Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1956-06-21
By Dorothy b. Waleski
Staff Reporter

CountyS integrated schools in the
first year, we have shown that
the people involved say that in
tegration has been successful,
that the children's acceptance OF
each other has been almost UNI
versal, and that scholastic stand
ards have not been lowered.
We have seen that at the -four
schools where Negro teachers
were assigned, principals, par
ents and teachers alike are PROUD
of the fact that the years expe
rience has been a good one.
We have compared two school,
with many differences in back
ground, preparation and commu
nifty attitudes and found that il
both cases, as far as actual schoo
situations are concerned, inte
grafton has brought no new O,
special problems.
Superintendent Forbes Norrir
speaking for the school admin
tration, reports that he feels goo
about this year of indignation
that he was banking on the kid
to make it work, that they die
and that the good reports the
have brought home to the parent
will make the next step easier.
Parents Must Help
"What it boils down to-" say
the Montgomery County Schoc
superintendent, us accepting N
groes as individuals and not as
racial group. On the other sid
it is necessary that Negro parent
accept their responsibility to max
indignation work"
DR.. Norris feels that the To-
number of Negroes involved hi
helped the county school syste'
take indignation in stride and als
that the method of gradual q
similation will help the Negroe
retain their individuality.
However another point of vie
expressed often in interview
throughout the county is that !,
tegration itself, aside from t
number of Negroes involved, w
teach the lesson that these peor
are individuals and human beinr
In fact to some it seems tn
the only way to learn such a le
son Is to live in an integral
situation and experience the fa
that Negroes are individuals :
contact with them; that wore
written or spoken, do not he
without the experience.
There is definite evidence tn
this years experience has co
tributed to next years desegreP
ton step. One criticism made
this years procedure is that n
gro children were allowed
transfer to former white schoc
without careful consideration
their needs.
Some Children Disturbed
In some cases the children VIC
emotionally disturbed or COZ
not receive suitable progra
for their needs at the new schc'
This resulted in some Of the
being transferred back to all.r7
gro schools. The next steps cav
full screening program was> 9
up to prevent repeating these n
takes.
Recommendations from peo~
with experience have also b"~
taken into account by the Count
Council of PTAs which in a
cent report from its intergrc'
relations advisor, Lee Nichols,
vised local PTAs that co.
Should do what is comforta-
for that particular PTA and t.
members"
This recognition of each CO.
munity's feelings was stressed
many of the principals who r
the same time warned against :
fluence solely by pressure grow
with extreme view points,
1t was also pointed out by So
of the school faculties that CO.
munities having previous exnN"
ence with different races and -
tionalities, and also communit''
that had had good experienc~
with Negroes were able to in+
CRATE. faster than communit'r
that lacked such experience.
Don't Exaggerate Problems
Another warning made by t.
down.county PTAs was again
"overpreparation' and exagger'
ton of problems ahead of tin
that never arise once integratio
has been accomplished.
One such example is the healt'
problem raised last year by som
parents. One school held a meet