Children on the Green marks 30 years serving Morristown families

By David Okada, Morristown Green Contributor

Children on the Green, a nonprofit preschool based at the Morristown United Methodist Church, marked its 30th anniversary on Sunday with a community celebration that reflected on the school’s roots and ongoing mission to serve local families.

The school was created in 1994 to provide early childhood education for children of working parents and families in transition.

Since then, the program has offered care and instruction for infants through pre-kindergarten, with a focus on nurturing children during critical early years.

It now serves 91 children, including Pre-K kids from the Morris School District, with three classrooms. Children on the Green is funded by grants from Morris County and foundations, state-subsidized tuitions and individual donations, said CoG President Jody Marcus.

Several former students shared their experiences during the event. Local and state officials also recognized the milestone.

Proclamations were presented on behalf of Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty by Council Member and state Assembly candidate Steve Pylypchuk and Council President Nathan Umbriac, and from Morris Township Mayor Donna Guariglia by Committeeman Bud Ravitz.

State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25th Dist.) presented a resolution from the New Jersey Legislature and noted a personal connection to the preschool’s mission, mentioning that her daughter had previously worked with Homeless Solutions Inc., which supports families in transitional housing.

The program also honored individuals who have supported the school over the years. Andrew Cattano received special recognition for his 30 years of involvement since the school’s founding. Kenneth and Nancy Miller were acknowledged for their ongoing support, dating back to Kelman’s original leadership.

While Children on the Green operates independently as a nonprofit, it has remained housed within the Morristown United Methodist Church since its inception.

Remarks prepared by church Pastor Luana Cook Scott and delivered by Denise Schmidt noted the partnership between the two institutions and the shared goal of supporting families, including those facing difficult circumstances.

To close the event, students unveiled a custom ice cream flavor — vanilla with green frosting, M&M sprinkles, and cookie dough — created in collaboration with Beenie’s Ice Cream, which donated the treat for the celebration. The children also presented a large illustrated thank-you card to the shop.

Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.

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