La libera parola. [volume] (Philadelphia, Pa.) 1918-1969, 1919-02-01
NELLA NOSTRA FAMICLIA

thinking teacher. Mr. Batoff.
"Mr Batoff not only taught US MS
tory and physiology, but he also gave
US an idea of the modern world, by
teaching current events.
Miss Strien our geography ms
tructor followed Mr.. Finn by resigning
as a school teacher.
"In her place Miss Spear was chos-
en- as her successor, but on account
of her health, which was rather poor,
she was forced to give up and so
Miss Webster took her place.
ever since, Miss Webster has stu
ok to her post and has performed her
duty in teaching US defamation, spell
ing and physiology.
"The year of 1917 was one of the
darkest periods, not only in the Unit
ed States but all over the world.
"The war Of aggression, that was
declared by the Central Powers on
the last day Of July 1914; the abuse
of Germany in invading the poor, but
noble and generous kingdom of Bel
GUM; the sinking Of the Lusitania, an
unarmed ship carrying aboard neutral
men, women and children; the warf-
are of the submarines sinking ships
that were carrying food for the poor,
destitute Serbians, Belgians, ETC., all
this brutal treatment from the Teu-
tonic powers, of course, caused the
Americans to be mixed up in the CON
flict and this country was forced to
declare war against them
ftNAf, l.I 30.
several Of our best teachers, among
them, Lieut.. Meyers, Second Lieut..
Goldberg and Mr. Riemschinder, then
teacher of the graduating class of
1918, who, like the others, volunteer
ed for service, while we, not,Wthstau-
ding of our tender age, gave our best
energy, for the purpose Of helping
the boys "over there" and we became
soldiers ourselves, not of the bait
leiield, but Of the home reserve army.
"ln this capacity, for over one year,
guided by the Principal Of our School,
who took the best interest in the cam
paigns and all the teachers, we began
the most patriotic work for the diff
erent Liberty Loan campaigns, Thrift
stamps, Mar Chest and the Red Cross.
The Principal called many meetings
inviting the parents of the children,
the public and also some good spea-
kors.
"The result was, that the James
Wilson School went cover the Top"
in all its patriotic campaigns and
today we can rejoice, that in the
victory over the Central powers by
our army and those of the Allies, we
played a good part
"On June 26, 1917 cur school was
closed fo the summer vacation.
"The summer vacation went by just
like lightning and soon afterwards,
September 10th, came along and call
ed US back to school.
1T was Monday morning September
10th, 1917, when all the children
was assembled in the school yard,
that Lieut. Riemschinder, came in,
amid loud cheering.
''He was home for a furlough of
seven months. After his class gradual
ed, we were promoted into his room
and were there only for about one
month; than he left for France and
since he has not visited us, but once.
after his departure, Mr.. Batoff,
the history teacher, took his place as
our regular instructor until gradual
ion.
Several months had elasped when
we had to write a Temperance Es-
say, under Miss Alsop's instruct
ion.
"In this contest all the departmental
classes participated.
"Three prizes were going to be
awarded to the individuals who wrote
three best essays.
"Fortunely, a member Of our class,
Henry De Luca won the first prize of
$3.50 in gold, adding more honor to
it; the other two prizes were won by
two pupils of the graduating class of
June, 1918. Not only did Henry De
Luca win the first prize, but we had
other members who received honora-
norably mention.
This wasn't the only prize won
but another contest of '8fow Safety
First helps Win the War, in which
our class took part, Antoniette Rap
poseli won S1.00 worth in Thrift
stamps.
"The schools has just opened when
the "Influenza" invaded our city, and
many, many children were left or
phans; the victims in the United
States have been in numbers more
than our lost on the battlefelds of
Europe.
"The schools had to close and re-
main so for over one month and we
lost, to our sorrow, many schoolmates
and one Of our beloved teachers, Miss
4 Clement.
Notwithstanding all these unwelco-
me incidents, here we are graduating
not of ourselves, but because the
teachers and we worked together
very hard, to make up the lessons
lost during these crisis.
Cur class has also produced Sc
veral of the best "four minute speak
ers," receiving certificates from Was,
hington.
"some of them also got 'Iror
badges" for every five bonds they
sold.
! From tomorrow we're going tc
: lead new life; from tomorrow we
, must learn the lessons taught us by
the World War; from tomorrow We