Recent frigid temperatures led to a computer failure in the backup heating system at the Peirce School and a pipe burst, resulting in an estimated $50,000 damage to the school library.
Superintendent Kathleen Bodie told the School Committee Thursday, Jan. 9, that the “surprise” was discovered by a neighbor who was walking by on Sunday, Jan. 5, and saw a “wall of ice” at the school. She said the damage estimate was preliminary.
She said that had the neighbor not spotted the problem and reported it, there would have been much more damage.
Peirce was rebuilt in 2002 and opened 11 years ago this month.
Meanwhile, Peirce fifth graders are seeking help to replace more than 300 library books lost to water damage.
The Peirce website tells how to help:
Donate books:
Check the list of lost books and sign up to replace one or more of them.
Donate age-appropriate books that are not on the list; if Mrs. T cannot use them, we can take them to The Book Rack for credit.
Feel free to drop off books during school hours at the main entrance on Blossom Street; Thursday and Fridays are the easiest days for Mrs. T to sort through donations. Peirce families can place books in one of the donation boxes that are located around the school.
Go to the Book Rack or call the store at 781-646-2665 and buy a gift certificate for the Peirce Library or, if you have credits there, donate some of them to the Peirce Library account.
Write a check, payable to Peirce PTO and indicating that it’s for the book fund, and send it to Peirce Elementary School, c/o Library: Mrs. T, 85 Park Ave. Extension, Arlington, MA 02474.
This story was published Friday, Jan. 10, 2014.
