Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-10
EDUCATION
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
One Thousand Children Give
Admitting Relatives and
Friends an linking of What
Has Been Accomplished in
That Line during Year

ono thousand children from the public
schools of Burlington made Centennial
Field lively place Friday afternoon
ana exhibited to an assembly of admiring
relatives and friends what has been GO
ing on in the line Of phi ysical education In
the schools during the last year. This ex-
hibition of physical culture was In charge
Of DR.. T. E. Hsys, physical director, and
Miss L. Edith Rhodes, assistant director.
and the success which marked the pre-
sentatiou Of tho work reflects credit up
on their efforts as well as upon those of
the teachers under whose direction the
work was carried out.
The main part Of the program was given
by the boys and girls of the senior and
Junior High Schools. At las O'Clock. the
entire enrolment of these schools, led
by Sherman's Band, paraded up Church
street, the girls attired in boomers. with
MILDLY blouses and colored ties, each group
of girls wearing n different color of tie
The order of march was as follows Sem
Tor High School, senior girls. senior boys,
junior girls. junior boys, sophomore girls,
sophomore boys freshman girls. freshman
boys; Junior High School. second year
girls, second year boys. first year girls,
first year boys. The boys were dressed in
plain shirts and trousers, and were bare
headed.
The spectacle Of SO large a number of
boys and girls marching together, in uni
form rank made quite an impression upon
the bystanders. who cheered again and
again as various groups passed by. At
Pearl street, some Of the marchers were
able to get onto the two street cars which
were waiting there to take them to Cen
tennial Field. But the cars would not hold
them all, and large number continued
to- ha1 live 10 avHh all t1n - m.
tennial Field. while a few were lucky
enough to get automobile rides and wen,
whooping and shouting past their less
fortunate comrades.
| At Centennial Field review past the
grand stand was conducted at about 2:45
Then the pupils of the Senior and Junior
High Schools were lined up in regular
formation on the field, facing the grand
stand, and while the band played. the
young people went through their dali,
setting up exercises which they have
practiced in the schools throughout tn,
year.
There we're fully 500 boys and girls WHIT
took part in this exhibition. and it mad
a very impressive sight to watch the arms
and legs and bodies swaying in perfec
unison and in time with the music. 1t wa
perfect day for this sort of an exhibi
girls made spots of brightness in the sun
light which helped to enliven the pic
ture.
There was about quarter OF an hou
Of these setting-up exercises. done with
out any stopping between the differen
. movements Of the drill the changes be
ing made by a simple word Of command
and the young people followed the wor
} through most systematically.
When this work was finished, the girl
5 were given a rest, while the boys Of tn
= Junior and Senior High Schools put on a
1 exhibition Of shadow boxing, which wa
1 lively affair and brought well-deserve
= cheers from the audience. This was To-
lowed by folk dancing by the girls. Thi
was an attractive part Of the program, a
so.
Then came the little folks. with the
Maypoes, around which they gaiiy dan'
ed. Each Of the schools had a pole OF II
own, with various colored streamers. b
fore the Maypole dances began, howeve
a group of small people did clever fol
dance, balancing and swinging in perfe'
time to the music Then two little lndiar
\ entertained the crowd for a few minute
Z In a cute dance.
To the music of the band, the Maypo
!, teams from the various schools. eac
? team consisting Of about dozen litt
girls with fancy decorations of some nj
|, ture, executed a pretty dance around t,
s poles for a time finally closing the g.
i hibition by winding up the streamers
!. all Of the seven poles at the same tim
This last part of the program left vel
charming picture for the onlookers
I carry home with them.