Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-01-12
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

The first meeting of the year 1922
of the Thurmont School Improvement
Association was held on Monday even
ing of this week in the High School
Auditorium. 1t might be well to state
that the regular time for holding these
meetings is the second Monday even
ing of each month, eight o'clock being
the hour.
Thus far this winter the meetings
have been particularly interesting, ex-
cellent programs having been pre-
pared and given by the committee
appointed to look after this feature.
The attendance on the part of the par
ents and patrons of the school is in
creasing, but there are many who ap-
parently fail to realize that they are
wanted at these meetings. 1t is to be
hoped that many citizens of the COM
munity who have never attended these
meetings will arrange to be present at
the February meeting.
The program Monday evening opened
| with selections by the High School
band under direction of Prof. Stull.
This bunch of boys is beginning to
play very well and their music during
the evening was literally applauded.
The president of the association,
Rev. w. C. Waltemyer, called for the
| reading of minutes of previous meet
ing, which were read by Miss McCaf-
| frey, the secretary, and were approved
as read. The report of the carnival
committee appointed at last meeting
was heard. This committee has been
working and was ready to announce
the names of those who have been Sc
lected to serve on the various commit
tees during the carnival February 10th
and 18th.
At the close of the carnival business
the program was resumed. Ten little
girls and ten little boys-fourth grad
ers-under direction of Miss Lillian
Kefauver sang four selections, Miss
Betty Rouzer announcing the titles of
the numbers sung.
Mrs. Russell Young delighted her
many friends. with several readings,
closing with "The Baby's Soliloquy."
The infant was supposed to be week
or two old and thought lots of things,
but, unable to speak, simply yelled.
Mrs. Young ended her part of the pro-
gram by yelling" for the baby
Miss Lillian Kefauver and Mrs. H.
D. Beachley sang "See The Pale
Moon," a duet by Campana. This
beautiful selection could not help but
please. Miss Dorothy Beachley, one
of the High School pupils, presided
at the piano for this number, and her
playing showed that she is very cap
able of handling compositions of this
character.
DR.. Henry M. Fitzhugh, President
of the Maryland State Board of Edu-
cation, was at this time introduced by
Rev. Waltemyer. In his opening re-
marks DIR. Fitzhugh announced that
he would make no address. And he
didn't. Whether the music by the
band, the big audience-well, some
thing apparently had his "goat" for
the time, but he finally got started and
told of the time when free education
, and free books were unknown, and of
the advancement made along the line
of education up to the present time,
He stated that inequality of pay was
, responsible for the various grades OF
teachers in different counties of the
state, and that bill is now being
written to be presented to the Legis.
lature, which, if passed, will provide
special funds for the poorer counties
so that they can pay to their teachers
salary equal to that of the more
prosperous counties. The scheme is
to insure teachers of equal ability fol
every county in Maryland. This new
law is also to provide more State ant
county supervisors for the schools.
f At the close of the talk, and at thu
v suggestion of Mrs. w. M. Martin, tn,
). audience divided itself into twelve di
u. visions, each division representing ;
8 month, and the people in the respec
tive divisions having a birthday il
that month. Some divisions were larg
d some small in number. The idea o
8 this was to get people better acquaint
e ed with each other. Each division /
l. now supposed to make drive for ney
:, members for the association, banne
:. being promised to the division bring
r ing in the greatest number during tn
l. year.
While everybody was thus minglin
ogether-talking laughing and hay
ing a royal good time-refreshment
were served by the young ladies 9
e, the High School.
n, The next meeting will be held o
9 Monday, February 18th.