Memorial School Alumni Plan a Reunion

Town Treasurer Brian Curtin grew up in Burlington and feels tremendous pride in the town. He is proud of the way Burlington has grown and is pleased to see the town reinvesting in its infrastructure. So it goes without saying that Curtin is gratified to see the new Memorial School project coming to fruition. However Curtin admits that saying goodbye to the old Memorial School will be difficult. The demolition of the school is tentatively scheduled for this July.

“I feel sad, very sad, to see the old building destroyed,” Curtin said with emotion. “It was a beautiful school building, but size-wise, it just isn’t sufficient for today’s needs.”

Despite his mixed emotions, Curtin does not intend to turn a blind eye to the destruction of his alma mater. Instead, he intends to honor the institution and the many students, teachers and administrators that made it the wonderful place he remembers.

On May 19, Curtin and several former Memorial school students, with the help of the school’s current principal, Karen Rickershauser, will preside over “Celebrate Memorial,” a free event for adult members of the Memorial School “family.”  Anyone who was associated with the school – past and present – is invited to come, celebrate and share.

“There is so much about Memorial School that I cherish, and we will carry it all forward with us into our new home,” said Rickershauser.  “The caring commitment of our staff, the generous support of our families, and the enthusiastic engagement of our students convey a powerful and palpable sense of community, of team, of family.”  

The reunion event will take place in the school gym.  Curtin and his team plan to set up tables representing each decade the school was open. Anyone associated with the school is invited to bring their own pictures, memorabilia and stories to share. Music will be provided by local disc jockey Jack Ferrin and the theme is, of course, oldies.

Attendees will have the chance to chat with old friends and teachers and enjoy a last walk-through of the school.  Town Meeting Moderator Phil Gallagher is a Memorial School alumni and he is looking forward to the event.

“Sometimes I can’t remember where I put my glasses, but I remember my first exciting day of first grade at the Memorial School like it was yesterday,” said Gallagher.

The Memorial School opened in 1954. The cost of the school including the land on Winn Street was $685,000 – a bargain by today’s standards.  A plaque in the school’s entrance dedicated it to Burlington’s veterans of World Wars I and II. The plaque will be moved to the new school and joined by another honoring the sacrifices of Burlington residents who served in the wars and conflicts since World War II.

“As we grow into our new home, we look forward to welcoming new members to the Memorial Family, knowing that our school will continue to be a joyful place for Burlington children to learn and to grow,” said Rickershauser.

Curtin agrees, but the event he is planning is about remembering and honoring the past

“We had Little League banquets there, and CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball games,” said Curtin. “We played baseball behind the school and football in front of it.”

Town Meeting was even held there because at the time, the Memorial School gym was the largest meeting space in town, recalled Curtin.

Much of Curtin’s childhood revolved around Memorial School. His mother worked in the school cafeteria so he often spent early mornings there with his mom before school started. He recalled how he and his classmates would walk over to St Margaret’s Church for CCD and on Ash Wednesday.

“That school is a huge part of my childhood,” said Curtin. “When I visited recently, all these memories came flooding back as soon as I walked in.”

Memorial School alumni can contribute their own pictures and memories to the “Celebrate Memorial” event. According to Principal Rickershauser, former students and staffers can drop off memorabilia at the school’s office. Contributors should label each item with names and contact information so everything can be returned to the rightful owners after the event.  The school office is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rickershauser is also collecting stories. Memorial School “family members” can write down their stories and memories and email them to rickershauser@burlington.mec.edu.

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