HISTORY OF ORANGE
This building contains four classrooms, two grades in a room. The children were brought to this central school by four horse-drawn buses, which were put on runners when there was snow. The Town then disposed of the old district schoolhouses. The First District house was sold to Wilson H. Lee, who remodeled it to serve as a dwelling house. It is now occupied by Clark Howlett. The Second District house was sold to Frank C. and Watson S. Woodruff, who moved it a little way north on Ridge Road and raised it up to make a two-story house, which is now occupied by Sumner C. Johnston. The Third District house was bought by Clarence Russell, who made it into a summer home. The Fourth District house was destroyed by fire. Tyler City schoolhouse was purchased by Christ Episcopal Church of West Haven, and is maintained as a chapel.
In 1925 it became necessary to enlarge the building by adding four more rooms, completing the building as it is at the present time. John Hinchliffe was Superintendent of Schools for almost 20 years, and was succeeded in 1945 by Miss Mary Tracy. The control of the school was under a School Committee until 1931, when the Board of Education was created.
The minimum age for entrance to the school was set at six years. However, if a child's birthday falls between September and October 31, he may begin at the opening of school in September.
In 1935 the Harris house, which was adjacent to the school grounds, was purchased by the Town and moved across the street. This land, enlarged by the addition of some property bought from Henry Clark, was turned into an athletic field.
The horse-drawn buses gave way in a few years to motor vehicles. Buses also take the children to the High Schools in New Haven. At the present time, hot cocoa is served during the noon hour to children who stay at the school for lunch. The latest enrollment is about 350 scholars. The teaching staff is composed of the Superintend-
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