What a year this will be for the Great Neck Community School! During the 2006/2007 school year, the Community School, the oldest cooperative nursery school on Long Island, will celebrate its 75th anniversary serving the children and families of Great Neck. Year-long activities to celebrate the momentous occasion will culminate in a 75th Anniversary Gala for parents, alumni and friends in the spring.

In 1932, a group of mothers brought their preschool children to play in a yard of a Great Neck resident and the Great Neck Cooperative Nursery, as it was originally known, was born. The school set up its headquarters in 1933 at 42 Arrandale Avenue in a building cleaned, painted and equipped by parents and staff. During its first year, there were 30 children, a director, two teachers, and an assistant. The school moved frequently, quickly outgrowing each new site. Then, in 1947, a wonderful Tudor house at 225 Schenck Avenue was offered for sale at favorable terms by the owner, who fortuitously had an interest in nursery schools. The school's board of directors raised the purchase price through fundraising and a bond issue, and the school moved to its present site in May 1948. The building has been renovated and modernized, but still retains that warm feeling of "home" for its preschoolers. By 1981, 141 children were enrolled.

The Community School's mission has never wavered --- to provide a safe and enjoyable first school experience for young children. Its primary goal is the socialization of young children, achieved through guidance and understanding. It is the "home" where teachers join with parents to build the foundation of educating children. The school's efforts are directed toward children's development of self-confidence, independence and initiative.

As a parent cooperative, the Community School stands as a model for what can be accomplished when true collaboration between parents, teachers and children is in effect. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in the school --- both in their child's classroom and at various schoolwide events held throughout the year, such as Fall Festival, Book Fair and MayFair. The benefits to the children are immeasurable. A clear message is sent --- Your parents consider your education important! They want to be involved! Parent collaboration is an example for the children that working together is important and rewarding.

The Community School's current programs have expanded greatly from those first classes in 1933. The school now has five well-equipped classrooms, a children's library, and an unmatched, shaded outdoor play area divided into four yards, each with its own complex permanent climbing apparatus, moveable climbing equipment, playhouses, tables and a "tyke" track.

The school currently offers programs for 2s, 3s and 4s, with both morning and afternoon sessions available. For older children, a variety of after-school enrichment classes, including Spanish, yoga, science, Kiddie Soccer, art, nature, and literature, are offered to enhance the preschool experience. In addition, the Community School runs a highly acclaimed and stimulating summer camp program.

The sense of "family" fostered at the Community School is evident in its warm, supportive and professional staff. Many of the teachers' introduction to the Community School was as a parent. Rachel Venegas, currently a kindergarten teacher at E.M. Baker Elementary School, is a graduate of the Community School and has also been both a teacher and a parent at the school. According to Venegas, "Great Neck Community School has been an important part of me for as long as I can remember. Little did I know how many times GNCS would have an impact on my life. When my parents had a new, young family and were looking for the 'perfect' place to begin their children's education, they chose GNCS. As a 3-year-old, the school gave me many of the tools that I would need to succeed as I grew up, including confidence to leave home and family, and set the tone for the rest of my school years. Many years later, as a newly graduated teacher, I began my career at GNCS with the 4 year olds. Here I was able to put into practice all the 'book learning' that I had in college. I learned to respect children as people, work with the 'whole child' and that each child is their parent's 'greatest treasure'. As I went on to have a family of my own and teach in the public schools, I thought that all my lessons from GNCS had been learned. And then, my son, Jared, turned 3. What place could I trust to start my 'greatest treasure' on the road to his future? Why, GNCS! And here I was again, in a new role, but still learning from and being impacted by GNCS."

Donna Peirez, Rachel Venegas' mother, agrees. "My oldest child, Josh, is now 35. That means that my association with GNCS began 32 years ago. That connection with GNCS has been a constant in my life --- as parent, chairperson, teacher and grandparent. Now, as a teacher in the Great Neck Public Schools, I still say that I can tell the children that have come to us from GNCS. Those children have the social skills, the academic preparation and good 'school behavior' that they need to succeed. I remember celebrating the 50th anniversary of the school. Is it possible that now it is the 75th? Congratulations Community! Keep on preparing our children for the rest of their lives!"

Community School's warm and nurturing environment has such a lasting impact on its students and their parents, that many families feel connected to the school long after their children have graduated. In fact, the school recently established an alumni advisory board (AAB) comprised of former Community School parents. The purpose of the AAB is to assist and support the school's director and board of trustees in activities which further the interests and goals of the school, and to keep interested alumni in touch with one another and the school. This year, in honor of the school's 75th anniversary, the AAB hopes to launch an ongoing fundraiser for alumni which allows them to leave their "mark" on the school, perhaps in the form of a personalized tile or brick, and they are hoping to encourage a large alumni turnout at the 75th Anniversary Gala. In order to accomplish these goals, the AAB invites any alumni students or parents who wish to be included on the alumni mailing list to contact the chairs of the AAB through the school as soon as possible.

The Great Neck Community School is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian, multicultural cooperative nursery school incorporated in 1932. The school is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and registered by the State of New York Education Department. As such, it meets national, state and local standards in certification and training, curriculum, classroom environment, children's health and safety and child-school-parent interpersonal relations.

For further information about the Community School's 75th year anniversary events or to be included on the alumni mailing list, please call or email Barbara Breslow at 482-5005 or GNCS225@aol.com.