OAK STREET SCHOOL
By Sandra Clark

During the late 1800’s, a drive to reduce truancy in the Naugatuck Schools resulted in the building of many new schoolhouses. Desk and chairs replaced benches of earlier years. These provided more comfort for the children, as there were desks, furnaces, rather than wood-burning stoves provided heat. Warmth could be felt in every corner of the classroom. Along with making the classrooms more comfortable, schoolwork and instruction were improved making school a more interesting and desirable place to attend.

In 1890, Oak Street School was built to service the east side of town. It was included in the Union Center School District, one of five school districts in Naugatuck. School reports listed the name and age of each term and usually mentioned, only, the District by name. However, reference to Oak Street School began to appear in the 1900’s.

In the Annual Report of the School Committee 1901–1902 the following items were reported-
“A thermostat was placed in the Oak Street building and has proved its usefulness by the automatic regulating of the heat and the consequent saving of fuel.”
“During the summer vacation the walls of Oak Street were tinted and all necessary repairs made.”

Registration for the term ending June 21, 1909 showed-
Registration – 85
Average weekly registration – 81.1
A term average – 78.73 students
The fact that Oak Street only contained four classrooms is reflected in these numbers.

In the 1906 report, the following teachers were appointed to Oak Street-
Helen V. Kennedy – second grade
Teresa B. Daly – first grade
Margaret A. Dowd – first grade

Also remembered, as teachers at Oak Street School were Theresa Wrenn and Hazel Penrose.

In the 1907 report, the following statistics concerning Oak Street School were as follows-
Valuation of Property – $18,500
Construction – Wood, Classrooms – Four, Sittings – 183
Kindergarten – 0, Rooms occupied – 3
Heat – Hot air – Thermostat, Toilet arrangements – Flush Closets
Approximate size of lot – 22,000 sq. ft.

The 1909 Annual Report, ending March 31, 1909 reported the following pictures were purchased for Oak Street School-

• “Head of Christ-Child” (Murillo)

• “Return to the Barnyard” (Troyon)

• “Sheep of Berry” (Bonheur)

• “Marchland of the Glen” (Landseer)

The Annual Report, ending June 28, 1909 reported a total of $158.02 spent for alterations, painting and repair. A quote from the report states-
“As almost all the repair work has been done by all our janitors, a great savings has been made for the district and we invite your inspection as to the condition of the buildings”.

Oak Street School continued in its function as a schoolhouse until some time in the 1940’s. At one time, Central Avenue had no fourth grade and fourth graders spent that year in the Oak Street School. Today, the building remains standing on Oak Street, adjacent to the Cemetery. It then became the home of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Source
Naugatuck Historical Society Newsletter
Volume 9, Issue 6
November - December 2004