The Washington times., 1914-03-25
By MRS. HOWARD BEALL.

1t has been said that tho age mas
passed which cherished the notion
that a child's mind could be made
to order" that its powers were to
be wholly impaired by the school
teacher, and that 1t was q receptacle
into which knowledge was to be put
and built up after the teachers
ideal.
Miss Francis 8. Farley, the pro-
gressive principal Of the Grover
Cleveland school building. never ac-
certed such notions, but has always
advocated the theory that. In ad-
ditIon to developing the education Of
children from within,' during
school hours. they must be guided in
their leisure hours az well. Her
enthusiastic interest in the activities
Of hef children. In school and out.
has been the inceotive which has
caused others, including myself. to
feel that they must assist her in the
demonstration of her ideas.
1 may say that in my efforts dur
ing the last fifteen years to retain
the condolences of my own children
0hree boys) and their intimate
playmates and friends, 50 as to be
ever considered by them as ''ons Of
the boys" have been unconsciously
fitting myself to be Of some assist
ance in this work. by acquiring the
knack Of being companionable to
children.
One could not possibly go through
a large and beautiful building such
as the Grover Cleveland School with
out recognizing the great economic
waste in keeping 1t closed during the
hours when It might be used for tho
enjoyment and development Of tho
people, especially to the youth OF
the neighborhood. Tho Grover Cleve-
land School has a large assembly
hall. which, II properly equipped.
could servo as a gymnasium, as well
as q dance hall and auditorium. II
the entire building could be lighted.
there are many beautiful rooms
which could be used for reading.
studying. or for committee meetings.
In warm weather the large roof gar
den, II lighted, would prove to be
delightful recreation place for tired
mothers, fathers. and children.
Community Interest.
Although tho neighborhood is ex-
tren,ely cosmopolitan, there prevails
among the people q true spirit OF
friendliness and good will. Each one
is willing to do his part to make
success Of any affair that takes place
at tho school. Instead Of keeping to
themselves, these people. through the
schools, are being brought to know
each other and to realize that they
have common interests. It may thus
be seen what tho wider use Of this
school building is accomplishing in
the development Of real democracy
and true American citizens.
About this time last year Miss
Farley, one Of the school teachers.
and myself planned to open both an
Industrial and a recreation center.
the Industrial work to include classes
In d-essmaking. crocheting, embroid-
cry, lacemaking. basketry. hammock
making. and typewriting In the
mornings, while athletics. story-teii-
ing. folk dancing, and dramaticS
we're to take place IN the evenings.
There being no money available. the
thre. of us started out to find as
si1tance in this line, and We were
more than successful. Liberal do
nations of money and materials were
made by prominent citizens and
merchants. and the school officials
heartily indorsed our plans. Through
the kindness and cooperation OF Mr..
Bowerman, books were supplied from
the Public Library. Shower baths
were installed, and, to see that the
children used this privilege wisely,
we persuaded one of our school ply
sicIans and the superintendent OF
District nurses to give talks on
health to the boys and girls. As We
progressed in the work We found
that, while the girls had enough to
keep them busy, the boys were sadly
in need Of additional work to keep
them employed. SO we arranged to
have a teacher in the Technical High
School Instruct them in carpentry.
Here again We needed assistance
from the school officials. who will
ingly fltted up the boys playroom
with work benches and loaned the
tools. Material was donated by sew.
eral OF our lumber merchants, and
then the boys went joyfully to work
to construct articles needed IN the
school
Weekly Entertainments.
One Of the features of the work
that We felt to be most important
was the Friday evening entertain
ment, to which all the neighborhood
came-Ntle children, big children
mothers with babes In their arms
and gyandmothers in shawls and
aprons Here they all met together
on common ground. people or every
nationality and creed. for It was
their own children who were enter
tanning them. There were Greek.
German. Dutch, Irish and Sweolsh
dances: theatricals and musical num-
bers including violin, vocal ana piano
solos. 49,
When the s~s came to close dns me
mose than fifty garments. including
sipls' dresses, small boys suits;
waists, dressing sacQues, aprons anu
underwear all Of which had been
n ade GHeeHfulfy for younger orothers
and sisters or for other children OF
the neighborhoOd. Then. too, there
were finished articles in embroidery.
lace work, basketry, carpentry, nam
mocks. as we'll as many letters ex-
ecuted by the typewrtt!nS class All
OF these articles were exhibited at
the last weekly entertainment, winch
was attended BY more than loo per-
sons.
During the summer we had come
to know many fine boy and girl hish
school students, some working poys
and girls. and many pupils or the
Grover Cleveland school. Although
our energy wsS somewhat depleted,
We regretted that our close friehd-
slip with them was about to end.
But they were not willing that 1t
should be SO. Several evenings be-
fore the recreation center closed we
Mera met hY q grOup Of the larger