Oxford Past
Oxford, New Haven, Connecticut
 
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    "Consistent with the practice throughout the State, and to the demands placed upon us by the war, summer schools have been maintained in each town for the purpose of carrying on Red Cross work and increased production of food, by war gardens. Oxford was not behind in this respect and the following report of Miss Margaret Kehoe will serve to prove that the money expended in maintaining the school was well spent."
    The report listed a seven week summer school held at Shrub Oak, Center, Quaker Farms, Christian Street and Chestnut Tree Hill. A total of 60 persons were enrolled. Thrift Stamps were sold and work was done by pupils in sewing, with 101 towels turned, basted and hemmed; 67 comfort bags made.
    A list of pupils attending high school was given, which included 20 students as follows:
Waterbury:
Catharine Shelden, Alice Easmes, Tricillo Gardo, Elizabeth Heidkamp
Naugatuck:
Margaret Luskay; Derby, Dagmar Nelson
Watertown:
Isabelle Pope
Seymour:
Florence E. Wetmore, Harold Cable, Edna Rowland, Martha Horbal, Mildred Baldwin, Catherine J. Keeler, Dorothy J. Keeler, Dorothy E. Hibbard, Evelyn Pope, Dorothy Pope, Lester Tomlinson, Marion Shelton, Regina Graf and Helen Crofut.
    "The conditions at the Riverside School up to the opening of school in September were rather uncertain. The construction of a new dam at Riverside has brought to the place an abnormal increase in population.
    "How much of this population will remain permanently is still a matter of conjecture. However, the present building is too small and accommodations inadequate for the increase, which must be provided for at once. The committee has decided to enlarge the building sufficient for the present and future needs. In the meantime, double sessions will be necessary, since there is not seating capacity for all at one time.
    "It is hoped that the adjust will be made at once, since the situation at present is difficult for both teacher and pupil and unfortunate to the system.
    The 1920 report of the supervisor reports that the Riverside school population has declined, owing to the completion of the dam, and that school would be held in one room, and the old portion of the school used for a cloak room and fuel storage area.
   The supervisor cited the opening of a new two room building at Shrub Oak to relieve crowded conditions there, and said that the excess furniture and equipment would be moved from Riverside to Shrub Oak.
    In 1921 the state superintendent urged the consolidation of the towns schools, then nine in number. The concept of consolidation was not developed into a Centralized School until 1948.
    The 1921 report reads:
    "Should Oxford consolidate its schools? or should it seek to remodel and put in standard shape the present buildings. If consolidation is the thing then a minimum lay-out on the present sites is best. Some time ago the town voted consolidation for Riggs and Chestnut Tree to the Center. Should not this be
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