Evening star., 1942-12-03
Schools Plan
Lodging for
|Serviicenen
BuIIou Tells Board
Gymnosiums to Be
Used on Week Ends

Plans to use school gymnasiums as
lodging places for servicemen from
Saturday night to noon Sunday are
being developed by school officials,
it was reported to the Board of Edu-
cation yesterday.
Supt. of Schools Frank w. Ballou
said he would submit to the board
later the result of conferences be-
tween him, the Health Department
and Recreation Services, Inc, for
lodging of the servicemen. One
gynasium, not as yet selected, will be
used at first for experimental pur-
poses but DIR. Ballou expects" the
program to be expanded.
In May, 1941, the Health Depart
ments division of school services re-
ported adversely on suggestions to
use the gymnaSiums. In October,
however, DR.. George H. Fuhland,
health officer, approved the plan.
In response to queries on sanitary
precautions from DR.. Ballou, DR..
Huhland has suggested the fol-
lowing:
/. Schools to be evacuated by noon
Sunday to allow time for cleaning
up and aeration of bedding.
Sets Limit on Space.
2. Allowance of II men for each
1000 feet of floor space.
3. Adequate sanitary facilities and
clean bedding.
A. Adequate police protection and
personnel to handle details of the
lodging and cleaning up.
Money to finance the plan. DR..
Ballou said, will come from the
Community War Fund administered
by Recreation Services, Inc. Ar
rangements will have to be made
for 24-hour service, he said, either
from school personnel being paid
personnel.
The plan opens up large prob
lems," commented DR.. Bailou. He
added that he did not see how school
officials could refuse cooperation
now that the plan has been sane
toned by the Public Health Depart
ment.
1T seems desirable to face this
matter realistically" DR. Ballou re-
ported he had written to DR.. Ruh-
land, land establish at the outset
those precautions for the benefit of
public school pupils as are appro-
pirate to provide them ample pro-
lection" He said he had accepted
the plan Professionally with RESPONSE
bility for maintenance of sanitary
standards resting with the Health
Department and Office of Civilian
Defense. The schools have no funds
to run. such a program themselves.
To Check on Fuel.
School property must be cared for
during the week ends as we'll as the
comfort of the soldiers, added Vice
President Robert A. Maurer, who
presided yesterday in the absence Of
the president of the board
At the same time DR.. Ballou told
the board that school officials are
considering clamping down on night
time civilian defense activities in
the schools if they cut too heavily
into fuel allotments. Asst. Supt.
the effect of rationing, he said.
Three school principals are leav-
ing the system for war jobs, DR..
Ballou said. John Paul Collins has
already left the Anacostia Junior
Senior High School and Hugh
Stewart Smith, the Jefferson Junior
High School for military service.
DR.. Robert w. Eaves has obtained
leave to act as field officer on child
care and day care services for the
Office of Education.
Wartime effects on curriculum,
DR.. Ballou announced to the board,
will include admittance of students
to the Wilson and Miners Teachers
Colleges in February; addition Of
pre-induction training such as auto
mobile mechanics, radio and elec-
tricity and code sending in high
schools and addition of combat
training courses" to the cadet cur
riculum. All of the changes were
approved by the board.
Act to Check Teacher Shortage.
February graduates of high
schools must be admitted to teach
ers' colleges to get as much teaching
as possible before further teacher
shortage occurs, DR.. Ballou said.
The combat training added to the
cadet course in September and al
ready being taught includes COM
bat" fundamentals of scouting,
marching, anti-aircraft defense and
communication.
The approximately 1000 school
boys of 18 and over who have not
yet been registered for selective
service here will register December
IA and Decembr 81, it was an
nounced. Schools will not be closed
during these registration days.
The board decided to ask for a
deficiency appropriation of $34,450
because of the higher schedules of
wages for per diem mechanics and
laborers. More than $4,000 will
have to be added to the 1914 esti-
mates for the same purpose.
Mrs. Philip Sydney Smith ex-
planned to the board that the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra will cut
down its concerts in the secondary
schools to six this year. but will
hold three general student concerts
in Constitution Hall instead of one.
In addition, soloists from the Or
chestra will give concerts in each
division of the elementary schools.
The Children's Art Center received
permission from the board to organ
lze an art contest in the schools "to
encourage interest in developing
better relations with other American
co1tpfrioc