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Meet Our Staff
Meet Our Board
Holiday Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
The History Of Roudenbush

Meet the Roudenbush Team

Holiday Schedule 2023

Roudenbush is closed on the following holidays:

New Year's Day - Observed January 2, 2023

Martin Luther King Jrs’ Birthday - Observed January 16, 2023

President's Day

Patriot's Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Thanksgiving Break:  Wed. 11/22, Close at 3:00 p.m.  

Closed Thurs. 11/23 and Fri. 11/24

*Christmas Day Monday, December 25, 2023

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2024

Board of Directors

Get in touch with the board

Thanks for submitting!

  • What do you offer for children?
    In addition to our 3 licensed child care programs, Part Day Preschool at Old Nab (170 Plain Road) Full Day Care at Frost (73 Main Street) and After School Care (65 Main Street), Roudenbush runs a complete gymnastics program, we offer art, cooking, babysitting basics, languages classes, ballet classes. Check out the Just for Kids tab under Community Classes.
  • What do you offer for adults?
    We have a variety of classes and workshops available for adults. Please see the community classes tab for what we are currently offering from yoga to wreath making to model airplane buillding.
  • When is the Community Market?
    The Community Market runs every Tuesday from 2:30pm to 6:30pm from June 22 to August 22, 2022 at 65 Main Street, Westford MA. There will be no Market on July 4, 2023.
  • Where are you located?
    Roudenbush has 3 locations for our various programs. Our part day preschool program is located at our "Old Nab" building at 170 Plain Road, in the heart of the Nabnassett neighborhood. Our full day child care program is located at our "Frost" building at 73 Main Street and our after school care, community education classes, farmers market and business offices are located at Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street, in the heart of Westford, MA.
  • Party and Meeting Room Rentals - Do you rent space for private parties?
    Yes! Please see our room rentals tab
  • Party and Meeting Room Rentals - Room rental terms and conditions
    A certificate of liability may be required for your rental. Rental is limited to the agreed upon room(s) only. Leave the room in the condition you found the room. All rentals require an adult to be present at all times. Renter is responsible for clean-up of the room. 50% deposit is due at the signing of the room rental agreement, deposits are non refundable within 14 days of the event. The remaining balance is due 5 days before the event. All cancellations will be charged a $25 fee.
  • Nab - Part Day PreSchool - What is the teacher student ratio?
    Preschool is 1:10 and Toddler 1:4. There are 2 teachers designated to each classroom at Nab. Subs will be called in as needed.
  • Nab - Part Day PreSchool - When does school start? What does the calendar look like?
    We follow the Westford Public School Calendar. Nab runs a 36-week program and a separate 8-week summer program.
  • Nab - Part Day PreSchool - Do you offer extended day options?
    Lunch Bunch/Extended Day- We offer lunch bunch M-F until 1:30 pm. Children who are ages 2.9 or older can drop in for a daily rate or contract for the year and roll into tuition for a discounted rate as well. Extended day runs M-TH until 3pm and also can be paid upon drop in ( if space allows) or contracted.
  • Nab - Part Day PreSchool - Do you have any enrichment programs?
    Learning Express and Imagination Station are additional programs for preschool aged and older children that are additional fees for
  • Nab - Part Day PreSchool - Do you offer a summer program?
    Our school year runs from September to June. We do offer 8-week summer programming for ages 2.9 and older. Summer includes weekly themes, In-House activities and water play! Enrollment can be on a week-to-week basis.
  • Frost - Do we have different rates for hours per day?
    Our daily rate is from any hours between 7am-6pm
  • Frost - Does it cost money to be put on the waitlist?
    No we just ask some questions and will add your child’s name and will be in touch when we know of a spot opening up for the paperwork along with the contract/deposit and registration fee.
  • Frost - How long is the waitlist?
    We do have an extensive waitlist for all ages at this time with enrollment projections done through July 2024. If a child was to leave or move-up in a classroom and we had no other child for that spot in house, we would then work off the waitlist.
  • Frost - Do you provide snack & lunch?
    We provide 2 snacks a day and milk/water. Parents provide lunches. We are a nut-free facility.
  • Frost - How does naptime work here? What if a child doesn’t sleep?
    Every classroom has their own nap schedule that they follow(posted on their daily schedule outside the classroom) If a child does not sleep, he/she will be given quiet toys to play on their mat to rest their body while the other children sleep.
  • Frost - Do the children go outside daily?
    Yes, all classes have a morning and afternoon time slot for outside play (weather permitting).
  • Community Education Classes - How do I become an instructor?
    If you have a talent to share or are passionate about sharing your talents with other please contact Amanda Krohn at akrohn@roudenbush.org with your class idea.
  • Community Education Classes - Community Class and/or Event Cancellation Policy
    WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Our programs are supported totally by fees; therefore, full refunds are not given for withdrawals. In the event you would like to withdraw, you will receive a refund as follows: · If a participant withdraws from a program at least seven days prior to the start date a refund of the cost less 25% processing fee will be given. · If a participant withdraws from a program less than seven days prior to the start date, no refund will be issued. · No refunds are given for trips or special events. Cancellation Policy - I/We accept the following The Roudenbush Community Center, Inc. (TRCCI) Cancellation and Transfer Policy: A voucher less $10 will be issued for cancellations 7 days prior to start of program; no other refunds will be granted; no refunds will be issued for trips or special events; there will be a $10 fee to transfer from one class to another; vouchers expire one year from date of issue; if Roudenbush cancels a class, we will call participants and issue a full voucher or refund. Release of Liability for Minor - I/We, as parents/guardians of registered minor, hereby consent to his/her participation in the TRCCI Programs and to his/her use of the TRCCI facilities and equipment. I/We further agree to release and hold harmless TRCCI and their employees, agents and assigns from any and all liability or expenses arising out of any incident involving, or any account of any injury to the above named minor in connection with such program. I/We further consent to emergency treatment by a physician in the event of injury to, or illness of our child during his/her participation in this program. I/We accept full responsibility for all costs for any such emergency treatment. Photography Permission - I/We, as parents/guardians of registered minor, hereby consent to the taking of videos and photographs of my/our child which may be used in the promotion of the TRCCI Programs.
  • Community Education Classes - How do I register for a program?
    You can use the search box at the top of the website to search for your class or event, or click on the Special Event tab, Community Classes tab, Roudenbush Parent Connection tab Find the class/event you woyuld like to attend. Click on the class/event and follow the prompts to register.
  • Community Education Classes - Can I suggest a program to run?
    YES!! Please let us know what classes you would like to see run, please understand we will, to the best of our ability, find an instructor, set up the class, market and promote the class. We will need a minimun amount of students to run every class.
  • School Age - How many classrooms do you have?
    During the school year we have 2 classes open with access to the gym and the field around the building.
  • School Age - What is the Group Leader /Child ratio?
    We follow all guidelines set by Department of Early Education and Care which mandates a 13 : 1 ratio. In addition, we have assistant group leaders in each class as well.
  • School Age - Daily routine - what is it?
    Each class follows there own routine each day - Kindergarten to 1st graders - more structure to their day -snack, homework or reading help, choice of sensory table, art and crafts, group games, group project or independent play. 2nd to 5th graders -snack, homework/reading help, quiet time, group games and group projects, but are offered more free independent time .
  • School Age - What facilities do you have?
    We have access to the gymnasium, the newly renovated, handicapped accessible playground, the field next to the building as well as the classrooms.
  • School Age - Are you open on no school days, snow days and or early release?
    YES! Roudenbush follows the Westford Public School's calendar and is open for all professional development days, early release days and snow days *please see Parent Handbook for more details.
  • School Age - When are you open?
    The after school care program runs until 6pm with option to pick your child up earlier at a reduced rate. Professional Development planned school closure - we are open from 8am to 6pm. Snow Days or other no planned school closure we are open at 8:30am. Vacation Weeks - (i.e December break, February break and April break we are open 8am - 5pm. Early release days we are open from school dismissal to 6pm.
  • School Age - Do you offer anything in the Summer months?
    YES! We run our Summer Adventures program! Summer Adventures is a full day program from 8am to 5pm for 10 weeks over the summer break. We incorporate water play, group games, individual play, arts and crafts, STEAM, weekly themes, in house events and bussed field trips. We have 3 classrooms open for ages 5 thru 14, we utilize the fields, playground and have walking field trips walk with a 1 mile radius of Roudenbush - (ie. nearby trails, town common and the library).
  • School Age - What is the daily rate?
    Please contact Jen Normandie for rates

Frequently Asked Questions

The Beginning 1897

The building at 65 Main Street was built in the fall of 1897 and served as Westford Academy, a private academy, through 1928.  The architect for the building was H. M. Frances (1836-1908) of Fitchburg and the contractor was William C. Edwards.

Westford School Department 1928

The Town of Westford purchased the building at 65 Main Street and the Westford School Department took over to run it as the public high school.  The name “Westford Academy” was retained so that graduates would remain eligible to receive scholarships from the Westford Academy Trustees’ sizeable trust funds.

Younger Grades 1955

The next Westford Academy building (now the Abbot School) opened its doors in 1955 and the old building at 65 Main Street was used for younger grades.

William C. Roudenbush 1957

The building at 65 Main Street was renamed the William C. Roudenbush School to honor the man who served as principal in the building for 25 years (1912-1937).

YWCA 1973

When the current Westford Academy opened on Patten Road in 1973, the School Committee closed the Roudenbush School.  That summer, a group of residents approached the Selectmen about turning the building into a community center.  Not getting a favorable response, the residents approached the Lowell YWCA and arranged for the YWCA to lease the building as a Westford branch until 1976.

Roudenbush Community Center Committee 1975

A group of residents devised a plan to turn the Roudenbush into a community center, one building in town where human services and activities could be centralized.  The YWCA informed the Town that they wished to end the lease a year early.  By this time, the Town had obtained a US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant to renovate the building as a community center and acquired funds through the federally funded Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) program to hire a director, clerk, and maintenance staff.  It was the fall of 1975 and the Roudenbush Community Center was a reality.  The Town formed the Roudenbush Community Center Committee (RCCC) in order to oversee the community center.

Roudenbush Community Center Associates, Inc. 1976

In October of 1976, incorporation papers were filed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the Roudenbush Community Center Associates, Inc. (RCCA), a non-profit corporation.  It was necessary to form a separate organization as town committees are prohibited from raising money by Massachusetts State Law.  The seven original board members of RCCA were Joseph J. Lapiana, Ellen S. Harde, Jean M. Schaub, David Matheson, Daniel Hanley, Lois J. Otterson, and Douglas R Johnston.

Expanded Roll of RCCA 1978

The intent of the RCCC was to offset expenses with the fees charged for programing, however, state law prohibits a Town department from spending the money that it takes in.  Any income generated from the community center would need to go to the Town’s general fund and any expenses would need to be paid out of the money appropriated by Town Meeting.  An agreement was signed between the Town of Westford and RCCA which allowed all program income to go into RCCA’s account, out of which instructors and program expenses could be paid.  Any surplus at the end of the year would then be turned over to the Town.

Preschool 1978

The Roudenbush Children’s Center preschool was originally a single class operated by the Lowell YWCA, which rented space from RCCC.  In the spring of 1978, the RCCC informed the YWCA that Roudenbush would be starting its own preschool that fall.  The license was held by RCCA in order to pay the teachers from the program fees.

Amendment 1985

The agreement between RCCA and RCCC was amended to allow the community center to hold any operating surplus in reserve for operating and capital expenses in the following fiscal year.

Growth 1992

The Roudenbush Community Center has grown to over 40 staff members and had an operating budget of close to $1 million legally in RCCA’s name in which RCCC had control of.  At this point, RCCA, Inc. asked RCCC to end the agreement and find another way to handle the Roudenbush budget. 

Frost 1992

When Frost became vacant at the end of the 1992 school year, Town Meeting turned the building over to RCCC.  The daycare moved to the building and became Roudenbush at Frost on August 31, 1994.

The Roudenbush Community Center, Inc. 1994

RCCC came up with the creation of a new non-profit organization with the members also serving as the Board of Directors.  Papers were filed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and The Roudenbush Community Center, Inc. (TRCCI) was born.  The original board members of TRCCI were Tim Butler, Stella Snyder, Peggy Blanchard, Cho Chau Li, Peggy Baranowski, Barbara Meader, Charlote Scott, and Jack Viera.  TRCCI would take the financial and policy responsibility of the community center while RCCA would continue to raise money through the Auction and the Westford Directory.

 

Old Nab 1994

With preschool waitlists getting longer and no more room to expand community education classes, RCCC asked Town Meeting to again give the old Nabnassett building to Roudenbush in May of 1994.  Roudenbush at Nabnasset (Old Nab) opened in September of 1994.

 

End of RCCA 2000

At their annual meeting in June of 2000, the board of directors voted to disband RCCA due to the lack of volunteers for the board and a sense that with a $1.8 million annual operating budget of TRCCI, the fundraising efforts were no longer critical to the operation of the Community Center.

 

Financial Independence 2004

With RCCC’s decision to become financially self-sufficient by 2000, each year, they have offset a larger portion of the Town’s appropriation with monies from the program account surplus.  In 2004, the TRCCI reimburses the Director’s salary in full, making Roudenbush self-sufficient.

 

Independent Organization 2009

The Roudenbush Community Center, Inc. is no longer a Town Department and is financially self-sufficient.  It is the independent non-profit organization that you know of today that operates the community center in the Town of Westford and also leases the three buildings that it occupies from the Town. 

Renovation of 65 Main Street 2017

In 2016, the Town of Westford informs TRCCI of their intention to renovate the building at 65 Main Street, which would require the organization to vacate the building for 12-18 months.  TRCCI faces uncertainty with just over a year to remain on the current lease when the organization is to return.  With overwhelming support of the residents in town, TRCCI and the Town are able to come to an agreement on a new lease that extends through June of 2025.

History of The Roudenbush Community Center

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