Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-02-01
"NoDERN" SCHOOL BUILDING
To the Editor:

: wish to state that the composer ha
very erroneous idea as to the si1t
spirit AMI modernism; in fact The +
are just a few over two hundre
pupils and the degree Of spirit is vet,
low.
It may be that the citizens taxi
| pride in The modern" building. bl
! just how many know how modern i
is? if it IS modern where are Lii
necessities that should be in all tltt
schools Of today. namely; the mod
ern gymnasium, the shower baths
the laboratory, the seated auditorium
the athletic field and track which arb
absolutely necessary to make the
school up to date and its graduates
complete in their high school educai
ton? /
Why were not these things INSTALL
ed when the building was built I
because the citizens in general did
not know what modern school was
and were not particularly Interested
There have been few people whd
have stood behind the school all alongl
but nothing can be accomplished m;
less every one does their part. Pleass
appeals, petitions have been made sof!
improvements but in vain. Why?:
Because the general public was unin.!
terested. !.
The Shipyard. Torpedo Plant and:
ether industries new to Alexandria
have received unfailing support, while J;
rhe school has received no improve !;
ments whatsoever. Why? Again
because the public has been uninter.
ested.
The Fire Department calls great
amount of attention and pride and
large sums are advanced for it, in
ptovement, but the schools arc in
the same old condition and will re.
main so until the citizens get the
right spirit and back them up
At one time the School Board
promised our coach, Mr.. Hayden
to install shower baths, but we are
sill hunting for them. simply Re.
cause the citizens arc not back Of
the School Board There are scnc
who claim It is because of the non.
progressive School Board that W.
are Unable to secure any improve.
mcn1s. Of course there are eycep-
tions, but as a rule it is because 9f
the ia"k of interest assumed b. III, |
Citizens w?,ck must be had to bacl |
the School Board.
When our teams journey from |
home ;hey are excellently treated
hold the games on fine, inclosesl fields
or in up to date gyms. After the ]
games, shower baths are at their
disposal and they dress in real dress !
ing rooms (not class rooms.) 4
As to i Iaboratory--it is absolutely
necessary to make a high school ed. \
ucation complete. All of our rival
school; have laboratories. even The
.own of Manassas, which is small
compared with Alexandria.
1a+o Il,
brit 4 laboratory. shower bath nnt
an inclosed athletic field and track.
are entirely possible and necessary
ind our graduates will not have {;
complete high school education until
these improvements have been made
There are many who say athletics
are unnecessary. They are. School
spirit must prevail in order to make
the students do their best. but spirit
cannot exist unless athletic activit es
are extensive and athletics cannot
be carried oui to any extent
unless they are prompted by The
proper advantages.
1t could easily be noticed how The.
spirit was revived somewhat when
The Hign School Auditorium was Sc
cured for Basket Ball purposes. The
Auditorium is not suited for Basket
Ball, but not having a gym. we must
accommodate ourselves TO what we
have.
The city of Alexandria cannot
thrive under she leadership of per.
sons with. A partial education so let
every person do his part and strive
TO make the schools of Alexandria a
success.
This is not meant as statement
Of resentment on the part of the stu
dent body, 1t is simply statement
of few facts. in answer to the abcve
mentioned article and plea 70 The
citizens of Alexandria to see thai
their children have few of the nee
cessities and conveniences that man,
towns much smaller in size anc
| Wealth ars providing.
@19t''' TIE Student Body Of sshe
= t:'&r,.T .aA1syhndria HIGH School