Evening star., 1923-07-22

grounds We have the children and we
have the school yards. Its up To the
citizens Of Washington to put the
two together,
How many people OF Washington
know anything about the history Of
our public schools? When Thomas
Jefferson WAS President of the United
States he gave 5000 to start the pub
lie school system, and he was the
Until 1921 our schools were held in
leased buildings. but In October Of
that year the first school to occupy
Its own building moved into what
had been the White House stable. at
18th and G streets northwest This
building WAS known as the jefferson
stables and was given by jefferson for
school house. 1t is interesting to
note that our first two school build
ings. erected for this purpose. were
cost $l.5ss.41. and were erected on
land donated by Thomas Jefferson.
Some years later u committee was
formed. headed by the mayor, to pur-
chase ground and erect school build
ings. The first ground purchased
was the square on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and sth street southeast and the
building erected on this site was
named Wallach after the mayor
The second building was the Frank
lin. then the Seaton. then the Jeffer-
son. Thus we see that Thomas JEFF
ferson can almost be called the
father OF our public schools. Know
ing these facts. Mrs. Minnegerode An
drews and Mrs. A. y. Baggs. presi-
dent Of the Force Parent Teacher
memorial from the public school chill
dren OF Washington to their great
benefactor. This memorial will take
the form Of book. in which each
child who wishes will write his or
her name and give 10 cents The
money will be used toward the pur-
chase Of Monticello for a national
shrine and the book will be placed
in the house when it becomes the
property of the people of the United
StSates.
During the past week the District
Of Columbia Congress of Mothers
and Parent-Teacher Associations has
given nearly fifty nightgowns to the
Bruen Home and to Friendship House
These gowns. which will fit children
from five to ten years old. were made
by the members Of the Edmonds
Mothers Club. of which Mrs. j. H.
Fritz is president.
Too much stress cannot be laid on
the need for. more dental clinics in
the schools. There are only three
white dental clinics now in operation
thousands of children who need treat
ment. Neglect Of the teeth seriously
impairs the health of the whole body
and minds will not grow in unhealthy
bodies.
The following letter has been sent
to the president Of every Parent
Teacher Association in the District:
AT the last regular meeting of our
association it was unanimously voted
to hold a Christmas sale for the
benefit Of the District Organization.
"In the last year the organization
has almost doubled its membership
and the need for permanent head
quarters is most urgent. To mention
only one activity. the clothes con-
seTVation committee cannot continue
its work another year without ade-
quate workrooms. This department
has distributed hundreds of garments,
shoes and rubbers to the children
who would have been unable to at
tend school without this help. and to
discontinue the work would cause
much distress.
an order to make this sale sue
cess. we must have the cooperation
of every member Of every associa-
ton, so we are asking you to talk
the matter over with your members
and plan your part Of the sale dur
ing the summer months. Early in the
fall a meeting will be called and You
will be asked to report progress.
hope that you will give this matter
your earnest attention and enter into
the plans for the growth and de-
velopment Of our work with all your
heart"