The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1913-11-11
MEREDITH REPORTS
ON HIGH SCHOOL
Tells School Board of COndi-
lions at MOTTiStOWn.

Assistant Commissioner of Educa-
tlon A. B. Meredith reported by let
ter the findings of recent inspec-
tion OF the Morristown high school,
After reading of the letter President
Joseph Hinchman of the school board
remarked He doesn't tell us any
thing we didn't know before The
letter Was ordered filed. The board
has special committee at work con-
sidering congestion of the schools.
w. Parsons Todd is chairman.
Mr.. Meredith's letter follows.--
Referring to my visit 10 the Nor
ristown High School on September
10th, | respectfully submit the follow
ing observations and recommends
tions:
in general | was pleased with the
character of the instruction given in
the various classes. l was impressed
with the fact, however, that both
teachers and pupils were doing their
work under very unfavorable condi-
tions. A continuation of such condi-
tions must necessarily mean a mark
ed decrease in the efficiency of your
school.
with the exception of three class
rooms. the pupils were reciting and
studying under great disadvantages.
The classrooms made by partitioning
off a part of the auditorium must be
considered as a makeshift. To have
pupils attempt to study in the re-
naming part of the auditorium is to
subject them to a decided hardship,
and especially when no desks are
provided for papers and books and
when artificial light has to be pro-
vided, as was the case on the day
when | visited the school. The small
cloak room on one of the lower floors
should be abandoned at once as a
recitation room.
Il found that the laboratory used
by various classes was wholly made
quate. While the equipment of ap-
paratus seemed approximately ade-
quate, the fact that the room was too
small for the classes reciting there,
and the fact that tables have TO be
moved in and out of the rooms and
piled up in the laboratory mean that
the results are obtained at too great
loss of nervous energy on the part
of teachers and pupils.
with your growing commercial
department adequately equipped
rooms for bookkeeping and typewrit-
ing are necessity.
In brief the entire space given
over to the High School is wholly in.
adequate, and the conditions should
have the immediate attention of your
Board and the citizens.
1T should be matter of pride to
your community that the school is
large in proportion to the school en-
rollment of the district The teach
ers are apparently carefully select
ed for their work, and the teaching
equipment of texts and reference
books adequate to She demands OF
the classes.
The joint use of certain class
rooms by both elementary and high
school grades must mean confusion.
| noted that because of the cramped
quarters for the high school that un-
necessary time was used in the pass
ing of the classes, Notwithstanding
the arrangements made by the prin-
cipal.
ITO the credit of the school it
should be said that all concerned are
making the best of the conditions,
and there seemed to be no problems
of discipline.
"The demands today in a modern
high school include, adequate class
rooms, opportunities for study in
well-lighted and ventilated rooms, in
which no recitations are held during
study periods, ample and well arrang
ed laboratories for the work in phys
les, chemistry, biology and other sci
ences, an auditorium, gymnasium,
and rooms especially equipped for the
commercial classes. All these should
be arranged so that classes may con-
veniently pass from class to class.
From my study of the situation l
was convinced that the present build
ing is adequate for the present en-
rollment of elementary pupils.
81 cannot too strongly urge that
steps be taken as soon as possible to
provide adequate quarters and ar
rangements for your growing high
school. Just where and how they
are to be provided is a problem for
the Board of Education.
In helping to solve this problem
shall be pleased to give such help as
you think | may give.
''Very truly yours,
A. B. MEREDRETH,
Assistant Com. of Education"