Contains Many New Features;
Large Crowd Present For Formal Opening of New East End School Building
Last Night; Short Program Is Followed
By General Inspection; Heat Is by Latest Thermostatic Control; Pupils
Organize Own Orchestra.
The
formal opening of the new Lacy School building was held last night
with a large and enthusiastic crowd in attendance. From seven o’clock
until after ten, the school was crowded not only with those living
in that section of the city, but also citizens who were there merely
to enjoy the beauty of the building and to view the modern appointments.
At promptly 7:30 the formal opening exercises in the auditorium, were
opened with a number by the orchestra consisting of pupils of the new
school: Max Schwab, Amil Schwab, Allan Ristau, Paul Ackert, Arnold
Flick, Carl Schwanke, Edward Schwanke, and Martha Ackert. The invocation
was pronounced by Rev. R.L. Fasinger of the Salem Evangelical Church.
Miss Martha Ackert pleased the audience with two vocal selections which
were admirably chosen and well presented.
The main address of the
evening was given by Supt. Of Schools P.W.M. Pressell who thanked
the residents for their support of the bond issue
and their firm faith in the board until the promise could be fulfilled.
He stressed the importance of citizens greeting the problem of education
with an open mind and not treating every step of in the pedagogic science
as a passing fad or fancy. “There is a lot of criticism, “ he
said “about the amount of money spent annually for education
yet when you compare it with the amount spent commercially, it is small
enough to be ridiculous. State figures show that only on and one half
cents out of every dollar is spent for education as contrasted with
the enormous percentage spent for luxury and waste and if it can be
hoped to keep abreast of commerce then more money must be spent on
education. It is impossible to get results in 1929 with 1928 methods.”
Following Mr.
Pressel’s
address, President of the School Board E.H. Beshlin formally presented
this wonderful school to the Community
with a few well chosen remarks. In his usual gracious manner, Burgess
- Chapman accepted the building in belaf of the borough and after
another fine
number by the orchestra, Rev. J.G. Ginader, pastor of the Epworth
M.E. Church, pronounced the benediction.
From 8:45 to
10 o’clock,
the visitors were shown through all parts of the magnificent building
which is one of the most beautiful
and up-to-date edifices in this section. Many were heard to express
surprise at the modern fixtures and equipment which feature the school
and it was evident that everyone present was well pleased that Warren
is the fortunate owner of it.
The entire interior, consisting of 13 rooms, is finished in light
colors to afford the maximum amount of light; the base of the walls
is brick for about four feet and from there to the ceiling is finished
in a white stucco. The windows are large and it can imagined that no
dark corners or shadows will be found during the day. Beautiful drinking
fountains and attractive desks, chairs, and tables go to make up the
balance of the furnishings. The entire floor is covered with a composition
flooring which is sanitary as well as silencing to the ninth degree.
The heating problem no longer confronts the teachers and janitor during
the winter, for the school is equipped with a mechanical stoker and
thermostatic control. Fire peril, due to faulty furnaces, is thus abolished
and even were it not for the modern methods of heating, it is extremely
doubtful whether anything inflammable is in the building. Stair towers
and the absence of woodwork and baseboards make the whole school practically
fire-proof.
Among the features which were noticed was the absence of the old-fashioned
cloak room where many youth used to spend most of his time in disgrace.
Now there are large sanitary closets in all the rooms and these are
closed by means of collapsible doors. A sewing room, ample auditorium
and up to date lavatories are among the other things worthy of mention.
In case the school ever needs enlargement it will be an easy matter
to do so, for Architects Lawrie and Green have provided for this in
their plans. The Hyde, Mirphy Co. of Ridgway were the general contractors
and may be as justly proud of their splendid work as the architects.
Not only is the school model on the inside but the exterior also is
beautiful and adds greatly to the east end of the borough.
Lacy replaced
the former Gladerun School shown below. This pair of buildings
stood on the corner of Locust St. and Park Ave.
