The Washington herald., 1920-02-04
EXTEND HOURS
In HIGH SCHOOL
Extreme Measures Taken
At Central to Accom-
modate Students.
NONE TURNED AWAY
Urgent Need for Teachers
May Cause Pupils to
Miss Some Subjects.
NONE TURNED AWAY

Every bit of available space in
the Central High School and the
Western High School is being used
In order to accommodate the great
increase in the school population
'of the present year. The condi-
lions were made worse by the
February promotions 1t will be
almost impossible for these two
buildings to take the expected. in
creases nexti September.
The Central High School Is a
magnificent new building at
Twelfth and Chaplin streets north
west and when II was originally
provided for there were some who
held that it WAS = foolish expendi-
ture OF money However, when the
school was opened in 1918, the ap-
Plicants came within fifty of it's
capacity
ISIS Students Enroled.
1t was designed theoretically for
900 students. but experience has
taught those In charge that it can
only comfortably accommodate p
500. Yesterday the enrollme mt
showed ISIS students. with not all
Aor the February promotions in.
Before this semester is we'll I'M
der way, il is expected that the
school population here will reach
:.T50.
In order to accommodate these
iG 70 L.
a number of the rooms designed
for special subjects do double duty.
That Is laboratories and even the
~ mnasiums are being used for
class rooms, while the students are
compelled to use the assembly hall
f- st" les
The classes are all very large and
IL i.I.aDer OF teachers is not suffi-
Gent -Four additional teachers are
needed to handle the increased
classes. including one history. one
English. one mechanical drawing and
one business teacher. Without these
additional teachers, hundreds of the
children will have to go without in
struction in these studies. During the
period of the day when they should
be in these classes they will have
nothing to do. 1t Is a condition which
has been forced on the school off,
Gals and which they are meeting
with the best facilities they have at
hand.
Classes Later In Day.
The class hours have been extended
many OF the children being required
TO be at the building at $50 In the
morning. and others stay late in the
afternoon.
wbiIa No nb;I5 h.. ho., t,,r,ad
away this year. unless some relief Is
provided by the next school term, oe-
ginning in September. there is a like
lihood that many children seeking
high school education might be forced
out of the schools. Within the next
three. years, IL there Is still no relief
81 Will be a hopeless impossibility to
try to take care of the children, IL
the average increases shown during
the past few years continue
Almost identical conditions are
found at the Western High School. at
Thirty-ffth and Reservoir streets,
Georgetown. In building which can
comfortably accommodate under nor
NAL conditions only so students. there
are now on the rolls 10 children.
The library. chemical lecture room
and other special class rooms have to
&c ASG0 CAdSS LOT lne D1StC
studies. This iaterferes with the spe-
cial studies. but 1t is the only alterna-
tive aside frop turning children away
from the school.
Pupils In Crowded Hall.
The assembly hall. a low-ceilins.
Poorly ventilated hall, now Is doing
duty as a study hall. and for five and
six hours a day the students are
crowded there during their study Pc
RODS
There is a small athletic field aa-
joining the school. but it is too small.
The students have to borrow the IA
Cilities in the vicinity. including those
at the Georgetown University.
recommendations have previously
been made for an addition to the
building. but there has been no ap-
preparation. The Parents Association
of this school is now planning to re-
new the fight, and a strong effort will
lie made to have it included in a
building program should this Congress
decide to give the local schools relief
from the seriously crowded conditions.
Tomorrow The Herald will ex-
plain the conditions In the schools
I'm the Southwest section of the city