New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-09-04
CTTY'S SCHOOL ARMY
Is Modified

On Tuesday morning there will
be splash Of excitement in In
Vulnerable New Britain house
holds. The children will be rustled
out OF bed half an hour earlier
than usual; there will be much ado
about getting ready" Mothers will
be making spartan attempt to
wash and dress their energetic off
spring and watch the victuals on
the kitchen stove at the same time.
Hurry will be frequent word.
In due course, breakfasts tucked
away and the kids dolled up In
their best week day bib and tucker,
family caravans will wend their
way to numerous buildings provided
by the city authorities. There ex-
pectant teachers will be waiting;
the names and addresses OF new
toddlers will be inscribed in the big
books; much bedlam and confusion
may reign until the school marin
gets a firm grip on the situation,
a matter. OF half a day-or perhaps
several
OF superlative interest to lovers
of chlldren's ways will be the kin
dergartens, where little five-year-
old toddlers will get their first
taste of the regimen OF school dis
cipline. Here they will learn to
play" at such games as will have
an influence upon their future de-
veIopment. The little cherubs natur-
ally think it great fun-and such it
is The kindergartens have come to
be an important first niche in our
system of public education, vast
Improvement over the old days
when they were quite unknown
The enrolment of public school
children last year was 1919, not
including those in the parochial
schools. The annual increase is esti-
mated at about 500 pupils, so that
the enrolment this year will be in
the vicinity of 1880 pupils. Yet
of this large number fully $500 will
be on part time, due to three sec
tons of the city being denied the
immediate benefit of new school
buildings under construction or
those being repaired. The schools
affected are the Burritt Junior high
school in the northern section, the
Valentine b. Chamberlin and
Smith schools in the eastern sec
tions. and the old Lincoln school
in the western section.
Some time ago Superintendent
Holmes was quoted as saying the
need for additional school accommo-
dations was more necessary In the
southern section than In the west
ern, but due to delay resulting
from condemnation proceedings the
new Lincoln school in the west end
was constructed before the Vance
street school In the southern sec
ton. This will give the west end q
new school ahead of the south end,
but beautiful as the new Lincoln
school on Steele street Is likely to
be, the Vance street school seems
to be destined TO contain some new
ideas not embodied in any Of the
other school buildings. Among these
is sun-porch kindergarten and
new wrinkles in interior arrange
ments. Yet both the new Lincoln
and the Roosevelt schools will be
hard to beat for general utility and
beauty.
America as a nation has every in
eentive 10 be proud Of its public
school system; and New Britain
most certainly, when its new schools
are all completed. will have reason
10 feel itself in a class with the
most advanced cities in this respect.
The costs have been heavy, and they
have given the city fathers who
wrestle with the budget, the tax in
come sheets and the financial situ-
alton generally much to think
about. But considered as an in
vestment, not only for the present,
but for several generations, the re-
suit in improved educational facili-
ties can not be regarded otherwise
than worth the outlay. The new
buildings are being constructed to
eliminate the overcrowding and
part-time conditions which have
marred the school plant, greatly to
the irritation of all citizens. II Is
the duty and obligation of the city
to furnish school facilities and this
is being done When the buildings
under construction and being still