Archival article — originally published in The Paper, April 1971. By Author not credited.
Archival date note: only the issue month or season is established. The first-of-month date used for chronological indexing is not a verified publication day.
In the past, the area's public school, Hamilton Elementary School, has been the subject of much concern, some despair and only recently a few rays of hope. A citizen's group is negotiating with the school board to alleviate the most severe problem of the school — overcrowding. For two years five buses have transported the entire fifth and sixth grades and one room of fourth graders to Mitchell School on 955 Arcade Ave. The fourth grade goes to Hamilton Branch I. It's possible for a family with four children to have them in four different schools.
The situation has improved, however. Part of the area east end of the district is bused in its entirety to Wheatley School. Several blocks have been given to the Cook School district.
“We have breathing space this year,” Principal Edgar Burnett reports, “Our average class size at the main school this year is only 32 — a size we consider manageable.”
Other problems the school faces is a high turnover rate (over 25 per cent) due to the large number of transient apartment dwellers. Mr. Burnett reports that, according to a recent survey, the influx of pupils is not due to movement from the projects, as many believe. The majority of the pupils are moving within the boundaries of the Northwest Soldan district in the west end. On the other hand, he also reports that many families are moving to the county.
In the past Hamilton has gone through a period of rapid change which created unstable learning situations. In addition to the high turnover of pupils, there was a high turnover of principals (four in five years) and staff. Hardly a situation to encourage maximum learning.
Now, the school seems to be catching its breath and with the help of a large number of local institutions is creating a viable atmosphere for learning. A new black studies curriculum is being developed at the school with a grant from the American Historical Society and personnel from Washington University. A math teacher works with teachers on a regular basis to improve that sometimes neglected portion of the curriculum. Interns from two different colleges are in the school supplementing the work of the regular teachers while learning to teach. The once dormant PTA and the mothers club are stirring to action as witnessed by the The Clothes Closet and other projects. A community school has begun for adults in the evening.
However, one of the most encouraging developments is, as a teacher at the school describes it — “the creation of an atmosphere among the staff of working together and a principal who keeps his cool.” And, we might add, a principal who has demonstrated his willingness to work with the community. These are the first ingredients necessary to quality education. The next is: more support and interest from the community.
The fate of the Skinker-DeBaliviere area is tied inevitably to the quality of education within the community since it is one of the prime considerations of new families moving in. As the schools go, so will the community.
Read the original newspaper issue: Archive reader · Direct PDF fallback. Originally published in The Paper, April 1971, pages 2.
