Kindergarten

The Kindergarten program will be kicking off its 60th year on August 6th, 2007. The program was started in 1947 when Rev. Dan Whitsett was just starting his ministry in Sylacauga. There have been thousands of girls and boys whose lives have been enriched by the dedication and hard work of many wonderful teachers. Sylacauga Cooperative School for Children Under Six sponsored by the First Methodist Church opened under the direction of Mrs. Cloyd Smith as a kindergarten and first grade in 1947. The staff was kept to a minimum as parents who had a child in the school were required to volunteer a set number of hours per month as part of their tuition. The Brown family donated a bus and children were picked up and returned home after school. Lunch was prepared daily by the Kindergarten cook. The brainchild of Dr. Dan Whitsett, who was just beginning his ministry at this church, the Kindergarten flourished and grew rapidly. The following ministers have served the Kindergarten over the last 59 years: Otis Kirby, Charles Moore, Elmer Johnson, Wallace Lovett, Howard Collins, Charles Betts, J. Charles Boling, Robert Gunn, B.J. Carter, Hughey Reynolds, Glenn Connor and Todd Henderson. In the history of the Kindergarten there have been six directors. When the first director, Mrs. Cloyd Smith, moved from Sylacauga in 1967, Mrs. Edna Atkinson Lusk was named to fill this position after teaching in the program for nearly ten years. Mrs. Lusk served in this capacity for 21 years retiring in 1988. Mrs. Connie Archer Wright, who had taught in the four year old program for many years, was unanimously voted into the position of director by the Board of Trustees. Mrs. Wright resigned in 1992. At this time Mrs. Karen Cooper Slaten took over but due to personal reasons resigned after only a few months. In 1992 Dr. Ted Spears was named director and served until 2002. Mrs. Dee Dee Riddlehoover Mathews is currently the director. Through the years the Kindergarten has grown and more classes and age levels added due to more women going back into the work force. Three year olds were added in 1969, the three year old three day program in 1973 and in 2001 the Infant/Toddler Nursery made its debut. There are close to 200 children currently enrolled in the program. Due to the dedicated, loving and hard working staff, First United Methodist Kindergarten is known throughout the Sylacauga area as having the very best preschool program. As we begin our 60th year in this Christian ministry of First United Methodist Church, it is our goal to remain at the forefront of early childhood education for many years to come. With the support of our dedicated staff, parents and church members the safety, security, happiness, love and learning will be in vogue for many years to come at First United Methodist Kindergarten.