November 3, 2010

Hi Cindy, Janet, Lisa, Katherine, Jen......

I just want to thank you all again.  Stella had a wonderful time there!  I love her scrapbook. It made me tear up. I think it's the part Stella is going to miss most about Ottawa (after Chico). She finishes up the the Viscount this week and she was very upset to see me there to pick her up yesterday. She cried all the way home through the neighborhood "I WANNA GO TO BEYYTE HYDE".  So she was doing some advertising to fill her spot.

You ladies are wonderful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making Stella feel so welcome and comfortable and happy.

Best Wishes!

Robin Mooney

March 3, 2009

From Chloe (Ex student),

I miss Bettye Hyde because it’s nice; the teachers are nice and I liked playing games like Duck Duck Goose. You get to play the whole day except when you have back room or art or snack. But you don’t have to have snack. Pajama day and silly hair day are the best days.

November 4, 2008

Dear Bettye Hyde,

Our son, Timothy started at BH when he was two and a half years old.  We, as a family didn’t know many people in the neighborhood and the years at Bettye Hyde have afforded us many lasting friendships.  This many years later, we see old friends from the nursery school at bus stops, trick or treating at Halloween, in the grocery store, library, park, and many other social events.  Our second son, Seamus started being a student at Bettye Hyde on his second birthday.  He actually had been going to the school since he was 4 days old to drop off and pick up his big brother.  I enjoyed many years as a member of the board of directors with the school.  The cooperative aspect of the school was very attractive to our family as we could have a real hand in the day to day operations of the school.  This brings me to the wonderful staff. Cindy, Janet and Lisa welcomed Tim into the school way back in 2001, Seamus in 2005 and Patrick and I into their lives at the same time.  I have true affection for the three teachers who spent many mornings with my boys teaching them routine, sharing and anything a preschooler wants or needs to know.  Catherine joined the staff during Seamus’ years.  She was a wonderful help with Seamus in speech, learning colours, numbers and countless other things. Cindy, Janet and Lisa and Catherine helped pave the way for him now that he is in Kindergarten.  Danielle and Robyn had a huge hand in helping Seamus as well.  The staff of Bettye Hyde School is a caring, loving group of people and the Nolan’s are thankful to have had the opportunity to meet and maintain friendships with each of them. 

Patrick Nolan

October 14, 2008

To the wonderful Bettye Hyde Team,

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to thank all of you for making Jaide's integration and feeling of acceptance in school so smooth. Your energies and commitment to genuine loving care is fantastic.

In much appreciation,

Zoreen and Mebs

November 15, 2006

Dear Bettye Hyde,

Both our boys attended Bettye Hyde and they (and we as parents this time!) can't have had a better pre-school grounding. Constant, firm and warm-hearted teachers, stimulating play, group and individual interaction, vital parental involvement - all these made for a fertile learning environment in which our children thrived. Not to be forgotten is the sense of community that the school embodies, showing the children that even beyond the physical space of the church basement, they are part of a wider world.

In much appreciation,

Susan Young and Éric Audet

June 1, 2006

Dear Bettye Hyde,

Our son has been at Bettye Hyde for two years now. Our whole family is delighted with the school. We, the parents, appreciate the dedicated and informed teachers and the wonderful, warm atmosphere they are able to create; the cooperative ethic behind the school, in which teachers and parents work together for the good of the children; and the fact that our son is so happy there. Our son enjoys the constantly changing array of toys and activities designed to challenge and stimulate him; the enticing array of snacks prepared by the parent volunteers; and the fact that he is met with love and understanding every time he enters the door of Bettye Hyde. We couldn't be happier. Our second child, at six months old, is already on the waiting list.

Kind regards

Charlotte Masemann

May, 2006

Dear Bettye Hyde Executive:

I just want to express my appreciation to the teachers who organized last week's art show. If I'd been consulted about this project -- teaching the children about the work of some major 19th century European artists and then encouraging them to paint in their styles -- I would have said it was beyond them. Imitating the Japanese artists (may curses rain on their heads) who gave us Pokemon? Maybe. But Monet? No way, I would have said. How wrong I was.
 
In the weeks leading up to the show, Sam and Sarah each engaged me several times in discussions about the paintings of not only "Mr. Monet" but also "Mr. Seurat" and "Mr. Van Gogh" -- the water lillies, the dots, the swirls, the whole shebang (except nothing about Van Gogh's ear, I'm happy to report). On the day of the show, Sarah and Sam were ecstatic as they took me around to see the paintings that these artists inspired them to do -- tastefully framed and hung on the walls of the school. The other children seemed similarly pumped about their work and the learning experience they had been through. All the work was a treat to look at -- and the bubbly and cheese was pretty fine, too.
 
It was a terrific show -- a much bigger success than the first Impressionist exhibit, if I recall correctly. Sam and Sarah's paintings will now occupy a proud place on our walls, and will remind us of why we've been sending our children to Bettye Hyde for the last six years -- committed teachers with an expansive sense of what children can accomplish, teachers who think big -- bigger than at least one parent I know -- and follow through and have fun and give our children experiences they would never have anywhere else.

Regards

Paul McKeague

May 30, 2006

Hi Everyone,
 
I'm just writing to say I think your website is excellent - well planned and executed. Good work! 
 
I'd also like to add my voice to those who are singing the praises of the Bettye Hyde staff - since that's what a school is all about.
 
My twins, Lake and Cove, were an energetic, inquistive, sometimes trying little pair of preschoolers, but at Bettye Hyde they got the loving care and genuine understanding which they needed in order to thrive. We will always cherish our memories of Bettye Hyde, and the friendships we developed. Thanks!
 
All the best, from, Heather and Neil MacDonald, Lake and Cove, Quinn and Oak.

February 28, 2006

Dear All at Bettye Hyde,

Our daughter, Natalie has been at Bettye Hyde for six months now. She loves going to the nursery school and sometimes it's very hard to drag her away. As a working mother I am glad to know that our daughter is in a caring, nurturing and creative environment which gives children the chance to explore art, music and play. The teachers inspire the children and encourage them to discover new areas.

It is satisfying as a parent to be able to be part of the decisions that the nursery school takes, by encouraging parents to be active in the running and fundraising for the school. Keep up the good work.

Regards

Patricia McCullagh

November 30, 2004

Dear Cindy,

We have finally settled into our new home on the West Coast and I want to take a moment to thank you, Janet, Lisa, and Patrick for a great job you do running the school. Sophie is settling well into her new kindergarten, kindcare and after school programs here in Victoria. However, all programs are viewed through the "Bettye Hyde" lens, which is the reference we've come to use to evaluate childcare programs. As a group, your professionalism, commitment, and dedication to childcare and development are second to none, setting a standard to which other pr-schools should aspire. It was certainly a privilege working with you as a board member, giving me insight and an appreciation for the quality, and effort put into the pre-school program by the teachers at Bettye Hyde.

Vicki, Sophie and I send you all the teachers our best wishes - and hope the school carries on another 60 years so that many more children can benefit from the foundation you've helped to create.

Sincerely

Myron, Vicki & Sophie Roth