Evening star., 1939-09-18
ID. T.. School Bells
Summon Thousands
Back 10 Studies
Beginners and Seniors
Alike End Summer
Vacation Period
Pictures on Page BIZ

With clockwork precision the Dis
trict's public school system swung
into action today as thousands of
children wound up their summer
vacation under sunny September
skies.
Out at Central, a typical high
school, returning students were con-
fronted with blackboards and bulle-
tin boards telling them where to re-
port, so that while the corridors
hummed with vacation post mortems
before 9 am, the final bell quickly
emptied them into the adjoining
rooms for assignments.
The faculty came in for a share
Of comment, favorable and un-
favorable.
II don't like that guy" complained
one. HE looks right through you" :"
Information desks were set up in
the hall outside the Office and sew
eral seniors wandered about offering
help to any who appeared not quite
sure what to do. The Office counters
were lined with eager questioners
and there was standing room only in
the small anteroom outside the
principals Office.
Dog Fails to Enroll.
The one who really stole the show,
however, was an unidentified Irish
terrier who tried about six times to
enroll. The dog was elected from
one entrance and then another, but
always reappeared and peered into
classrooms until he finally trans
ferred his interests to the activity
of a street cleaner out front.
Tears were shed at some elemen-
tary schools as much because the
youngsters could not enroll as from
fright at the first experience.
At the Thomson School mother
led a wet-eyed youngster out the
door with the explanation, you're
too young" But he still waved an
diversified cap pistol in vigorous pro-
test.
You'll be all right, sonny" said
another mother. THE only thing
you'll have to watch is your con-
duct"
Whats conduct, mommy?' came
back Sonny in tolerable Baby
Snooks fashion.
Your behavior" said mommy
shortly.
There was no lack of hustle at the
Franklin Administration Building
either, although most of the en-
ployes will tell you that the week
before opening is worse than the
opening day.
The two telephone operators, how
ever, had to work at top speed to
take care of the flood of calls to all
parts of the building as parents
wanted to know what schools to send
their children.
A typical call came in to Supt.
Frank w. Ballou's Office.
where do you live?" asked the
clerk. Il know, but where in North
east. The 140O block of what street
though? Oh, we'll, he would 60 to
the Hine Junior High at Seventh and
c streets Sc"
Statistics Being Prepared.
In the statistical Office prepara-
tions were going ahead to prepare
the first-day enrolment figures
phoned in from the various school
buildings. With no rain or other
unfavorable weather conditions ham
pering the registration, more than
10000 ought to be signed up by the
end of the day if last years first-day
figures are any criterion.
An unfortunate note in the open
ing day history, however, was the
need to set up a double shift OF
classes at the Garnet-Patterson
Junior High School for colored
pupils. It had been thought the
new Banneker Junior High at Eighth
and Euclid streets NV. would be
ready for the beginning of the new
year, but delay in getting in the
equipment on hand forced a tempo
rary double schedule.
When this was announced at the
opening meeting of the Board OF
Education last week Col. West A.
Hamilton, colored member,
criticized the failure to have the
building ready.
Principal John Paul Collins at
Anacostia Junior Senior High has
also been forced by heavy enroll
ments to continue staggered shift
whereby the higher grades come in
half hour early and the lower
grades at 1890 am. Land has beer
purchased for a new junior high
nearby to relieve the congestion
| (See SCHOOLS, Page A-10D