The Washington herald., 1922-06-03
SCHOOLS IN SIXTH
DIVISION DEEMED
ACME OF UCLINESS
Only One of Thirteen in
Northeast Has Ade-
quate Playground.
TEACHING IS GOOD
Eight Buildings Should Be Re-
placed by Modern Plants,
Say Experts.

IF you are looking for schools
Just pick out the biggest. uglies,
red brick buildings you come to-
These were a policeman's directions
to a Herald reporter engaged in
making a survey of schools in the
Sixth division, embracing the
Northeast section of Washington
yesterday.
Old style. barn-like buildings
most OF them badly worn, and in
adequate Fairgrounds characterize
public schools in this section. Two
school buildings are rented. Mos,
OF the schools are crowded. necessi-
tating part time classes or two
classes per teacher.
In view of the hardships under
which teachers in this section have
to work. school officials emphasize
the high quality of the teaching.
PIay Space Lacking.
The general lack of play space
for school children in the North
east section Of Washington forms
one of the most acute problems
that confront school officials.
Among the thirteen schools in the
Sixth division. embracing this sec
tion, one schoolshas adequate play
grounds. This Is the Blow School.
The twelve other schools are
either without play space or have
small yards into which the chill
raCTaafi0n
In most instances the schools are
surrounded by a narrow strip OF
land partly paved with brick. IT
would he impossible to turn an au-
tomobile in the average playground
In this section without backing.
Some Of the grounds have one or
two pieces of play equipment. do
mated by charity.
JaiI-Iike I'm Appearance.
IN contrast to the well equipped.
spacious Fairgrounds advocated by
educators. the spaces surrounding
public schools in the Northeast are
small. unkept and totally made
uuate. In most instances the
grounds are poorly drained. Fol-
lowing yesterdays showers the
school grounds at Hayes and Madi-
son schools resembled duck ponds.
Board fences that have never been
painted contribute to the general
dilapidated appearance of the
schools
The appearance of most Of the
school buildings is described in the
words of the supervising principal:
very tail-like and unpleaslng-
While the buildings compare favor
IL Of ~
and the old portions of Northwest.
IT IL believed that at least eight OF
the thirteen buildings should be re-
placed with modern school plants.
Extensive repairs and playground
additions are the immediate needs
of all the buildings.
Poor Lighting In Taylor.
Evidence that a business man is
needed to supervise the physical up
keep of the schools is found in such
conditions as broken locks. broken
windows, unpainted fences. un-
trimmed grass and broken furni-
ture. This need is apparent In
every school in the city. officials de-
clare.
One of the worst school evils in
this section is the lighting at Tay-
lor School. Situated between two
buildings, with only a ten-foot al
ley separating the school from adJa-
cent properties, the lower floor of
this building cannot be lighted suf-
ficientIy to eliminate a strain on the
pupils eyes Yesterday it was I'm
possible to read in the lower hall
way. The playground at Taylor
School is approximately forty feet
by one hundred feet.
Blair School has two portable
] Buildings which ocupy the small
playground that ordinarily would be
available. Due. to crowded con-
ditions the principals office. consist
ing of a desk, has been moved into
the hall. One principal has charge
OF both the Blair and the Hayes
schools. In addition she teaches four
classes.
The Industrial School corner of
Eighth and I streets northeast. is
considered a fair example of a rent
ed school. Manual training and
domestic arts are taught in this
building. Numerous wet spots OIL
the ceilings and walls Of this build
ing Indicate the state of repair of
the roof Toilets are the most un-
sanitary in the division. A bad odor
Is noticeable throughout the base
ment. Coal stoves supplement the
heating plant which is said to be
a 23-year-oid model. During cold
weather the temperature Of the
building Is declared to average 4S
degrees Fahrenheit
Blow school Well Kept.
Among the encouraging features
revealed by the survey was the five
room apartment at 1901 K street
northeast used as a model in
teaching housekeeping. Although
this is a rented building, II Is said
to be the most completely equipped
property for teaching domestic
science In the District school sys-
tenn
A second example of a modern