St. John’s School to establish preschool class with help of Riedel Foundation grant

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal children getting ready for kindergarten will benefit from a grant awarded by the George H. Riedel Foundation.

St. John’s School received a $9,500 grant to help start an additional morning-only preschool. The grant will provide furnishings and supplies as well as a new curriculum. The school will use the money to erect a fence along the street for playground safety.

In a press release, St. John’s principal Cheryl Mack said, “Because of our location in Hannibal, we have a large opportunity to support our community with affordable preschool/daycare in an area close to where families live and work, and a safe playground open to the community after hours. This program is especially important in lower social-economic households.”

St. John’s offers full-time preschool and daycare. This grant will help families that only require a part-time morning preschool for two or three mornings a week. School administrators expect to serve an additional 30 children. The new class will open in August.

“George Riedel was a member of St. John’s Church,” Riedel trustee Bill Criagmiles said. “He wanted his legacy used to help children. He would be very happy to see this grant go to the school.”