May 19, 2015 -- Pre-K students at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Child Development Center led parents, installation staff and other guests into reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing God Bless America during an End of Year Program, May 19.
The stage at the Base Theater, here, was decorated with inflated palm trees, lined with 21 tiny chairs, filled with 21 smiling faces, laughter and chatter of graduating scholars, who are transitioning from MCLB Albany’s CDC to the next phase of their education.
Attendees were welcomed, entertained with a variety of songs and witnessed a series of facial expressions and animated, comical moves as the students sang and performed to the popular children’s song and group dance, “Tooty Ta.”
The ceremony culminated with each of the students receiving certificates, which were presented to them by their teacher, Megan Cherry, amidst a random series of flashbulbs, applause and cheers from parents and onlookers.
Cherry, Pre-K teacher, CDC, MCLB Albany, gave a tearful farewell to the students from whom she said she had “learned a lot.”
“It has been a journey making sure they received whatever information they need,” she recapped as the tears rolled down her face. “I originally had 22 students, but today I have 21. It’s so hard (to let them go). The thing I hope most that I have left with them is that they are loved and that they can learn anything.”
Parent Patricia James commented on hers and her child’s experiences at the CDC over the past year.
“Today, my 4-year old daughter, Miracle, graduated from Pre-K,” James said. “She has been at the CDC for one year and will now be attending kindergarten. I feel we have had a (great) year and a blessed one because everyone at the CDC has been so wonderful. I told my husband that I’m going to miss the CDC because the spirit there is so sweet.”
Michelle Ramos, Resource and Referral Office, CDC, MCLB Albany, discussed the enrollment stipulations and eligibility standards for the CDC’s Pre-K Program.
“I am involved in Pre-K in the sense that I will be coordinating the enrollment for the upcoming school year and making sure that we’re following all of the guidelines and standards that are provided to us through the Pre-K Program,” Ramos said. “(Applicants) have to meet the eligibility requirements for the CDC. In addition to that, Pre-K (students) need to be 4-years old by September 1.
“We have one Pre-K classroom so there is limited space,” Ramos added. “Therefore, it is very important that anyone interested should register as soon as possible. Registration has already started and although we do have some spaces available, (parents) run the risk of not having a space if they wait too long to register.”
According to Ramos, dependent children of active-duty service members, retirees, Department of Defense civilians or contractors aboard the installation are eligible for enrollment at the CDC.