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Thanks
to Kathy Bonetti
Immediately following World
War II, the beginning pieces of the 'boom' growth in Milford
began to take place. Milford's
population in the mid-'40s was just over 24,500 - yet by the mid-'50s, an
additional 10,000 people had moved to our city to make it their home.
In keeping with the growth
of the city, the school system was growing by 'leaps and bounds' as well.
Hundreds of additional students were enrolling each and every year - and by
the middle of the '50s, the entire school system was bursting at the seams.
Thus, in 1954, the town
council approved the construction of three new elementary schools - these
would become Meadowside
School, Calf
Pen
Meadow
School, and Orange
Avenue
School.
Though the construction of
Meadowside was relatively smooth, it met with some difficulties in the final
stages of the project. Funding had been made available for the actual
construction of the school, and had an original opening target date for
January 1955. Unfortunately, however, funding had disappeared for the purchase
of textbooks, supplies and other tangible goods for the school operation - and
thus the opening of the school was slightly delayed. Funding was eventually
secured, and beginning on February 28, 1955 - 50 years ago --, students and
teachers were offered their first chance to visit and get used to the new
school building and finally, on March 7th - the school officially opened for
its first day of operation.
Meadowside
School has
always been a touchstone to the members of its characteristically hardy New
England
community. After being open only for 4 years, a major incident occurred at
Meadowside in February 1959 when a 14-year old vandal was apprehended for
completely smashing in the front door to the school and smearing food on the
furniture and walls of the school. Equipment was broken and a massive clean-up
was needed.
Only six days later, a
second incident involving vandals occurred - this time causing hundreds of
dollars worth of damage to equipment, the lobby area, smashed trophy cases,
and ruined office and health room records. The people of Milford
and the members of the Meadowside community persevered, however, and all was
repaired and life went on.
All was calm until February
1977, when a devastating fire of suspicious origin, occurred and destroyed a
large part of the school. School children needed to be bused to other schools
for the remainder of the year while repairs were made.
In the 1990s, an addition
was completed at Meadowside, adding several more classrooms and the MediaCenter,
in existence today. Changes will continue to be made as we venture along in
years to come.
Though the events that have
occurred throughout our existence are interesting, the real thing to remember
here is the people who have traveled through our wonderful school; people who
are proud of our community and people who love our city; People who support
education, and people who believe in their child's experience.; People who are
protective of their families, and only want the best - for their own children
and all of the children at our school. We are from many different lands, and
many different backgrounds. We all share the love of our MeadowsideSchool
and are honored to continue to build upon her rich history.
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