The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-23
SCHOOLS OBSERVE
YULET|DE SEASON
Open House Kept by District
Pupils From kindergarten to
High School.

Surrounding Christmas trees ablaze
with Yuletide decorations and bending
low with presents for kindergarten and
grade school children, Washington
| juvenile residents today are celebrating
| Christmas in an elaborate manner in
the public schools of the District.
Programs of songs and Rotations
| tableaux, folk songs. and maneuvers
| take the place of 'readin' and 'ritln'
and 'rithmetic." and teachers, parents,
and friends of the youthful participants
are united in the celebrations that mark
the coming of the greatest festival Of
the year, and likewise the close or
schools until January -
With few exceptions, the morning
hours were devoted TO the usual school
routine, but with the coming Of the
afternoon session, teachers and pupils
ficstion and festivities OF various kinds.
! Spirit At Zenith.
The Christmas spirit has been in
oreasing among the pupils since the
opening OF school this week, and today
it was at its zenith at the celebrations
in the various school rooms Wishes OF
good cheer. happiness for Christmas, and
membranes, in abundance were on
every lip. Pupils who heretofore were
at logSerheads over childish disputes
forgot their grievances and Joined in
the general happiness Of the day.
Supt. Ernest L. Thurston sent Christ
mas greetings to teachers and all others
III the school system early In the week,
following the instructions of the Board
of Education at its last meeting. Mr..
Thurston's personal good wishes &C
companied the official expression of
The beard.
The Board of Education also provided
Christmas trees for all tho kinder
cartons and practically all the grade
schools. No arrangement was made by
the school authorities for the distribu-
tion Of gifts, but in many OF the In
Stitudons. candies and modest remcm-
brances were exchanged between pupils,
but first they adorned tho trees. Pupils,
who during the year, performed some
special kindness to their teachers or
won the admiration of their superiors
in studies or through some other act,
were not forgotten In the distribution
of gifts, and candles and presents were
made available through the thoughtful
ness OF some of the home and school
associations and the alumni assocla-
tons.
The general spirit Of Christmas OBJ
seTvance extends to former students of
the District schools. \ number OF ''old
grads have returned TO Washington
for the holidays, and the celebrations
in many OF the schools were attended
by them. The programs found no more
enthusiastic auditors than the Gradu-
ates.
At Arthur School
In order to avail themselves OF the
use of the Eastern High School build
ing, the pupils of the Chester a.
Arthur School gave their entertainment
last evening. Christmas carols were
sung under the leadership of Mrs. ].
c. TorbeTt, and many excellent musical
numbers were contributed by the Or
chestral School" under the direction OF
William J. Oates.
At the Wilson Normal School. the fes-
dvities started at 10 o'clock today with
q monster entertainment for the chill
dren in the kindergartens. \ big tree
was provided by the alumni associa-
ton and the little ones from all sur
rounding territory were made hrpH
by a visit from Santa himself. StarurE
az Leo the pupils of the first four
grades participated in a program or
recitstions, music and the distribution
of gifts. Other entertainments follow ed
during the afternoon.
In the few private institutions that
have not already adjourned for the holi-
day recess similar entertainments are in
progress. while in the parochial schools
of the various Catholic parishes the
holiday vas commemorated by elabo-
rate program of songs and exercises.
In the High Schools.
In the high schools the regular week
~ assemblies today were devoted TO
Christmas exercises. The Business High
School Dramatic Society presented
princess Kihu." with Miss Zoe Shea
Miss Nina German. Miss Mario Caro-
ner. Miss Helen La Fontainc, MISS
Louise Clark. Miss Dolores Buckingham.
Miss Evelyn Wallace, Miss Helen Eas-
ton, and Miss Blanche Eouchenstein in
tho cast.
Pride and Prejudice" will be pre-
scented by the senior class Of Western
High School this evening at the Wilson
Normal School with other pupils par
ticipaiing IN the rest of the program
The Eastern High School Alumni rs
ISOLATION will hold it's annual reunion
late this afternoon. Following tho cleo
ton Of officers and the transaction Of
routine business, the meeting viii be
-iycn over to dancing.
Central High School Alumni hssocia-
ton win hold its annual reunion, De-