Building Project

The Chilmark Preschool opened its doors in September 2005 and has proven to be a huge success! Our high-quality, affordable preschool is flourishing and provides an essential service to up island families. The intentional blending of preschool children and families with the school age children enriches and strengthens the community for all.

NEED: The Chilmark Preschool has operated a one-room preschool for children ages two years, nine months through five for the past 17 years. That classroom is now needed to serve the anticipated increase in Chilmark School population and increased student needs.

GOAL: To continue serving up-island families with a high quality, affordable early childhood education. It is our goal to design, fund, and construct a new, purpose-built early learning center on the Beetlebung campus.

❖ The modest building would comprise two classrooms and would serve up to 32 preschoolers. It could potentially include toddlers (18 mos to 2 years nine months) as well, depending on community needs.
❖ Permitting, design, and construction of the new early learning center would be managed and funded by Friends of the Chilmark Preschool, a private, non-profit entity, using funds raised from philanthropic sources and ECE-focused grants. No Town funds are requested.

WHERE: Chilmark’s beloved and inclusive campus supports community members of all ages with its preschool, K-5 elementary school, library, playgrounds, tennis courts, community center, playing field, and more. The Chilmark Selectboard recognizes this as an asset to our town and has approved the idea of constructing a building on the campus dedicated to our youngest citizens.

NEXT STEPS: There will be an article on this year’s warrant to approve a land lease with the Chilmark Preschool in concept and we need you – as well as voting members of your family, neighbors, and friends – to come to vote and move this important project forward! Please mark your calendars for this year’s Annual Town Meeting on Monday, April 24 at 7pm!

After 17 years, we understand that the needs of our community, particularly our families and our year round workforce, are significant. This project offers an incredible opportunity to build a permanent space to support our young families in the heart of town.

Learn more about our programing at www.chilmarkpreschool.com. We will post project updates there. Please reach out to any of the Board Members listed below with any questions or interest in supporting this important project any way.

Rebekah Thomson - rebekahjthomson@gmail.com
Debbi Zetterberg - dzetterberg1@comcast.net
Anne Mayhew - annemayhew@gmail.com
Liz Hirsch - ebhirsch@mac.com
Alicia Knight - aliciafknight@gmail.com
Preschool Director Anja May - director@chilmarkpreschool.com