Amidst bulldozers and heavy construction gear, the new elementary school on South Street is preparing to open its doors to students in early January, after winter recess. The school has been named Stanley Elementary School, in honor of William F. Stanley, Waltham's previous mayor. Construction began while he was still in office. Four hundred thirty students, grades kindergarten through five, are expected to enroll in the school. In addition, a preschool wing designed for 100 students will open next September.The building is a product of state-of-the-art designs, originally planned at Brandeis, through Rabb Academic Buildings. There, Waltham School officials met with a nationally known architect specializing in "Green Initiative." The result includes a building equipped with "operable screened windows, green building materials, recycling programs and energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems." Brandeis was instrumental in this process, Business Manager and Building Committee Manager David King, said.

After it opens, Brandeis plans to continue its involvement with Stanley Elementary School in the form of tutoring, after-school programs and art programs in conjunction with the Rose Art Museum. In addition, Brandeis' education program partnered with Waltham schools for the first time to provide staff development programs in science and mathematics.

Both Waltham School officials and faculty from Brandeis' education program said they are excited about working together at the new school. "We are very excited about the new Stanley Elementary School opening across the street from Brandeis," said Marya R. Levenson, director of Brandeis' education program. "We want a strong partnership with this school and look forward to the school being a place where Brandeis students can observe, volunteer and student-teach."

King said he hopes there will be many joint programs with Brandeis. Levenson has come to many Waltham public school training programs, and has been working closely with Dr. Susan Parrella, the Superintendent of Waltham Public Schools.

Beyond all the excitement about the school opening, however, is a growing concern over the resulting traffic on South Street. There will be five or six school buses dropping students off at 8:30 a.m. and picking them up at 3:10 p.m. A school zone light will be placed near Waltham Hospital and by Gosman to slow traffic.

With the already problematic traffic situation, many are concerned this will only exacerbate the problem. King tried to alleviate these concerns by noting that elementary school students do not drive, and those whose parents do drive them to school will have a separate entrance, thereby preventing additional cars from parking on South Street.

King had some concerns of his own, however. "We have heard there have been problems with Brandeis students parking wherever they want in the past," he said. He wished to remind Brandeis students that parking in the Stanley Elementary School parking lot is not an option. "We are going to be aggressive with students parking in our lot during the day. You will be towed.