Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool students arrive at 8:30 a.m. for a non-stop day of lessons and activities. Teacher's Aide Veronica Allbright assists Brooks Bellinger and Hope Lawrence with watercolors in the 4-year-old class.

By Shelby Zacharias

Herald staff writer

Thirty years ago, a small school started in the foyer of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

About 10 students met weekly for preschool classes under the leadership of teacher Sally Bjerke.

Over the last three decades, that small school has grown and expanded, and over than time, has served countless children from more than 1,000 families.

According to Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool’s Director Tess Adams, the school currently serves more than 120 students in eight classes.

On Sunday, current and former students and their families will gather to celebrate the school’s 30th anniversary.

Preschool Board member Jan Schulz was there when it all started and has seen the school change over the years.

“There really weren’t any preschools around,” Schulz said. “My friend and I both had sons in the 3- and 4-year-old range, and they were ready to do something.”

The women were encouraged to explore available options, and it eventually led to the startup of the Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool.

Schulz went from serving as a board member to helping as a teachers aide as her children attended the school. As they grew, she became less involved. But now that her grandchildren are attending the school, Schulz said she enjoys being involved again.

According to Schulz, longtime teacher Bobbi Gettman was instrumental in the school’s growth.

And Schulz said it’s not just the number of students that’s changed the school, but the building as well.

Students no longer meet in the back of the chapel, but have two separate classrooms and a playground shared by the 3- and 4-year-old classes.

Meeting two to three days a week, the eight classes range in size from 13 to 17 students.

According to Adams, the school regularly has a waiting list of students trying to get in.

“We wish we had more space,” Adams said.

And with four classes a day, Adams said, “There’s no napping here we’re too busy.”

Four-year-olds start arriving at 8:30 a.m. and the day is almost non-stop from there.

Earlier this week, some children spent their free time making playdough pancakes and painting with water colors, as others took turns walking on stilts or stacking building blocks.

According to Adams, many of the students have older siblings that also attended the school, and the parents are often very involved, volunteering in the classrooms or acting as board representatives.

“Because our parents are a part of the program, it really enhances what we do,” she said. “They are very wonderful to our teachers.”

The teachers at the school have education degrees and years of teaching experience. According to Adams, the teachers are constantly adding to the curriculum.

Students also get to take field trips to a number of places including the fire station, the airport and the nature trails.

Every week students attend chapel with Rev. Mark Adams as he expands on the weekly lesson.

“We feel it’s important to give them an opportunity to come to church and ask questions,” Tess Adams said about the weekly chapel.

“Our main message is to teach children about Jesus Christ,” she said. “We want them to learn that God made them, and they are very important.”

According to Adams, only about half of the students attend church, and just a small portion come from within the Bethlehem Lutheran congregation.

From the beginning, the church congregation has been very supportive of the school, Adams said. In addition to providing the building, members also serve on the preschool board, and a number of individual members donate time and services to the school.

One of the church members, Erma Neilsen, has helped create an important school tradition. Every year, she makes a quilt with students handprints.

This weekend, Adams hopes to expand on that tradition by getting a representative from each of the 30 years to be part of a new quilt.

In addition to the quilt, preschool alumni and current students will have the opportunity to contribute to a stepping stone project.

Adams said all former students will be asked to sign individual rocks that will be placed into stepping stones and later put into the school’s courtyard to commemorate the 30 years of education.

The celebration is as much for the church congregation as it is for the many families that have been involved in the preschool.

The event will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Events will include a baked potato feed at a cost of $3 per person or $10 per family.

They will also have a bingo game and silent auction, as well as an open house, chapel service and re-dedication of the school.

The proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the future needs of the preschool.

The preschool board is looking for all alumni as they try to create an archive of former students.

Anyone who attended the school is encouraged to call 567-7829 or e-mail blcsec@eotnet.net with current contact information.