BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ALTHOUGH it was years in the making, it finally became a reality on Friday afternoon (July 4) when the sign was removed from the building and an official goodbye was said to the early childhood institution which molded the lives of hundreds of children.
That childhood institution is Slack’s Preschool which was established 1982 and catered to the needs of more than 850 children. However, a decision was taken by its owners and founders Ian and Yvette Slack that the time had come for the doors of the school to be closed.
With a tent erected in the yard of the school – which is also the couple’s home – and dozens of past students, parents, government officials, friends and well-wishers in attendance, a ceremony which brought both tears to eyes and smiles to faces was held, bringing an end to the life of that learning institution.
Saying goodbye
Yvonne James
“Not even as a teacher, she also accepted me as one of her daughters and I am very grateful for that. Working here for 18 years has given me the strength and courage to now move on and do the same thing in life with children. So I want to say thank you to Mrs. Slack and Mr. Slack also, and his family and all the parents, I thank you very much...
Leonie James - St. Christopher and Nevis Early Childhood Unit’s first Coordinator
“The point I want to make is that family is key in any development and Mrs. Slack has personified that in every way through her preschool programme. It has been not only about her family...but you’ve heard the many persons who have come up here this afternoon and who have said that they have been embraced as family. God bless you as you continue what you began.
Jonel Powell
“...Slack’s Preschool is more than just a preschool, it’s an institution in this country. It created that foundation for so many of us. We have so many memories from Slack’s Preschool; making dumplings out of play-dough and convincing people to eat them and things like that.
“...Mrs. Slack, I would really - on behalf of the older past students - like to say thank you to the teachers, Mr. Slack as well, for the life lessons that you’ve taught us. You’ve made all of us what we are today... And what I can also say is the teaching and inspiration did not just end when we left Slack’s Preschool, it continued after. And from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to say thank you so much.”
Vincia Browne
“I therefore extend my sincerest appreciation to the teachers and staff here at Slack’s Preschool. Thank you again for a job well done.”
Vincia Browne’s daughter
“Every day I go to learn, laugh, sing and play, now it’s time to say goodbye…it’s hard not to cry. Thanks you teachers for all you did, I will always remember you. Thank you Ms. Slack, thank you Ms. James, thank you Obi, thank you Mary.”
The Hon. Marcella Liburd
“I myself am a past parent of Ms. Slack’s Preschool. Vaguely, children and parents always sort of think of the teachers when they are graduating from high school. A lot of the times when you hear them speak of teachers, it would be their high school teachers...and the preschool sort of get faded into the background. But not Mrs. Slack!
“All of the children that I know who went to school with my son when he came here, whenever they get together Mrs. Slack name pops up.
“...I want to, on behalf of my son and all the others who came here and also on behalf of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, we want to thank you for your contribution to the development of the country...”
The closure of the school also marked the official commencement of Mrs. Slack retirement and she was extended congratulations and wished an enjoyable retirement.
While the school song was being sung by the 2014 class, Leone Matthew and Pauline Slack, members of the first class (1982), removed the sign from the building; and in an act of symbolism passed it on to the 2014 class.
The ceremony ended with Mr. and Mrs. Slack thanking those who assisted in making the school a success, noting that she could not have done it on her own strength.
With a board of pictures positioned at the front of the building, several past students seized the opportunity to reminisce on the times they shared at Slack’s Preschool.
The classrooms will no longer be filled, the smell of play-dough will be no more and the playground which captured the laughter of many children will no longer see excitement from students of the Slack’s Preschool.
And the premises which the Slack’s have shared with more than 800 families over the past 32 years can now be returned unto themselves.
Goodbye Slack’s Preschool...
