First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, New Jersey

PNS Home | Testimonials | Events | Application | Other Resources

To PNS with Love

I had just about made up my mind in January 1999 as to where my daughter, Diana, was going to preschool that fall. That was until I walked into PNS’ cheery halls, brightly decorated with artwork and saw homemade penguins lining the floor as Mrs Cavagnaro’s class marched out to the playground. What a contrast PNS was with the dark paneled walls of the other school that I almost chose. The atmospheres inside both schools seemed as different as night and day.

Then when I met with Mrs. Farry and she showed me around, I was certain that PNS was the best place for Diana. I was impressed with the philosophy of play as the opportunity for learning, without all those structured academics that would follow soon enough in kindergarten. I liked the idea of co-oping. Even though I worked, I was sure that my schedule was flexible enough that I could easily slip in one co-oping day a month in her 3’s class. And it was, and everything jelled.

Di loved the place right away and I loved Mrs. Chidichimo right away. Di barely looked behind to say goodbye as she ran into the classroom every day. Some of my favorite times in that class were the Halloween party and the Valentine’s party, which I was lucky both times to co-op at. I loved Mrs. Chidichimo’s ability to talk at the children’s level yet keep us parents laughing and engaged in the activities of the day.

I was amazed then (and still am) by how much the PNS teachers observe and delineate about the children during what looks to us as “just playing.” I was happy that the children moved between several rooms and the playground and weren’t stuck in one classroom throughout the entire time.

As the year went on, I told Mrs. Chidichimo and the other co-op moms in February that I was expecting a baby in June. Well, everyone couldn’t have been nicer and helped me clean up and sweep sand when I couldn’t bend down. When I had trouble co-oping physically by May, another mother volunteered to take over my time. The Mother’s Day tea was especially memorable and I cried (I’m a big softie for these types of things). The other Moms said it was my hormones but I told them I would have been the same way even if I wasn’t pregnant. I almost made it to the end of the year but delivered Diana’s baby brother, Michael, on June 8, 2000, Di’s last day of school. My parents had to take over that day and bring Di for her last day. They told me in the hospital how impressed they were with the school and the giant memory book that Di brought home.

Mrs. Lane’s 4’s class was just as wonderful. There was no question that Di would be back at PNS for her second year there. Mrs. Lane’s way was much quieter than Mrs. Chidichimo’s and she expected more of the children (of course since they were getting so big then!). I especially loved the 4’s playground and the emphasis the school has on making sure the children get their outside time on every day that’s possible. I remember one day seeing Mrs. Lane herself shoveling the snow around the gate so the children could get out for fun. The year went all too fast, of course, but I knew that I would be back with Michael. Several of us with children in Mrs. Lane’s class had had babies the year before and cheerfully said “See you in two years.” (Mrs. Shanahan, Mrs. Baron, Mrs. Anfuso, Mrs. Wisniewski, and myself — we all returned!)

I remember on Michael’s first day in fall 2003 how thrilled I was to be making that familiar journey again down route 34 south and over what we called the “ghosty” bridge (it makes a howling noise when you drive over it and the kids named it the “ghosty” bridge). PNS was everything wonderful that I remembered it was. I was much more nervous about how Michael was going to fit in than I ever was with Di. Being that he was a June baby, one of the younger ones in the class and a bit clingy with me, I was nervous. Mrs. Cavagnaro dubbed him a “fringe” boy — that he might be on the fringe of crying when I left but that he would probably do OK. Well, he never did cry and after about three weeks of Mrs. Cavagnaro gently guiding him into an activity each morning, he was fine. He didn’t speak too much in class those first six months, but eventually he began participating more and more. He certainly liked going to school and was always excited on school days; he just wasn’t a big talker. The mother’s day tea was again a highlight of the 3’s class, and I loved all the little touches the children put into their preparations and songs. (The strawberry plant he brought home is still blooming in the front yard.)

Then before we knew it, it was Michael’s turn to be in the 4’s class, with Mrs. Gajdzis. This year I didn’t worry at all about him participating in class. He has his friends, loves the blocks, and goes right into class. I’m amazed by how much he’s learning, not just the letters, shapes, and colors, etc., but what it means to be a friend and how to welcome new friends into the classroom. It’s hard for me to name a favorite time this year; all my co-oping times seem bittersweet as I know my time with PNS is sadly drawing to a close this June. All us mothers — and some dads too — have become wonderful friends and confidantes and I hope to keep up some of the connections.

I feel that my two children have benefited enormously from the teachers and curriculum at PNS. I like the way spiritual lessons are worked into the holidays in ways that the children can understand. I appreciate the way the classrooms are run with a variety of activities, freedom for the children to choose what they want to do, and field trips that teach all types of lessons — nature, being kind to the elderly, the Christmas nativity, gymnastics, etc.

I know this is long and that I will be crying on the last day of school for Michael as I bid farewell to PNS. I will continue to boast about the beautiful years my children were there and all that you have done for Diana and Michael in making their first experiences with school so wonderful and FUN. God Bless and Thank you, Mrs. Farry and all of the other teachers, parents, and children who passed our paths these years (1999-2001 and 2003-2005) at PNS.

Fondly, Barbara I.