Director’s Corner
 

What a wonderful celebration we had on Thursday, December 18th to honor the Children’s School’s 40th Anniversary and reminisce about its impact on each of us!  Celebrants included staff, researchers, children, and families from across all four decades, each of whom had wonderful memories to share.

Thanks to the Planning Committee and the Children’s School Staff, the Rangos Ballroom was beautifully decorated with children’s artwork, photos from across four decades, and festive balloons.  While the slide show inspired reminiscence, the Boilermaker Jazz Band provided musical ambiance. 
 

Guests had opportunities to do a wide variety of activities provided by the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.  In addition, everyone enjoyed Children’s School favorites, including apple-scented play dough, spin art, singing with Mr. and Mrs. Bird, and dancing with Miss McMichael.  Parkhurst Dining Services provided delicious hors d’oeuvres and apple cider, and Leed’s donated portfolios with the Children’s School logo as party favors.  As a memento of the event, guests added their family’s name to an apple for the quilt made by Lorrie Cranor.

During the official program, Carnegie Mellon dignitaries, Dr. Scheier, Dr. Lehoczky, and Dr. Kamlet, lauded our broad impact on campus, in the community, and across the nation. City Council President, Douglas Shields, presented an official proclamation declaring in part, “Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend the Children’s School of Carnegie Mellon for 40 years of outstanding commitment to early childhood education; and, be it further resolved, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Thursday, December 18, 2008 to be the ‘Children’s School Day’ in the City of Pittsburgh.”We also received a commendation from President George W. Bush, stating in part, “This anniversary provides an opportunity for you to take pride in your school and your accomplishments… Your dedication to America’s youth reflects the spirit of our Nation."
 

In addition, the International Association of Laboratory and University-Affiliated Schools (NALS) honored us with an award for being “A Shining Star for 40 Years”.  Dr. Wendell McConnaha, director of the Falk Laboratory School at the University of Pittsburgh, presented the award to the Children’s School’s founder and director from 1968-1993, Dr. Ann Baldwin Taylor, and to Dr. Sharon M. Carver.

May 2009 be a year of health and wholeness as we begin our next 40 years of excellence and innovation in early childhood education!