Reflections On The Early Years – The Nursery
by Michelle Kuzia

Betty Krainis' smile and warmth of personality brought many of us to the school. I assisted Betty in the kindergarten for many years and in 1977 parents began asking about a class for the younger children. In September 1978, our first nursery opened its doors equipped with a host of tag sale items and handmade toys. Everything was on wheels to enable us to share the room with Thorn Zay for woodworking (his table was also on wheels) and Elizabeth Haberstroh for eurythmy.

The room is now the main office section. From here we moved to another room in 1979, now the faculty room and Chairman of the Council's room. There was a lovely mural painted Linder the direction of Famke Chezar and other walls in lazure done by the faculty.

With the nursery so close to the office it was often necessary to run from the loss to answer the phone when Penelope Nauman wasn't there.

Those were also the years that I headed a committee that researched and won busing from Berkshire Hills - a big boost for the school.

I remember the parent evenings in the kindergarten when the fireplace was roaring and we were sipping cider. And I haven't forgotten the freezing days when we would light the fireplace to keep the children warm. The heating system was so poor and the old windows couldn't keep out the cold. The water pipes were always freezing and bursting.

Parents gathered around the sandbox to chat even then. No one wanted to leave on a spring day when all nature was waking up and the children were playing so contentedly.

We we have had many many wonderful teachers, the unsung heroes are the faculty husbands and wives who have lived with the late meetings, the extra hours and their mate's dedication to their students and unending involvement with the school.

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