New Britain herald., 1928-11-17
Dr. Meredith Praises City at Vance School Meeting king, Holmes and White Are Speakers.

New Britain is an inspiration and challenge to other cities in the state to enlarge their scale of edu- cation facilities, Dr. A. B. Meredith, state commissioner Of education. told several hundred members of the Robert J. Vance school Parents and Teachers association last night. The statement was made in connection with the first formal public inspec- tion Of the building. which is situated at tho corner Of Shuttle Meadow avenue and Vance street.
 The attendance was the largest ever recorded at a meeting of the association. The early evening was devoted to an inspection of the building and conferences between parents and teachers. At the exer- cises which followed. in addition to Dr. Meredith, President P. F. King of the school committee, Superin- tendent of Schools Stanley H. Holmes and Principal Marcus White of tho State Normal school spoke.
 Children ot R. J. Vance Present
 The school was named for the late Robert. J. Vance. who repre- sented this district in congress and who later served as mayor. Present as guests of the association were Mrs. Agnes Weld, daughter of MT. Vance. and her husband, ex-Mayor Gardner C. Weld: Johnstone Vance, | son of Mr. Vance. and Robert c. Vance. another con. and Mrs. Ro- bert C. Vance. Mrs. Robert J. Vance was unable to attend.
 Fred 0. Rackhffe, president of the Parents and Teachers associa- tion. presided. A program of music was gwen by the Senior High school orchestra under the direction of George D. Matthews. supervisor of music in the public schools.
 Investment, Not An Expense
 MT. King emphasized the fact that the school, which cost $326.s46.s0, Is an investment. not an expense. He drew a parallel between a large business corporation and a city. ex- rlaining that development of the personnel is the most important consideration in the progress of both. Tho school. he said. is a fac tor in organizing and developing the personnel of the community. MT. King referred to disagreements with the school board on it's financial pol icy, answering the criticism by say ing that citizens should do as much as possible in the construction of schools not as little as possible.
 Parents Invited to Use School
 supt. Holmes laid particular stress on the fact that the school belonged to the community. He invited the adults of the district to make fullest use of it as a recreational center and as a place for cultural develop ment.
 MT. Rackliffe referred to the fact that funds for paraphernalia used at the school playground had been pro vided by Mrs. Robert J. Vance and he expressed the gratitude of the association for her thoughtfulness and generosity.
 Beautiful With Children Present
 Miss Elizabeth Leghorn. principal of the school. spoke briefly. saying You think this is beautiful place now. You should see how beautiful it is when the children are here. Their smiling faces are . constant challenge to the teachers to do their very best" She complimented the members of the faculty for their genuine interest in their children and for their appreciation of the facili- ties afforded by the magnificent monument to education.
 Principal White of the Normal school said he would assume the privilege of his years and delve into the past for the purpose of com pairing conditions then and now. He spoke of the struggle many years ago to give students at the old Nor nal school practical training in six rooms. Realizing the necessity of