The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-04

No educational work in the state has created wider interest than that of the School Improvement associations No time was loss after the organization of the Birmingham association the latter part of last February, before rractical work in each school district in the ely was be- gun. The following report speaks for itself as to what significance this work has had during the past few months, and gives promise of greater things in the fu- ture:
 The central association has 200 active members. and besides being a center of interest for all the branch associations, this division Is immediately concerned with Improvements in the High school. The following is a summary of the work accomplished by the several committees:
 l. Luncheon committee-On March P, 1906, the first lunch was served in the dining-room of the Birmingham High school. The committee appointed by the central association undertook this work without having any conception Of it's magnitude, and have step by step brought 1t up to the present standard.
 The first step was to procure lady to superntend the work who would be d fit companion for the pupils directly under her charge. The board of educa- ton, through the superintendent of schools, Dr. J. H. Phillips, had counters placed in the dinlng-room, and the Br- mingham Railway. Light and Power com pany gave us d gas stove. The associa- tion assured us of their financial sup port until we should become self-sustdin- ing. The merchants sold us plates and numbers at reduced prices, and with this equipment n first days lunch was served. Tho IS with their usual en- thusiasm rus q in upon timid fright ened set off VI 'n. but we knew From the first q there not only 10 be served. bur to Serve. From that hour until this good day We have known that the superintendent principal, teachers and pupils are our friends. We have taken in in the dining room $l1l1 46. As soon as the bills are paid we immediately spend all that is left for further conven- fences. We have now teaspoons, table spoons, cups and saucers, glasses, soup bowls, ice cream saucers table cloths and ferns, besides the necessary articles for the kitchen. We were able last month To place on the walls of the dining-room six large flags land eight High school pen nants.
 We serve 10 the children the best milk we can procure, and from time to time serve soup. hot chocolate. hot rolls. Diff ferent pupils furnish us with homemade candy, and we keep Peters chocolate al ways on sale. We serve fruit in season also to the pupils.
 What has been accomplished in the way of helping the pupils to stronger physi-. cal life and thus enabling them 10 be- come stronger men and women mentally, cannot be computed in dollars and cents. We wish to say that this lunch is entire ly self-sustaning. All that is needed is the continued cooperation and confidence of the parents.
 We have Miss Josephine Hale in charge of the dining room and she is always ready to receive visitors
 MRS. JAMES W. BRUCE,
 MRS. GRIFFITH HARSH
 MRS GEORGE ESTES.
 Committee.
 9 The relief committee with the as- sstance of the class of 1907 of the High school has furnished an emergency room with couch steamer rug, pillow, table, chairs, rugs washstand, toilet set, towels, etc. and has funds on hand with which to employ maid to care for this room attend to any child who is taken ill at school, and to assist the girls in drying their wraps and clothes When the Weatn- CT is inclement.
 3 The art committee has ordered from Florence, Italy, a life size bust of Shakes peare, done in Castlian marble. This Is to be placed in the High scnoO, library. and will rest on a pedestal made of fal-