ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

OUR HISTORY

In 1964, Trinity Episcopal Church member and Collinsville resident, Alice Barnhart, was searching for a local nursery school program for her youngest son, Daniel. She and several parents from the parish approached the Vestry about the fact that there was no preschool in town to send their children to. At the time, Trinity Church was in the process of relocating its entire structure from Maple Avenue to the present 55 River Road location. The proposal for a preschool was approved, and construction planning at the new location included a new parish hall to house the school.

Alice and her fellow parishioners formed a parent committee consisting of the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Russell Post, Mrs. Edward Ward, Mrs. Edison Speer, Mrs. Donald Prue, and Mrs. Harry (Alice) Barnhart. In 1965, Trinity Nursery School opened as a non-sectarian establishment so that all preschool-aged children in Canton and the surrounding towns were invited to attend. The school not only reached full capacity, but also had a waiting list! Mrs. George Sottile, of Canton, was hired as the first nursery school teacher, and was accompanied by the mothers of the students who assisted in the classroom on a volunteer and rotating basis.

As well as providing the school with indoor play equipment, the parent committee began a "do it yourself" project, bolstered by donations from area merchants, parishioners, and families. The project yielded an outdoor playground for the children with donated railroad ties, walking planks, toys, and a cupboard for equipment. Area residents also purchased a snowfence for safety. Alongside the swings, merry-go-round and climbers, ladders were arranged together for climbing fun, sewer pipes for crawling through, and tree stumps shaped in a semi-circle for the children to sit upon while they listened to stories or discussed nature with Mrs. Sotille.

After many years and ever-changing times, the core of our school remains the same. Children continue to enter through our doors with enthusiasm to explore and learn about the vast world around them. The continued success and existence of our nursery school is undoubtedly due to the love and support received from our parents, teachers, volunteer parent committees, and the members of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Thank you, Alice, fellow committee members and Vestry members for Trinity Nursery School’s foundation. Thanks to all of the families and friends who have been with us throughout the years and to those who are with us today. We are forever grateful for your spirit and support!

OUR CURRICULUM

Our curriculum at TNS is based on the theories of Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson. Our primary goals are to provide a happy and positive first experience in school and to reinforce every child’s self esteem. We provide activities that are developmentally appropriate and help guide in the development of healthy relationship skills and in the ability to function as part of a group. Much of our program is literature or nature-based, and is aimed at the well-being of the “whole child,” stimulating the cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and creative areas of development. We also promote gradual awareness of the larger world (family, neighborhood, school, town, state, country, world). In our four’s program, we facilitate and monitor readiness for kindergarten. At TNS, we pride ourselves on providing a quality preschool experience to children of all abilities and developmental levels. Our curriculum adheres to NAEYC standards.

OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Our school continues to raise money for various communities and outreach programs, such as Heifer International and The Canton Food Bank. We believe that helping others establishes a deep sense of compassion and reinforces character development.

HOW WE OPERATE

At TNS, the daily operations of our school are run by the TNS Board, which consists of parent volunteers, teachers, the church Rector, and a vestry liaison. The parents of existing and incoming TNS students are asked to volunteer at the school in an effort to keep tuition and other expenses low, and to enhance the family/school relationship. Parents may be asked to fill new or vacant positions on the TNS Board, and/or participate in one of the volunteer sub-committees. Members of the Board include Board Chair/Co-Chair, Teachers, School Treasurer, School Administrator, Newsletter Chair, Maintenance Chair/Co-Chair, Fundraiser Chair/Co-Chair, Candy Cane Carnival Chair/Co-Chair, Special Events Chair/Co-Chair, Publicity Chair/Co-Chair, Scholarship Chair/Co-Chair and Classroom Organization & Supplies Chair/Co-Chair. The board meetings are held once a month and all parents are welcome to attend.