For the very young it was their first taste of pomp and circumstance.
And for those on the far side of life, Tuesday’s preschool graduation ceremonies may have rekindled memories of a time long ago.
USD 257’s Age-to-Age Preschool graduated 30 students at Windsor Place nursing home where the preschool students interact daily with senior citizens. The students are now ready for kindergarten.
“Our residents will go crazy this summer without the children,” said Linda Milholland, director of Windsor Place. “They will really miss them.
The program can take 30 students, 15 for each morning and afternoon session. Iola and Coffeyville are the only cities in Kansas which have the mixed-generation format. Iola’s program is in its second year.
“We’re a model for the state,” Brian Pekarek, USD 257 superintendent of schools, said.
Enrollment is based on a family’s income and is first-come, first-serve, Pekarek said.
“With 63 percent of our district students qualifying for free- or reduced-priced lunches, you can understand why the waiting list is so long,” Pekarek said. “We could have double the amount of students for slots available.”
Students and their families enjoyed a reception with Windsor Place residents after the graduation ceremonies.
About 100 attended the event on the facility’s parking lot.
