(Editor’s Note: This letter originally ran on March 16, 2024.)
Dear Editor,
At the end of this school year, Brookside Nursery School will be closing its red front door for the last time. It has been seven decades of growing and learning. Brookside will be remembered as a place where “smiles are magic.”
In September of 1953, the Red House Kindergarten in Wilmington opened. There was no public kindergarten at that time. In September of 1955, The Red House Kindergarten had new owners, a new name, and a new location. Ruth and Robert McCabe started Brookside Kindergarten on Woburn Street. This is the home where Ruth and Bob McCabe lived. This was a time when families did not own two cars and most parents were unable to drive their children to school. Bob McCabe used his trusty station wagon to go around town and pick up all the children for school. Over the years, Mrs. Edward Rice, Dorothy Kemp, Sue Aalerud, Ginny Hastings, and Joan Foster joined Brookside.
In 1973 Wilmington started public kindergarten. The Town Crier announced: “THE END OF AN ERA FOR BROOKSIDE KINDERGARTEN.” It was the end of one era and the beginning of another. Ruth McCabe turned the kindergarten into a preschool. The preschool ran under the direction of Ruth from 1973 to 1975.
In 1975, Brookside Nursery School changed hands once again to Mari Carmen deGaravilla, my loving mother. Our last name was tricky for the children and my mother proudly became Mrs. D. My mother had the good fortune to have Ginny Hastings and Joan Foster continue with the school. With the retirement of Joan Foster came Judy Austin and Brenda DiPasquale who took over to continue to teach our little ones.
My mother worked to make Brookside a Wilmington gem. Enrollment grew quickly over the years and waiting lists for each year were common. My mother valued education and the importance of teaching children how to be kind and independent. My mother left me a legacy to build on and I know that I have made her proud. My father, Bob, loved his role at Brookside. He helped my mother to make sure the school and house were always ready for the incoming children. My dad always took time to come to all the concerts, splash parties and the occasional drop in any given morning. He was a source of support for my mother and for me when I took over the school.
In 1995, my husband, Ken Warren, and I bought Brookside and our new home. I was excited to start my new career as a teacher and director at Brookside.
When I started in 1995, I had two young boys, Joe, and Peter. Joe would start preschool during my first year. As my children grew and changed so did preschool education. While years ago, preschool was considered something extra and optional, it has now become a necessary and important part of a child’s beginning step into formal education.
Brookside is and has always been a school where children learn in a nurturing and loving environment. My favorite moments are in the mornings when children arrive at school and at the end of the day when they go home. In the morning, they come happy and excited and with boundless energy. Children mirror our excitement and love of learning. This is an atmosphere I am proud of that we have created. When the children go home, children’s goodbyes are as loud as when they arrive. Each child feels special when there are chants of ‘GOOD-BYE” as a child’s car leaves the driveway.
I am grateful to all the wonderful teachers that have worked by my side. Ginny Hasting was a staple at Brookside for 40 years. The grandmother everyone loved. Then Bonnie Murphy came and brought with her the gift of music. Bonnie was with me for 24 years. She came to school each morning with enthusiasm and boundless energy. Even after her retirement, Bonnie came back happily to play the piano for us for our Christmas concerts. Paula Coughlin was with me for a brief time and she was such a special part of my transition into pre-school education. My dear friend Sharon DiFiore also taught here for 8 years. She always made everything fun and exciting. The children adored her. All the teachers brought their special talents and love to make Brookside what it is today.
Today I have two wonderful teachers and friends by my side: Tracy Surprenant and Marlene Tildsley. I am so grateful for their hard work and dedication to the children. This is an environment where friendships grow and I feel so fortunate that I work with these special teachers that I admire so much. This is truly a family run school. How special that not only my sisters and I attended Brookside but my children, all my nieces and nephews along with Marlene Tildsley’s children and Tracy Surprenant and all her children. Tracy will often remark on her memories of playing on the playground. So many wonderful memories shared by so many.
I am so thankful for my husband Ken, for I could not have done all that I had done without his help and support. The kids love seeing him in the morning and often comment with glee that they saw him running the streets of Wilmington.
It is time for me to retire. This is a bittersweet moment for me. I will have been operating Brookside for 29 years. We have seen so many wonderful children and families. I know we were able to teach them so much and I am grateful for all that I have learned from all our Brookside students and families. I deeply believe in early childhood education and am so fortunate to have been a part of so many young lives.
We will be hosting an open house on Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 1pm to 4pm. Anyone that would like to stop by and say hello is welcome to join us.
Thank you to the community of Wilmington for helping me and Brookside grow. Could not have done it with you!
Special thanks to:
To our families past and present for entrusting your wonderful children in our care.
To all substitutes that I relied on even at a moment’s notice. Thank you all so much!
The Wilmington Fire and Police Departments for all our wonderful and informative visits.
The Wilmington Library for all our special story hours at the library or here at Brookside
The Wilmington Art Center (now used for the public schools) for all our wonderful concerts every year.
The Methodist Church for taking us in for our concerts when the Art Center was no longer available.
To all our neighbors on Woburn Street. Over the years, the mornings and afternoons meant lines of parents waiting to drop off or pick up their children. I appreciate all your patience during these years!
Sincerely,
Cristina Warren
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