A Look Back on the Euclid City Schools Child Development Center

On August 16, 2013, the Euclid City Schools Child Development Center will close. The Center was opened in September of 1978 by the Euclid Board of Education. The Board had insight at that time on the importance of Early Childhood Education. The school was initially located at the Russell Erwine School on East 246 Street. The school began with a small number of students who attended full time preschool five days per week. It soon blossomed to include part time preschool and then a Latch-Key program. The student body included students ages 2 ½-12 years of age and quickly grew larger due to the number of parents returning to the work force. 

After many years the school was relocated to the Benjamin Franklin School on Wilmore Avenue for approximately eighteen years. The center then was moved in October of 2012 to Memorial Park School on Fox Avenue after merging with the TOTS and TYKES public preschool programs.

We have had the support of so many of our parents over the years that I would like to personally thank all of our families for entrusting their children in our care. We have seen so many of our students achieve greatness in their educational journeys.

These educational victories could not have been accomplished without our excellent teachers. Many of our staff members have been dedicated employees of our school for countless years. Thanks to Miss Tammy, Miss Rain, Miss Robin, Miss Cheryl, Miss Michele, Miss Barb, Miss Colleen, Miss Michelle S., Miss Kathy, Miss Dawn, Miss Michelle K , Miss Mary, Miss Jamie and Miss Jessica. It is because of them our students have excelled. 

Thanks also to our Central office administrators for their guidance and support through the years most especially Joseph P. Mayer, Delores Tocco Tekieli, John Fell, Dr. Andrea Celico, John Schweitzer, Superintendent Keith Bell and the members of the Euclid Board of Education. They were all a vital part of our team at the Child Development Center. A final thanks to the staff both certified and classified of the Euclid City School district for their willingness to help us achieve our mission at the Child Development Center.

August 16, 2013, will be the last day under the past configuration of the Child Development Center.  I have been the director of this great school for the past (30) years and have made so many friends both professionally and personally that have helped me in my work. My staff and I are very proud of our work at the Center and will always remember just how many students’ lives we enriched by being their teachers.

The Child Development Center will host an Open House on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm for alumni, past employees or anyone else who would like to visit with our staff. Light refreshments will be served.

**Please Note**The Euclid City Schools TOTS and TYKES Preschool program will continue to offer a public preschool program at the Early Learning Center at 22800 Fox Avenue.  For information call 216.732.2700.

Deborah A. Barberio is the director of the Euclid City Schools Child Development Center.