Parents pull all-nighter for Oakwood preschool

Multiple families pulled an all-nighter to get their children enrolled at a preschool operated by Oakwood schools.

In the second year since adopting a first-come-first-serve wait list, parents lined up outside the Lange Elementary School in the overnight hours of Saturday for the 2016-17 school year.

The school started accepting applications at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, but Special Education Supervisor Frank Eaton said the line started Friday afternoon, with the first family arriving at 2 p.m.

“I’ve not heard of other school districts that have parents that wait overnight for the preschool program,” Eaton said. “I think it’s a reflection of the creditability of our preschool program and the reputation of it, that people want to make sure that they get their children the opportunity to participate.”

Parent Joy Coleman, a mother of five, said just last year she went through the same process to get one of her daughters registered.

“Last year I didn’t have to come out until 6 a.m. but this year I heard it was more competitive so I came out at midnight,” Coleman said. “(She) has to be in this preschool so that she can be at the same school as my other kids.”