The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-03-05
WOMEN'S CLUBS AND DOMESTIC
SCIENCE.

times in investigating the beginnings
Of domestic science in public schools,
1t Is found that the local womens
club has been instrumental In intro
ducing the subject. Once started the
work usually grows by reason Of its
very apparent value.
The following letter from Miss
Emma A. Winslow, the teacher, tells
how domestic science was introduced
into the high schools OF Rutland,
Vermont, The method and results
are typical. . ..ss
"A year ago the Womans club Of
fered to give the equipment for a
cooking school kitchen and furnish
the room for one year II the board Of
education would furnish a teacher
and pay the running expenses. Very
little enthusiasm was shown on the
part Of the school board, but they
decided finally to accept the offer. !.
Two small adjoining rooms in the
same building as the club rooms
were rented and furnished to accom-
odate class Of twelve girls. The
course was offered as an elective to
members OF the first year class in the
high school and about SO girls
availed themselves of the opportu-
nifty. Two of the four classes have
met on Saturday, the others coming
on school days.
There has been increasing inter-
est and enthusiasm throughout the
year. At their June meeting, the
school board voted practically unani-
mously to continue domestic science
as part of the regular program and to
fit up room in the high school
building for kitchen. All but two
of the ninth grade girls have signi-
fled their intention of taking cooking
next year and forty of this years
class wish to take up the second
years work Much interest in the
movement has been shown through
out the state.
THE total cost to the Woman's
club for starting the work has been
about $3.50, most Of which has been
raised by lectures and entertain
ments. The room rent has been the
largest item. The total cost Of the
equipment was $500 1T is simple,
but provides as much for each girl
as is absolutely needed and as much
as she would have to have in her
own home to work with.
AS the kitchen was only an ex-
pertinent, we did not want to burden
ourselves with too much expense.
We found two long counters which
had formerly been used in a music
store and secured them for seven
dollars. One contained four long
shallow drawers and the other two.
Each drawer was fitted up tol ac-
commodate two pupils and class of
twelve thus provided for. We had
some difficulty in placing the coun-
tiers in the room (9x12 feet) and
finally placed them against two
walls. The gas connections were
simplified in this way, but 1t made
it somewhat harder to keep watch
1--WE also found at a second hand
store very large cupboard with
glass doors, which we bought for
five dollars and used to hold the
serving dishes and the extra cooking
utensils. Then we bought for three
dollars and a half a chest of draw
ers which the girls used to hold
their aprons. This constituted our
furniture. together with a dining
room table, which was loaned to us,
and small table (also loaned) },
which | used fora supply table.
1--WE painted the counters white
and covered the tops with "Sanitas"
which have found very satisfactory,
as 1t does not crack or peel. The
cupboards were also painted white
and with dainty muslin curtains at
the windows, we had very attrac-
tive kitchen.
"Six hot gas-plates were placed
on the counter and one large gas
range provided. The gas company
gave us free gas during the year.
The sink was placed in the room by
the owner and SO made us no ex-
pense.
The counters, supply cupboard and
small table filled one room. The
other one contained the sink, large
stove and large table and chairs, in
which the girls sat while was out
lining the lesson. |
Il had more individual equipment
than should have had If the draw
ers in the desks had not been SO
roomy. Each girl had a white /
.IuIH XXI VI ~ 49, ~. w