Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
RIGID CLASSROOM
SEATS DISCARDED
New Type introduced for
First Four Grades to Be
Available This Year.

Revolutionary changes in the aspect
of the regulation elementary school
classroom are being wrought in an ex-
tensive program of furniture moving
and replacement now under way at q
feverish pace in the District of Column
bia public school system. e..
The traditional rows of iron-sup-
ported desks and chairs. securely fas-
tened to the floor, are being replaced
by movable wood chairs and tables of
hygienic design In the first, second,
third and fourth grades.
The first shipment OF this ears ST.
lotment of the new-type furniture
reached Washington last week and
other shipments will continue until the
total Of 1884 chairs, 3l42 tables and
5,258 movable desks has been dell--
cred. All these will be in place in the
various classrooms scheduled to be
modernized this year, by the opening
of school, September %.
A few of the new-type desks and
tables were installed last year, and
school officials said yesterday that the
modernization program will continue
for three years after the current sea-
sons requirements before all the first,
second. third and fourth grades are
equipped with the new furniture.
Desk Refinishing Work.
Meanwhile another program of desk
ref1nishing Is being pushed forward
with success and considerable saving to
the District government. The Cld-type
desks are being ref1niShed for installa-
ton in the higher grades which are to
retain that type of classroom furniture,
and, since the 1929 appropriation be-
came available. 1926 desk tops have
nI,oi
and 923 pairs Of desk irons have been
refinished. This work was completed
at cost of $2,034.26. while the present
market value of the equipment thus
put back into service after having been
used between IS and 35 years is
Ss662.
Not only is the saving effected by
the ref1nishing OF the old desks mate
rial in itself, when compared with
present market prices. but. school Off
Gals point out. an even better grade of
equipment Is provided than could pos
sibly be purchased at any price today.
Most Of the old desk tops are of cherry
wood and the price of this material,
could 1t be purchased in sufficient
quantity today, would be prohibitive.
The new type classroom furniture
now being installed in the lower grades
Is designed for two-fold purpose. 1t
nAlOtdc dAN w VIC JOullSCI
attaining a correct posture when seated
and 1t permits improved classroom
grouping Of pupils according to indi-
vidual needs.
The chairs, constructed entirely Of
wood, have saddle seats" so carved
as to conform with the contours of the
body. The chair backs are formed of
three cross pieces which are nodded to
be entirely comfortable to the child.
The center of these Stats carries a
double reverse curve so that the lum-
ar regions are adequately supported.
n these chairs. the child finds l. far
more comfortable to sit correctly than
ITO SLOUGH as perhaps he was prone to
do In the old-fashioned s!at-back chair.
Fixed Rows Abolished.
These chairs are of the common four
legged design and are entirely movable.
Similarly, the tables and desks of rev
type are all wood and movable. Thus,
in place of the old fixed rows of desks
and chairs, the modern classroom is a
chamber in which the pupils may be
grouped according to their respective
individual needs Five or six children.
Tor instance, may need additional
coaching in the various illustrate
ing projects undertaken now in ele-
mentary schools, while another group