Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-10
Schools OUercrOUded
as Session Starts


The Philadelphia public schools opened
today with a record breaking enrolment
The tasl. of organizing the classes was
undertaken; books were distributed, The
real work OF the year IL not expected to
begin until tomorrow.
Even the high schools report large en-
rollments. despite the war. 1t was pre-
dicted however. that many of the senior
and older pupils will leave before many
months to take some Of the many positions
which will be made vacant by the draft.
Virtually all the high schools opened to-
day minus several members OF the faculty
in each who have enlisted. Many Of the
teachers also have been drafted. These
places as yet. Of course. have not been filled
That move will be up 10 the Board OF Edu
cation.
In most of the city's schools the pupils
were assembled ana addressed briefly by
their principals. The work OF assigning
them to classes and other organization work
was effected. They then were allowed to
20 for the day
II Is estimated that more than 10000
new pupils registered. The total enroll
ment in the grammar schools will reach
the 200. 900 mark, and the attendants at the
high schools will be more than Is 900 The
Increased enrolment of negro children is
most striking Last year there were 1859
This year there are 1900 more. representing
an increase OF about 20 per cent This IL
attributed to the emigration of negroes from
the South, attracted here by the industrial
prosperity of the city.
The increase in enrolment OF new pupils
this year over last will be approximately
1000. The added class rooms in new build
ings and in additions to old buildings will
accommodate approximately 5000 additional
students when these improvements are all
completed. However, they were not all
ready for the opening today
AT THE HIGH SCHOOLS
The 136th opening Of the Central High
School. Broad and Green streets brought
64s freshmen and It was said that the
total number Of students would approx
mate 1000. Dr. Robert Ellis Thompson
made a brief address. 1t was predicted
that many Central boys would leave to go
to work before the end of the year on ac-'
count of the war. .
The following members of the faculty
were absent having either been called into
active service by the War Department or
enlisted: Lieutenant Colonel Robert NJ.
Z Brookfeld of the Third Regiment who was
Instructor of mathematics; Professor
George T.. Roth. OF English. who Ia a
lieutenant in the Second Artillery; Profess
sor James Gilmore. Of English. now a
lieutenant in the Ordnance Department
Professor James Hugh Moffett. Of English,
who is captain in the Ordnance Depart
ment and DR.. William F. Craig, now lieu
tenant In the Medical Corps.
When the william Penn High School for
Girls. Fifteenth and Wallace streets. opened
its doors for the term at o'clock this
morning. 2100 names were on the roll books
The freshmen reported this afternoon. The
hundreds OF girls were quickly assigned
to their classes and dismissed for the day.
The work of the school year will be in
full swing tomorrow.
Dr. william d. Lewis. the principal, pre-
dicted that the number Of pupils would
be reduced TO some extent by the war. be-
cause some girls will be compelled 10 20
70 work 70 helm renlace tho earn,ngs -, a
male relative called away for Goverpmant
service while others vii, be tsmn,.d ,n
accept Jobs by high wages offered nv am.
nIovers .eekinr 20 All the n,acs. =, dr,t,ns
employees.
The enrol,ment M the pb,,ade,nh,o t,,oh
School Tor Girls NJ which Dr Ersd co,,,sn
A. princ,nal 10 mora than 1ooo n, ,haaa
aoa rsnort.a A. q o.c,onI MI. ,,,r,,, ."ese,
I.,,. ms ,oi nins anu
freshmen sB0 IN number renorted ,h,s
afternoon '''''e' '"''
An enIoLmen. ol approximately 5000
psa,ss, .he h,,n annual opening OF the west
Fhiiaaeiphia hisn school at Forty-seventh
ana walnut streets Existing conditions
caused no depletion OF attendance and all
classes showed particular enthusiasm and
eagerness to be back at work. Exercises,
over, which Principal Schoch presided. were
held In the auditorium before the pupils
withdrew to their various classrooms
Among the announcements made was that
of newly furnished library for the use of
the girls division.
Manv nations wers rsnrssa,,., =. a..
opening Of the Northeast Hish schooI Nv, @
street above Front Among ~. iosc .Ne" .
dents enrolled wers Indian, Sh,n.so s.u s
NEGROES, as we'll as numarous diuisio,. sns
the white race A snirit y, ns.oa nra,,n,,, .,
ana the p,,nils rsneraiiv wsrs n,i,'.s ..a'teo se
the strenuous work abssa pra Nmn,ar lor
sewing machines have been placed in ths
rlrls will make bandayss ana o.bou Doys .,hi anu
for the Red Cross Georss W. v"er p,a aruc'es
principal. '" '''S'' Is