Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-26
PROTEST TRANSFER
OF KINDERGARTEN
TEACHERS IN CITY
Central Labor Union and
PIT. A. Organizations
Oppose Move.
TRAINING HELD NEEDED
FOR ELEMENTARY GRADE
Parents Groups Fight Proposal to
Delay Construction of
Assembly Halls.

The executive committee of the
Washington Central Labor Union,
through its secretary, Frank Colman, is
sued a statement today protesting
against provisions of the District APP
preparation bill under which teachers in
the kindergarten group would be trans
ferred to the grades.
Colman announced that the Central
Labor Union would undertake to urge
the House District committee not TO
cripple the kindergarten work in the
schools.
At the same time, representatives of
four parent-teacher organizations made
public statement of their views on
certain provisions of the bill. Strong
opposition was expressed to the provi-
sion relating to kindergarten work.
PIT. A. Opposes Transfer.
"y understand" the parent-teacher
organization statement said, that it is
proposed to transfer before next year
78 teachers from the kindergarten group
to the grades, the remaining teachers to
teach both morning and afternoon ses-
sions wherever possible. We believe that
this sudden transfer of SO large group
of teachers is a very unwise STEP"
Colman said that the Central Labor
Union viewed the problem as embody-
ing two grave dangers. mot only is the
proper conduct of the kindergarten de-
partment seriously menaced," he said,
but an even greater danger presents
itself in regard to the elementary
schools if the legislative provisions in
the pending bill become law"
He said the proposed plan would not
only require one kindergarten teacher
to take charge of two distinctly sepa-
rate schools which might be some dis
lance apart. but would also put in the
elementary schools teachers who have
had practically no training in the work
required of them.
The proposed transfer was attacked
by the parent-teacher organizations on
three grounds:
Cite Lack of Training.
That teachers selected for transfer
probably will have to be the younger
and more adaptable ones, thus deprlv-
ing the kindergartens OF that young
and virile group"
That kindergarten teachers are not
trained for elementary work and Will
have no opportunity to get that train
ing between now and September, ana
THAT such a wholesale transfer viii
mean that normal school graduates,
who have spent three years IN training
in chosen profession, VIII nave the
opportunity for appointments cut OH
absolutely, even from those with the
highest standing.
Speaking for the Labor Union, Col
man said: IF, in the name of economy,
Congress feels that the number OF chill
dren per teacher in the kindergartens
must be increased in spite OF the
physical care and close personal super
vision which is required of the teacher,
we feel Congress should inaugurate the
policies of economy by evolution anc
not by revolution"
Assembly halls for elementary schools
and the subject of purported extrav-
apance in school expenditures also were
discussed in the statement of the par
ent-teacher organizations. The state
ment said it was understood the House
committee is opposed to making APP
preparations for assembly halls until all
portable schools and parttime schools
have been eliminated.
Need for Hall Is Pointed Out.
1--WE do not feel that either of these
items is of sufficient Importance to jus
tify holding up the building OF assem-
bly, halls" the statement said. The
need of an assembly hall in a modern
school is great and affects every child
in the school.
"As taxpayers, we want school build
ing which are intellectually beautiful
and we'll equipped, and we are willing
to pay higher taxes, if necessary, for
them. We are tired of hearing the
criticisms heaped upon our schools.
1--WE feel so keenly the need OF better
equipment and Identification OF our
schools that parent-teacher associations
all over the city have paid out their
own funds for equipment for which the
Board of Education has not been al
lowed funds"
Expressing disfavor with the lack OF
confidence and sarcastic criticism" the
organizations said they believed the OF
ficials at the head of the school sys-
tenn were trained educators who are
irving to Keep the schools abreast OF
the best in the country"
The statement was signed by the 1ol-
lowing:
Mrs. Cyrus Whitney Culver, president,
Johnson P. T. A.; Mrs Paui WhlIe'
vice president, and Mrs. G. b. william
son. secretary: Mrs. Pearl Ct, Stuart,
vice president Powell Junior High
School p. T. A.: Mrs. c. D. Lowe, CORE
spending secretary, and Marie Muse,
treasurer: Ethel Cursor McQuary. pub
licity chairman, and Naomi 9. Roop,
chairman of the ways and means COM
mittee; H. C. Phillips, president, HUB
bard-Raymond Home and School Asso-
citation; Helen F. Martell, chairman
membership, Powell P. t. A; Neine h.
Fernald, treasurer, johnson P. t. A.;
Pearl E. Seal, president, Powell F, I. A;
Elsie M. Firmin, chairman social COM
mittee. johnson P. T. A; Mrs. A. Lee
Thompson, recording secretary, Powell
P. T. A; Mrs. Charles H. Shaffer. cnalr-
man student aid committee, Powell +.
t. A., and Mrs Horace L. Richardson
president, and Lottie r. Grubbs. secre-