The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-12-23
North District News

The North District school has just
closed its fall term with a very sue
eessful Christmas entertainment, Civ
en- by the children on Thursday even
ing, December l6 The fathers and
mothers and uncles and aunts and
friends who gathered TO hear the chill
dren's songs and Rotations all felt
that there had never been more sue
cessful entertainment given by the
children Of the school, and they all
appreciated the immense amount Of
care and time which the two teachers
must have given, to train the children
so well that they went through their
parts clearly, accurately, with spirit
and expression, and best Of all. seem
ing TO enjoy it as much as did the
audience. The members Of the Bat
tenkill Women's Club who were pres
ent had an especial pride and pleasure
in the rosy cheeks and bright eyes Of
the children, because they felt that
they have some share in the good
health and high spirits Of the school
children in the North District school.
They gave from the proceeds Of their
Community Tea-House which was
kept open in the school house last
summer, a fund Of SIS towards the
hot lunches for the school children.
And after some months Of experience,
they feel that there is no estimating
the amount Of good il does the chill
dren. Other school districts may be
interested TO know just how the North
District manages about the hot school
lunches, for other Vermont districts
may have the same number Of children
coming from far up the slopes Of the
over the snow, through the
rains and storms. Such children are
not properly nourished when they
h8ve eaten some half-frozen bread and
butter and piece of cold pie or cake.
They need warm, nourishing food and
there is plenty Of it in Vermont homes
if it can only be gotten 70 the school.
The North District system is as fol-
ows The fund from the Battenkill
Women's Club is used for the staples
which the children cannot very well
bring from home and which are always
needed, such rs salt, sugar, cocoa,
-four, lard, spices, rice, macaroni,
beans, etc. The families Of the North |
District have contributed enough
dishes and cooking utensils for
cooking outfit. The cooking is done
mostly on the stoves used to heat the
school room, and partly on an oil stove
which was given to the school by one
Of the mothers. Then the children, in
turn around, are asked TO bring some
one of the foods which are always
found in any ordinary house. One day
one child is asked to bring a quart
IF milk, and as his turn does not
,ome for many days again, this is not
90 much TO ask. Another day every
hid is asked to bring couple of
Jaw pctates, or a carrot; another day
lchild is asked to bring cabbage, to
which is added a can Of salmon
bought out of the fund and some
dressing) and salad is
erved. The menu varies from day to
lay, and includes creamed potatoes,
'aked beans, soups Of all sorts (these
re very much liked by the children !
nd are splendid food for them) salad, &
ocoa, or just baked potatoes and but 8
err. One hot dish is served every day, I
'hich the children eat with the cold c
ood brought from home. They all sit
4 the smaller Of the two school rooms,
omfortably and warm, like one big c
amily, instead of tearing at their a
andwiches as they run around out Of r
oors, and it can scarcely be doubted '
'hich is the better for their digestion.
he preparation is managed thus: =
ZACH day one Of the larger girls is c
lade responsible for the food for that
ay, under the guidance of the teacher, 1
course. She appoints two Of the
ounger children to help her. and to-
ether with the teacher they make
hat simple preparations there are TO {
lake. After the meal, two other chill s
ren turn and turn about, wash the
ishes and put away the things. OF !,
purse this would not be possible with
at a good deal Of extra work for the
as there is a certain amount {
{ the preparation Of food which must
e done al home. as in the case Of
cans But the North District Is for
mate in having two devoted teachers
no are more than willing % 10 any
ling for the health and welfare Of
leir children; as INDEED most teachers
E r they receive help from the com
unity whore they I've. Il IS one q
g y5faranrse.e4 efrAse fvg-ae~ss-s fFa 20