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Celebrating 40 years of service
 To some 40 years is a long time, for others 40 years ago was
just yesterday. Who would have thought that the passion Rev. W.E. Ervin, Jr. and his wife Dorothy had for starting a kindergarten class at St. John's Lutheran Church would have
become a reality and lasted into the 21st Century. In the fall of 1967, Mrs. Helen Botker and Mrs. Isabel Mathias began instructing a class of 21 students, the first class to
graduate from St. John's Lutheran Church Kindergarten. The following year the enrollment increased and then in 1971 when kindergarten became part of the public school curriculum, St.
John's Christian School reached out to 4 year olds. As the years went programs for three year-old and two year-old participants were also added.
Today, the program is called St. John's Christian Preschool. It is still located at St. John's Lutheran Church at 15 North Church Street in Thurmont.
To the saving grace of the school and the dedication of the church members, donations were given to build an addition onto the church for the preschool. The ground breaking for this
addition took place on May 31, 1998. After Three years of construction the dedication of the new school was held May 28, 2000.
St. John's Preschool is licensed under the State of Maryland Department of Education and the Board members of the church ensure the school runs
smoothly and all entitlements are met. The program is structured to prepare the children for kindergarten, which includes evaluations for each student, conferences with parents and
additional help in areas that need an extra touch. Class sizes are between 12 to 20 students and two to three teachers and aides are assigned to a class.
This year, as some of the original members of the graduating class of 1968 prepare to celebrate their 40th anniversary, the class of 2008 is a
shining remembrance of days past. Who would have thought that a class of 21 would have multiplied into eight classes of children totaling 102 per year? Approximately 2700 children
have passed through the doors over the years. Within those 2700 children, some of the children and grandchildren of the original 21 have also attended the preschool.
St. John's Christian School is taking applications for registration; call the school for information at 301-502-4109. Take the opportunity to take a
tour and talk to the teachers and staff to see if you feel your child should be a member of one of the next graduating classes at St. John's Christian Preschool.
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