Dist. 57 principal strong supporter of school-based day care
Robert Ferguson spent nearly 30 years in Mount Prospect schools as a teacher and administrator. But it is what he established before and after school that remains his legacy.
Mr. Ferguson passed away on Dec. 11. The former 53-year resident of Mount Prospect was 77.
In 1981, Mr. Ferguson was principal of Westbrook School in Mount Prospect, the fourth school in Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 that he led, after Central, Busse and Lions Park schools.
"As principal, he did everything," his wife, Arlyle, says, "from knowing how the boiler and snow thrower worked, to working with the faculty and establishing the curriculum."
It was the PTA Council that first approached him about establishing day care services at the school after discovering there was a need.
"We needed to have the commitment of the principal to make it work " says Margaret Bosold, former PTA president and first director of the day care center. "Bob was concerned after finding there were a lot of kids home alone."
In doing further research, they learned that district buses would not travel outside of the boundaries to pick up children. With no private day care within the district, Mr. Ferguson feared they would lose more children to other districts, Bosold added.
Mr. Ferguson served as their advocate and took their idea to the district superintendent and school board members, who approved it. In 1981, they started with eight children coming before school and 10 who stayed after school.
"We were one of the first districts in the area to offer it," Bosold says.
By the end of that year, they had 20 coming before and 32 staying after school. They also cared for kindergarten students before and after their half-day sessions, allowing them to spend the entire day at school.
"It really helped ease their transition into first grade," Bosold said.
Before- and after-school day care services spread to the other elementary schools in the district, and it became a prototype for similar programs at other surrounding Northwest suburban districts.
Mr. Ferguson and Bosold described their on-site center at a conference held at Harper College in Palatine, that drew school administrators from around the region. Today, District 57's Kids' Corner is thriving, and serves children at all three elementary schools.
Family members say it was working with children that Mr. Ferguson loved most, although administrative duties took much of his time. Every year he would don a whimsical hat and lead students around the neighborhood for their annual Halloween parade.
He retired in 1984, but returned often as a volunteer to Westbrook School, helping students with reading, math and science.
Besides his wife, Mr. Ferguson is survived by his daughter, Rachele Limberakis of Stonington, Conn.; his son, Robert A. Ferguson of Mount Prospect; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at Community Presbyterian Church, 407 N. Main St., Mount Prospect.