Clara a Second Generation Tom Thumb Kid

Clara a Second Generation Tom Thumb Kid

After each school year ending in June, we receive many thank-you notes. We have been publishing these notes on our website for over 50 years. In essence, many of the notes describe a child’s transformation into someone who is confident, loves to learn, is socially well-adjusted, and has developed academic skills focused on “Kindergarten Readiness” and essential “lifetime skills” for school success. The common thread in most of these notes over the last 3 generations is the parent’s recognition that their child has greatly improved and matured under Tom Thumb’s guidance.

The following is a thank-you from the F family describing Clara’s transformation as the second-generation Tom Thumb Kid, while her father is the first-generation Tom Thumb Kid.

F Family Thank-You Note:

August 4, 2025

To the Wonderful Staff at Tom Thumb Preschool,

As our daughter’s time at Tom Thumb comes to an end, we wanted to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who makes this program the special place it is.

From the very beginning, Tom Thumb has provided a nurturing, joyful, and safe space where our daughter, Clara, has grown in ways we never imagined. Socially, emotionally, and developmentally, she has blossomed under the care and guidance of your incredible team. She speaks of her teachers and friends with such joy and affection, and it’s clear that Tom Thumb has become a second home to her a place where she feels seen, heard, and loved.

The Thumbelina Program – the school for 2s – was nothing short of amazing. Clara’s teacher, Mrs. Rainbeau, is exceptionally kind, passionate, caring, and such a bright light. She helped. Clara transitioned into school so beautifully, and we will never forget the warmth and reassurance she provided.

The Juniors Program with Mrs. Licini was equally incredible. Clara, who just turned 4, can count to 100, knows all her letters, can identify many numbers, does basic math, and can read! She often plays school, organizes her own circle times with her one-year-old brother and our family dog, and finds joy in teaching and learning. Her growth has been astounding, and it is thanks to the wonderful foundation laid by your dedicated educators.

We are also so grateful for the teacher aides, who are consistently patient, kind, and attentive. They are truly good humans, and their care and compassion do not go unnoticed.

Tom Thumb has also become a very special part of our family’s story. My husband, a United States Air Force veteran and career Firefighter, is a graduate from the Class of 1992. He insisted that our daughter attend Tom Thumb. I’ll admit I didn’t fully understand the hype ―
until now. Now, I do. I see it in our daughter’s confidence, her kindness, her laughter, and her love of learning. Tom Thumb has made a lasting impact, not just on her, but on all of us.

We are so proud that both our daughter and soon, our son are “Tom Thumb kids.” We truly believe this school is a forever stitch in the fabric of this local community. Every question I’ve ever had has been met with kindness and professionalism, and I’ve always felt complete trust in sending my child to you. That peace of mind means everything.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all that you do. You are shaping young lives in the most meaningful ways, and we will always carry Tom Thumb with us in our hearts and in the stories we’ll tell for years to come.

With gratitude and love,

The F Family

The following image is a copy of the original typewritten note from the F Family.

tom thumb preschool thank-you note for clara a second generation tom thumb kid.

Note from the F Family – Clara is a second-generation Tom Thumb Kid

Kevin Moore 2004 Tom Thumb Graduate

Kevin Moore 2004 Tom Thumb Graduate

kevin moore tom thumb preschool graduate and west point graduate in the top 105 of his class

Kevin Moore a West Point Graduate

I just became aware of a 2004 Tom Thumb graduate who graduated from West Point with honors. Although this news has been delayed, it is still newsworthy and important to us.

Mrs. Brophy was an Army-Brat growing up through high school and is always proud to know any of her students who have graduated from the prestigious West Point Military Academy.  Our preschool is dedicated to the Next Great Generation of Americans.  Our entire Tom Thumb staff is overjoyed about Kevin Moore’s accomplishment and success. Kevin is definitely one of the Next Great Generation of Americans from Tom Thumb that we are constantly talking about as our greatest achievement. Tom Thumb students will help change our world.

Kevin Moore, a Shrub Oak resident, attended Tom Thumb Preschool and Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. He graduated from Lakeland High School in 2017 after being appointed to join the Class of 2021 at West Point.

kevin moore. tom thumb graduate accepted at westpoint

Kevin’s acceptance at West Point

While at Lakeland, Moore was a captain of the football and wrestling teams, vice president of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Spanish Honor Society.

At West Point, Moore majored in military history, was inducted into the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, and participated in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition for four years.

Kevin Moore graduated Magna Cum Laude from the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 22, 2021. He is in the top 10 percent of his class and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.  After West Point, he attended the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (IBOLC) at Fort Benning, Georgia, for about six months, then traveled to his post in Vilseck, G. Germany, with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. His military commitment is to 2026 unless he decides to stay in the Army.

kevin moore tom thumb graduate winning at high school sports

Playing sports at Lakeland High School

kevin moore tom thumb graduate at high school game with parents

Kevin with his parents at Lakeland High School

 

Tom Thumb Students with Sergeant Brian Fitzgerald

Tom Thumb Students with Sergeant Brian Fitzgerald

Sergeant Brian Fitzgerald attended Tom Thumb Preschool from September 1999 through June June 2001
He enlisted in the US Army in January 2017 with a job (Military Occupation Specialist: 88M ) as a Motor Transport Operator.
Brian is unmarried and lives at the Scofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii.
 
 

class picture of tom thumb students with Sergeant Brian Fitzgerald, a 2001 Tom Thumb Graduate

Tom Thumb Students with Sergeant Brian Fitzgerald, a 2001 Tom Thumb Graduate

Where Are The Alumni?

Where Are The Alumni?

Tom Thumb Preschool has over 11,500 Alumni.

sayani Aggarwal Tom thumb Graduate

Sayani Aggarwal becomes the Lakeland High School 2021 Valedictorian.

We want to know what happened to the thousands of our students who have attended or graduated from our preschool in the past 50 years. We believe the Tom Thumb experience has helped develop the next generation of Great Americans that our community, country, and the world will continue to depend on to improve our society and solve future problems. We want to know more about our alums.

We Are Looking for the Tom Thumb Alumni.

We are asking for help to reach out to our alumni community to get information about our previous students. The information we are looking for is as follows:

Thomas tom thumb graduate

Thomas, a Tom Thumb Preschool Graduate – Class of 2006 – attends Dartmouth University

  • Alumnus Name – we only use first name and last initial to refer to him or her, unless requested otherwise
  • Final Year at Tom Thumb – the year of graduation or last year attended our preschool
  • Pictures – of alumnus as a preschooler & adult
  • Region where the Alumnus Lives – location by City and State
  • Family Information – significant other’s name and the number of children
  • Highest Education Attained – High School, Trade School, Community College, 4-year College/University or Graduate School
  • Current Job – job title as a general description, for example: Self-employed or specific, for example, plumber
  • Any Words of Wisdom – share any words of wisdom about education

Please send the information we seek in an email to alumni@tomthumbpreschool.com

 

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth shaking hands with Chris Monteferante

Congresswoman Nan Hayw nominated Chris (Tom Thumb Alumnus) to the nation’s service academies to receive his appointment to West Point.

Over time, we are building an alumni webpage with our previous Tom Thumb students by those who respond to this post.

To view our alumni webpage, click on Tom Thumb Alumni.

Tom Thumb Graduate

David Receives his Sheepskin

Tom Thumb Graduate with his 2 sisters and Mrs. Brophy pose for a quick picture. David proudly holds his official Tom Thumb Diploma for successfully completing our 2 year program at Tom Thumb Preschool.

This diploma is his very first educational certificate. He is destined to receive many more official documents, through grade school, middle school, high school, college and beyond. We celebrate David’s beginning steps along in his educational journey and being part of the ranks of the Next Great Generation of Americans. David’s two sisters are also Tom Thumb graduates.

Tom Thumb graduate from preschool with his 2 sisters, also graduates

He finally made it. What a happy day to have a certificate that admits you in the same league as your older sisters.

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