The History of Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School
Timeline
The entire Greenhouse community will gather together on February 1, 2020 to celebrate and honor the 100 year long legacy of Columbia Greenhouse.
We filled our outdoor space behind 424 (known lovingly as the Small Yard) with natural materials like sticks, stumps and rocks. The addition of the mud kitchen opened up even more possibilities for children to interact and explore elements of the natural world like mud, water and ice.
Vera Elumn, our long-time Administrator, was honored for her 25 years of service to Greenhouse. Vera continued to work at Greenhouse until 2019 when she retired. Her stead-fast presence and dedication is deeply woven into the community.
Four teachers, Paula Doerfel, Lizzy Soriano, Margaret Williams and Arlene Carter attended a study group in Reggio Emilia, Italy where they learned about the Reggio approach and visited some of the iconic schools in the town. They returned inspired! And shared that inspiration with their colleagues, children and families.
In keeping with our long-standing affiliation with Columbia University, the Office of Work/Life began to serve as our primary liaison to the University in 2006.
After a strategic planning period, the Board of Trustees changed its structure. Part of the change was to create the Parent Association. Through the years, the PA has sponsored many events, raised funds and fostered a true sense of community amongst parents.
To kick-off Greenhouse’s 85th year, comedy star (and Greenhouse parent) Greg Giraldo headlined a special benefit performance. Other comedians that performed that night included Lewis Black, Judy Gold, Jim Gaffigan, Dave Attel, Darrel Hammond and Tom Papa.
Through the years, our classrooms have been filled with furry and not-so-furry friends like guinea pigs, hamsters, bunnies, stick bugs, frogs and tarantulas! Frisky was a long-time favorite. Greenhouse children have engaged with the complete cycle of responsibility of taking care of another living creature.
The lovely sand yard, known as Maia’s Playground was replaced by Warren Hall. The Law School offered us outdoor space to create our current elevated play ground, known as The Big Yard. And we added the front east room to our current space in 404.
Carrie Cheek, Greenhouse’s first professional director, returned to help Greenhouse celebrate its 75 years of dedication and commitment to young children and families. In addition to Carrie’s return, Perri Klass, Greenhouse alum, pediatrician and author also spoke at the celebration.