The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1914-02-21
HOW GUTHRIE MAINTAINS
FREE KINDERGARTEN


public schools began in 1913, patron
found that no funds were availabl
for teaching the usual special courses
including kindergarten. which had s.
long given favorable distinction t,
our schools.
Parents with children of kinder
garten age, saw that unless provision
were made for the continuance OF the
kindergarten department, their chill
dren would not only be deprived OF
the benefits of its training, but might
grow beyond kindergarten age before
the kindergartens were again estab-
lished in the schools
The Mothers clubs, long active in
the support OF the kindergartens, APP
pointed a committee to confer with
the School Board and ask for the use
of kindergarten rooms and such ma
terial and equipment as the Board
could provide. The Board not only
granted the request of the Mothers
|clubs, but encouraged this effort to
save the kindergartens, by providing
heat, the services of ianitors, and the
use OF pianos, free of cost
! Thereupon, the Mothers clubs or
| ganized a kindergarten association.
with Mrs. Chas. Olson as president.
and Mrs. A. Q. Rankin as secretary.
Miss Mary Harris, who had long been
supervisor of kindergartens was en-
and Miss Grace Seaman as director at
Banner school
At these two schools free kinder |
gartens were opened for every child |
between the ages Of four and six |
years in Guthrie The association
was determined that no child should |
be deprived OF the benefits Of free
kindergarten training One method
OF raising funds was to establish
scholarships at ten dollars each for
q kindergarten term of nine months
Many OF these scholarships are main
tanned by persons who have no chill
dren OF kindergarten age Monthly
contributions ranging from twenty
five cents to not more than one dol
lar-the latter being the maximum
asked-have been made by parents
Of a majority OF the children in the
Generous response has been made
throughout the term to the appeal Of
the kindergarten association for pop
llar contributions and support. The
-imarron Valley County Fair asso
,iation gave booth space in the pa
.illion at the fair grounds, and mer /
chants and others gave abundantly of \
'ocd supplies, to enable the kinder !
.arten association to serve lunches.
\ wholesale grocery company furn {
shed supplies for a food products !
and for two days the '
association served j
meals the store room, plumbing, {
stoves, gas, water and electric lights s
being given free OF cost.
The Mothers club Of the Banner t
school maze twice served dinners and d
laye held a bazaar which has helped /
o maintain their school
Mrs Finch, president OF the Wom '
ms Chamber Of Commerce, kindly a
,ffered her services in producing I
)lay at the opera house, which was a
iighly successful All these pro- J
5ided funds for free kindergartens
practically UP to the Christmas holi- t
lays 9
The expenses o the Christmas cele- n
ration for the kindergarten children t
L Central school were defrayed by +
hristma- tree at the City Hall, to
which a small admission vas charged a
The manager Of one OF the moving c
icture shows gave 10 OF the re- L
eipts Of matinee and night per
ormance from all tickets sold by the "
association. The tickets il
we're sold by school children. Il
An entertainment in the sun parlor II
# the municipal bath house added to t
ne kindergarten fund. as dia cook j
d food sale. s
Miss Seaman now has under way an b
for the benefit Of the s.
kindergarten at Banner school. to be ,
-Yen about March G. b
AS an expression Of the good fell b
owsbip that distinguishes their or n
er. the Elks win give one-half the cl
'rofits their lodge receives from the
Minstrel show to be given at the 0
'pera house. FOR the benefit OF both Il
z
The members OF the Mothers clubs Z
nd all friends OF the kindergartens Il
axe this occasion to thank the news
lapers, the business and the profess v
.ional men and the housewives OF d