Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-13
District Educational Establishment
Soon to Resume Operations.
SUpf. POWELL LAYING PLANS
Proposition to Change Date to
October | Next Year.
EXITING OF TEACHERS

establishment of the District of Columbia
is scheduled to throw open its doors for the
reception of pupils. The sessions of 1S9l-'9S
viii then be officially inaugurated.
Judging from the temperature of the past
few days, vacation should be just COM
rencing. Folks who have been cool, COM
Portable and contented in Washington since
June were last week indulging in longing
thoughts of the seashore and mountains.
while those who are at present on recrea-
tion trips away were certainly opposed to
returning in the midst of the most torrid
period of the season. This was especially
OF September weather prevail it will have
a marked effect on the attendance the
opening days.
superintendent on Duty.
Mr.. William B. Powell, superintendent of
public schools Of the District of Columbia,
returned to this city Saturday from three
" eeks outing at Mountain Lake Park. The
visit proved to be of great benefit to Mr..
Powell He is in excellent health, as Is evil
dent from his appearance and manner. But
Mr.. Powell's troubles have already begun.
Saturday was the first of a long suco ession
of busy days for him.
Bright and early this morning lie was at
his desk in the Franklin building, but there
were others who preceded him. When a
Star reporter reached the building this
afternoon there were several scores of
callers IN quest of the superintendent. The
line comprised supervising principals. prin-
cipals Of buildings, teachers, 1ani.ors and
applicants for positions, to say nothing of
parents Indignant and otherwise, each anx-
ious TO discuss some separate and distinct
point with Mr.. Powell. After a wait of
two hours the reporter gained access to
the inner sanctum.
Il have been so busy since my return that
l really do not know whether 1t has been
nr not coli
sa1utation that Is familiar about this time
OF the year.
You're lucky" remarked the visitor,
hopping the perspiration from his brow.
Renders an Opinion.
Mr.. Powell was asked his opinion on the
advisahility of postponing the opening OF
the public schools until the list of Octobe r,
in view of the fact that September in
Washington is usually one of the hottest
Months of the year.
There are two sides 10 that question:
said Mr.. Powell. We have work to do
that has to be done. We have to accom-
plsh in nine months what the majority +
other large cities do in ten full months
Parents expect their children to be edu-
Gated and we must see TO it. On the other
hand, We hardly expect children to
enter enthusiastically upon school work
in such weather as prevailed last week. 1t
is my intention to request the board of
trustees to consider the propriety of fixing
the date for the opening of the schools
hereafter two weeks later than is al pres
ent the rule. OF course it is too late this
year to do anything in that direction"
In the event that the weather is as
warm September 30 as it was Saturday will
the schools be opened according to sched-
rle?" inquired the reporter.
we might put off the opening for a day
or two, replied M. Powell, but the prob
abilities are that the hoS spell will Ia We
permanently passed away before the end of
another week.
The Annual Meetings.
The arrangements for the annual meet
ings of teachers cannot be officially an
nounced until after a meeting of the board
of school trustees. to be held next Tues
day afternoon. But, according to Mr..
Powell, there is no reason tc doubt that
the following will be the correct time and
places for the meetings, Saturday, Sep
TENDER Is:
The teachers Of the fifth division will
assemble at the Corcoran School at . am;
those of the first division at the Denni-
son school, at 10 In; seventh division at
the Franklin School, at 1890 am; second
division at the Seaton School. at II am;
sixth division at the Gales School, at Ii 30
am: third division at the Wallach School,
at 80 pm; eighth division at the Tyler
School. at = pm; fourth division at the
Jefferson School, at 3 pm; ninth division
at the Sumner School, at 5 pm, and the
tenth and eleventh divisions at the High
School. at 4:3O pm.
Cards of admission to all grades below
the High School will be issued at all the
school Buildings Friday and Saturday, Sep
TENDER II and is. from s to 10 am. and
from to .. M, each day. The principals
of the High Schools will be on duty at the
High School buildings in. accordance with
the same schedule.
Applications for tickets should be made
by the parents or guardians of the chill
aSf thnir
dences.
New Buildings.
There is little to be said in the way of
news. in addition to what was published
In The Star several weeks ago." continued
Mr. Powell. 1--WE will take possession Of a
number Of new buildings, which have been
described fully in The Star. We hope to
get into the new Western High School
building toward the close of the school
year.
II received a letter from DR.. F. r. Lane,
director of the High Schools stating that
ne Will be at his office Monday morning.
All the principals will be on hand NOT
later than next Friday. and 1t is desirable
that the parents or others who are in doubt
On any point should visit the principals.
This applies particularly to parents enter
ing children In the public sch ,ols Of the
District for the first time"
Speaking of manual training S,Inar;n
teEdent Powell explained that all the ex
tensions possible were made in that line
last year. What Is needed now, he saws.
Is High School for the manual training
department The situation is similar 10
that of the city. being provided with a
complete system Of graded schools with
out high school.
Repairs All Completed.
The repairs to the school buildings
throughout the city and District are now
practically completed. BIackboards have
| been darkened. wood work painted and
| other improvements In that line looked af-
ter. Washing windows and floors, sweep
| ing and busting and airing the buildings
will be In order all next week. It NAV he
| said that when the doors are thrown omen
| the morning of Monday, September 20 the
| District OF Columbia will be In better
| condition in every way than heretofore TO
| care for the thousands of pupils.
An Improvement OF considerable imnort-
| ance was the placing in position today Of A
| telephone system for the public schools.
| All the buildings where are located SUI
pervising principals. the high schools and
| the manual training schools, are now pro-
| vided with telephones. with a central Of
| flee near the desk of Secretary Falck at
| the Franklin building. In addition to. his
4 other multitudinOus duties Mr. Falck "a