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The Weekday School began in 1952 as an outreach program to serve the needs of the community with Mary McDavid serving as the first volunteer Director from 1952 to approximately 1959. The school began with 48 pupils and four teachers serving ages three, four, five, and six, or until they entered first grade. When the School began, it was referred to as “The Weekday Kindergarten, a School in Christian Living” and operated during the day, Monday through Fridays. There was a fee for these services.
In June 1952 Otto W. Moerner came to Laurel Heights as Minister of Education. His coming gave impetus to the program of leadership training for Church School workers and officials, not only at Laurel Heights, but throughout the Conference. In 1955 he became Minister of Visitation and Evangelism and Merle G. Weaver (July 1955 – May 1957) then became Minister of Education. Mr. Weaver helped a great deal with the program as he had a young daughter in the School.
On September 2, 1970 a Mother’s Day Out program began, allowing the addition of children younger than three (“the babies”) to the School.
In 1975 Betty Thomas approached the pastor, Dr. Charles L. Giesler (1973-1981), and told him she would like to take on the School and really make something of it. She was hired as the first full-time Director. At that time the School had over 100 children enrolled.
At some point, the name of the school changed to Laurel Heights United Methodist Weekday School. No one is exactly sure when this came about.
In June 1989, the School was accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Directors
Betty Thomas................1975 - 1981
Shirley Berdecio...........1981 - 1984
Diane Jurek...................1984 - 1985
Dr. Anne Wier...........1985 - Present
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