Room Dedication Held at Rainbow Preschool

Family members cut the ribbon of the new
Socio-Dramatic Play Center in memory of Rachel Miller

On Thursday, December 5th, family, friends, and Arc staff gathered at Rainbow Preschool's Albion site to celebrate the life of Rachel Miller.  Rachel was a speech therapist at the Preschool for 15 years.  She enjoyed working with the children, helping them to find their voice.

The group was there to dedicate the new Socio-Dramatic Play Center in memory of Rachel.  The Play Center is a theme based room where the children can interact with their environment in pretend play that simulates real-world situations.  Currently the room is set up as a grocery store complete with pretend food, a cash register, and minature grocery carts.


Grocery Store in the Socio-Dramatic Play Center

Playing is not only fun, it helps with cognitive skill development, promotes social and emotional skills, increases speech and language skills, and helps the children to practice fine and gross motor skills. 

Prior to the ribbon cutting, Kellie Spychalski, Executive Director at Arc of Orleans, shared that Rachel was a dedicated employee whose first concern was always the students at Rainbow Preschool.  Rachel's daughter, Amanda Miller, shared that this room was a long held dream of her mother.  Ruby Hoffee, a music therapist at the Preschool, sang "Rachel's Song," a song that she wrote based on a motivational email Rachel had emailed out to the Preschool staff just a few short weeks before her death. 

Amanda Miller, Rachel's daughter, and family
with Kellie Spychalski, Executive Director

One little boy shared that Rachel was his speech therapist and worked with him, teaching him to say his first word.  He then said that after he finishes college, he would like to help people, just like Rachel did.  And that is truly what the work at Rainbow Preschool is all about!!