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In 1942 a small kindergarten was
in operation on Saturdays only in St. Joseph’s School,
Williamsport. Monsignor Frank P. McHugh was pastor of Annunciation
Church, Williamsport, at the time and was receiving many requests
to enroll pupils for the entire week, since many mothers of
small children were working in defense plants in and around
Williamsport. Father McHugh saw the need of a nursery school
rather than an extended kindergarten to meet this need. He also
saw the possibility that a non-sectarian nursery school might
overcome some of the strong prejudice then existing toward Catholics
in Williamsport.
Bishop Hafey approved Father McHugh’s plans and personally
assisted him in the selection and purchase of the home in which
the nursery school would be located. A large three-story dwelling
on Campbell Street in Williamsport, known as the “Banker
Graham” property was chosen. Renovation began on August
1, 1942, in order to comply with state standards for nursery
schools; the second and third floors were converted into quarters
for the three sisters whom Mother Marcella had promised.
The school was opened on September 14, 1942, and named “Costello
Nursery School” in memory of a former pastor of Annunication
Parish. Sister Georgina Wertz was in charge with Sister Jane
Frances Keating and Sister Michael Donnelly assisting. (15)
A note from Sister Georgina to Mother Marcella indicates that
the sisters did not move into the Campbell Street house until
December 6, and even then the chapel was not yet completed.
(16) They had, no doubt, been residing with our sisters at St.
Joseph’s Convent, Williamsport. At the opening of the
nursery school there were only seven children, but very soon
there was an average of fifty children per day as word spread
about the loving care and the excellent program being offered.
Children between the ages of two and six years, about 75% of
them non-Catholics, were accepted. The daily hours of operation
of the nursery school were 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The nurse
put the early arrivals to sleep on cots until time for morning
inspection. There is no doubt that the later concept of “day
care center” was already operative at the Costello Nursery
School of 1942.
As the first nursery school in Pennsylvania to begin operation
under the Defense Program for Child Care under the federal Works
Progress Administration (WPA) auspices, the Costello Nursery
School was a unique operation. All personnel were paid through
the WPA, so teachers, a nurse, the cook, janitor and other helpers
were all on the federal payroll.
As early as October 15, 1942, a federal government supervisor,
a Mrs. Pinkham, visited the school, evaluated it as an A-1 nursery
school and urged the hiring of a kindergarten teacher to be
paid under the program funds. WPA support continued until April
30, 1943, at which point application was made through the Pennsylvania
Council of Defense in Harrisburg for funding under the Lanham
Act. Only two of eighty applications received grants—the
Costello Nursery School was one of the two awardees.
On January 16, 1943, Sister Michael Donnelly, who had been assigned
to work one-half day in the office and one-half day with the
children, fell and broke her ankle. Soon after, Sister Monice
Sullivan was sent to replace her.
Celebrating the first birthday of the Costello Nursery School
in September 1943, the local newspaper ran an article and pictures
of the children with Sister Georgina. That the work had earned
the respect of the area people is evident from what was written:
One year ago the Costello Nursery School opened its doors
to the children of war-pressed working mothers . . . Today
there are more than fifty youngsters depending on the non-
sectarian nursery school for daily-supervised care. Their
mothers spend long hours at war work, but are content that
the children are safe. (17)
The article continues quoting Sister Georgina:
Not all soldiers wear uniforms. These tots
are soldiers too—they get up as early as six o’clock
in the morning and part with their mothers every working day
in the week, just so that the war can be won. (18)
Having served a wartime need, once the war was over the need
for Costello Nursery School no longer existed. Quite inconspicuously
and without fanfare it was closed in 1946.
References:
15. Notes of Sister Immaculata Gillespie. Archives, IHM Center.
16. Letter from Sister Georgina Wertz to Mother Marcella, December
6, 1942. Archives, IHM Center.
17. The Williamsport Sun, undated, 1943. Archives, IHM Center.
18. Ibid.
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