Two King's Kids Preschool students in costume confer backstage before they perform in the play, "Lost and Found: Adventures of the Prodigal Kids." Photo courtesy of Ellen Acconcia
Carol Mosier, the founding director of “Mother’s Day Out,” described her first class as, “The children, two teachers, a Fisher-Price phonograph, some books and me.”
The classes at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Great Falls began 25 years ago, and have since become a thriving preschool at the church.
The King’s Kids Preschool, which is currently led by Director Heidi Toloczko, spent the better part of this past school year celebrating its silver anniversary.
“This year, we mounted three big events for our celebration,” said Toloczko. “For the first time, during the holidays, we sang at the Celebration of Lights in Great Falls Village Centre. We also performed our original play this year, and hosted past and present King’s Kids Preschool families at our picnic.”
Pat Budwig, the founder of Starshine Theater, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary, partnered with KKP on each of its events and wrote and directed the original work it commissioned, “Lost and Found: Adventures of the Prodigal Kids.”
The celebration’s central event, the 25th anniversary picnic, was Saturday, May 20. Families with current and past preschool students enjoyed hot dogs, watermelon, freeze pops and cake. The event featured a moon bounce, face painting and fun prizes for the families with the oldest, youngest and most students of the preschool.
The preschool also honored one of its teachers, Lynda Hammel, who taught at the preschool for more than 20 years, as well as past director Tracey Shenk. The preschool also bade farewell to Katrina Krause, the school’s music teacher, who will soon move to North Carolina.
“We are so grateful to the folks who came before us and started and nurtured ‘Mother’s Day Out,’” said Toloczko. “This little idea, with its humble beginnings, has become an integral part of our community. I’m blessed with the opportunity to see this vision unfold and grow.”
Toloczko added that she is looking forward to Budwig directing the preschool’s musical productions next year.