GRAVETTE -- Melanie Nichols was the guest speaker for a Zoom meeting of the Gravette Lions Club Tuesday, April 20. She spoke to the Lions about the Bella Vista Preschool, established in 1978, which serves area families with part-time classes that build students' educational foundation. Classes for three-year-olds are held two days a week and classes for four- and five-year-olds the other three days. The preschool is licensed to care for up to 27 children each term.
Bella Vista Preschool is one of the most affordable in Northwest Arkansas, with monthly tuition of only $90 for the three-year-olds (called Caterpillers) and $135 for the four-year-olds (Butterflies). Classes are held in the basement of the Bella Vista First United Methodist Church, which charges no rent or fees. There are only three paid staff members. All other tasks are performed by volunteers, which also helps keep costs low.
Members from five churches are on the preschool board. Most volunteers come from those churches and from parents of students. Classes are conducted with the same teacher, but several different volunteers give the youngsters the benefit of building relationships with more adults. The curriculum used is Scholastic Weekly Readers and students learn about a letter and a color of the week.
Nichols has been the director of the preschool since 2016. She asks kindergarten teachers each year what skills they consider important so the school can better prepare students to meet their expectations. She says the emphasis is on teaching youngsters problem solving, communicating their feelings and "to love being at school." A few preschool graduates attend Gravette schools; most go on to Cooper Elementary in Bella Vista. Some are homeschooled and others attend one of the charter schools or other area schools.
Enrollment is going on now for the fall term. Nichols said volunteers are needed for the fall and there is a good opportunity for the Lions Club members to do eye testing on the students next fall. Covid restrictions prevented the club from performing the service this school year.
Nichols is also in her second year as president of the Gravette Middle School parent-teacher organization. The PTO runs the concession stand at Gravette volleyball games and has helped raise funds to purchase new picnic tables for the middle school courtyard. PTO members also provide gifts for new teachers and occasional "pick-me-up" treats for all teachers. They are planning a teacher appreciation week for the first week in May.
Nichols has a degree in elementary education and taught fifth grade for four years in Raytown, Mo., and in Siloam Springs. She is a candidate for Gravette School Board, position five.
In the business session following Nichols' talk, the Lions rescheduled their planned work session at Hillcrest Cemetery for Wednesday and Thursday, May 5 and 6, at 10 a.m. each day, weather permitting. Check the club's Facebook page for updates. They will hold the May 4 meeting in person at 12 noon in the pavilion at Old Town Park and will sort donated eyeglasses following the meeting. A food drive is planned for the first week of May, with collection points at Harps, Austin Drug and the Gravette Public Library.
Lion Jeff Davis reported receiving a thank you note from World Services for the Blind for the club's recent donation. As district governor, he will be a VIP delegate to the Lions Club International convention, so club president Linda Damron was elected as the club's delegate.
Lions Club members will resume meeting at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity on Tuesday, May 18, with meetings there scheduled for 12:30 p.m. They will resume their weekly bookmobile to the Center on Monday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m.