Crocker at high school one more day.

Byline: M. Elizabeth Roman

FITCHBURG - A broken water main and heating problems at Crocker Elementary School will mean another "vacation" day for students Monday, School Superintendent Andre R. Ravenelle said yesterday.

"I'm not comfortable for students to go back on Monday. We want to make sure the building is done before we get kids back in there."

Crocker's 370 students and about 70 faculty members are now sharing quarters at Fitchburg High School. Kindergarten will be canceled for the third straight day on Monday.

Mr. Ravenelle said in a memorandum that parents who drop off their children should do so at Crocker at the usual time. Students will be bused to the high school, where parents can pick them up at dismissal. About 20 students who walk to the elementary school will be bused from the high school to their homes. Normal bus service will continue for the other students.

The elementary school students have been attending classes in the cafeteria, field house and auditorium of Fitchburg High School.

Since Thursday, maintenance workers have been working to retrofit Crocker's antiquated oil heating system to a gas system. The repair was complicated when the company hired to haul the oil tank away ruptured a water main.

Deputy Fire Chief Belliveau said the accident forced a water-oil mixture into the storm drain that empties into Green's Pond. The state Department of Environmental Protection and the state hazardous materials team were called to help with the cleanup. The company will be responsible for any additional cleanup needed in the pond or surrounding area.

The Water Department needs to fix the water main and flush it with chlorine for 48 hours before students will be allowed back into the school building.

Mr. Ravenelle said there hasn't been a single complaint from parents about the arrangement, and the young students have been adjusting well to the high school environment.

"Some have older siblings at the school whom they see in passing, in the halls. One (elementary school student) said, `So many of the men have beards.'"

Mr. Ravenelle said some teachers have incorporated multi-age classrooms that have enhanced learning for all students. But, the goal is to get the students back to their building as soon as possible. "It's fun to be on vacation, but it's good to be home."