LIVERPOOL — In spite of heavy rain, community members of Liverpool gathered June 16 to celebrate the end of an era. After 65 years, Nate Perry Elementary (NPE) is closing its physical doors, but it is clear the school’s spirit and the camaraderie built will prosper within the hearts of Liverpool.
Current and former students, staff and their families were welcomed to celebrate the school’s closing. The Liverpool Central School District has sold NPE as part of its Education 2020 initiative, which involves a reconfiguration of grade levels and buildings.
Smiles, laughter and tears filled the hallways as community members reminisced upon the school’s history and reunited with their friends and colleagues. Around the school, memorabilia, pictures and celebratory posters honored the community’s history since its opening in 1957.
“We love you tearchers evry ware!” read one student-made sign posted above the lockers.
Chris Frye has been involved with NPE since he was born: his mother, Susan Frye, taught first grade for 32 years. A graduate of the class of 1988, Chris Frye spent years at NPE as a child, prior to being enrolled, and then spent time volunteering at the school until his mother retired 20 years ago.
“One of the nice things about [NPE] is that it was very much a neighborhood school. A lot of creativity was fostered between the art, music and reading areas,” Frye said. “I remember it to be a very friendly place where you could get a lot of guidance in different areas, but socially it was very fun. Everyone seemed to know each other, it was a very friendly school.”
That affability permeated the building. Activities included bounce houses, henna, face painting and Jeff the Magic Man were around for families to enjoy. Food trucks were available for all to enjoy outside the building. In the cafeteria, time capsules from 1984 and 2009 were opened, and special tributes honored former principal Lillie Fields and former student Andrew Sleeth.
After serving as an educator in Syracuse for 25 years, Fields became the first Black principal in the Liverpool Central School District in 1989. For eight years, she led Nate Perry Elementary. Though Fields retired in 1997, her presence was sustained by a spirit committee she created.
“She wanted children to love coming to school, to love to read, to love to serve, to love each other,” former teacher Leigh Anne Herd said.
The committee served the school through community projects and school projects, including a garden created by staff and students. Teachers used the garden for classes and to be in nature. When Fields retired, a party was held in the garden in her honor, and a plaque was made for her.
“Joy is something you do. You don’t see it, it’s something you have to feel. That’s what I felt here at Nate Perry,” Fields said, speaking directly from her heart. “Thank you for the joy you’ve helped me to feel. Go wherever you go, and be joyous.”
In honor of the late Andrew Sleeth and his family, Philip Gooley, the school’s physical education teacher, spoke about the time he met Andrew 17 years ago. Andrew, who was battling cancer, made a lasting impact on Gooley within five minutes.
“Out of that meeting, we had one common thread: I found out that he loved basketball, and basketball is my favorite sport also,” Gooley said. “My first impression of Andrew, I can remember it like it was just yesterday. It was a great time meeting him.”
Gooley continued teaching and coaching Andrew’s siblings years afterward, saying the Sleeth family became part of his own. The Sleeths were given a plaque honoring Andrew’s spirit, as well as a basketball and quilt.
Andrew’s plaque was kept in the back of the school, facing the basketball court, “watching all the kids play basketball all the time.”
Former student Jennifer Creamer graduated in 1989. Her mother, Donna Duda, was the school’s secretary in the late ‘60s, retiring in the early ‘90s. Reflecting on the nostalgia in the halls, Creamer spoke fondly of her time at NPE.
“It’s home,” Creamer said. “It’s where I grew up.”
