Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-31
WARS MARK SEEN
ON SCHOOL WORK
Exceptionally Active Year Just Closed
In Rock Island Institutions OF
Learning.
AID GIVEN NATION IN FIGHT
Pupils and Teachers Assist Red Cross
and Liberty Lean Drires--Give
Financial Help.

public SchpOl5 OF RUN lsidHu mas just
closed, with the mark of the war
plainly evident.
Besides the regular features Of con-
Quoting summer schools. night schools,
dental clinics and garden contests the
public schools Of Rock Island, per-
hans more than any other institution.
have taken a big part in the work of
helping America win its fight against
autocracy,
The school officials, teachers and
pupils have all joined in assisting the
various Red Cross and Liberty loan
drives, and other patriotic enterprises.
The pupils and teachers Of the schools
have taken the responsibility Of con-
,ributng $50 each month to the local
chapter Of the Red Cross.
Following is an account Of the
activities Of the schools Of the city
during the year:
Committees have been formed for
the revision Of the course of study.
The members Of each committee be-
ing selected because OF their especial
ability In that particular subject.
Every effort Is being made to stand
ardize the course and TT it to the in
dividual pupil rather than to adapt
the child to the course. While the
fundamentals are being impressed,
reading. writing. arithmetic and SPELL
ing. the so-called special subjects are
given the time and consideration they
merit
Research tests nave been given in
reading, writing, arithmetic, compost
ton and spelling. BY these standard
measures, each building and class was
found to be we'll up to grade. Tests
showed q splendid growth.
Summer School Held.
Plans we're perfected and a summer
school opened in each Of the following
buildings: Longfelow, Irving, Hor-
ace Mann and Lincoln. These schools,
with an enrolment Of 400 pupils, were
in charge Of IS regular teachers. Work
was given in all subjects and in
grades three TO eight inclusive. Many
boys and girls were TINS enabled to
make up back work, while others did
advanced work. making an additional
grade.
The night school opened Oct.,5, and
closed Dec H. This school was or
gained for the special advantage of
those who have been unable to attend
day school; those who desire to i'm
prove themselves and increase their
earning capacity and foreign speak
Ing people who wish to learn the Eng
lish language and prepare for citizen
ship. Telegraphy was also taught.
This was to supplement the govern
ment service and prepare men for the
signal corps. Sixteen regular teach
ers were in charge of this school, with
an enrolment of 250
Attendance Is Good.
The new child labor law in force
July !, 1917, has increased the attend
ance of boys and girls between the
ages OF IA and lG. According to this
law, children must attend school il
not at work. Under the old law q
permit could De issued al the age OF
IA, children could then work or not
as they pleased The attendance this
year is $50 more than last year. al
though the high school shows % less
than 1916
To meet the ever increasing enroll
ment and to better distribute the grade
pupils four additional portable schools
were built and equipped. The aver.
age enrolment per teacher is now 81
Organized school garden work was
directed through the schools. Young
Mems Christian association and civic
department. Of the Woman's club. Tive
school gardens were opened. one a
Fifth avenue and Twenty-fourth street
the other at Sixteenth avenue anC
Ninth street In addition to these many
nome gardens we're included in thu
supervision, Two exhibits were helC
al which prizes were awarded. Many
homes we're furnished with fresh vege
tables during the summer. Products
were also sold and accurate account!
OF sales kept by the pupils.
The school dental clinic which hal
Deen IN operation during the past TIVE
years will be removed from down towI
to the new quarters now fully equipped
IN the Franklin school. This clint
opens the first Of the year. DR.. Sid
Hey A. Virgins viii be in charge a
sisted by Miss A. Sackett, the schoo
nurse.
Patriotism Rampant.
Inc patriotic side of American
school life has been impressiy
throughout the year. In planning tn
course OF study especial emphasis ha
been placed on this. Two competitiv
patriotic contests have been given dur
Ing the year The last. which is nov
m the hands Of the judges, was o.
Inc American Flag. and What [
Means TO Me. Twelve gold medal
VIII be given, one 20 the winner 4
each grade from the primary grade
through the high schcol. The contes
was directed by the Peoples Nationa
bank and the medals awarded by tn
National Society for Adequate DE
tense.
The schools have been somewhs
disturbed because Of loss OF teachers
some have enlisted and others hav
gone to schools that are in a positio
10 pay better salaries. Almost ever
Phase OF Red Cross work has bee
,aKen over by The teachers and pupils
Nhaer direction OF special instruction
rom the Red Choss, assisted by III
faFent-Teacher associations an
teachers, splendid results have bee
ontained, In this connection the chi
ureh and teachers have taken the ri
sponslbility Of contributing $50 pc
l s,sS 10 The local Red Cross ehapte
Inc "a" schools were also active in tn
.a.ey bond sales. they have no
90 d"eH up tas sale OF thrift stamps, Spt
S ,". bulletins are being sent into a
ZONES honlss aha drive for Red Gross men
mp mas been made through ii
.' onoois. The Parent-TeacheF assoeii
uons' IN connection with other spier
did school ana ..l..a. -, -,