The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-08

care OF by the class, leaving lne tedGller
free to concentrate attention upon actual
and positive Instruction This is the ideal
of true democracy and an ideal to-
wards which l am glad to report, our
schools have made commendable pro-
gress.
Elementary Schools.
The rapidly increasing enrolment in our
schools forces upon us the consideration
of additional accommodations. The two
new school buildings opened one year
ago-the South Highland and the Barker
are now practically filled. The eight rooms
opened In the South Highland school are
occupied by classes from the first to the
fourth years. inclusive, and the compile
tion of the four rooms on the third floor
of the building Is already an urgent ne
cessity. The rapidly increasing population
of the Ullman and Lakeview districts
will require an addition to each of these
four-room buildings within another year.
The same Is true of the Martin school In
the northwestern part of the city. The
population of this district has increased
so rapidly that the eight rooms of that
building are entirely inadequate to meet
the demands of the present enrolment
Many pupils from this district are now
distributed among the other schools of
the city. l recommend that. an addition
of ten classrooms be made to each of
these three. schools as early as practicable.
This matter should be considered by your
body at once. The demands of these
districts are already pressing and the
population of these resident sections of
the city is so rapidly increasing that the
board in providing for present needs
should anticipate the needs of the imme-
date future
In previous reports I have expressed
my views regarding the location of the
Paul Hayne school on South Twentieth
street. I renew my former recommended
ton, that in the event the city should be
able to dispose of this building, or to
lease it for business purposes, an addi-
ton should be made to the South High
land building for the accommodation of
the school. The three schools on the
South Highlands should be made full
grade elementary schools as early as
possible, and the buildings should be suf-
ficiently ample to meet the requirements
of the territory south of the railroads
now within the city limits. I also beg to
renew my recommendation that build
ing be erected as early as practicable
for the accommodation of negro children
living in the eastern part of the city.
Since the burning OF. the Thomas school
several years ago most of the pupils have
been housed in the basement of the
church. corner Third avenue and Twenty
adequate and unsanitary.
The High School.
The completion of our splendid High
school building is a matter of just pride
to the board and to the city The pres
ent enrolment is 600. with about 100 more
to enter at the beginning of the second
semester. the first week in February The
introduction of manual training and do
nestle science has broadened the scope
of the work, and given new zest and en-
thusiasm to the students. The joinery
shop has been completely equipped, and
the turning shop is now being prepared
for the installation of this branch with
in the next month. The sewing room has
been fitted up for a complete course in
needle work and the kitchen of the do
nestle science department has been sup
piled with a large gas cooking range,
and twenty-four small individual ranges
for pupils. In addition to these facilities.
the department is supplied with a COM
plete equipment of kitchen utensils and
dining room requirements. Steps have
been taken for the equipment of the
museum with needed cases and other
furniture for the proper display of the
specimens on hand-most OF which are
packed in boxes for want of display
cases. The splendid collection of birds
valued at $4,000. and donated to the mu-
scum by Mr.. George Griffin will be dis
played to the general public as soon as
the cases can be obtained An exceed
ingly interesting collection of butterflies
and moths, estimated to be worth $500
has been recently donated to the museum
by DR.. John L. Parker. When the neces-
sary furniture is secured this museum
Will prove am ost interesting and in
structive department OF the school. The
large and commodous room on the base
ment floor, designed for a gymnasium,
should be thoroughly equipped as early
as possible. 1t will be very gratifying If
some of our progressive citizens shall
take an interest In the equipment of
the High school gymnasium. following the
commendable example of those who have
already contributed so literally towards
the museum.
School Improvement Association.
I cannot speak too highly of the splen-
did work of the ladies of our city in the
organization of School improvement asso-
Citations. One of these branch associa-
tons is now organized in every school dis
trict in the city, working in connection
with the Central association, whose head
quarters are at the High school, These
associations are doing a noble work In CO.
operation with the principals and teachers
of the schools. Their work includes the
identifying of the school rooms and
grounds, the establishment of school lib
raries, the promotion of sanitary condi-
lions in the school buildings, providing
for the needs of poor children In the line
of school books and clothing, and in
many other ways the promotion of eff
cheney in the schools by aid and en-
enlargement, and by bringing the school
and the home limo closer sympathy and
harmony. The Central association has
done much good in connection with the
High school and much work has been
planned for the future. The committee
in charge of the midday lunch has had
extraordinary success, An average of
from $50 to 400 lunches are served daily
The committee domestic science has
given material assistance in the equip
ment of the sewing room and the cooking
department Other committees have been
conspicuous In their interest and helpful
ness. The spirit of kindly interest and
sympathy animating these organizations
is most encouraging. The fact that every
school district in the city is embraced
in this organization for cooperative