The Washington times., 1919-11-27
FAVORS
MORE JUNIOR
HIGH SCHOOLS
Inauguration Of Platoon System
Also Seems Likely to Be
Approved.

EstaDilshment OF additional junior
high schools and the inaugurating OF
the platoon system in the graded
schools as a means of relieving con-
gestion is favored by the Board of
Education, il was learned yesterday
after the board met and discussed for
more than one hour these two prof.
ects
From Superintendent Thurston the
board learned Junior high schools
were being established in all parts of
the country. The time is coming
when the seventh and eighth grades
will be abolished and the Junior high
course will replace them" Superin-
tendent Thurston. who favors the
schools, told the board.
All over the country public school
systems are quickly learning the
value of these schools, said the Super
intendent. Private schools discov-
cred long ago how beneficial were
these schools" Mr.. Thurston told the
board, "and though the public schools
are a little behind they are steadily
catching UP with the more modern
methods of school instruction"
Van scAsiek Interested.
DR.. John Van Schaick, jr.. president
of the board, is very much Interested
IN junior schools. Ii is chiefly
through DR.. Van Schaick's efforts that
the entire board il beginning to favor
this school.
In ADDRESSING the board yesterday
Thurston announced
he would recommend, at the board 8
next meeting, that the platoon sys-
tenn be operated in a number of the
graded school buildings. At present
there are about fifteen or twenty
buildings where this system can be
easily and effectively used, replacing
the present methods.
Il have just completed q study Of
several schools" the superintendent
said. ''and ! find that in one school
which ordinarily accommodates 300
students. can. with the platoon sys-
tenn, accommodate nearly 1,30p pupils
without additional teachers"
Board In ImprenseA.
The board seemed to be favorably
impressed with MIR. Thurston's ex-
plaHation Of the value of the platoon
ryeten The superintendent said
specific recommendations would be
made just as soon as he had visited
several more schools and conferred
with general school officers on the
platoon plan.
Something will have to be done
bdiu lne
dent. "A serious situation confronts
US. We are reaching the point where
we can only seat our pupils-not
properly teach them. Some relief
must be forthcoming very shortly.
IF the increased enrolment con-
tinues, and l see no reason why ii will
not. we will be compelled to establish
halliday classes in probably all the
graded schools. This is not fair to
the child. He is entitled to a full
days instruction, and crowded con-
ditions should not be the cause Of
holding back his education. This is
why 1t is so necessary that the pres
ent conditions be relieved"
Wood DecIsion Reversed.
The District Corporation Counsers
office Informed the board by letter
yesterday that the District Supreme
Court. Justice Hitz presiding. had re-
versed the decision of the board in the
case Of Miss Alice Wood, Western
High School teacher. suspended last
March for discussing Bolshevism in
her classroom.
DR.. Van Schaick directed Harry o.
Hine. secretary to the board. to COM
municate with Conrad II. Syme. Cor
poration Counsel, to learn whether II
would be advisable to appeal from the
decision of the court. Counsel Syme
is of the opinion that the hoard has
good grounds for appealing.