Photo by Lynda Bennett
West Haven Green Nursery School Board of Directors Steven R. Mullins reads to three year old pupils last November.
This Friday’s commencement ceremony at the West Haven Green Nursery School will mark the school’s closure after 53 years outstanding of service to the children and parents of West Haven and the surrounding area.
Founded by Mrs. Lorrain Standish and the late Jean Kaas in 1964 as a non-denominational mission outreach of the First Congregational Church of West Haven, it has for many years since her retirement been directed by Jean M. Palmer.
Tough economic times have reduced the school’s enrollment so drastically that it can no longer afford to operate.
“The West Haven Green Nursery School is very proud of the excellent educational foundation that it has provided to so many young people from West Haven and other communities over the last five decades and our teachers will miss shaping their young minds for the future.” said Nursery School Board of Directors President Steven R. Mullins in a letter to the Congregational Church Board of Trustees President Michael Harrington.
At Friday’s commencement, Mayoral Chief of Staff John Lewis will present official citations from Mayor Edward M. O’Brien to Palmer, who has worked at the school for 35 year, teacher Lynda Bennett, who has worked at the school for 21 years and Ann Marie Sullivan, who has worked there 13 years. Founder Lorrain Standish, age 96 will also receive a citation for her pioneering innovation in the school’s conception and development.