WWII Clamdigger -
October 1944

Greetings from Rowayton School

We are still teaching readin’ writin’ and ‘rithmetic, but not at the old stand. As you all probably know the last vestige of the old school has been removed and we are now in a fine new brick building on Roton Avenue at the intersection of Wilson Avenue. There are seven classrooms including the kindergarten and there is a teacher for each room, as perhaps some of you remember.

When you pay us a visit (which we trust will be in the near future) you will see some familiar faces, among them Miss Sherman who still has the kindergarten and Miss Curtin who now has the forth grade. Miss Lewis has not been with us for a number of years due to ill health and we miss her greatly. She is at her home in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Warren Johnson is the custodian of the school and takes great pride in the building both inside and out.

Our new school has a fine large auditorium which will seat three hundred. When not in use the chairs are folded and put on a rack which rolls under the stage, and lo! we have a fine floor for games, including shuffle board which is much enjoyed.

Perhaps some of you recall how we had to improvise a stage and curtain in the old school when putting on Christmas plays, etc. No more! There is a fine large stage with a handsome velvet curtain, set off by a handsome silk American flag the gift of the American Legion, on one side and our beautiful State Banner, given to us by the people of the community on the other side. Do you wonder we are proud!

Last spring we had a call from Lieut. Jennie Johnson, who is an Army Nurse and stationed in South Carolina. Once in a while some of the boys stroll in when home on a furlough, among the Pvt. Frank Ives, and S 1/C Clifford Hays and we are always glad to see them.

Another feature of our school is a fine library. Quite a large room is given over to this purpose. About six or seven hundred books have been added including fiction and nonfiction. Our P.T.A. made us a generous gift which was greatly appreciated.

The Dewey Decimal System has been installed and all books filed. You take out books and have them charged just as in a Public Library. Once a week each room has a "Library Period". Our Library boasts of two fine oil paintings, the work of artist, Harold Wade Douglas. Another fine painting of his also hangs in the office.

Our boys and girls are working for Victory. Every Wednesday is "Grease Day" and Edward Dexter, assisted by willing helpers delivers it to the market. Last year Dick Hays was our faithful "Grease Man".

The children are also collecting papers, rags, silk stockings, and the latest salvage material, milk-weed pods. All these things help the war effort and at the same time add to our school fund, from which we purchase lantern slides, library books, etc.

Our school now has its largest enrollment - about two hundred.

A.F.Wakeman