Kerwin to retire from park district

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OREGON – The Oregon Park District announces the retirement of Nancy Kerwin, Children’s Center Coordinator on June 30, 2018.

Kerwin was hired by the Oregon Park District in August, 1990 to head the newly created Children’s Center. Over the years she has served 734 students ranging from 3-5 years of age.

In her 28th year of teaching at the Children’s Center Kerwin has decided it is time to leave the Children’s Center.

“It is time to retire,” Kerwin said. “I’m ready to see what my next adventure will be!”

Throughout the years under Kerwin, the Children's Center has grown from two sessions in 1990 to three in 1991 to four in 1995. The program was further expanded in 2003 with the addition of the Children's Center Summer Camps. The camps are offered weekly in the summer and offer a different theme each session. The camps offer anything from learning to cook, visiting a farm, a July 4th parade or competing in their own Olympics.

Currently, the Children's Center offers morning and mid-morning classes on Tuesday and Thursday for three-year olds and morning and afternoon classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for four and five-year olds. Classes have continued to grow with 2017-2018 school year reaching capacity for students.

"The Oregon Park District Children’s Center program has played an essential role in the lives of hundreds of youth in our community as they embark on a journey of lifelong learning,” said Erin Folk, Oregon Park District executive director. “Our goal as a Pre-K provider is to help participants achieve their potential while they learn and grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. The District has experienced remarkable success with achieving this goal under the leadership of Nancy Kerwin.

"Nancy has been at the helm of the program for 28 years and has dedicated her efforts to providing a well-rounded program that serves as an opportunity to properly prepare students for kindergarten in a fun and structured setting,” she said. “As a district we have been fortunate to have Nancy at the helm. Nancy is a dedicated and well-respected employee that will be hard to replace, but the Oregon Park District is committed to finding the right fit to continue moving the Children’s Center forward.

“Nancy’s early announcement in her retirement has provided us a significant opportunity to begin advertising and interviewing for the Children’s Center position to find the right candidate who will continue to provide a fun and educational experience for our students at the Children’s Center.”

Advertising has begun for the Children’s Center position. Applications are being taken through March 10.

An Open House will be held in June for Kerwin to celebrate her retirement. Watch for more details and we hope to see many of the children and families Kerwin has touched throughout the years in attendance.