By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — A new preschool building dedicated Tuesday also will serve as a tribute to an area woman who was a supporter of education.
School district Superintendent Dennis Burke made remarks on the dedication of the Velma J. Archer Preschool Center. Archer died in a vehicle accident about a year ago. She was the wife of John Archer, of Baxter Springs and trustee of the William Abernathy Trust. She also was involved with the trust and projects including Five-Mile Camp, in Oklahoma, and the Route 66 Soda Fountain, in downtown Baxter Springs.
Burke said research shows that working with children early in life helps prepare them for school.
“The more ready a child is to learn, the more successful he will be in school,” Burke said. “These children will start kindergarten ready to learn.”
Burke said Velma Archer’s support and vision was behind the project.
Burke said 21 4-year-olds are currently enrolled. Some of the children tore away the paper to reveal the sign with the name of the preschool.
“These are the future of our community and the future of our nation,” Burke said.
Burke said the building is a remodeled doublewide trailer that once served as a bank branch. Tom Archer, John and Velma Archer’s son, did the work in restoring the structure. The school is enclosed with decorative fencing and concrete.
“This is a showplace for this community right here on Route 66,” Burke said.
Burke said the work was paid for by the Abernathy Trust and required no taxpayer money from the school district. Burke said he didn’t know the cost of the project.
John Archer said he, too, didn’t know the cost. “Basically, we used my son’s crew,” he said.
He said Five-Mile Camp also was involved in the project.
Archer pointed out a metal statue at the entrance of the school showing a boy and girl sitting together on a bench, reading a book. He said he saw the statue in a shop in San Francisco and bought it on the spot.
Tribute
John Archer said the preschool will be a fitting tribute to his wife’s legacy. He said he appreciates the school district naming the school for her.
“It’s going to be a real positive thing,” Archer said.
“I saw that sculpture and thought it just epitomizes what we want to do here,” Archer said. “That’s exactly what we want to accomplish.”
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