Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-20
10Y IN THE SCHOOLS
Christmas Spirit in Advance of
Annual Holiday.
MUSIC AND REGULATIONS
Trees, Wreaths, Bells and Other
Timely Decorations.
PROGRAMS OBSERVED TODAY
Children Entertain at the Several
Buildings With Parents and School
PROGRAMS OBSERVED TODAY


ating the public schools of this city
circled every one. from the highest Off
cial down to the smallest child in the
kindergartens. the schools today closed
for their annual Christmas holidays.
They will not reopen until after New
Year day. The holiday this year is to
last twelve days instead of ten days, as
is usually the case
Christmas trees. wreaths. bells and
other decorations gave touch of the
Christmas spirit to every building. while
celebrations Of varied character were
held by every class. In some plays were
given, while in others the entertainment
consisted merely of musical numbers and
recitations.
In many schools the children brought
TOYS which will be distributed among
poor children.
A pretty and symbolcal playlet was
given by the irstgrade children of one
of the practice classes of the Franklin
School. under the direction of Miss Rose
Lees Hardy. the teacher. and the young
women of Normal School No. 1. In this
playlet old Santa Claus. who was Dor
trayed by youngster robed in red and
equipped with a first reader voice, came
down the "chimley," as he termed it, and
rewarded the two children of the house.
Realistic Scene.
To the girl, who had been ever so good
during the year he left 'be-e-e-utiful''
doll and numerous other gifts, but to the
little boy who had been, oh. ever SO had
he left only switches and Jumps of coal.
And, of course. when the littel boy
awakened and found out how Santa had
treated him he cried very loudly-a make
hot
Two scenes of this playlet were by day
and one by night. The night scene effect
was secured by lowering the shades: then
the stars-sXteen-candlepO electric
lightS-came out and Santa climbed down
the chimney.
Every one seemed to enjoy the enter
tainment. including officials, who We're
guests, and the children, who could rec
ognize Santa" as one of their own play
mates.
Besides the playet, several recitat.ons
were given. including that time-honored
favorite. Hang Up the Baby's Stock
ings, stories were told and Christmas
songs were sung. Bags of candy were
distributed at the conclusion and the
children departed.
at the Thomson School.
The kindergarten at the Thomson
School was the scene of another big
time" Each of the boys and girls had
manufactured presents for father and
mother. This was true. indeed. in practi-
cally every class. The gifts at the Thorn
son consisted of balls of cord mounted in
convenient manner, clipping cases, blot
ters, calendars and bells, which were in
reality pincushions.
The Thomson Undergraduates. who know
ever so much more about old st. Nicholas
than grown-ups. or even eighth-graders.
sang several songs about 'jingling bells"
and wonderful trees that grow in the
forest Then Miss Marietta Stockard.
their teacher. led them on a Christmas
journey through the room. while Miss Dor
othy Wall, her assistant, played marches
on the piano.
In the meantime the young women
of Normal School No. who are learn
ing kindergarten teaching. lighted the
candles on the tree, and then the chill
dren returned for the climax of the
performance Presents were II ken from
the tree and the children were allowed
to give them to father and mother" if
they were present, or If not, to take
them home to their parents.
Great excitement reigned, and while
one youngster impulsively proclaimed
that her mother was there" another be-
moaned the fact that hers Was not.
Then there was another wonderful han
pening. y small baby was brought in
to admire the Christmas tree in its Won
| derful glory and to hear the children
sing their anthems.
The baby appeared greatly pleased
as the children, and ''coo'ed" his ap-
prevail Later. John-that was the
baby's name-was given a great recep-
ton by the young women of the normal
school.
Following the distribution of gifts, the
children sang another song or two, and
then left with wishes for Merry Christ
mas" being said on every side. Nearly
a hundred visitors were present.
other Little People Entertain.
Miss Juliet Mccall Searle was in
charge of the exercises at the Arthur
School kindergarten. Miss Ruth A. Mil
Ter, teacher of the third grade, sang He
Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd
Other numbers on the program follow:
Ring Out Wild Bells by Sadie Jones.
Fred Blankenship, William La Mont.
Mabel Bolts Mary Marquis. Walter
Krehbiel. Antonio Ciffo and Katherine
Tyler: 'Cantique De Noel" by seventh
and eighth grades; why Do Bells at
Christmas Ring" by Catherine Smith:
songs by first grade; Christmas in
Other Lands" by 4Uis Shaw. Attillo De