery School have always been to be a service to the St. Philip’s family and to the community, including offering scholarship assistance, while operating on a self-sustaining basis. A vestry-appointed committee has assisted with the Nursery School operation. A non-sectarian approach has always been a part of the school philosophy.
Anne Prentice was the first director from 1960-1972. Carol Seabolt served as director from 1972-1980 and Adele Williams from 1980 until her untimely death in 2002. Mary Ellen DeAngelis served as Interim Director in 2002-03, with Anita Prentice holding the position from September 2003 to January 2009.
JoAnne Chadwick began teaching at Philip’s 28 years ago after teaching in the local area public schools for an additional 10 years. With degrees and New York certifications in both elementary education and music as well as a Master’s degree in Music Education, she has been a cornerstone of the program, while teaching both full and part-time. JoAnne was appointed Director in February 2009.
St. Philip’s Nursery School, as it has continued until today, began in the Parish House in 1960. At that time, a nursery school was being run in the home of Anne Osborn Prentice. Vestryman Alexander Saunders proposed the establishment of a nursery school in the Parish house, assimilating the Prentice school. A Vestry committee consisting of Alexander Saunders, Edwin Gasperini and Henry P. Dain was appointed to oversee the project, assisted by a committee of Willy Roda, Abby Cain, and Jeannette Anthony. The Nursery School opened in September 1960.
St. Philip’s Nursery School then and now are similar in many ways. Enrolling three and four-year-old children with an emphasis on the uniqueness of each child and a commitment to the importance of play, art and music have always been a part of the philosophy. The first Nursery School director based the program on the developmental approach of the Wimpfheimer Nursery School at Vassar College. “Rabbits” and “ducks” have been the terms to designate the two age groups since 1966, after one year of “rabbits” and “squirrels”. The mixed age approach has also been a constant, dictated somewhat by the configuration of the Parish House building. A simple non-denominational chapel service has evolved into daily meeting time.
Enrollment has varied over the years, reflecting demographic trends Garrison, and, increasingly, Cold Spring. For the last five years, total annual enrollment has been between 31 and 42 children with about half of the families from Garrison and half from Cold Spring. Families from Beacon, Cortlandt Manor, Putnam Valley, and Fishkill have also been represented.
The goals of the Nursery School have always been to be a service to the St. Philip’s family and to the community, including offering scholarship assistance, while operating on a self-sustaining basis. A vestry-appointed committee has assisted with the Nursery School operation. A non-sectarian approach has always been a part of the school philosophy.
Anne Prentice was the first director from 1960-1972. Carol Seabolt served as director from 1972-1980 and Adele Williams from 1980 until her untimely death in 2002. Mary Ellen DeAngelis served as Interim Director in 2002-03, with Anita Prentice holding the position from September 2003 to January 2009.
JoAnne Chadwick began teaching at Philip’s 28 years ago after teaching in the local area public schools for an additional 10 years. With degrees and New York certifications in both elementary education and music as well as a Master’s degree in Music Education, she has been a cornerstone of the program, while teaching both full and part-time. JoAnne was appointed Director in February 2009.