Planned Closing -- Highlands Nursery School

 Following extended discussions and a vote by the congregation, it is with great regret that the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church announces that the Highlands Nursery School will close in June 2014. The letter reproduced below was sent to the parents and caregivers of the nursery school children.

December 9, 2013

Dear HNS Parents and Caregivers:

The Highlands Nursery School was begun in 1969 by Melrose Highlands Congregational Church (MHCC) as an outreach program of the church to the community.  Over the years hundreds of children have come through our doors and benefited from our loving staff and quality program. A goal of the school has always been to provide a secure environment that contributes to developing a positive self image for each child.  The school has helped ensure many children have the foundation they need for kindergarten.

We are proud of the school’s history and commitment to the well-being of its students. It is with sadness that we write to inform you of MHCC’s congregational decision to repurpose the first floor of the church which will necessitate closing the school in June of 2014. This came through much discussion and then a vote of the congregation on December 8th. The church did not come to this decision lightly. We all recognize the positive impact the school has in the community. There is never a good or easy time to make a decision like this. We so regret the difficulty this causes the families and members of both HNS and MHCC. We commit to ensure that the remainder of this year has the same quality of education and care you have come to expect from the Highlands. We recognize for those of you who have young children in our Tuesday and Thursday class that you likely planned to have your child attend the Highlands next year. We are so sorry to disappoint you.

While the school will close in June, its legacy will live on through the hundreds of children that received their educational start at the Highlands. We hope in the following months to find ways to celebrate the school’s legacy and honor the HNS staff and families. We will be in touch with more information as plans come together.

Should you have questions, please contact either one of us or Rev. Beth Horne. We can be reached at 781-665-4200.

Sincerely,

Adrienne Wood, Moderator of MHCC              Paul Lind, Chair of HNS Committee