April 22, 2015 at 2:07 p.m.
Humpty Dumpty preschool program celebrates 50 years
Open house on April 29
Humpty Dumpty preschool program celebrates 50 years
Humpty Dumpty founders Mrs. Herman Smith and Mrs. Eric Friis first opened their doors in 1965 in the basement of the Congregational Church of Eagle River. Their mission was to offer a secular program that included organized games, arts, crafts, music and free-play. This structure distinguished Humpty Dumpty as a preschool program and not a baby-sitting service.
Throughout the past 50 years there have been many teachers that have helped over 2,000 area children prepare for academic success in local public and private schools. Those teachers include: Mrs. David Hedberg, Donna Schwartz, Mary Ann Hansen, Thomas Smart, Lois Satran, Josie Miller, Mary Nagy, Julie Stefonik, Maureen Hicks, Annette Snedden, and for the last 24 years, Montezon.
Many community members have fond memories of the Humpty Dumpty program Lauren Riedel, a 1995 graduate of the program, states, "My experience in the program not only prepped me for kindergarten, it also taught me how to interact well with other children. I did not realize at the time how those relationships would positively impact the rest of my life. I am still friends with some of the children that I met in the program."
Montezon believes in the program's slogan "great beginnings never end" and adds, "Even though the program may have made some changes in the past 50 years, the goals have remained the same. Children graduate with the skills to socially interact appropriately with people of all ages and are prepared to meet the requirements of kindergarten."
Families with children turning 3 or 4 years of age are encouraged to attend the Humpty Dumpty open house.
Children must be potty trained by the start of the program. There will be a 2015 summer session available and one that starts in the fall and follows the school year. For the fall program the 4K session will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the three-year-old program Tuesdays and Thursdays, both from 9-11 a.m.
Interested families can call the Northwoods Children's Museum at (715) 479-4623 for more information.
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