Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-05
THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
Since the opening of the English high
school building, in 1892. the number Of
pupils in that school has increased from
$50 to 922 and in the classical high
school from 4S2 to GAS.
In three years from the present date,
if the same percentage Of increase con-
| tinues, the number enrolled Will be 1884
, at the English school and 746 at the
classical. in both about 1000.
These buildings were originally in
tended for only about two-thirds of the
number of pupils which are now in at
tendance. Many of the recitation
rooms, especially in the classical school,
are small dark and unwholesome. At
the English school FIVE full stories are
in use and room in the sixth story is
! occupied. In the classical school four
rooms have been partitioned off from
the main hall At the beginning of the
coming year it will be necessary to
make similar partitions in the han of
the English high school building.
The heating and ventilating apparatus
for the two buildings is wholly made
quate to supply heat or fresh air in
sufficient quantities to these great es-
attend them. Under these conditions,
the danger arising in case of fire or con-
tagtous diseases is greatly increased.
II becomes more and more difficult
for the pupils to move about in the cor
ridors. The pupils are conscious of be-
ing in crowd. The results of such an
, atmosphere are not favorable either to
nealth, social life or intellectual i'm
provement. Before a new school can
I'll ff1
were begun Immediately, the schools
must pass through period of depres-
| sion and stagnation, caused by mere
numbers.
The high schools of our city perform
an important function. Their curri-
culum is almost as advanced as that of
the college of rs years ago. The train
ing is. therefore, of a high type, and
many OF the leading spirits of our com
munity receive their training in these
schools. The question of expenditures
Tor high school training is one concern
ing which men may honestly differ but
II the high schools are to be maintained,
the physical and social conditions in
pnese schools should be guarded with at
least the same care as is shown in re-
gard to the schools Of lower grades
SANITATION AND GYMNASTICS.
While no schools in the country are
better heated and ventilated, as a whole,
than those Of Worcester, 1t is true that,
in many cases, these systems are not in
perfect working order. Some specialist
should be at hand who is Intimately ac-
quainted with the different systems in
use and who would be personally and
continually responsible for the heating
and ventilation of every school-room in
the city
1t Is utterly impossible, under the
present arrangement to meet the rea-
sonable expectations of parents or of
teachers concerning the care of school
buildings. 1t is recommended that, at
some early date, some committee be re-
quested to make an impartial and
thorough investigation in regard to
these questions of health and public
safety.
Some children come to the school
room with person and clothing in such
a condition that the atmosphere in their
Immediate neighborhood is tainted and
made harmful, and it sometimes be-
comes the duty of teachers and princi-
pals to exclude such children until such
time as their persons can be renovated.
One of the strongest arguments in IA
vor of private schools is found In the I'M
wholesome condition of school-rooms,
due to causes explained above. AS a
remedy it is suggested that the tops Of
school buildings be finished into halls
to be used for gymnasiums, and equip
ped with bathrooms. A suggestion that
appears so radical should Of course be
made with deliberation, but it is in line
with movements that are taking place
in every city Of our land, and we should
not shrink from at least discussing a
theory that is to reach far into the
future.
The superintendent calls attention to
the desirability Of some form of free
gymnastics in the high schools, and
argues in their favor, closing with
recommendation that a gymnasium
suitable for the use of the high schools
BE- provided at no distant day. If a new
high school is erected at some central
point, such a gymnasium might be con-
nected with this building. 1t would be
far better if a separate building could
be provided A one-story structure could
be placed on the lot recently purchased
west of the classical high school build
ing. In this connection, l shall offer the
further recommendation that, in future,
the garrets of school buildings be fin
ished off as halls for the use of the
schools. The additional expense would
be very slight.
Such q hall would answer as gather
ing place for the schools for general eX-
L Z, y
could be carried on to the very best
advantage a part of the time in such
halls.
KINDERGARTENS.
One kindergarten wGs opened in Quin-
sigamond in May, 1897, and one at Prov
idence street in September, 1897 At
present there are ten kindergartens in
operation, as follows: Pure kindergar-
tens, Elizabeth street. Milibury street,
Providence street, Quinsigamond, Sails
bury street, Thomas street, Ward
street; mixed, Canterbury street, Dix
street, Woodland street This is an in
crease of two pure kindergartens over
last year, and a decrease Of one mixed
kindergarten; that is. there are ten
kindergartens in existence as compared
with nine last year at this date With
the completion of the additions at
Woodland and Canterbury streets the
two mixed lSindergartens in those build
ings can be changed to pure hndergar-
tens. The mixed kindergarten In the