The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-04
CLASS ROOMS OvER-CROwDED.
4 Reimbursement of the Schools to
be Made

be Made.
The first available opportunity since the
opening of the schools was taken advan-
tage of yesterday by Superintendent Ash
more and the principals to discuss the
questions pertaining to their work and the
best means to be adopted for correcting
certain matters that demand different
provision, notable among which is the
overerowded condition of the schools
1t has been found absolutely necessary
to make readjustment and redstribu-
ton of the many pupils in several grades
This, particularly, is the case with the
lower grades for it is those which have
more pupils than are compatible with the
attachments of the very best results ed
ucationally, aside from the physically
crowed state of the school rooms.
In many instances the higher grades
have not the usual number of pupils and
an arrangement is thereby rendered pos
sible by which some of the pupils from
the crowded lower grades can be trans
ferred to the higher grade teachers. This
necessity for the teachers Of the higher
grades to take charge of the lower is
found almost every year, but 1t is espec-
tally emphasized now by the very full
SASiANN~NAJ
higher grades
just what disposition of the case will be
made was not fully decided, but the mat
ter was thoroughly discussed and de-
cision will very shortly be reached.
The meeting of the principals with the
superintendent, also arranged for the de-
partments of music and drawing in the
schools. These will receive considerable
attention, and will be made very attFac-
tive for the children.
The total number of children entered
this year is some less than last year, but
this is readily accountable for. The ac-
commodations for the colored children of
the city are not sufficient to admit of all
that apply for admission securing it, and
many are turned away. More were re-
fused admission this year than last, as
Superintendent Ashmore says he was de-
termined at the opening to admit no
more than he found the capacity of the
rooms would afford place for, and the
time and attention of the teachers.
The grades of the colored schools have
always been crowded, and the results
have been detrimental to the interests of
the children, that would cons titute the
normally sized classes, and exceedingly
trying to the teachers. The number of
colored children in the school this year
is, consequently, considerably less than
last, but the results now, with the re-
stricted facilities, will be far more sat
isfactory to those constituting the present
properly composed classes than when the
teachers had more than they could teach.
The number of children in the white
schools this year exceeds that Of last.
however, and il is the decreased attend
auce OF coored children that brings down
the total TO a lesser number than that
of last year The white schools show an
increased attendance of over $50 and more
are expected TO enter next week.
The superintendent desires the fact that
the Henry street school is greatly over
crowded TO be generally understood in Or
der that the many transfers that must be
made to the Barnard and Anderson street
schools viii be properly considered. These
transfers will be made during this week.
The storm damaged several of the coun-
ty school houses, the heaviest damage
though having been sustained by the
Grove HIN and Taylors chapel. colored
school houses. The former was blown
down and the latter blown into the canal
that runs just by the site With the excep-
ton of these two the county schools are
progressing as well as usual
The essential repairs rendered neces-
sary by the storm have never been made
at the schools that suffered A number Of
lesser damages that were sustained are
only awaiting their proper time for repairs
10 be made.