The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
A long time coming
Perry CDC celebrates 20 years
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: October 19, 2006
Photo courtesy
Ypsilanti Public Schools
The Perry family gather for a group photo: Back Row, left to right: Merrideth Perry-Okonkwor, Raphael Okonkwor, Terry "Lance" Hawkins, Kristen Hawkins, Jennifer Hawkins; Middle Row: Maxine Perry, 6, Claudia Perry, Tammy Perry-Hawkins, Alexia Perry; Seated: Marc Perry, Maxine Perry, Lawrence Perry, Carrie Perry.
Perry Child Development Center celebrated its 20th anniversary Sunday with a reception honoring the family of Dr. Lawrence Perry, for whom the school was named, and those who helped design and build it.
Attendees were greeted by pictorial displays of the beginning stages of the development, including the groundbreaking ceremonies, and its progress toward the final structure. A light buffet was served and a tour of the school was conducted.
Current Perry principal, Sharine Buddin, acted as mistress of ceremonies and introduced Superintendent Dr. James, Hawkins. Hawkins was also the superintendent at the time of the building of Perry CDC, serving the Ypsilanti district from 1984 to 1990.
Hawkins said the inception of Perry expanding into a child development center was due to the efforts of David Weikert, formerly special education director at Ypsilanti, and Charles Eugene Beatty, known as "the Chief," who had been principal at Perry for over 20 years and was then serving on the school board.
He also recognizes former Ypsilanti Board of Education member Linda Crabtree for organizing and marketing the concept, which resulted in the passing of a $4.3 million bond issue.
Hawkins said the architects took a unique approach toward designing the building by including teachers in the design process. He acknowledged Tina Fallahee, Barbara Thorburn, Joy Desselier and David Thayer, who were present, as teachers having aided that process.
Hawkins also acknowledged several who had led the school during the past 20 years. They are Rose Marie Barhydt, former Director of Early Childhood Development; principals Leo Clark, Joe Guillen, Sharon Irving and current principal Sharine Buddin.
Robert McGraw of Kingscott Associates, the architectural firm that designed the building, recalled he had just been certified as an architect and Perry was his first real project. "This building and project will always be special to me," he said.
McGraw said the teachers insisted the building provide as much natural sunlight as possible. They also wanted the building to seem small, not overwhelming. "We tried to make it look like little houses lining the street," he said.
The collaboration resulted in what McGraw called "the double-doughnut design," building around two open courtyards to provide sunlight.
"I figured it out and in the past 20 years over 10,000 kids have had their lives shaped here," McGraw said. "I'm very proud of that."
Lawrence Perry, son of Dr. Lawrence Perry, the school's namesake, said his father believed in treating people right. Dr. Perry, a local dentist who spent four terms on the Ypsilanti Board of Education, crossed racial lines in his practice and in the way he viewed education.
Dr. Perry was the first African American to serve on the Ypsilanti board of Education.
"My father invested well in the youth of Ypsilanti and its education, Perry said.
Ypsilanti City Councilwoman Lois Richardson said she was a student when the school was known as the Harriet Street School and knew Dr. Perry personally. "I was in and out of the Perry house a lot when I was growing up," Richardson said. "He was a very nice man and it's good to give him this honor."
Richardson noted Perry CDC was the foundation for what became the national Head Start program.
The program was put together by the district's Director of Public Relations Emma Jackson and former educators Maude Forbes, Joy Desselier and Tina Fallahee.
Kathleen Conat is a long-time Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for the Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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