St. Paul’s Day School in Delray Beach marks its 50th anniversary on Oct. 27.
During that half-century, it has had only two directors.
Photo contributed
Staff Report
Today, they are engineers, lawyers and professionals.
Back in their youth, depending on the season, they were Indians, pilgrims and shepherds.
St. Paul’s Day School in Delray Beach has been nurturing little bodies, minds and spirits for 50 years and celebrates the anniversary of its founding on Oct. 27.
The school, nestled in the Children’s Village at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, is one of the oldest in the area and serves about 30 prekindergarten children a year.
The day school was established in 1963 as a ministry of the church and is now a VPK (voluntary pre-K) provider.
Over the past 50 years the school has been able to offer financial assistance to children who would otherwise be unable to afford preschool.
The school has had but two directors.
It was founded by Rolene Gent, who made it her life’s mission to serve children. “Miss Gent” served as director for 33 years. She died in 1996.
That year, the Rolene Gent memorial fund was established to honor her years of service to the school.
“The teachers and I strive to continue in the caring, kind ways that were part of Rolene’s legacy,” said Patti Daniell, the current school director. “To nurture the love of learning inherent in young children so that they will continue to grow in knowledge all through their lives.”
Day School Sunday will be celebrated during a child-friendly service at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at the church, 188 S. Swinton Ave.
Offertory music will be sung by the preschool students of the day school.
There will be a reception in the Children’s Village following the service.
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