HEREABOUTS pamela dillon
Bonnie Calpin has managed the preschool education of more than 4,000 children. But that’s not the only statistic that is impressive. She has been in charge of Springboro Preschool Discovery for 27 years. In that time, her staff has grown from three to 13. I think you’ll agree that she has earned the right to sit back and take it easy for a while. She is handing the ownership of the business over to Mary Binning at the end of May.
All past and current students, parents, teachers and friends of the school are invited to celebrate her legacy during an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The party will be at the school, located at the west end of United Church of Christ, 5 W. Mill St.
Calpin moved from Kansas City, Mo., to Springboro in 1983. She had a background in education, but couldn’t find a job. That’s when she met school employee Sue Noe, who told her the preschool was for sale.
“I never had an inkling that the school would grow like this. Of course, I never thought Springboro would get so large, either,” Calpin said. “What I’ll miss the most are the smiles, and just being around the children and seeing their little faces. Also, watching them grow and see the changes from the time they begin until they move on to kindergarten.”
She also might miss some of the funny things that kids do and say, like:
• On one of the yearly field trip visits to the firehouse, a firefighter asked the children what they do when the fire alarm goes off at their house. One of the students replied, “Throw a shoe at it.”
• Just after Christmas vacation one year, a child returned to school and asked his teacher, “Are you an elf?”
• During one lesson where the children were asked what mommy and daddy do all day one child replied, “My daddy goes to work and takes a nap on his desk.”
One thing’s for sure, you can’t come to work at a preschool and get by with taking naps. The growth of the Calpin’s program has included a change from 2 1/2 hour sessions to 3 hour sessions for 3- and 4-year-olds, the addition of a toddler program and a Pre-K Plus program. The latter program is for students who are old enough to attend kindergarten, but aren’t ready.
“It’s a warm, inviting environment and the staff truly loves what they do,” Calpin said. “I know it will stay that way, because I could not ask for someone better than Mary to take over the school. That in itself is a dream come true.”
Binning has a bachelor of arts in English from Cedarville University, and seven years of education experience, including two years as an early childhood education director for Armstrong Chapel, a church in the Indian Hill area of Cincinnati.
“I learned about this school as a parent looking for a preschool for my son, Matt. I knew right away this would be a great place for him,” said Binning, who grew up in Oakwood, and has a daughter, Kate, enrolled in SPD’s toddler program. “I really grew to love the staff; they were so wonderful with Matt. I loved this environment for him.”
Two staff members have been there for the past 23 years: Debbie Trick and Laurie Stark. Stark is now an administrator at the school. Cindy Stoetzer has worked at SPD for 18 years.
And what is Calpin planning after her 27 years?
“Spend more time with my grandchildren, hopefully do some traveling, and maybe some volunteering,” said Calpin, who has three granddaughters who will eventually graduate from SPD: Maeve Ruble, Margaux Ruble and Kiana Hill.
For more information about Springboro Preschool Discovery, email Calpin at spd@hotmail.com, or visit www.springboropreschool discovery.com.
Contact this columnist at (937) 748-3487 or PamDillon@woh.rr.com.