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For some of the children, the day is marked by firsts…a first trip to a theater…a first trip to a university. For all of them, the day is a gift, one made possible thanks to a generous donation from Katherine M. Barrett, ’41, a highly accomplished educator who was twice lauded by the city of Milford for her work on behalf of children and the arts. Kicked off last summer, The Katherine M. Barrett Children’s Series — Access to Arts Enrichment, has brought children to two on-campus performances, funding the cost of tickets and transportation to the events. More than 2,200 elementary school-age youngsters attended the first production, “Rudyard Kipling’s How the Elephant Got His Trunk & Other Animal Tales,” which was presented on July 15. As the magazine went to press, a second theatrical production, the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats, was slated for Nov. 10 and expected to delight well over a thousand middle schoolers. “I have always loved the arts — music, art, drama — and as an educator I tried to support the expansion of those programs in the Milford schools,” says Barrett, the former assistant superintendent of Milford Public Schools. “Growing up in the Depression, I didn’t have many opportunities to experience the arts except by reading books or, if I was really lucky, going to a museum or show. But, I came to love and appreciate the beauty of the various forms of the fine arts. I also love children and hoped that this children’s series would bring the love and knowledge of the arts, music, and drama to many youngsters so they can reach a new level of awareness and success.” The gift furthers Barrett’s long-demonstrated commitment to children, education, and the arts, a legacy that was recognized by Milford Mayor James L. Richetelli, Jr., who proclaimed a day in June as “Katherine M. Barrett Day” at the annual meeting of the Milford Fine Arts Council. Barrett, a longtime member of the council, previously served on its board of directors and as an officer. “Miss Barrett,” as she is affectionately known in the community, served as an educator for 49 years. She began her career in Cheshire as a first grade teacher, then taught in Fairfield for four years before joining Milford Public Schools, where she served for 42 years. In 1950, when she was 29, she became the youngest principal in Connecticut. She was named assistant superintendent of schools K-8 in July 1966, a position she held until her retirement on Nov. 2, 1991. “She is a tireless worker who cared deeply about her students and all of her teachers, all 600-plus,” recalls Robert O. Blake, the former superintendent of Milford Public Schools. “Any task she undertook was completed on time and with absolute perfection. Education was her life.” An educational trailblazer, Barrett helped institute numerous key initiatives in the city of Milford, including the Head Start program, foreign language education for grades seven and eight, computer programs in grades four through eight, and the Adolescent Development Program, which provided students with instruction in nutrition, substance abuse, sex education, peer pressure, personal health, and more. Her promotion of the arts was equally far reaching. She extended support to many programs and initiatives, among them, a citywide music and arts festival, elementary school bands, chorus programs, the purchase of musical instruments for the city’s schools, and a visiting artist program. “I am a great admirer of her on both the personal and professional levels,” says Martha Mahoney, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’84, the retired music department coordinator for Milford schools. “She did so much 24-7 to help promote and encourage the arts, be it dance, drama, visual arts, or music.” Barrett credits her parents with encouraging her to earn a college degree. She enrolled at Southern, then known as New Haven State Teachers College, at the age of 16. “From the very first day of class, I knew New Haven State Teachers College was the right place for me. Of course, we were ‘day hops,’ as all the students lived at home and walked or took a city bus to school,” recalls Barrett. “The college was composed of only one building located on Howe Street, and we would walk through Founders Gate to get to our classes. The student population was almost entirely female.” Barrett, now a resident of Madison, Conn., is heartened by the growth of her alma mater, noting with pride its ongoing physical transformation. She continues to visit campus, most recently joining the children at Lyman Center for the first performance of the arts outreach series launched through her generosity. Seated with several family members and friends, Barrett clearly was in her element, thrilled as much by the laughter and cheers of the children in the audience as by the performance itself. “Miss Barrett’s generous gift gives us the opportunity to expose students to arts programming at no cost to them, and has the added benefit of bringing students to the university campus,” says Lawrence D. Tomascak, interim director of Lyman Center. Fade back to that sunny day in July. The first performance of The Katherine M. Barrett Children’s Series—Access to Arts Enrichment has ended. A line of young children dressed in matching lime green t-shirts weaves across campus, headed for the parked school bus that will take them back to summer camp. “All this is a college! You went here, didn’t you Miss?” a young girl with brown braids asks the adult chaperone walking alongside her. Two boys jostle by, one launching into a silly song. “Sssshhhhhhh,” the girl says firmly, as she surveys the stream of Southern students walking past her in both directions. “College is important,” says the girl. “I’m going to go to college.” Miss Barrett has played her part admirably. The stage is set. |
