Beloved Birchwood Day Nursery School to close doors on July 1

The community will feel the loss of the well-known and
much-appreciated Birchwood Day Nursery School in
Windham when it closes its doors on July 1 after providing
55 years of childhood exploration and education. Director
Connie DiBiase stands by the preschool's iconic crayon
fence as she officially announces her retirement.
PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK   

By Lorraine Glowczak

It all started in 1967, when home daycare providers Paula Smithson of Windham and Nancy Dow, who now resides in Casco, joined forces to create the Birchwood Day Nursery School, at one point at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.

Smithson and Dow eventually handed the reigns over to other trusted owners, Susan Attwood and Carol Black- all have made their indelible mark on young children, creating the beloved preschool today located at 1003 River Road.

But after 55 years of providing early childhood exploration and teachable moments to those three years old and above, Birchwood will give its final high-fives and hugs for a job well done on Friday, July 1.

The community will feel the loss of this much-loved preschool with its welcoming crayon fence surrounding the driveway as Director Connie DiBiase officially announced her retirement.

“With my 70th birthday approaching, I realized I was ready to travel and spend more time with my children and grandchildren, who live in various parts of the U.S., with one family moving soon to Finland,” DiBiase said. “Also, my husband retired a little over 12 years ago, and he has been waiting very patiently for me to join him.”

The bittersweet decision to step down was not an easy one for DiBiase. She stated she tried to find an assistant director to prepare for the directorship role but had very little luck finding the right person interested in taking over the position.

“Not finding an individual to step into the role of the director made my decision more difficult because I had to think about Birchwood ending,” DiBiase said. “This has been one of the most bittersweet times in my life because I love these children – I love the people I work with – and I love the parents. But I was worried about the options that would leave parents due to the current shortage of childcare.”

DiBiase has every reason to feel a bit sentimental as she makes this transition. Out of the 55 years, this center has been an educational staple for the community; DiBiase has been a part of the Birchwood family for 37 years.

“I got my start here through my oldest daughter. She attended Birchwood when she was just 4,” said DiBiase, a former art teacher at Manchester School in Windham. “One day, when I dropped off my daughter, I was asked if I’d be interested in substituting and began substituting soon after. Since then, I have been a teacher, band-aid nurse, janitor, landscaper, and director.”

For DiBiase, working with children was not just any job; it was a calling.

“I have always loved kids, and I knew I would be a teacher at a young age,” she said.

She said the best part about working with this age group is the innocence and the joy they give every day. DiBiase noted that young children do not have any preconceived notions about anything, making them a pleasure to work with.

DiBiase and the rest of the Birchwood teaching team have instilled in their young learners the importance of community and the art of giving to others.

“Family is the first community children experience, preschool is the second, and then we introduce them to the greater community surrounding them,” DiBiase said.

The teaching staff has created many service opportunities to introduce the children to the concept of community that includes but are not limited to: a Mitten Giving Tree, local food pantry donations, fulfilling Ronald McDonald House wish lists, and – more recently, has also been very active in the RSU 14 Backpack Program, in which they raise funds for healthy meals for older students by running a “marathon” around the small Birchwood playground.

Although saddened by the news, staff, and parents, celebrate DiBiase’s retirement and all the positive enrichment Birchwood has offered young minds throughout the years.

Lead Preschool Teacher Jenn Boisvert began working at Birchwood in 2004, only taking a short year away to be a stay-at-home mom.

“I love Birchwood because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission,” she said. “Birchwood has created a strong family environment where everyone is there for each other, and I feel this preschool has been successful because it has provided high-quality care for children for many years. Our focus has been to provide a safe, caring, and healthy environment for all children to grow, develop and learn individually. Under Connie’s leadership, Birchwood has grown to the highly respected program it is today through her guidance and dedication to young children.”

Boisvert stated she loves DiBiase because she cares about, values and respects her employees.

“She has a generous heart and truly cares about everyone’s well-being,” Boisvert said. “Connie has demonstrated strong dedication and support to her programs, the children and their families.”

Parent Shannon Sampson said that DiBiase and her staff are amazing, and her retirement will be a significant loss for the Windham community. 

“All three of our children attended Birchwood's preschool programs and we will forever be in their debt for the support Birchwood provided to our children's early development,” Sampson said. “When our oldest started in the three-year-old program at Birchwood over seven years ago, Connie provided guidance and reassurance at every turn. Connie always supported her Birchwood teachers by sending them to trainings and conferences yearly as well as the community of Windham with the annual marathon to support the RSU 14 backpack program. The list of enriching opportunities that Birchwood provided to our children is way too long to list out, but we can say with confidence that every parent that attended a Birchwood art show or end of the year graduation left astounded and proud of not only their own children's hard work, but that of the staff at Birchwood.”

DiBiase carefully looks forward to the next journey in her life.

“As it gets closer to July 1, the feeling gets heavier and heavier, but I look forward to a new chapter,” she said. “I have had so many good years – it is just time for me to experience other adventures.”

As DiBiase waves goodbye, Sampson offers this sendoff:

“Although she will be greatly missed, we can't think of anyone who deserves retirement more than Connie,” Sampson said. “Thank you for caring for our children over the years as if they were your very own.” <