The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-06-23

~" oehuihBs. AT least tive of the
schools 1t is believed, should be re :
placed with modern educationaI
structures. And while the build
inss VIII stand for years, 1t is said.
the application of modern educa.
lonai Ideas is believed to be ser
tously, Handicapped by the schools
now in use.
In general the appearance of these
schools Is unattractive. The Iars-
est schools resemble factories, the
smaller eight-room buildings in
most cases nave the appearance of
police station or Jail. This con-
dition. however, Is not peculiar to
the Eighth division. but with the
exception of Seventh division
schools. is true of practically all
old type buildings in the District.
The effect Of such conditions upon
pupils and teachers is desultory.
Placed In a rundown school build
ing, the only outlook of which is
upon unkept back porches and al
leys, both teachers and children
educators declare work under Sc
we're handicaps.
Teachers Are Hopeful.
Alth oughis is said that present
conditions have prevailed in south
west Washington schools for more
than two decades, the attitude of
teachers. as revealed during the sur
vey, is one of hopefulness. In spite
of outworn equipment the super
vising principal declares that the
teaching morale is high.
One of the outstanding instances
of improper school surroundings
appears at the Jefferson Amid Of
group. Although the jefferson has
the finest school playground in the
Eighth division, the school is built
within one hundred feet of the rail-
road tracks. AS the only railroad
passage to the South is via these
tracks, continuous rumble Of
trains browns out a teachers voice
in the classrooms a few yards away
Both freight and passenger trains
from three railroads use these
tracks at all, hours, 1t Is declared
Slightly less than one thousand
children attend the Jefferson school
Teachers declare that classroom
work is made almost impossible by
crashing of cars and whistle blasts
In addition to the noise. smoke ana
cinders from passing engines con-
tribute to what Is regarded as one
of the worst conditions revealed In
Washington schools.
Business Manager Needed.
In the Smallwood-B Bowen group, J
street near Fourth, the first named
school is said to be one OF the best
in the public school system. Used
exclusively for manual training and
domestic art, this school has modern
equipment and is in excellent re-
pair. The Bowen school. an older
building Is in striking contrasts. In
a bad state of repair, this school
portrays the need for a business
manager of schools. Dingy walls,
| an dwoodwork that is badly in need
| of paint, add to the unattractive-
| ness. In addition to these defects
there is a very small playground.
Grant School, Twenty-second and
G streets northwest. is another
example Of an old type school
This is a twelve-room building
Although approximately 400 chill
dren attend the school the play
ground is said to be suitable &c
less than half that number. The
school is only partially electrified
In the case of the Fairbrother
| School, Tenth and E streets south
west. a modern eight-room building
has been built without adequate
play space. This school is looked
upon as one of many cases in which
thousands of dollars have beer
spent to promote education, only tc
have the aims defeated by placing
the building on a small lot. II such
schools as the Fairbrother were
erected on spacious grounds, IL Is
declared that they would rank with
the best in the city.
Lack of playground also stands
out as the principal defet at the
Greenleaf School Although this is
an old building, IT is said to be IN
moderate state of repair The same
defect characterizes the Bradley
School, Thirteenth Half street
and Virginia avenue southwest
While some effort has been made
to improve the condition of the
grounds at this school. the appear
ance of the building, it is believed
will offset all efforts at beautiflca-
ton. A new school should replace
the building now in use.
A blocked off street furnishes the
main playground at Toner School
the only school playground being a
small concerted space. Although
children are not allowed to play in
the streets at Van Ness School
Fourth and NJ streets southeast
playground shortage is just as
acute. However. this is one of the
finest buildings in the division, and
with exception of Fairgrounds. the
plant is said to be satisfactory.