Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-09
Powell Junior for Juniors

To the Editor of The Star.
I would like to add my comments to the
Powell Junior High School-Bell Vocational
School problem. if may.
public meeting was held on the question
of finding school for Bell students Tues
day, July 81. According to your paper, the
newest plan for sending children to Central
High School upon completion of six elemen-
tary grades was considered.
Such plan as this is a definite step back
ward for the Board of Education. For years
I have discussed the junior high situation with
teachers, as I strongly believe the children
are not ready physically or emotionay to
adapt themselves to the more strenuous Junior
high levels at 11-13 years. The answer always
has been that the junior high is "transi-
ton period" for children and reades them
for senior high, and that it has worked out
very we'll
After hearing about this TRANSITION stage"
for so many years, it was with great deal of
surprise that 1 read in The Star July 29)
that the Board of Education had approved the
"6-6" plan: Six years of elementary school
and six years of Central High School. In The
Star for July 30, read that this plan had
passed the Board of Education and had been
sent to the Commissioners for their approval
1t was stated that the action is for the good
of the children. Whose children?
The citizens of Mount Pleasant land have
been resident for over 10 years. have never
objected to Bell Vocational School having a
building that is adequate for their needs, with
all the equipment they desire. We appreci-
ate their point that a new building is a
must" for them. In fact we would urge Bell
School parents to fight for a school that is
fit for their children to attend-just We
will fight to retain Junior high school for
our area!
Says Action Was Too Hasty.
The point would like to make is this: That
the entire transaction has been completed in
very hasty manner, during the summer va
cation, when various PTAs, civic groups
ct cetera are not at their working levels. The
parents of the present Powell Jr. High chill
dren, as we'll as those whose children have
just graduated from the sixth grade have not
been given opportunity to present their views
to the Board of Education. feel that we
have as much right to hearing as the bust
nessmen of Columbia Heights or union Off
cials who spoke at the July 20 meeting at the
Franklin School, These merchants undoubt
edly would garner much more business from
pupils of the proposed night school from 900
to 1000 studentsy than they would ever get
from Powell students
When We were told at the June meeting
that the situation needed great deal OF
study, few parents realized that the entire
matter would be dealt with by the end OF the
succeeding month My recollection is that we
were told that the Board of Education would
not act until September and no change was in
sight until February, 1949 at the earliest. As
matter of fact, students at Powell Jr. High were
told the closing day of school that they were TO
report back to Powell Junior High on Sep
TENDER -.
According TO the recommendation now In
the hands of the Commissioners, the change
of sixth grace graduates, also the Powell stu
dents, to Central High School is effective Sep
TENDER Is.
feel that in matter which affects our
children so drastically, the parents should be
given the right to express their opinion. The
arbitrary handling of this affair by the Board
of Education without consideration OF our
side of the question is. think, deplorable.
Taking away junior high unit from fan
area b knded on the north by Spring I'D.
south ~ the White House. west along ack