There’s been a lot of townie talk these days about: Fair Haven’s little tykes transitioning from third to fourth grade; a bike procession up Third Street in pandemic times; first days in and out of classrooms; fixing up Fisk Street Chapel; and prospects of tearing down what was the borough’s former segregated schoolhouse and integrated kindergarten, now the police station, to make way for updated facilities.

In light of all that talk, we are reprising a 2015 Retro Pic of the Day and reflection on what was the segregated schoolhouse that was transformed into an integrated kindergarten and the kids in the classroom in 1965-66 not long after segregation stopped. This was the last class to go to kindergarten at the Youth Center, now police station and Community Center.

Back in the day — OK, waaaaay back in the day — there was a third school in Fair Haven for kindergarten. It was the Youth Center. People now know it better as the Fair Haven Police Station and by its newly adopted name that hasn’t quite caught on yet, and may never for “older” folks still in town — Fair Haven Community Center. Phooey to that. Some things just need to keep a name for nostalgic purposes alone.

That and it’s just a matter of what sounds like home to you. For instance, my very nice grandmother, a Matawan native, was pretty hostile about the “new” Aberdeen split and name. Paid it no mind. And if forced, said it with “blah, blah, blah” contempt. Back to the Community Center … There, I said it.