Evening star., 1944-09-03
Z STATE ED|T|0N
Arlington Posfpones
Opening Of Schools
Because Of Polio

With Fairfax County and Alexan-
dria schools still scheduled to open
Tuesday and Wednesday, respec-
lively, Arlington County is the only
nearby district so far to postpone the
opening date as precautionary
measure against the spread of polio
Arlington schools will opeK Sep
tember IL, along with those in
Prince Georges and Montgomery
originally scheduled. The an
. nouncement came yesterday follow
ing a meeting of County School
Board and Health Department Off
cials.
School officials said the postpone
ment would give children return
ing from more heavily polio-infected
areas an opportunity to remain at
home for a few days as an addi-
tional precaution. DR.. Ralph G.
Beachley, county health officer, re-
ported there have been II cases of
tnfantile paralysis in Arlington, all
of which were hospitalized in Wash
= ington, but said he felt there was
no cause for alarm in the country |
Parents Asked Delay.
The action followed submission of
a petition signed by 124 parents in
the county requesting that the open
ing of schools be postponed until
the present alarming polio outbreak
has subsidized" which was delivered
to the County Board Friday. County
agencies also were bombarded with
many individual requests to post
pone the opening.
Other counties reported that while
inquiries from parents were being
received on the matter, they had
not yet been advised by their local
health officials that a delay in OPEN
4 ing schools was warranted.
A total enrolment increase in
Alexandria, Fairfax, Montgomery
and Prince Georges schools of ap-
proximately 1,450 students is ex-
pected this year by school officials.
unable even to estimate the probable
increase. Last year, enrolment
jumped 1875 students over the year
before; from 1O,325 in June, 1943,
: to 1l,700 in June, 1914
1t was pointed out also that the
housing development at Fairling-
ton was now fully occupied, which
it was not at the end of the last
school year. One new school has
been added to the county system,
the Dolly Madison Junior High
School, which will take care of from
600 to $50 students.
In Alexandria Supt. of Schools T. |
c. Williams said he anticipates an
enrolment of approximately 1000
students, an increase of $50 over
last year. New pupils who did not
register on Friday may do so at
their respective schools Tuesday. |
and all pupils will report for classes
at $50 am. Wednesday. Principals
will meet with Mr.. Williams at $50 |
am. tomorrow at the high school, |
and teachers will meet their prin-
cipals at pm. Tuesday.
Fairfax Has IA Vacancies.
Supt. w. T. Woodson of Fairfax
County schools said IA teacher va
cancies remain in the county, with |
schools opening Tuesday.
Mr.. Woodson has issued an ap-
peal to residents of the county who
are former teachers to offer their
services in the emergency. The
vacancies exist at Annandale,
Baileys Cross Roads, Centerville,
Burke, Chesterbrook, Franconia, |!
Franklin, Sherman, Lincolnia, Oak
ton and Jefferson High School.
School bus drivers and mainte-
nance workers also are needed and
the school board will consider ap-
plications for bus drivers from both
men and women. Persons inter-
ested may contact w. T. Carrico,
supervisor of school transportation
and maintenance.
Last years enrolment of 9.423 |
is expected to jump between 200
and 300 this year. Principals meet
lngs were held last week and teach
ers are expected to convene at their .
respective schools tomorrow.
Teachers Meet Wednesday.
In Montgomery County white
public school teachers will hold
their annual preschool conference
at Richard Montgomery High |
School, Rockville, at $50 am.
Wednesday. On the same day COL
ored teachers will meet at Lincoln
sColored High School in Rockville.
Both white and colored teachers
will spend Thursday and Friday in
thelr classrooms preparing for
school opening on the following
Monday.
Enrolment in Montgomery Coun-
ty was approximately $1,000 at the
end of school last year. DR.. Edwin
w, Broome, superintendent of
schools, said 400 to 500 more STU
uents are expected this year.
9 Prince Georges teachers will meet
also at $50 am. Wednesday in the
Bladensburg High School, The fol-
lowing day, principals will meet
with their faculties at their re-
Spective schools, with registration
Scheduled for Friday. An increased
enrolment of approximately 500
students is expected over the nearly
10000 figure of last year.
Both Maryland counties reported
very few teacher vacancies.
COP Club Plans Tea