The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-12-15
instruction in Music
Makes Good Citizens

1t is trite to say that In our public
schools we have the great melting
pot"
Here is where we train American
citizens.
And If any one doubts this all he
has to do is to visit the Whitewater
school on North Thirteenth street
This is the scene of the experiments
of the successful social center in
augurated by certain people within the
year.
From the fact that in this section
resides large element of our immi-
grant population.
Here is also shown absolute equal
! ity of race as, out of the 800 pupils in
the school, so are negroes, and all
children recite and sing and play to-
gether.
On The Palladium's music page Sat
urday was an account of school con-
cert given on Thursday afternoon, in
accordance with the system of Mr..
Sloane, supervisor of music, visit to
which gave impulse to these observa-
tions.
Schools Teach Music.
There is no phase of civic activity
ough system of teaching music in our
public schools. Here is fostered that
appreciation of a great art which is
one of the most potent civilizing forces
and which cannot become a vital part
of any community without understand
ing. And this understanding is
brought about through a study of basic
principles.
&c, hi to toto 70 o1,i
in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth
grades singing, with accuracy and
feeling, songs by great composers to
words by celebrated poets.
In this building alone in the grade
schools of the city are found classes in
vocational training.
And why has the school board in
augurated this system in this particu-
lar school, it is asked.
For the reason that it is impossible
for certain phases of correct living to
be instilled other than in the schools
on account Of the priyations of the res
idents in that quarter, the only qua rter
of the city in which such conditions
are generally prevalent.
Start Science Work.
Just this year has the school board
started classes in domestic science
and these are given once week to the
girls OF the fifth grade, under the
tutelage of Mrs. Kate Morgan, a regu-
lar teacher in the Whitewater school.
The facilities are Inadequate but
time will perfect them.
A class in sewing is conducted for
the sixth grade girls, but not by the
school board. This is done through
the altrurian spirit OF the Aftermath, a
local womans club. which maintains
this department and employs Miss
Jeanette Won Pein to give the in
Struction.
Useful and becoming dresses for
themselves have been made by mem
bers Of this class under Miss Won
PENIS direction.
One of the delightful features of the
public school festival in the Coliseum
last spring was the exhibition of folk
dancing.
And it is even more charming to
view the classes in the Whitewater
school. where the writer happened to
see the second grade pupils give a
Danish Dance of Greeting" ''The
Shoemaker and Swedish "Clap
Dance" the grace of the small boys
and girls and their appreciation of
time and rhythm being good to see
Make Simple Gifts.
In odd hours the children are col
oring cards and making simple little
gifts to give to their parents Christ
mas to be presented at the Christmas
entertainment to take place next week
The Whitewater school is the only
medium through which the majority of
these children have any opportunity
to celebrate this great holiday, the
only place where they can be trained
into an apprecia ton of those finer
things that soften elemental human