Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Congratulating Lowell Elementary School on its 100th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, on January 3, 1916, the newly constructed New Irving School opened its doors for the first time to 411 students living on the “far” East Side of Madison; and
WHEREAS, the school would be informally known during the early years as the East End School likely because of its location adjacent to the east end of the trolley line that connected the area with the central city; and
WHEREAS, prior to construction, the school grounds were known as Circus Hill, the site of local circuses that attracted crowds of folks who often swarmed the nearby Hess’s Corners for refreshments on show days; and
WHEREAS, in its first year of existence, the school was renamed to Lowell Elementary after James Russell Lowell, best known as a member of New England’s Fireside Poets; and
WHEREAS, through continual involvement and support of the surrounding community, in the late 1970s the asphalt playground located within Lowell’s 1926 horseshoe addition was replaced with a Mini Forest, sculptures by local artist Sid Boyum added in July of 2000; and
WHEREAS, Lowell was the first school in Madison to have a PTA; and
WHEREAS, continuing in the tradition of a strong and active neighborhood, the Lowell Community Organization is dedicated to celebrating this centennial by bringing more green space and usable outdoor areas to our campus reflecting the creativity and uniqueness of our community; and
WHEREAS, past Lowell Principal, Annie Axtell felt that the true test of education was in the development of abilities to gain new knowledge and to meet new situations as responsible citizens, as a complete focus on “the three R’s will not help students to be clean, honest, or kind"; and
WHEREAS, Lowell Elementary, moving into its 101st year, will continue to align itself with Ms. Axtell’s vision, working hard to meet the needs of each and every student as well as the community that s...
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