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Title
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[Petitions (Colored schools) 1931 - Willisville - Recommendations to improve school]
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Description
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This petition, dated February 5, 1931, from the patrons of Willisville Colored School, Virginia, was submitted to the Loudoun County School Board and Division Superintendent O.L. Emerick to address severe overcrowding and inadequate facilities at the school. While the petitioners express gratitude for previous improvements—such as additional seating—they emphasize that conditions remain unsanitary, cramped, and detrimental to student learning.
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Tag
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Superintendent O. L. Emerick; Willisville School; overcrowding; inadequate facilities; unsanitary; concern about health issues; cramped; detrimental to student learning
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Date
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1931-02-05
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Identifier
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1015270
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Is Part Of
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Black Petitions
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Source
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Petition is labeled "2.5.A Petitions C Willisville 2/5/1931 Recommendations to improve school" in the 2.5.A Black Petitions box in the Loudoun County Public Schools Record Office
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Replaces
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/Volumes/T7 Shield/EWP/Elements/EWP_Files/source/Ingest One/2 Petitions Plans School Board and Districts/2-5A_Colored_Petitions/Old_FIle_Petitions_Colored_Schools/PetitionWillisville_1930to1931/EWP_Willisville_Petition_1931.pdf
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Transcription
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Willisville Va
Feb. 5. 1931
To–
The Loudoun Co, School Board.
Mr. O.L. Emerick,
Division Supt.
We the patrons of the Willisville School take this opportunity of thanking the Board in answering our petition; straightening up our building and securing more seats thereby relieving our children of a little of their uncomfortableness, But we are not satisfied; We are still desirous of somethings; This has been brought to bear upon us by the steady increase, overcrowded conditions. We realize that some re-adjustment is necessary and it must be made if Any benefits Are to be derived for our children.
1 The crowd conditions of the school room make it unsatisfactory, unhygienic. Think of each individual child breathing the breath of all the others regardless of whatever disease germ. This condition permits the spread of contagious diseases which is already claiming too many of our people daily.
2 The crowded conditions make for disorder. Think of 3 and 4 pupils crowded on each seat cramped, boring together, each other for elbow room; proper spacing always make for better order.
3 There is also a loss of interest on the part of the child for study, the teacher crowded for time, not being able to give the child the necessary information to interest him for real study as a child should. We are willing and do send our children to school; We Want them to study; to learn, to grow to be useful Men and Women, good citizens but we know that the best result cannot be obtained in the unsanitary, unhygience [sic] atmosphere of a close and crowded school room.
Therefore, we as patrons, are asking the board, that Mrs Gaskins, our faithful teacher, be released of a part of the heavy burden she has carried for years with an increase this year; an enrollment of 76 pupils, average daily attendance 70 or more.
4. That the Board will for the coming term 1931-1932 build us a larger school or an additional room to the old building and supply us with a new teacher for the same making our school a two room school; one that is much needed one that will be greatly appreciated, by patrons, teachers, and children.
We are willing to do our part, to do our best, and we are asking the school board, if it will give this matter (most vital to us)
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it’s best consideration, relieve the situation and give our children an equal chance to learn in the best possible environment.
We shall be pleased to have an early reply that we may get lined up with our share.
Respectfully submitted
Willisville patrons
Pauline Trambull
Nellie Young - Howard Hampton
Mary Tracy - John Colbert
Amanda Basil - John Thomas
Bertha Moore - Lucius Gaskins
Bishop Howard - Matthew Reid
Mary Grigsby - Annie B Thomas
Richard H. Gaskins - Charlie Briggs
Mary E. Gaskins
Zetta H. Shorts
Jane Z Johnson
M J Smith
Mary G Waters