Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-30
SPACE IS NEEDED
IN SIXTH DIVISION
Partly Modernized Schools
Lack Proper Facilities for
Elementary Grades.

describing the physical aspects Of Wash-
tAgten's public schools. A. In the pre-
vtouS articles, there Is no attempt here
to portray the school SYSTEMS faults in
an s1assevated lteht. The tWo reporters
Uho ptstted each school building are
merely presenting the conditions as they
saU them.
The sfrth article dealing nth another
school system diUfstoH WiH appear to-
moron.
Old school buildings, partly modern
lied, but usually lacking in adequate
space and proper facilities for many OF
the activities that are considered essen
tial for pupils Of the elementary grades
in any modern educational system, are
the general rule throughout the sixth
division of Washington public schools.
The exceptions are few, and there is
no wholly up-to-date building-in con-
struetion and equipment-to compare
with several Of the school buildings re-
Gently opened, or about to be opened, in
certain other divisions.
The Wheatley School is the nearest
approach to a strictly modern structure,
but 1t Is Of piecemeal construction
with an older portion that has been
renovated and two more recently
constructed portions. The Kings
man School Is a comparatively new
hunding, but its design does not come
kp 10 the last word" in school struc-
cures.
Buildings Are Too Small.
Both Of these buildings are already
too small to accommodate property all
Of the children who attend them.
The sixth division embraces the
white elementary schools in those parts
Of the downtown Northwest and the
Northeast sections lying east Of the
White House, south of New York ave-
nue. and southeast of the Pennsylvania
Railroad tracks, including that part Of
the Northeast on the eastern side Of
the Anacostia River. There are 40
school buildings in the division.
Many buildings and classes are
crowded. There are approximately 90
whole number in the division above the
kindergartens, that have more than IS
pupils each-the desirable maximum for
an elementary class in q modern school
OF these classes 10 were found by a
Star reporter to have more than 20
pupils each-the practical maximum
within which the local schol authorities
are trying to keep every class.
There are II part-time classes in the
SCHOOL, a
Edmonds School, 8; Maury School, {;
Pierce School, 2; Webb school, 2, and
Wheatley School, T.
There are three portable wooden
buildings OF one room each IN use In the
division.
In the entire division there is only
one assembly hall. It is in the addition
to the Wheatley School.
In many Of the buildings the furni-
ture Is old. In some class rooms there
are not enough chairs and desks Of the
proper size for the pupils. Chairs for
special work are generally lacking.
Teachers chairs and desks are usually
old and many are broken. There u
widespread need Of more adeuuate play
rooms, modern toilets and heating syS-
TENS, assembly halls, rest rooms, teach
erS' rooms, coaching rooms, ONCE and
storage space, additional wash basins,
better outdoor Fairgrounds and i'm
provement of the inside and outside ap-
pearance Of buildings.
Conditions Are Summarized.
Conditions In the individual school
buildings, as found during q survey
conducted In the last three weeks, are
as follows:
Ludlow School, Sixth and q streets
northeast.-Eisht class rooms; total en-
rollment, 800; total Sittings, $50; five
classes have more than IS pupils each,
one kindergarten, so pupils; no part
time classes, no portables; lighting sat
isfactory, steam heat satisfactory: old
type toilet. separate toilet for kinder
rooms; outside playground needs resur-
facing; lawn needs improvement.
Taylor School, Seventh street be-
tween r and G streets northeast.-Eight
class rooms, six being used for regular
classes and two for domestic art and
science instruction; total enrolment,
173: sittings in regular class rooms, 222;
only class above IS pupils is sixth grade
with So; no part-time classes, no port
ables; daylight poor as building IL close
to dwellings on two sides, necessitating
frequent use Of electric lights; steam
heat satisfactory; old-type toilets; one
large and one small basement play
room; outside playground very meager,
closed street used; teachers room small;
building is quite old. but in fairly sat
tsfactory condition: purchase Of adjoin-
ing property for playground is main
need.
Coaching Rooms Needed.
Gales School, First and @ streets
northwest-Twelve class rooms; no
part-tirne classes, no portables; total en-
rollment, $50; total sittings, Asa; nve
classes have more than IS pupils each;
no assembly hall in this building, nor in
Seator or Blake Schools. with which it
is grouped, totaling more than 1000
pupils, under one administrative prin-
cipal: one manual training room for the
group Gales School needs coaching
room: lighting satisfactory, although
electric lights are frequently needed In
ftaaf al 10 .
side wall; steam heat satisfactory; old
style toilets; two basement play rooms:
limited playground, concerted and
fenced, In angle between Massachusetts,
avenue and G street; heavy trafic on
both sides makes use of streets impos-
sible and play space is insufficient for
so many children.
Seaton School, I street between Sec
ond and Third streets northwest
Twelve class rooms, no part-time
classes, no portables; total enrolment
more than IS pupils each, one Of them
q sixth grade. having AZ; coaching
rooms needed; has one domestic science
room used by girls of this and other
two schools in group: lighting satisfac-
tory; steam heat satisfactory; old-type
toilets in separate outside brick building
connected with main building by COW
cred passage; modern flush tanks
needed; two play rooms in basement
playground fairly satisfactory: halls Of
building very narrow and artificial light
needed continuously in halls and base
ment rooms.
Blake School, North Capitol street
between K and L streetS.-Eight claS'
rooms; total enrolment, 2l6; total sit
tings, 312; two classes have more thar
50 pupils each, one, q first grade, hav'
ing Il; no part-time classes; lighting
satisfactory: hot-air plant gives uneven
heat. SCOT and coal gas abundant; old.
style toilets: two dark and dirty base
nnent play rooms: small outside play
ground; no portables; chief need is new
heating plant and better play facilities