Oak Lane In Its Final Year

The Board of Trustees recently made the decision to close the school at the end of June 2010. The past several years of declining enrollment and the current economic climate forced the school to sell the land on which it stands in the spring of 2009. In the months that followed, Board members, faculty and staff worked diligently to secure a new location and explore the possibility of Oak Lane continuing elsewhere. When it became clear that this was not financially feasible, the Board determined that it was in the best interest of the school to cease operations.

Founded in 1916 in Cheltenham Township, Oak Lane Country Day School, as it was then known, was rooted in progressive education and became one of six schools in the country used by the U.S. State Department as a model school for visiting dignitaries. Until 1960, Oak Lane was connected with Temple University as a lab and demonstration school. After that connection ended, the school ultimately moved to its current location in Whitpain Township.

The hallmark of an Oak Lane education has always been a focus on the preservation of childhood and an emphasis on “learning how to learn.” Graduates of Oak Lane leave the school as strong independent learners who have gone on to excel in the fields of arts and entertainment, sciences, entrepreneurship, literature and writing, athletics, social concerns and other endeavors.

While it has been frequently said that Oak Lane’s existence at the corner of Butler and Stenton Avenues in Blue Bell was a “well-kept secret,” the many families who experienced an Oak Lane education made no secret of their love for the school. The graduation speeches of outgoing students resonate with appreciation for the beautiful campus, the arts program and the many opportunities for performance across all the grades. Sixth graders talk passionately about the benefits of being “sons and daughters” of Oak Lane, of being known and appreciated by all faculty members. Also referenced are beloved traditions like the Woodland Walk, catching frogs, sledding on the meadow, tractor rides, the all-school theme of Winterlude, drama club, community service with “buddy” classes and learning to play recorder. A rich and recurring motif in the speeches is the students’ sense of themselves as valued members of a diverse community, who leave the school knowing that their voices have been heard.

In one sense, every current student at the school will graduate in June 2010. Between now and then, the children will continue to mine the deep vein of an Oak Lane education and experience the community’s respect for childhood. The mood will be celebratory and the broader Oak Lane community, past and present, will be invited to join in the gatherings planned for this year.

We Know Kids!

EACH WEEKDAY MORNING I PARK MY CAR and walk through part of our beautiful campus to the main building of our school. It always feels good to be here. Why is that? Well, to begin with, our grounds, which change in appearance seasonally, are beautiful, and I am always greeted with a smile and kind or funny remark by Ray. Perhaps I should just allow these gratifying feelings to exist without any further thought, but for some reason I found myself slowly reflecting on 'why' I continually feel this way, day after day, and year after year. The following are some of my thoughts.

The children at Oak Lane Day School are a joy to teach. Their curiosity knows no bounds, which is stimulating, exciting and challenging for those of us fortunate enough to be teaching them. This curious state of being is perhaps one of the most important traits of a good student, as without it, their minds would not grow in directions needed for self fulfillment, success, and contentment. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "At the birth of a child, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity."

Another reason our school shines is because my colleagues, the teachers of your children, reflect the highest qualities of educators. They are full of positive energy, have profound respect for education and children, and continually demand what often seems to be the impossible from themselves. New ideas are embraced while traditions are carried on, and difficulties are analyzed and tackled. They are able to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge in their students, and they understand and believe that there is no limit to their own personal growth as teachers and human beings.

Last and far from least, you, our parents, round out our community. You have placed your most valuable treasure(s) with us, and your faith and support is reflected in all that you do for your children, for the faculty, and for our school.

How fortunate for all of us here at Oak Lane Day School to have found a place where students, teachers, and parents work together with mutual respect to create a place of learning where every one of us, both children and adults, can thrive and shine.

-- Ruth Solomon, Learning Skills --