Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-31

presented to the principal for discipline
who had been drinking intoxicating liquors
and who showed some effects of the intoxi-
cants at the time. These students were dis
ciplfned for misconduct In being absent
from the school. Later the principal was
called upon for a report as to whether
there was any drinking among the pu-
pills. She reported that she had not been
able to find any evidence that such prac-
tice prevailed. While 1t clearly appears
that these two students had been drinking.
yet we are satisfied that 1t was a single
instance and that there is no ground for
the general charge that has been made
that there has been drinking among the
pupils of this high school; on the contrary,
it appears that the students are generally
well-behaved, orderly and studious.
5. While we crticise the work as above
set forth, we believe that the principal, MIS-
A. j. Cooper, is a woman of good 1nteliec-
tual attainment of high moral character
and of excellent reputation among her peo-
pie. The errors complained of are the re-
suit mainly of her too sympathetic 1eelns
for the weak pupils under her care, ana
while this sentiment may be commended IN
itself and prevail to some extent in the
grades, We are clearly of the opinion ina.
it should not prevail to the preJudlce Oh
proper standards of work in high school,
We find that the principal has not main
tanned that proper official relation, that
strict loyalty to the director Of high schools
that should prevail in a well organized
system
Lack of Unity and Loyalty.
6. We further find that there is not
proper spirit of unity in and loyalty to the
work among all of the members of the fac
ulty of the M Street High School that
should prevail. This want of unity has
manifested itself in exaggerated and I'M
friendly criticism in the interest OF, and
also against. the principal Some teachers
rf nd
articles for the public press tending to Gre
ate disaffecton and Reorganization In the
work. This disorganization has been ex-
tended to the student body and produced
some improper conduct on the part or STU
dents.
Z. We further find that, as a result Of the
dsclination of the faculty and officers OF
the M Street High School to enforce the
same methods and standards prevailing In
the other high schools, the director and
superintendent have yielded In a few in
stances to these demands We cannot ap-
prove of this action. We believe that the
director should continue to keep close
and careful observation of the work In this
high school and strictly maintain the regu-
lar standard of work; that the superinten-
dent should call the faculty together and
present the conclusions of this report and
insist upon unity of effort. loyalty to super
Tors and the maintenance of the standards
of work prevailing In the other high schools.
Confidence in Mr.. Hughes.
s. The committee expresses It's full con-
fidence in the integrity and conscientious
purpose of Mr.. Percy NJ. Hughes, director
of high schools and believes that in all mat
ters pertaining to the NJ Street High School
he has been guided by a sense of his high
responsibility as director and with the OBJ
ject of securing the best scholarship and
discipline in this school; that the superin-
tendent, Mrs Alexander T. Stuart and the
director are in hearty accord with the
board of education in its policy to MAIN
tain the same standards, curriculum, text
books and educational work in the NJ Street
High School that prevail in the other three
high schools of the District, and we are
pleased to say that all the representatives
of the colored race who have appeared be-
fore the committee concur and have eX-
pressed their strong desire that the same
standards of work and ratings prevail IN
the NJ Street High School that prevail in
the other high schools.
9. In view of all the facts and conclusions
and the very strong desire of a large pro-
portion of the colored race in this District
to have Mrs. Cooper retained as principal,
recommend her retention, with the eX-
press direction, however, that the standards
of work, the grading of students and the
recommendation of students for graduation
be conducted strictly in accordance with the
policy of the board of education and the
conclusions of this report, and that in her
official conduct she shall recognize the au-
thority of her superior officer, the director
of high schools, and conform her official
conduct in all respects to the rules of the
board.