By Liz McBreen
The ninety-year-old building, which also houses the West Hempstead Public Library, had not been used as a school for about forty years, according to School Board President Martin Kaye. "It was renovated and made ready for the students for about $1 million dollars, which is impressive for a project of this scale."
The center, under the direction of Mary Keating, offers a full day kindergarten program, which, says Kaye, have been "statistically shown to benefit children and make the transition into elementary school easier."
Prior to the Chestnut Street project, kindergarten classes in the district were only offered as a half-day program at Cornwell Avenue and George Washington schools. The moved also freed up a number of classrooms in the elementary buildings, allowing for addition teaching space and lab areas. There are now 172 students in the program, and the enrollment is expected to increase for 2002-03.
There are currently eight classes in the kindergarten center. "The children often have the opportunity to leave the building, and go on several field trips," according to Kaye. "We want them to get out and get to know the community."
Following the dedication, the student entertained parents and grandparents at their first "Special Persons" day held at Chestnut. The kids held a "hoedown," do-si-doing to such favorites as "Turkey in the Straw" and "Oh! Belinda."
