Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-02-10
ssWHY ABILENE NEEDS A
NEW HIGH SCHOOL,

Oy Daphne oWarJh.l
Why do we need new high
school? 1t certainly isn't lust be-
cause" for there are number of
reasons which prove that new high
school in Abilene is absolutely nee
essary.
The most urgent need is to avoid
turning away students who will APP
ply for enrolment in the Abilene
high school next year. The present
enrolment of 289 shows an increase
of 80 per cent in two years. At this
rate the enrolment next year Will
reach at least $50; and what can we
do with fifty more students when
the building is now filled to over
flowing? If we do not turn them
away, there seems to be but one So
lution-to have classes in the halls.
And, oh, the disastrous results! 1t
will be next to impossible to secure
new teachers who could have no
class rooms and would be compelled
to camp in the halls all day; but
that is just what they would have
to do since all the class rooms are
occupied and we now have one teach
ner of the office. Each member Of
the faculty now has full schedule,
that is, each has at least five reel
tations, one consultation period and
one study hall. Were they to take
more Rotations 1t would mean low
ering the school standard so that
Abilene high school could no longer
maintain its membership in the
North Central Association which per-
mits graduates of A. II. S. to enter
Chicago university without examina-
ton.
A need of equal Importance is
that the students have a healthful
place to work. With class rooms
built for twenty-five people accom-
modating over thirty. the condition
is certainly not desirable. Any one
present during the recent grip cpl
demic can vouch for the disagree
abIeness of our present close quar-
tiers. OF course we are not asking
for a new high school to harbor the
grip, but preparedness pays-at
least in some cases.
Speaking of health leads to the
question of a gymnasium. consider
ed by some to be our greatest need
1t would make indoor athletics pos
sible and would be boon of great
est value, especially to those lacking
in physical development. But should
the school provide this, you ask.
Well, we are constantly being re-
minded that we are the future citi-
zens of Abilene; and shouldn't the
future citizens be strong physically
as we'll as mentally? Yes. so a gym
nasium is undoubtedly needed in
the Abilene high school. Moreover, a !
gymnasium would provide a place
for holding the social affairs" of
A. II. S. With the recent increase
in enrolment, the class parties can
no longer be held at the homes of
the students, so 1t has been neces- !,
sary to rent halls, thus raising the
cost of class parties. Some students,
IN Ia
ments, drop out of the social life
and it is feared that the democracy,
for which A. II. S. has been striv-
ing, will be destroyed
The need of laboratories is an
other "why" for a new high school,
The botany and agriculture classes
are greatly hindered because they
have no laboratory of heir own. Not
only are they unable TO carry on
their own experiments satisfactor-
lily; but they interfere With the
work of and inconvenience the chem
istry students. Neither is there an
adequate physics laboratory, since
none was provided for when the
building was constructed. Conse-
quently, two years ago. seats had
to be taken from a recitation room
so that it might be used for a lab
oratory part of the time But be-
cause of the very crowded conditions
it is necessary to continue its use
as a recitation room. The loose
chairs have a tendency to move
around-thus interfering with reci-
tation in the class room beneath.
And then, who ever heard OF sat
isfactory work being done in
school where there was no room to
study? Yes, even the study hall has
overlooked, so during two hours of
the day study is held in chapel.
There the students sit in seats built :
for an entirely different purpose !
than to study in, and use their laps !
for desks