The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-03-27

= ~ AVAA0 " a. a.
ticle on the home economies work be
ing done in the Rural high school has
been prepared for The Record by
Mrs. w. ID. ellis. the INSTRUCTOR +.
The hard times and the high taxes
OF the past three years have brought
TO education in Idaho, various prob
lens and particularly that of finance
and in turn. perforce. the school
boards have sought avenues OF re-
trenchment. In many respects this
was a wise and commendable course.
rs the prosperous war days had On
couraged expenditures and in turn a
broadening of the scope OF the curri.
culum OF the schools in excess OF
OF what we could reasonably afford.
In other words. expensive tastes
which were in excess OF its income.
In cropping around for places
through which they might reduce ex-
penditures il Is frequently evident, In
this state, during the past three years
that school boards have with one
stroke OF the axe, cut away domestic
science departments. manual train
ing departments and other depart
ments OF that character.
Oftimes this was done after such
department had been installed and
equipped at large expense. In this
article the writer will deal only with
domestic science departments.
Possibly one reason why domestic
science departments were sometimes
so ruthlessly dealt with arose TO
quite an extent from the fact that
their daily maintenance costs, out
side of the cost of the teaching force,
was very considerable.
Reaction Is Underway.
At this time il is the writer's OBJ
servation that there appears TO be
reaction against the removal of these
departm n is and considerable
thought being given TO their re-es-
adjustment, but on more economical
and along more practical lines.
As evidence OF this the writer cites
a letter received only few days
since from the board OF education OF
American Falls inquiring as TO the
methods employed in the Filler Rural
high school in keeping down the
costs OF maintenance OF this depart
ment.
II was suggested to the writer that
Il might possibly be of interest 20 our
school patrons. as IL appeared 10 be
TO the American Falls people to learn
Just how this is being done in our
high school.
First let me say that the depart
ment OF home economies does not at
tempt 20 pay the salary OF the teach
er. nor its fuel and water bills. bat
IL IS able to pay the costs OF all food
materials used in demonstrations.
and this is a very considerable item
In schools where the food so used is
not in turn sold. and the department
also pays for its laundry and clean
ing materials, thus keeping the de
partment on the same footing as any
other-the salary of the teacher be-
ing the main item OF cost.
Cafeteria Dcfrays Costs.
II has accomplished this through |
the sale OF hot lunches served 10 the |
30 or more students that daily eat
AZ the cafeteria
The aim OF the department has
been to teach the cooking OF plain
foods. thrift IN buying. economy in
using materials purchased. habits o.
order and cleanliness. together with
creating the pleasure derived from
asks well done.
First then. let as consider the item
II the cooking Of plain foods. The
many fundamentals OF plain cooking
ire mastered early because such food
3 prepared in family amounts and
he preparation Is repeated often 50
hat the student later is able TO do
his quickly and well. An added In
.entiye 10 do her work well Is given
he student because the food so pre-
Jared Is sold each day over the count
n Of the cafeteria and she hears the
and criticisms OF her Eel
ow students n the item OF the menu
he prepared has not been well cook
"a, seasoned and Hastily served.
Practical Problems Taught.
knowledge OF the proper food COM
,inations are gained for u Il the aim
4 the department TO serve a balanced
inch. where the student buys the
rhole % the lunch served. on the
.fher hand We welcome the students
ringing a part OF their lunch from
heir home.
Taking up next the item OF thrift
his Il taught In the buying and
ioring Of food. The department
uys only such foods as are in sea
on. In the fall we can fruits and
cgetables sufficient 10 last through
be year In this way foresight ia
lught In the wey OF food budgets ,
s we also seek 10 teach the use Of
be- kitchen garden and the raising
Z chickens IN order to keep the food !
liowance within ones income a.
ell a. TO provide the fresh vegefa-
lee and eggs IN greater quantities {