October 27, 2004

Dear Rye Presbyterian Nursery School Parents,

The Space Planning Commission was created in early 1999 by Dick Murdock, Senior Pastor, and the Board of Trustees to assess the space needs of the Rye Presbyterian Church and Rye Presbyterian Nursery School.  From the beginning, the input of the Director, Cheryl Flood, teachers, the school’s Board of Directors and parents were incorporated into the vision of what the physical plant would need, in order to provide a superior Pre-K educational experience for the children of RPC, the community of Rye and the surrounding communities.

In April 2003, the combined boards of Rye Presbyterian Church launched a $4,065,000 Comprehensive Campaign to raise the funds needed to initiate new and exciting church programs, to rehabilitate and expand the physical space available for our nursery school, to address the need for a multi-purpose space for church and school activities, and to increase the endowment to the level necessary to generate the funds required to maintain a series of structures dating from 1870.

It was far from certain, in December 2003, that the campaign would achieve the goal.  Yet, Dick Murdoch came to me, as president of the Board of Trustees, and said that we must begin with the first step of our program to renovate the education wing, home of RPNS.  Plans for the nursery school were created by our architects, Anderson, LaRocca, Anderson and Haynes in January, 2004.  Moving forward was an act of faith as it quickly became apparent that the project would require a significantly higher investment than originally envisioned.  The education wing is 48 years old and had had no infrastructure upgrades other than new windows and floor coverings ten years ago.

The construction commenced in June of this year and quickly escalated to “open heart surgery”.  The electrical wiring was deemed unsafe, so much so that the electrical contractor replaced the cabling for overhead lighting at his own expense.  Other conditions arose and were addressed.  The water main into the church complex was not of sufficient capacity to accommodate the new toilet room facilities.  The building is a so-called slab construction and required a jack hammer to affect every plumbing change on the ground level of the building.  And so it went throughout the months of June, July, August and into September.  The exterior of the building received a much needed facelift and the children’s playground was expanded and refurbished.

School opened during the second week of September on schedule, due to the efforts of many individuals.  Please see the “open heart surgery” in progress, in the enclosed photos.  While the scope of the project may not be visible at first glace, we know that everyone is thrilled at the results!  Your children now attend a magnificent, rejuvenated facility, the Rye Presbyterian Nursery School.

We, the members of the Board of Trustees ask for your vigorous support and financial assistance as we complete this vital project.

Faithfully,

George Russell

President of the Board of Trustees, RPC