The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-03-06
Doctors Free Bid
Rejected By Board
George CrOnin's Offer to Examine School Children's
Eyes in Interest OF Eye Conservation Turned Down

Naugatuck, March 6.-The board
Of education turned down with
thanks an offer Of DR.. George
Cronin, optometrist, to examine the
eyesight Of local school children
without charge, at the regular
meeting Of the board yesterday af-
ternoon. Supt. Of Schools Harold E,
Chittenden said the offer was made
In the interest of eye conservation.
Mr.. Chittenden explained that
under the present system, teachers
report TO the school nurse any pu-
pills who they think may have eye
defects. They make somewhat SUI
perflcial tests to determine this.
The nurse then checks these pupils
and In case defects are found, re-
port Is made to parents. She exam
ines between 300 and 400 annually
and between 200 and 300 defects
are usually found, Mr.. Chittenden
explained.
DR. Charles s. Kennedy, board
member, said he thought the pres
ent system Is very good and added
he does not see how 1t can be i'm
proved upon. He said he doesn't
think 1t necessary to exam every
child. DR.. Cronin had offered to do
the work without charge. Several
other members expressed senti-
ments similar to that Of DR.. Ken
nedy and Chairman Emil Mann
weller said he understood that the
board felt that the children are
well taken care Of under the pres
ent plan and appreciates the offer
that has been made.
Mr. Chittenden informed the
board he recently received another
letter from the state asking what
had been done concerning suggest
ed repairs in some OF the older
schools here. Mr.. Chittenden said a
few changes regarding safety have
been made since the February
meeting Of the board and that the
major changes will be considered
In connection with the budget for
the next fiscal year.
He said he had long talk with
Warden Leo j. Brophy on this
question and assured him there is
no intention Of doing all the sug-
gested repair work now but some
action will have to be taken soon
because 1t Is a mandatory order.
Suggested sanitary improvements
should be the first considered, Mr..
Manweiler said. ~
Supt. Chittenden reported sirens
have been installed in school
buildings now to give warning OF
air raids. Under the old bell system,
an alarm bell was sometimes con-
fused with q class period bell. He
said there has been some expense
connected with the change over to
the new system.
The safety Of school children Is
important, Mr.. Mannweiler said
Mr.. Chittenden said the school de-
partment will be the first notified
In case Of approach Of any alarm
and 1t hopes to be able to notify
public and parochial school build
lngs promptly by code as to the
alert signal.
Mr.. Chittenden reported he has
garding a steep grade on q new
objected to state engineers re-
approach from South Main street
to Recreation Field which is now
being built by the state. The state
engineer suggested that the gates
be moved back but this did not
meet with the superintendent ap-
proval and, he has placed the mat
ter In the hands Of the borough st.
torney 50 that the borough's inter-
est may be safeguarded.
The main street u higher thar