An academic institution in State College has positively impacted generations of students and their families — but it’s not just the institution that may first come to mind.
There’s the alumna who could not live with her mother full-time because she was unable to provide proper care. But she had good mentors, did well in school, and is now a student at Penn State.
There’s the mother of two alums who attended the school’s parenting classes regularly and furthered her own education. Today, she’s an administrator at Penn State.
There’s the alum from a low-income, single-parent home who was led by a supportive mother is now a student at Penn State.
For 50 years, Park Forest Preschool has provided free early childhood education to families in need. Since 1967, nearly 1,000 local toddlers have attended the school strictly because of one revenue stream: donations.
From the classroom-space donation by Park Forest United Methodist Church to contributions from individuals, faith communities, civic organizations, and the Centre County United Way, gifts are what allow school leaders to meet the needs of families across Centre County, including State College, Bellefonte, Pleasant Gap, Centre Hall, Port Matilda, and Boalsburg.
“We want to reach those children and families who want to send their children to school but just aren’t able to find the funds to do so,” says Barbara Geist, school director. “We want all children in our area to be able to receive an early childhood education.”
With classes for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds, the ultimate goal is to prepare children for kindergarten. The school’s curriculum includes traditional academics, following Pennsylvania’s early learning standards, as well as an emphasis on social and emotional skills, language and literacy, self-help skills, large and small motor development, and self-confidence.
“We believe that a child’s social and emotional well-being is equally important to being successful in school and later on in life, so we spend time helping children recognize their feelings, the feelings of others, and how to express those feelings in an appropriate manner,” Geist says. “Our overall goal is that children in our program are as equally prepared for kindergarten as any other child attending other programs in our area.”
A board of directors is responsible for the school’s finances and makes recommendations to the director. Board chair Gail Addison Guss worked in early childhood education for more than 30 years.
“Research has shown over the last 10 to 15 years that a quality early childhood education experience is foundational for a child’s learning throughout elementary school, high school, and college, along with holding down a job and staying out of prison,” she says. “It’s a good investment.”
A grassroots effort
One Sunday in the 1960s, Art Williams, member of Park Forest United Methodist Church, invited fellow members to his home to develop a community outreach initiative for the church. Norma Woika attended that meeting, along with many others who brainstormed possible efforts, such as planting a community garden or throwing birthday parties for the elderly.
“Then Art said, ‘I think we should be thinking about the children,’ ” Woika recalls. “And we all looked at him thinking there are no children we have to worry about in State College; everyone here has a good job. … But as we looked into it we realized there was a need.”
Woika, who is still a member of the church 50 years later, volunteered to meet with families who could benefit from a free-tuition preschool, originally named Park Forest Village Day Nursery. She filled them in on what the school would offer: a ride to the school and back, breakfast and lunch, and instruction from a certified teacher.
On March 18, 1967, the school opened with 15 children for a 10-week spring session, with one room for instruction and another for dining and playing.
Woika arrived that morning to make breakfast for the children, assuming she would serve toast and milk, something simple for so many students. Instead, she learned a dietician had offered guidance, and she was asked to make Cream of Wheat, something she had never previously cooked.
“I didn’t know what to do. I found the biggest pot and made half of a box,” Woika says. “We had so much Cream of Wheat, and no one ate. Our first meal was a disaster!”
Quickly, founders worked out the kinks. In its second year, the school expanded to offer two 4-year-old sessions for 12 weeks. In September 1968, the school began offering fall classes. Along the way, parent classes, visual screening services, and dental exams were incorporated. In 1969, a 3-year-old class was added. In 1993, the school added a 2-year-old program.
Today, the school offers free tuition; breakfast and lunch daily; health screenings, including dental, vision, developmental, and speech; a clothing bank for children; holiday food gift boxes for students and their families; emergency funds for parents; a weekly parenting class; and outdoor and indoor play areas. All classes meet for half-days. The school recently added an extended day option for 3- and 4 year-olds.
“No one thought it was needed in State College. I know it’s hard to believe when you think you live in a town where everything is perfect. But then when you see this, it makes you feel good that you are able to help,” Woika says. “I hope when the children go on to school they’re comfortable with their situation at the school and they don’t think they are different. I hope they can go in and be part of the gang and just enjoy school and their school work.”
Head of the class
Heather Fields, instructor for the 2-year-old class, has a natural ability to connect with her students. Gloria Horst-Rosenberger, who directed the school for 23 years, hired Fields as an assistant teacher and promoted her to teacher.
“I am so pleased that she has the gift of understanding 2-year-olds and is self-educating. She is so passionate about being a good teacher that she does a lot of learning on her own,” Horst-Rosenberger says. “She is a good motherly figure to these children, and she is able to direct them to follow through with instructions without a negative approach.”
What also may help Fields connect with her students and their parents is that Fields is an alum of Park Forest Preschool. In 1987, Fields was a student in the 4-year-old class. Just a toddler, her memories are vague; however, she recalls being happy in school, going on field trips, playing with cool toys, and eating good food.
Fields, a mother of two, takes her job seriously as she prepares young children for their education beyond preschool, whether it’s learning their colors, managing their emotions, or teaching them skills to help them build positive relationships with others.
“The kids make you feel good about yourself and as though you’re actually doing something important in society by teaching them how to be kind to one another and show compassion and empathy,” she says. “If everyone in the world could be kind to one another, think about how much better the world could be.”
A blessing for parents
For parent Kerri Sanchez, she sees how her son has grown since enrolling at Park Forest Preschool.
“I have seen him change dramatically. He is more social and wants to do more, like read. It’s just been great. He talks about school all of the time, and he loves his teachers,” she says.
Gail Catalano not only appreciates the school preparing her great-grandson for kindergarten but she also is grateful that teachers were able to identify his speech issue.
“The teachers, because they are trained professionals, can pick up on an issue and tell us how to get help,” she says. “After one summer [of speech therapy], they couldn’t believe the difference in my great-grandson’s speech.”
Heather Herncane, who has two children enrolled at the preschool, also noticed a dramatic change in her son.
“When he came here he had a complete turnaround. He was just a more vibrant child. The change was immediate. It was love at first sight, and he just shined,” she says.
A weekly parenting class, facilitated by Connie Schulz with the State College Area School District, supports parents such as Sanchez, Catalano, and Herncane.
“The older you get the more you realize the importance of families, and part of what we do is not only for the children but we also try to support parents to help them to have strong families,” Guss says, “because the research tells us that’s important in terms of helping children be successful.”
Herncane adds, “It takes a village to do anything; to live, it takes other people. That’s what this school has been. They provide everything that you need. I’m a big advocate of education. Everything comes back to education. Education is a basic need that everybody deserves.”
