The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-06-06
300 v~~lENTALS
IN SCHOOL HERE
little Almon-Eyed Students
Master English

tN&n0tF AANttNNtN NANAAN RhtAHA
IL just one school after another.
hut George likes a.
He IL a diligent digger for knowl
edge. and when he Is thru with his
studies at the Main street school
he takes an hours vacation. then
goes TO school again. This time It's
Language school" where he
learns 20 read and write the tongue
OF Ms fathers-Iapanese
George Is one OF the prize pupils
at years. OF the Main street
school. Not many people In Seattle
know about the Main street school
They don't send ,heit Riddles there
hut there are 500 almondeyed lit
tie orientais. all eager to learn
Woo are studying the language, Gus
toms and habits Of their new eoun.
try under its roof.
The wooden building. far too
small for the classes u houses. Is
nestled amid the little Japanese
SHOPS just south OF Yesler way. II
Is the Seattle public school fer the
sons and daughters OF Old Nippon
am the Dragon Republic. who by
birth or migration find themselves
here.
English Bothsrs I'm
English gives the youngsters the
most trouble. but not one Of them
but learns speedily--hecause they
are not afraid to try. The hix dis.
ficuity Is making them use what
they learn. In their daily tife.
It's pretty tough. tho. In the ninth
inning, with the score tied. and three
on. TO remember siam 'er out" or
all those invcctives used to hruwbeat
the pltcher--conScQuen baseball.
la chinoJapanese. is always on
the cards.
And. while every such lapse brings
a call from Teacher" they don't
blame the swarthy little ballpiayers
for reverting TO Chinese or Japanese
under stress of excitement
Baseball is next 20 school in pop
uiarity-perhaps IL leads in some OF
the little Oriental minds.
But Americanism, that Is what
really comes first under every little
black matched crown. IL Is incul.
Gated In each child from the time ne
enters the school until he Is sent out
thru the fourth grade to some other
school. Every lapel bears Red
Cross button and tiny American
flag. some even shine with Victory
loan honor emblems
The duties OF citizenship and love
Of their new land IL taught. and they
are willing 10 learn.
Little Mary Jane okitsu. sister 10
3(seorrc. stood UP Tuesday afternoon
Ind recited. without trace of accent.
Il Love My Country for a Star
reporter.
They do. all OF them" says Ida J.
Mahon. principal Of the school. and
little Miss Pert-that's what We call
Mary Jane--is only an example
But Mary Jane. who says she and
Georges were born Skagway.
ALASKA proves the fallacy OF the
old Far Eastern belief that the WON
en- aren't worth educating.
Enjoy singing
At the Main st. school they love
American music--but they haven't
forgotten their own. Toshi Mitisu
Txuchiya can sing. How I Love My
1aTufn Jl&t AS wei us NC tAu WAL
Xxi Mi Ga Yo." tho Japanese ma.
tional anthem. And mixed chorus
Of japanese and Chinese boys and
girls singing Uncle Sammy. Here's
My SHARE show their ability 10
master syncopation-
They are the best pupils I've ever
had any experiences with" says Miss
Mahon. I'VE need no disciplinary
measures: we have no truancy. and
they are willing. eager and consci-
entious in their studies
AS an example of their industry.
here's How pn-he's a little Chi
nese boy. who came TO this country
at Christmas time. How Soon. get
the American flag and tell US abou;
Y 1T"
"A And How Soon took n flag from
the wall. and. after a discourse
sometimes hard to follow. but with.
out hesitation. wound up with
but we like to call the Stripes and
Stars. Old Glory"
The parents cooperate with US
absolutely" said the principal. They
back US up in everything we do here.
and next year we are going 10 have
parcntteacher association. We
couldn't before, because none Of the
parents spoke English. but more
than $50 Of them were enrolled In
our night school this year and have
progressed rapidly"