Highlights from Summer 2021

by | Sep 8, 2021 | Uncategorized

The Summer 2021 graduates pose in a large group in blue caps and gowns. CHILD Center staff stand with them.

Summer 2021 Graduation Day!

We are SO proud of our Summer 2021 graduates! They will always hold a very special place in our hearts. In addition to the cap-and-gown ceremony for this class, we also held a “Buzz-By” graduation celebration.

Chairs are set up on the back deck of the CHILD Center for the Summer 2021 graduation ceremony
The Summer 2021 graduates pose in a large group before putting on their caps and gowns.
The Summer 2021 CHILD Center graduates sit in chairs arranged on the back deck of the Center for the graduation ceremony
The Summer 2021 CHILD Center graduates sit in chairs arranged on the back deck of the Center for the graduation ceremony
Summer 2021 CHILD Center graduates stand in a line wearing caps and gowns during the outdoor graduation ceremony
Summer 2021 CHILD Center graduates stand in a line wearing caps and gowns during the outdoor graduation ceremony
The Summer 2021 graduates pose in a large group in blue caps and gowns. CHILD Center staff stand with them.
The Summer 2021 graduates pose in a large group in blue caps and gowns.
A car rolls by the CHILD Center for the Summer 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation
A child grins widely while riding in the back of a convertible during the “Buzz-By” graduation celebration
Two cars roll by the CHILD Center for the Summer 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation
A child smiles out the window of a car during the Summer 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation celebration
A child smiles out the window of a car decorated with a sign that reads, “#1 GRAD, YOU DID IT!”
Two young children ride in the back of a car decorated with a sign that reads, “#1 GRAD, YOU DID IT!”
A young child receives a graduation gift through the window of a car during the Summer 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation
A small child smiles out the window of a car at a CHILD Center staff member, and the grown-up driver looks back at her smiling
A small child poses with CHILD Center staff members during the Summer 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation celebration
A child stands in the CHILD Center parking lot holding helium balloons with “Congrats Grad” messages printed on them
A family sits and laughs together in the bed of a truck during the Summer 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation celebration
A car decorated with “Congrats Grad” balloons rolls by the CHILD Center during the 2021 “Buzz-By” graduation celebration
CHILD Center staff stand under a tent behind a table with graduation gifts for the “Buzz-By” graduation celebration

A New Fence Behind the CHILD Center

We are very grateful to the Gainesville Rotary Club for building a new fence with us at the CHILD Center on May 8th. Many thanks as well to Grace at Fort Clarke UMC for purchasing the shelves we put in the storage shed! We are so grateful to all of our community partners.

  • Gainesville Rotary Club members work together to install a new white fence behind the CHILD Center in Summer 2021
  • A new, finished white fence behind the CHILD Center outdoor area
  • CHILD Center board member Dorothy Thomas with volunteers from Gainesville Rotary Club on fence-building day
  • Five volunteers from the Gainesville Rotary Club at the CHILD Center to help install a new fence during Summer 2021
  • A volunteer helps put the finishing touches on the new fence at the CHILD Center
  • The raised garden beds at the CHILD Center stand in front of a new finished fence
  • Filled storage shelves in the utility shed at the CHILD Center
  • A volunteer retrieving materials from the storage shed at the CHILD Center
  • A volunteer prepares the space where a new fence will be erected behind the CHILD Center
  • Three volunteers prepare the space where a new fence will be erected behind the CHILD Center
  • Four volunteers stand together inside the storage shed at the CHILD Center on fence-building day
  • Gainesville Rotary Club volunteers measure out the space for a new fence behind the CHILD Center in Summer 2021
  • A volunteer holds a rubber hammer in front of the storage shed at the CHILD Center
  • A volunteer smiles for the camera next to bags of new materials to be assembled in the CHILD Center play area
  • Two Gainesville Rotary Club volunteers stand together behind the CHILD Center on fence-building day in Summer 2021
  • Volunteers work together to install a new white fence behind the CHILD Center
  • A volunteer prepares the space where a new fence will be erected behind the CHILD Center
  • Volunteers work together to install a new white fence behind the CHILD Center
  • A green ladder sits beside the old fence behind the CHILD Center, ready for use in the installation of a new fence

Bittersweet Send-offs and New Faces

May 6th was Amber’s last day with us at the CHILD Center. She has been with us since we opened and she will be greatly missed. We wish her the very best as she starts a new career path!

CHILD Center staff member Summer at the CHILD Center front check-in desk

May 21 was Summer’s last day as a full-time member of the Child Center staff. She is headed off to a new and exciting job with Alachua County Public Schools, and we wish her the very best! We will miss her smiling face at our front desk, and all of the love and care she brings to our team, our kids, and our families.

On June 25, the Child Center said goodbye to two of our favorite people, Yalonda and Marlana. They are part of the team that has built the CHILD Center into the place it is and will always be part of our CHILD Center family. We wish them both the best!

Two CHILD Center staff members at their farewell party in June 2021
The new CHILD Center Director Suzanne Bartley in a blue CHILD Center tee shirt

The Child Center is excited to welcome Suzanne Bartley as our new Director. Suzanne comes to us with 15 years of experience in early learning, including time as a Director, Assistant Director, and teacher. She has worked with both VPK and Head Start and has a degree in early childhood education. Suzanne and her husband have lived in the Melrose area for the last 35 years where she has raised three children and now has three grandchildren. Suzanne is very excited to be at the Child Center and looks forward to working with our amazing staff and helping to ensure we build a strong foundation for all our children. Welcome, Suzanne!


Summer 2021 Teacher Training

There is so much work and training that goes on behind the scenes. It is this work that helps our team provide the very best early learning experience for our kids and families. We so appreciate our amazing CHILD Center staff!

  • CHILD Center staff all wear blue tee shirts and sit around tables for their Summer 2021 training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reads through training materials during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials on a computer during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials on a laptop during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials on a computer during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials on a laptop during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • The new CHILD Center Director reviews training materials on a computer during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials on a computer during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • A CHILD Center staff member reviews training materials on a laptop during the Summer 2021 teacher training
  • Mrs. Kendra holds a cake for her birthday, which we celebrated during Day #2 of the Summer 2021 teacher training

Our Third Birthday

August 13 was the Child Center’s birthday! Our doors opened for the first time three years ago on August 13, 2018.

CHILD Center staff stand around an orange and blue birthday cake to celebrate the third birthday of the Center
An orange, blue, and white birthday cake that reads, “Happy Birthday CHILD Center”

… And We’re Back to School!

August 17 was the first day of our new school year. It’s going to be a great one! Here are just a few photos of happy–somewhat sleepy–faces on the first morning.

A sleepy-looking child gives two thumbs-up on the first morning of the new school year
A child wears a mask and a backpack, ready for a new school year after Summer 2021
A young child makes a peace sign in front of the CHILD Center
A grown-up walks two young children into the CHILD Center on the first day of the 2021-22 school year
A child stands outside the CHILD Center at the end of Summer 2021, ready for the new school year
A child smiles for the camera and wears a sticker announcing, “I am an O2B Kid!”
A child smiles for the camera and wears a sticker announcing, “I am an O2B Kid!”
A child stands in an alert and energetic pose on the first morning of the 2021-22 school year
A grown up carries a very small child in his arms on the first day of the 2021-22 school year.
A child makes a funny face for the camera on the first morning of the new school year