Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-07-09
pesa woedbaty Need New School sallaing.
-[Communicated.l

Does Woodbury. Need New bcnoel bHiAaahS
Communicated.
For the last three years it was necessary
to rent from private parties additional
rooms for school purposes. This necessit.
is constantly increasing.
More room should have been provided
last year, for, while the first seven grades
were accommodated with the usual facili
ties, the Eighth Grade and High Schoo
pupils were much annoyed by lack O
room.
There was a total enrolment Of 11s
pupils in these grades. These pupils are
taught under the departmental system in
charge Of three teachers. not including
drawing-three classes. The space oc-
cupied by these pupils is three rooms
With the exception Of few vacant periods
on particular days, there were conducted
total number of 1873 Rotations IN these
rooms during week. To accommodate
these classes, it became necessary, two and
three times a week, to conduct two recita-
tions simultaneously in the same room.
Again, with the exception Of the few
vacant periods as indicated above, none
of the pupils could have the privilege OF
quietly devoting some time to study be-
cause Of the constant reciting Of one or the
other class in these rooms. Moreover, in
the High School, the pupils could not be
allowed always to occupy their assigned
desks, but had to change seats for the use
of the classes.
Enough room should be provided that
these pupils, when not in class can retain
their assigned desks; also, enough space
should be at the command of these grades
so that pupils not in the act of reciting
could devote their time to study without
the annoyance of recitation.
The result of the conditions Of the past
year, was much Encouragement on the part
of both pupils and teachers, causing much
fetarding in the progress of the pupils.
The generosity of the citizens of Wood
bury is not strained. We believe that they
will heartily approve the providing of
comfortable and necessary accommodations
for the pupils in these grades-a new
school house.
1t will forever continue to be true, that
there is nothing so relaxing and so invigora-
ting as the spontaneous play Of the child.
Everyone that has seen the condition of the
playground boys and girls'-when
occupied by the pupils, has had the matter
pICfoCO VII LIS enuO pay
quarters at the Centre street building are
altogether too small for the number OF
children. The total number of boys en-
rolled was pa The little yard on the
east side of the school building is the only
playground for this number. BY actual
measurement there is an average space OF
A feet by feet for the free exercise OF
each boy Conditions in the girls yard
are no better Since the majority OF
authorities on school sanitation give 1e
square feet of floor space for each pupil, it
is evident that less than one and hall
times the space is ridiculously small area
on which to take the free exercise OF
running, jumping and throwing. In the
morning, at recess, at noon, our boys can
do little more than stand around the fence
and watch few engaged in play. Should
the majority engage IN healthful play,
there would always be grave danger Of
serious bruises or the breaking of bones
unfortunate circumstances of the past
Much against the desires of the Principal,
the boys have to be restricted from engag-
ing in play most dear to their boyish hearts
The boys have accepted the situation all
these years, ard, with but few exceptions,
have acted with noble forbearance in theiI
conduct on the playground. Since school
site'' is the topic for discussion at present
permit us to plead with all the desires and
ardent hopes of hoy that the pupils be
provided with spacious playground, 9
playground that will give ample room fol-
base ball, and football, and -balling
for running and racing, ''for blind Tom
and "black Tom,' and other Toms" and
let us assure those that will have the gract
to plead with and for the children in this
matter, that they will have more lasting
praise than monument erected in theil
honor by receiving the continued gratitude
of the boys and girls Of Woodbury..
The generosity and philanthropy of the
citizens of Woodbury. is not strained. VIZ
believe they will heartily approve the pro
yiding OF means to satisfy the innate long
ings Of the boys and girls for joyous, health
full playa large playground.
A large careful expenditure under large
careful foresight is a most excellent econo
my. In the near future it will become
necessary to make extensive repairs and
alterations in the school property on Centre
street if occupancy for school purposes il
continued. These repairs and alterations
will be largely due to change of sewerage
system, SO much needed. The basement
has to be utilized for connections with the
city sewer system, or else separate build
ings having heating apparatus have to bt
constructed. For number of reasons the
latter idea could not be adopted. The
basement is but poorly adapted for close
advantages: it is poorly lighted; it is low
there are no stair-ways leading to it suit
able for use of the pupils; the necessary
ventilation would greatly interfere will
the heating apparatus of the building
Would it not be wasteful to make repair:
and alterations under such circumstance
to building that has, moreover, NJ
recommendations as regards construction
with reference either to- light or to ventila
ton ? We believe careful investigation OIL
the part of the citizens Of Woodbury. would
give an overwhelmingly large majority
against large expenditure on repairs and
alterations at the Centre street schoo
property.
With the sole intention Of serving the
future welfare Of our fair city and hel
inhabitants.
MORE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANON.