A Joyful Noise doubles in size

Children are enjoying a bigger, better school facility at A Joyful Noise after months of expansion. As its fifth year begins this fall, the school will have doubled in both square footage and the number of children who can attend.

This Thursday, August 11, owner Evelyn Brush is holding an open house in her newly expanded school. From 4 to 6 p.m. adults and children can tour the new space and enjoy refreshments. Brush will offer the kids a chance to grind grain, use block crayons and play on the newly upgraded playground. Brush said everyone in the community is welcome.

Brush said construction for the addition has been going on steadily since March but she’s never needed to close either her preschool or summer program.

“Kids learned, napped and played through jack hammers, roofing and plumbing,” said Brush.

Brush said the work provided extra lessons for the kids. They wore hard hats to watch the excavation. Later, when the wood floor was being installed, the kids sat on benches close to the work, moving the benches as new rows were added. Then the man laying the floor gave them all the tail end of a piece of wood as a souvenir of that experience.

“They all know I built this for them — they’re happy!” said Brush. “We danced in the space to help make it ours.”

Although Brush believes there are benefits to mixing ages, the addition creates a second classroom allowing for separation of younger and older kids when they need it.

“An important thing of blending is that the older kids teach the younger kids,” said Brush, adding there will be an open-door policy between the two classrooms. However, if the older kids don’t want to feel the responsibility of being a role model, or if the little ones want a quieter place, then the two classrooms provide each age group its own space.

Also, the addition “gives better service for a complete after-school program.” Beginning this fall, the after-school program will offer help with homework to elementary school students.

“Now there will be a teacher here to meet their needs specifically,” said Brush.

Brush said the need for expansion was clear because she has a waiting list.

“Because I feel so strongly about a Waldorf school, I wanted it available for everyone,” said Brush.

As a Waldorf-influenced program, kids are given time for imaginative play and led in activities that reflect the rhythms of nature. There is no television or computer and snacks are organic. Kids play outside every day in the large fenced yard.

“I believe so strongly in the philosophy. We’re trying to create human beings who will be good adults.”

The fall preschool opens the Tuesday after Labor Day. In the original classroom, Nicole Biss-Martel will teach nine kids.

She has experience in early childhood education and has a love of music. Next door, Brush and a full-time assistant will have 15 kids. Because Brush believes “our job is to support families,” she offers a flexible schedule where parents can choose the days their child attends.

A Joyful Noise is located at104 E. Adams Ave., 549-2066.