This duck rocker brought laughs and smiles. The Garden City Nursery school opened its doors on September 11 to welcome both new and returning students and parents for another school year. The children were visibly happy to be at school, meet their teachers and see their friends.

The Garden City Nursery school has been nurturing and educating the children of the community for 56 years and offers a cooperative structure which permits parents the rewarding experience of hands-on participating in their children's nursery school curriculum. The participation of parents, together with the talented and dedicated teachers and staff, has been and continues to be integral to the success of the school.

The parents of the school spent Saturday, September 9, preparing and refurbishing the playground area for the school's opening. In addition, parents are already actively involved in scheduling the school's community events for the 2006-2007 year, which will include a truly unique and exclusive pre-holiday boutique sale showcasing approximately 40 vendors and stores and a professional puppeteer show for children of all ages. The photos highlight some special moments captured on the first day of school for the three-year-old and play group classes.

The giant sandbox and trucks were a big hit with these children on the first day of school as their parents and teachers watched over them.

Inside the classroom, manipulatives teach important skills to the children. Fun dough is always great fun - roll it, shape it, squeeze it and start all over again. Legos are both fun and educational. All heads are counted at the end of a fun-filled playground session. These little chefs were hard at work. Climbing builds strength and confidence. Circle time is always enjoyed by both teachers and children. As they day nears its end, a story holds the children's interest.