Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-15

The only unimproved ground available for
the erection of an addition lies east of the
present structure. 1t has been offered to
the District at a reasonable price, and
should be purchased and held until an ad-
dition to the present building can be
authorized.
provision for a permanent and adequate
home for the Washington Normal School
The work of this school. which has al
ways been of high order. Is all the more
praiseworthy when we come to know that
1t has been accomplished while the school
has been occupying temporary quarters
In building In no wise suited to the uses
OF a training school. The plan of secur-
ing large plot of ground north of Flor
Ida avenue on which to place first an ele.
mentary school, already needed and in
que time modern normal school build
Ing with ample space for school garden
ing and Fairgrounds. Is cordially In
dorsed by the entire board of education
and mas been approved by the local citi-
zens' association. The wisdom of the
policy of securing large plot of ground
for future school needs is strikingly
shown in the case of the purchase of the
WaIlach School lot, an entire square, con-
old corporation of Washington, at a time
when no apparent need exised for so
large site. On this ground the WalIach
School was built in 1864, and the pupils of
that School enjoyed for many years the
use of the remainder of the lot as a play
ground.
"Twenty-three years later the Towers
School was built on the northeast corner
OF the same lot. still leaving a play-
ground large enough for both schools.
Four years later. and twenty-seyen wears
after our far-sighted city fathers had
bought the square, the Eastern High
School was erecetd on its west side. The
saving to the District on this Investment
is apparent when it is considered that
TINS piece or ground-square 901-which
was bought for $1,000, is now worth over
500, 600" w.
Groups Of Studies.
With regard to the proposition to estab-
lish elective courses in the high schools
Superintendent Stuart says:
1T should be said In defense or the hirh
scnooi, as 1t exists today In the Unit ID
states that the Introduction OF elective
studies has done much to adjust high
pupils; but the choice OF such electives has
been too often left to the caprice OF the
immature boy or girl and has not always
oeen wise one, frequently. indeed. threat
ening to make the high school. where cleo
tives run riot. training school for sham
ming and Sinking and 'cultivatin1 facil-
ity Tor escaping work. It is proposed to
substitute for haphazard choice OF single
studies 9 choice Of groups of studies so
combined as to make a symmetrical unit of
work, which, when selected by the pupil,
shall be consistently followed to his grad
uation. In this way can be avoided that
rigid conformity to one or two conyea-
tional courses which point toward college
and give the boy or girl who cannot make
college preparation no alternative-which
will make 1t possible for him to continue
at school and yet not be called upon to do
impossible things. In this arrangement The
pupil seeking college preparatory course
can secure 1t as now. while the pupil who
has no such aim may complete successfully
some equally useful combination OF studies
well within his abilities. 1t is not intended
that the enlargement In the number Of
IN ha oh cno1l In,
render 1t possible for the idler to maintain
standing In school any more than at
present. The work assigned should be such
a. to guarantee that training In habits Of