The Washington times., 1919-12-04
SCHOOL HEADS PASS
PLATOON SYSTEM
Plan Proposed BY Supt. Thurs.
ton viii Decrease Over
crowding Now Apparent.

The Board of Education has unani-
mously agreed to adopt the platoon
system of school operation in the ete-
mentary grades, thus advancing the
Districts public educational institu-
tions one step farther toward mod
ernization. 1t was to relieve conges-
ton that this plan was adopted.
Within two months. probably, 2,40O
students will be studying in ten
schools under this system. Ernest L.
Thurston, superintendent of schools.
today is making preparations for put
ting the platoon plan into immediate
operation at the Park View and one
undesignated colored school. The
success OF the nsW system depends
entirely upon Congress. as additional
teachers are needed.
II Is the superintendent plan
gradually to put every school in the
District. where il Is practical, under
the platoon system. The new system,
known also as shift" and "dupli-
cate" makes 1t possible for a school
to have double seating capacity. A
sixteen-classroom building will care
for thirty-two classes under the pla-
toon plan.
Plan Of system.
At o o'c1ock thirty-two classes enter
school. Sixteen classes go into class
rooms, taking basic studies, while the
remaining classes take special studies
in the auditorium, gymnasium, sewing
room. cooking school, work shop, and
school yard. At 1890 they alternate
and SO on through the day, total of
four changes being made. 1t will of
course mean adjustment of hours. No
Inconvenience is caused the students
by changing over to this new plan.
at Is vital,n superintendent Thurs
ton told the Board in presenting his
Recommendations yesterday. 1--WE are
steadily being driven toward some
shift plan"
Superintendent Thurston, after ex-
planning the new system to the Board,
recommended he be authorized to ad-
just any and ell schools to this new
plan. Changes will be made as con-
gestion becomes greater in the
schools.
Easeatsrs Interested
Educators will watch the gradual
change of the school system here
with interest In the larger cities
of the country this system has been
worked SUCCESSFULLY.
1t affords the student an oppor-
tunity for a change during the day,
driving away the monotony Of re-
naming Ave hours In one classroom
with the same teacher.
II am of the opinion" Superinten-
dent Thurston said, shat the platoon
organization is educationaliy sound
and that the working out Of an ef-
fective school OF this type would
mean an Increased demand for other
schools.
= The proposition, however, IL of ex-
ceptional Importance to US at this
time. because Of the situation as to
enrolment that we are now facing.
STEADY Inerease Of Papiis.
I'VE have q very large number of
classes In the school system seriously
over-large in enrolment. The increase
in enrolment II steady and there is
no let-up in sight. We must make
provision for this increase in the way
of permanent buildings
I'VE must a.so do what we can to
meet existing situations Of over
crowding. and the more difficult situ-
ations which will be upon us before
additional permanent buildings are
secured"
superintendent Thurston pointed
out the platoon plan would prevent
the overcrowding of classes, which
q few extra teachers are needed to
put the new plan In operation, the
superintendent says.
The board will next have to adopt
some plan to provide relief In the high
schools. The Superintendent is study
ing the situation. and will make rec.
ommendations within the next month.