Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-29


morroC.
The fifth division of Washington's
public school system presents its share
OF the Capitals strong school contrasts
with two ultra-modern school houses
glowing against background of some
10 old structures and more recent
buildings. The Ia building units in this
division are headed by the new Lang
don School, opened only a week ago.
and the slightly older Burroughs School,
each making modern provision for the
children assigned TO it.
However, congestion is found in this
division also with 81 of the LAG regular
classes exceeding the 35 agreed upon by
educators as the ideal maximum. This
total does not include the "platooned'
grades at the Park View School. The
crowded conditions are testified to also.
by nine portableS, only two of which
serve their intended purpose of provid-
ing for school population in developing
or outlying communities. These latter
"justifiable" portables are those in
Dahlgren Terrace. The II building
units in this division, which embraces
generally the communities of the broad
Upper Northeast section of the city, are
possessed OF five auditoriumS. These
are found at the Thomson, Park View,
woodbridge, Burroughs and the Langdon
Schools.
Relief Due in Two Weeks.
Despite the congestion from which
this section now is suffering, and which
1t has borne with more or less patience
for some time, relief is believed less
than two weeks OF. The new Langdon
School, which replaces the old frame
structure adjoining it, will, admins
traitors think, eliminate all part-timc
classes In the sections lying between
the two main branches Of the Balti-
more 81 Ohio Railroad tracks and in
Guiding the Brookland and Langdon-
woodbridge communities.
But since all relief is in the future.
even II only one week of, glance at
conditions as they actually are at pres
ent Will convince one of the merits Of
that relief. Following is a description
Of the buildings as one Star reporter
saw them during the past two weeks:
Thomson.
Thomson School, Twelfth and L
streets-Eighteen rooms, three stories;
Is classes, three class rooms fitted and
occupied as officeS; total enrolment,
542; total SittingS, GIG. This Is q
demonstration" school, to which teach
erS Of all white schools are sent as
needed to witness expert teaching prac-
tice. Eleven classes over the Ideal" IS
enrollment-1A Of SO, two 2AB'S Of A
and ~, two 3AB's of AZ and So. two
4AB'S of 40 and 80, two 5ABS of SO
and 80, CAB of 81. Only three Of these
exceed the maximum of 40, which
school administrators here have been
obliged to establish as the top figure.
Class rooms used as Offices are assigned
to research department and the depart
ment of visual instruction. Toilet rooms
are fairly well lighted, but contain old
type fixtures; the entry hall to at least
one Is dark and seems menace TO per-
sons unfamiliar with hall turns. There
is a cafeteria and q teachers room.
Auditorium, seating $50, is not in accord
with modern design, and entries are
awkwardly placed. Playground Is well
equipped and used after school hours
by children of neighborhood, under
District Of Columbia Playground De-
partment.
Henry.
Henry School, Seventh and P streets.
Three stories, IL rooms; IL e'asseS:
total enrolment, 378: total sittings,
49, Three oversize classes-a 3AB.
2AB and q / ABB, of 40 each. A first
X
has 90; all others between 30 and 80.
A vacant class room is used for sewing
classes. There is principals office, a
dental clinic under the Health Depart
ment for children of that section OF
the city, store room. teachers lunch
room and q coaching room, all corre-
spending In size and fairly adequate.
Building Is possessed Of four novel
stairway, balconies used for exhibition
- - VaA Ill
cution. Play room and toilet rooms
OF vault" type; toilet equipment old
fashioned. There Is a tremendous attic,
unuSued; uses limited. probably, to
storage Playground needs surfacing
and grading; reporter found puddles
and streams CT water approximating
running brooks.
Polk School. Seventh and P streets
Two stories, eight rooms. This building
Is in process of being turned over to
sight conservation corps and classes. At
present a special class of IL boys, the
Abbot vocational Schools electrical
shop and a carpenter shop center for
schools Of the vicinity are CHARTERED
here. One room is fitted as drawing
class center. All others vacant. Toilet
and play room Of old vault type; equip
Gage.
Gage School, Second and u streets
Two stories In two joined units, IL
rooms, IL classes; total enrolment, 315;
total sittings, 534. No oversize classes:
largest, q 3AB, has 81; smallest, a SAB,
has %. All rooms fitted with 48 sit
tings. Building has a coaching room, q
teachers rest room, two vault" type
play rooms and old-fashioned toilet
rooms and equipment. Playground Is
large. Principal uses desk in corridor
in lieu Of once.
BrOOkIand.
Brookland School, Tenth and Mon
roe streets northeast-Two stories, IL
rooms, two portables: total enrolment,
53l; total sittingS, 588. Seven oversize
classes-two CABS of 81 each, two
5AB's Of - and 80, two labs of 50
each and Ia of 80. Building has
pupils lunch room equipped by Parent
Teacher Association to provide hot
meals, good principals office, teachers
rest room. Play rooms, one of which is
the cafeteria and the other a storeroom,
have poor daylight; toilets of old type.
Portables, housing one CAB and one
Sab grade, lack boardwalk from main
building and pupils walk through deep
puddles of water and mud to enter
them. One is lighted: the other, with
out wiring, was so dark the day The
Star reporter visited it the class had
limited its text book and blackboard
work. Playground in adequate.
Dahlgren Terrace Portable.