Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-11
NEW SCHOOL HEAD
NEEDS ROOMFOR
1900 NEW PUPILS
DR.. BalIou to Tackle This and
Other Problems at Of
flee Tomorrow.

DIR. Frank w. Ballou. new superin-
tendent of schools, will return to
Washington this morning from Pitts
burgh, where he has just completed
lecture course at the University of
Pittsburgh. He will remain in this
city for several days prior to leaving
for his summer home in Maine.
During his short stay in Washing
ton DR.. Ballou is expected to have
his hands full in arranging for the
accommodation next fall of the 1000
new students scheduled to enter the
graded and high schools.
It is probable that attention will
first be given the problem confronted
in the high schools. where LOCO adj
ditional pupils will begin their fresh
man year. Central High School will
bear the brunt of the burden i'm
posed, while the greatest congestion
is likely to occur at Mckinley and
Eastern. How to apportion the in
coming students among the five high
schools. so as to equalize conditions.
is a subject which will require care
full consideration.
Platoon System Helps.
With 5000 children destined to be-
gin school life next September in the
graded schools, another serious stu
alton will develop. in view of the al
ready congeste,l school buildings and
lack of sufficient equipment
The school buildings in the north
west section. especially in Mount
Pleasant, and in some of the pro-
gressive outlying residential districts.
will be overcrowded to the greatest
degree. DR.. Ballou is expected TO
take under Amusement the establish
ment of the two-platoon system i'll
more grade school buildings as
means of relief. This plan already
has met with marked success in the
Park View School where former
Supt. Ernest l.. Thurston had it in
stituted February 10.
The platoon plan consists In arrang-
| ing for the instruction of two sepa-
| rate groups of classes on shift basis.
| thus providing room for virtually
double the number of children ordi-
narily accommodated. The system in
| wolves the acquisition of practically
no additional teachers and little
equipment. A requisite. however, is
| an auditorium or large assembly hall
| where one group of pupils may be
receiving instruction in music, physi-
cal training and similar subjects while
| the other group is being taught pure
ly academic subjects in the various
| classrooms. 1t is considered probable
| that the Johnson-Powel School will
| be given priority in the consideration
Of the further adoption of the pla-
toon system.
To Consider Teacher Shortage.
| Early opening hours will also be
discussed by school officials. Central
and Mckinley were among high
schools forced to extend daily sessions
last year. while a majority of the
graded school children attended
classes on a staggered" hour basis. /.
| DR.. Ballou will be at his desk in the
Franklin School tomorrow morning
preparatory to comforting with As
sistant Superintendent of Schools
Stephen E. Kramer and other school
officials on plans for the coming
school year. The shortage Of teachers
and other school matters will be
cleared up as far as possible before
the departure of the superintendent
| on his vacation. : :