feature story / 15 This letter from the principal appeared in "Columbia High Lights" in September 1937. more students to have leadership roles. But declining enrollment saw an end of the House system. Enrollment in the 1980s was low, so the district moved the 9th grade to CHS, bringing numbers up to 1,400. The Midtown Direct train line and our proximity to New York City have caused enrollment to swell again since the 1990s, and CHS is now nearing capacity. The need for space is critical. This is noticeable both in the class- room and outside, where a lack of parking spaces can be frustrating. The parking lot on the front of the school was a modern sacrifice, carved out of the elegant campus Brinley & Holbrook cre- ated in 1927 when the D wing was built in 1971. But during construction, the district couldn’t bring itself to remove the stately flagpole, despite popular outcry. Judy Cohen, class of ‘71 and CHS teacher/ counselor for 44 years, has had a lot of experience with the flagpole. “I’ve bumped into that flagpole so many times....Wouldn’t it look more majestic in front of the main doors?” she asks. And if you also ponder the placement of that flag- pole, instead of cursing it, consider the many things here that have changed – and the flagpole that hasn’t. Food for thought, even as you execute yet another K-turn to avoid running into it. The CHS Archives and Carol Petrallia were instrumental in writing this story. Susan Newberry, Walt Santner, George Goetz, Steve Weintraub and Judy Co- hen were all extremely generous with their time and knowledge. Local history enthusiasts are urged to support the CHS Archives with cash, volunteer time, or both. Columbia High School had an elegant campus created by Brinley & Holbrook before the D wing was built and the front parking lot was constructed. Yet the flagpole still stands. MAGGIE AXELROD-CALISTER South Orange Country Day School Montessori Education Since 1964 Preschool · Pre-R Rindergarten Full and Half Day Sessions Extended Day Hours Available School Year and Summer Camp Session · Largest Outdoor Play Space CALL US TO SET UP A TOUR! 973.762.6451 Visit seeds.com · Email learn@socds.com 461 Vose Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079