New Britain herald., 1921-08-10
these schools than effective school ad- ministration tustifes.

H is relatively permanent and that Berlin may expect a continued, though slower, growth in population. For this reason provision must be made to provide increased school facilities, and this without delay.
 The Figures.
 In 1918, there was an average daily attendance of 671l children in the Berlin schools. In 1921 the average was ss6, an increase of 33 per cent.
 Tn 1918. the average registration was 72s. In 1921 1t was 1,017. an ir- crease of a9 per cent.
 In 1918, 825 different children at- tended the schools during the year. In 1921. there were 1,172 children In 1913, 1,065 children were enun1- erated as of school age. In 1921, there were 1,495 enumerated, an i'm creasa of Al per cent.
 By every measure that can be ap- piled, there has been a growth in school population in Berlin. t
 Is The Growth Permanent?
 Berlin is no longer a rural town. Ita location with reference to New Britain, Hartford, Middletown and Meriden, makes it certain that Berlin will increasingly, tend to become a suburban town affording a homo for those who work in the neighborinE cities. This is especially true of Kensington, where the price of lots will attract those wlo can erect mod crate sized houses to care for their families. There are about a dozen houses under construction i'm Ken sington at the present time and half as many moro at the old Berlin Fair grounds. This points to an increase in population, and permanent in- crease.
 The past year has seen the usual moving out of town, but it has been met by an equal moving into tho town. At the present time there is a shortage of housing facilities in Ber- lin.
 More people wish to live in Berlin than can find houses. So long as this is true Berlin will continue to grow larger.
 Tn Berlin and in Kensington fire districts have been organized to bring running water and other city conven- fences into the town. When these ad- vantages have been secured and nego- tiations are under way at the pres ent time, a much more rapid growth Is to be expected.
 Nature of Increase.
 Not many years ago the population of Berlin was largely of American birth and descent. Today. of 561 families represented in our schools, only 160 are of American birth or descent. and the other 341 families are distributed through 21 national ities. i. .
 Were the above facts based upon the number of children, instead Of the number of families, the propor- tion of those of American percentage would be smaller still. The average American family is smaller than the family of foreign parentage. This. with tho fact that the increase in of foreign origin, gives assurance that further increases are to be ex- pected.
 Significance of Increase.
 The fact that the increase in school population has come largely through families of foreign parentAge means that Berlin has | distinct problem O Americanization in it's schools. The parents can and do acquire some of the outer symbols and meanings of American citizenship. It Is inevitable however, that they will be influenced throughout their lives by the training in the manners and customs. language and ideals of the land of their birth These safe influences surround their children in their homes. In many cases the children do not. hear the American language. save on the street and in school. If the children are to become American in langua ideals, customs and manner of think ing 1t must be in our schools. Where the greater proportion of the children in the school are of foreign parentAge the classes should be smaller to make it possible for the t4acher to dof intensive work. Thes&