Evening star., 1924-09-15
Manor Park Children
Need Portable School

The nOVel SlSnt Oh group OIL chill
dren appealing for a school was wit
messed before the Board of Education
at its meeting Wednesday afternoon.
1t reminded spectators Of the Bible
uuotation that "a little child shall
lead them" The children were
brought before the board by the
part Of a demonstration for the loca-
tion Of a portable school in Manor
Park on a Government-owned school
site, in order to spare the youngsters
the necessity of braving the risors of
winter and the dangers of hazardous
street traffic to distant schools.
Seated two together in the big
chairs in the front row, the young
sters won the hearts Of the board
members. Their introduction to the
board caused the members to forget
their differences over school problems
and recalled to them the days of their
school youth. The children were un-
afraid, although they appeared out
of their element, as they INDUCED in
repressed play, even though in the
presence Of dignitaries presiding over
their school destinies.
The children said nothing to the
board, except to correct their leader,
who erred in giving the grade in
tions were aroused when the board
was told that one of the little fellows
who travelled with them to school at
the last term would be absent this
year, as he had been killed by being
struck by an automobile on Ritten-
house street on his way home from
school June 13 last.
The demonstration made marked
impression also on the large number
of spectators who crowded the board
room, some of whom had to stand. 1t
was the first time that school chill
dren had invaded the boards portals
on a mission vitally affecting their
welfare.
II have been very much impressed
by this presentation" said a member
of the board.
81 move that the committee report
recommending a portable for Manor
Park be adopted" another said.
Second the motion" said a third.
1t appeared the children had won
the day, but like bolt out of clear
sky their victory was temporarily
snatched from their grasping hands
by unsympathetic school administra-
tors The question of a portable at
Takoma Park, which has a 16-room
building, housing 435 Maryland chill
dren last year, and other administra-
tive objections were raised by the
superintendent of schools and the
principal of the division in which the
proposed Manor Park portable would
be placed
The principal produced a count of
s3 pupils based on attendance rolls
last June, while Manor Park pro-
duced houseto- house count show
ing 153 pupils as of September 8.
Manor Park requested the portable
for only the grades from kindergar-
ten to third grade, while the principal
raised the question of having all
eight grades in the portable, which it
| is proposed shall be located at Fourth
and Sheridan streets northwest. 1t
appeared that the school authorities
had hardened their hearts to the mute
appeal of the youngsters. Their OBJ
jections seemed to be inconsistent. In
one breath they said If the platoon
system should be adopted for Takoma
that the portable would be assigned
to Manor Park, while in the next
breath they averred that for various
reasons it would be impracticable to
give the portable to Manor Park.
Friends of Manor Park on the board
saved the day for the youngsters. In
stead of rejecting the committee re-
port recommending the portable for
Manor Park, the board postponed it's
further consideration until after con-
sidering the platoon system for Ia
koma, which is slated for September 16.
The safety of 81 small children of
grades from kindergarten to third
grade is involved The youngsters
| who represented them before the
! board Wednesday are still hoping
| that the portable will be available
| when school opens September %.
The Manor Park parents are will
! ing to put up with the inconvenience
| of the portable for the grades men
! toned in order that their children
may be at a school nearer to their
| homes and somewhat removed from
| the traffic and other dangers involved
| ERNEST H. PULLMAN,
President Manor Park Citizens Asso-
! citation.