Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-18
BETTER TRAINING
FOR CITY'S YOUTH
Proposed High School Exten-
sion Will Widen Scope of
Curriculum.
MORE PRACTICAL STUDIES
Manual Department to Fit Boys, and
Girls to Earn Livelihood at
End of Term.

In order TO further plans for the pro-
posed building Of a manual arts build
ing In Rock Island, to relieve the con-
gestion in the high school and to af-
ford room for a better and more extern
sive course In manual arts and domes-
tic science, the board of education held
a special meeting last night. Principal
A. ]. Burton and Professor Alba Hill
Of the high school faculty presented
plans for the extension OF the course,
which will be one OF benefit If adopted,
and will place the local school on the
proper plane for city of this size.
At the present time the school offers
q two-year course in manual training
for the boys. and only a course in cook
ing for the girls. In the first year the
boys have the privilege of taking bench
work and mechanical drawing, and in
the second year they may take wood
turning and cabinet work, together
with the mechanical drawing. It is
planned to increase the facilities so
that in the third year the boys may
take pattern work, moulding, metal
work, filing, chipping and forging. In
the senior year course in bench and
machine work, cement and concrete
work and printing is planned. Such a
course would fit a young man for a
practical life, and as only one per cent
IF the high school graduates enter col
Iege, a graduate in such a course would
be well fitted to earn q livelihood. He
would have trade to fall back on in
case he entered upon some other voca-
ton after he had completed his school
work.
SEWING AND MILLINERY.
For the girls the course in domestic
science now offered is not very exten-
sive. It is planned to add science and
economies Of cooking in the first year
and plain sewing, dressmaking and mil
linery IN the second and third years.
and pottery and art work in the last
year. The value OF such a course can
readily be seen through a study Of its
merits.
In order to afford adequate accommo-
dations a new building will be neces-
sary. and it is TO that end that the
school board is now working. Several
sites have been offered IN close prox-
unity to the high school, but as yet no
action has been taken. The following
resolution was adopted last evening:
Resolved, That II is the sense of the
board that the manual training depart
ment of the city schools be enlarged in
accordance with plans submitted by
Mr.. Hill, providing that suitable ar
rangements can be made for carrying
on the work; and that a committee be
appointed 10 conduct further investiga-
ton IN regard TO situation and to for
mulate plans and present them to the
board.
H. H. Cleaveland and A G. Ander-
son OF the board and Principal Burton
and Mr.. Hill were named as the com
mittee. and they will report as soon as
possible.
LoNGFELLOw ADDITION.
The other matter before the board
was that OF the proposed addition TO
Longfellow school. Architect o. z.
Cervin presented plans which are prac-
ucally complete in every detail He
was directed TO make q few alterations
and additions and e+eish the work this
week. H. II. Hull, Superintendent H.
b. Hayden and Mr.. Hill were named as
a committee 10 go over the plans with
Mr.. Cervin. The board expects to have
all matters pertaining to the addition
IN shape SO that bids may be received
early in May, and the contractors may
have material on hand ready to begin
building as soon as school adjourns for
the summer recess.