The Washington herald., 1921-12-16
XIV. Washington's Schools.


or actually oppose the Gary, platoon system OF
public schools This is because its use even in but
one or more sections OF city necessitates lot OF
hard work. the injection OF novelty into routine and
a marked addition the already sufficient troubles
II even one platoon school is to be located in city,
the superintendent must have more than a book, or
hearsay knowledge OF the system. He must see it
and study it in operation.
Even after that, to assure its success, he must
give It special attention where it has prn-
cipai. who has been trained under the system.
Schoolmen are iust human and only those whose
ambition and enthusiasm outrun their discretion,
Observation-Disclosures extra trouble above their assured
"ortiou. But is late for anyone to try to be-
lrtlc!n or bcfuddc the Gary system. 1t has fully
proved itself. 1t fits in anywhere, but espcc-
tally belongs under certain conditions, though the
Junior high system may be preferable for all or
nearly all of that city.
There is Just orc ching ;hc platoon school does
which, no other do, it helps socializc the homes
oi ito district. 1t takes children earlier hour
and Keeps them later; it can make tie school day
match tho working hours of parents. For this rea-
H. natural habitat has been recognized in the
industrial and congested sections of cities; help
the homes of the comparatively poor: where
there" arc~-1ewcr open places and a lack OF play
grouRdsg surplus Of over-busy mothers who have
work. aud nurseuaids. 1t is the school OF the
workingman's and working woman's children, to
round opt and fulfill that chance America is sup
posed to offer and which the public schools are
supposed to give.
It is not Mr. WITS fault that this system,
which he first put in operation at Gary when the
United States Steel Corporation, along with its steel
plant, prepared for a city of 100000 people at
become popular because the classrooms do double
service. The fact that the number OF class
rooms takes care OF twice as many pupils as under
the old system Is really the least of its advantages
But to the taxpayer it is its greatest blessing 1t
from the taxpayers the first demands came
everywhere for Gary schools. Really the saving in
cost is not by any represented by this saving
room space.
1t was the educators who baked and held back
We do not blame them except that they were not
frank and sincere in their reasons. They gave every
excuse except the real one that they themselves
we're not equipped to handle the system, did not
ave the right teaching force and were loath to
undertake it. That against these wholly reasonable
objections. it has steadily forced its way is proof
enough OF its merits and it is quite beyond uues-
ton that every large city should have its portion
o. Gary schools
Washington is not exception. There are at
least two districts here where long condemned
SCHOOLS should be torn down and replaced BY these
cause they must have gymnasums and ample, fully
equipped manual training art and domestic science
shops and rooms. They diversity play with phvsi-
cal exercise, indoor games, and all kinds of hard
work 1t IS these things Also with a large audi
forum equipped for moving pictures, the inevitable
orchestra and like adjuncts, which make Gary
buildings cost more in proportion to classroom
space than the usual building
Nor the same number of teachers teach
twice the number OF classes, we'll as supervise
constantly used Fairgrounds and gymnasium, and
all the other means Of occupation. A Gary school
IS closely knit, compact unit from kindergarten
through high school. 1t is supposed to be organ
lied departmentally though this need not and
should not begin below the sixth or seventh grade
1t requires as principal good deal Of an organizing
genius who must be a genuine lover of children
one who ntuitively understands them and lives in
them From principal down this same element of
child love and high grade OF teaching ability must
be provided One reason is that in Gary school
there 20 be wholly different theory and method
OF discipline. Instead of toward goose-step il ;s
away from this and without that grip on child ma
ture from infant to adoescent, the result is apt to
be not discipline, but pandemonium
DO you blame educators for shyng? We do
rot. And until they quit Directing and are more
than willing it is useless to attempt Gary schools
Vet Gary schools there should be The ad,,n.,cro.
arc too great. There is very material saving in
cost in both grounds and buildings per pupil. Thev
give the very best possible environment Thew
provide every advantage in vocational guidance So
that talent cannot hide or be hidden They tie the
parents closely to the schools and make the schools
the natural social centers for the adults They arc
the most complete agencies for Americanizat;or
without sacrificing national gifts. Nor is the wav
so hard now to their adoption, as there are fair
number OF both principals and teachers trained in
the system who are available while Washington
has ono school OF the kind that has been success
1t has been success that is, so far as this has
.esa-A humanity possible with an eauinment and a.