The Washington times., 1914-06-24

All over the country there Ii .
progressive movement noticeable
in the increased use of the school
house and its grounds, and we
have come to see how expensive
II IL that such valuable property
Is used only five hours five days In
the week. dark and unattractive
at night, and closed for a long
time during the summer vacation
The old type of school house has
vanished. and now schools with
gardens and pretty lawns greet
the eye: the interiors also being
attractive. Children do not want
to hurry away as they once did.
and parents are more than willing
to enter when the doors are
thrown open.
1t has been my pleasure to
have taken an active part this
past year in Developments along
the line for the wider use of
several schools in the third di-
vision of the District. giving my
services as a volunteer worker.
One of the most interesting ex-
periments in which i have been
engaged was the opening up of
several classes. after school hours.
in the splendid gymnasium of the
Wilson Normal School. Miss Co
ding. the principal. was person.
ally interested in these classes.
and co-operated in every way with
US to make IL a success, agreeing
that such a splendid plant as the
Normal School should be used as
far as possible for the good of
other school gymnasiums in this
locality. and 1t was the desire OF
many mothers to avail themselves
OF its use. and nearly ninety chill
dren were enrolled from adjacent
schools.
Glasses Are Popular.
These classes became very popular.
with Miss Belle Meyers as physical
instructor. assisted by several Nor
NAL School students. Folk dancing.
apparatus work. basketball. and
many other attractions made the
girls happy. while the boys were
equally pleased with running. jump
ing, apparatus work, basket and pass
ball. An exhibition of this work at
the close Of the season was largely
attended b. interested parents. A
marked physical Improvement was
noticed in many Of the children, and
parents desire that these classes con-
tinue and/become q permanent fea-
ture of this section, suggesting that
a swimming pool should be placed
nearby. The successful work of
these classes shows the need of such
facilities IN all schools. 1t Is to be
School and addition to Powell School
will be thus equipped, and also have
assembly halls and large well shaded
playgrClnds.
The Columbia Heights Boys Club
was started last November. meeting
once a week at the Monroe School.
Henry w. Draper, the principal.
who Is greatly interested in boys
and athletics. and Mr.. Loney co-op-
Of this club and gave their services
to assist in Its development. Boys
between the ages OF fourteen and
twenty. not only those attending the
Monroe School. but the high schools
and those engaged in business. were
admitted 20 membership.
The club was successful from the
start. Beginning with a membership
of about twenty boys II increased
of the club was to encourage manly
sports and good citizenship. Two
important rules impressed upon the
boys were the protection ow the
school property and the prohibition
OF smoking thereon. both OF which
rules were rigidly enforced. After
a short business meeting conducted
by the BOYS. who elected their own
officers. there was usually basket
ball. games. and some form of enter
ment. which. with frequent eats"
combined to make very pleasant
evenings. On several occasions. the
club was invited by Miss Goding