Princeton Nursery School

Reflections

Remembering Our Founder

MARGARET FLINSCH

FLINSCH--Margaret, of West Harrison, NY, died on April 16, 2011. She was the widow of Walter Flinsch of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Mrs. Flinsch was born in Glendale, OH, the fifth child of Paul Matthews, later the Bishop of New Jersey, and Elsie Procter. From the age of 19 until her death at the age of 103, she was a pupil of G.I. Gurdjieff and was one of the founding members of the Gurdjieff Foundation in New York City. Her life interest in education led to the founding of the Princeton Nursery School in Princeton, NJ, when she was young, as well as later, to the founding of the Blue Rock School, now in West Nyack, NY. Both schools continue to this day. She is survived by her two daughters, Angela Laignel-Lavastine and Josephine Thatcher, and by seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Creating Great Memories for Small Children—and Their Parents

Princeton Nursery School is a place where children “create great memories” says PNS parent Liliana. Liliana and Antoniocame to the U.S. from their native Guatemala nearly 25 years ago. They arrived first in California, where they worked for four years, before joining Liliana’s brother in New Jersey. In Princeton, the couple settled into a new life and soon began a family. They each worked two jobs to support themselves until Antonio found permanent employment with an area school system and Liliana pursued work as a housekeeper. Their family grew with the birth of Wilson in 1992, followed by Melissa in 1994, and later Brandon, just three years ago.

When Wilson first attended PNS in the mid-90s, two-year old sister Melissa was envious of her big brother and wanted to go to school too. Within months she had quickly potty trained and joined her brother at school. Praising PNS as a “great school with excellent teachers,” Liliana put little Brandon on the school waiting list when he was just nine months old to ensure that he didn’t miss out on the PNS experience.

Liliana appreciates that the school is affordable, convenient, and provides the children with nutritious meals during the day. She also singles out the value of the language program to the Hispanic community. Children learn English quickly and are well prepared when they graduate from PNS.

Melissa was able to enjoy the PNS experience again this summer. She participated in the youth employment program and has given back to the school by volunteering her time to help the teachers before she returned to Princeton High School in the fall.

A Part of Princeton Culture and a Place to Thrive—for Generations

Princeton Nursery School is “a part of Princeton culture” that has held a special place in Tina's heart for two generations. As a tiny girl, Tina moved to Princeton where her Aunt Estelle lived on Birch Avenue. Tina’s mom, a native of Jamaica who came to the U.S. by way of the UK, brought little Tina to PNS on the recommendation of her aunt. She fondly remembers the nursery school as a neighborhood staple in the late 1970s where most of the local kids had their first school experience.

Currently pursuing a master’s degree, Tina, and her husband, a teacher, turned to PNS for the next generation of their family--daughter Milan, who is now in middle school and son Jordan, a current PNS student. Tina appreciates the “loving atmosphere” that has been consistent from generation to generation and a staff that’s like family. Tina recalls how nervous Milan was on the first day of school and how relieved Tina was to find Jean Riley at PNS—the same Executive Director as when Tina was a student.

In addition to the consistent quality and affordability of PNS, Tina applauds the school for good communication with parents and a physical environment that delights the senses with bright colors and artwork on the walls, the sounds of music, and the aroma of home-cooked food.

Over the years, Tina has seen the school evolve to provide bilingual programs for Hispanic families in the neighborhood and to offer early exposure to learning Spanish for Milan and Jordan. She also appreciates the PNS traditions that are unchanged; in particular the PNS school song and the formal graduation ceremony. In recognition of the schools anniversary, Tina joins other alumni in saying thanks for providing positive experiences, a sense of self worth and a love for learning for generations of children!