Evening star., 1943-02-14
BY MRS. p. c. ELLETT,

PRESIDENT. District Of Columbia Congress
Of Parents and Teachers.
Next Wednesday will make the
46th anniversary of the founding
of the National Congress of Parents
and Teachers and never has birth
day held more significance. Never
before have WOmen-Who make up
the largest proportion of membership
in the PTA-been called on to
take so prominent a part in our
Nations activities. Never before
have women of our country been
faced with such grave responsible
ties.
Definitely designated war work is
claiming the time and talents of
hundreds of women in Washington
who ordinarily would be devoting
their efforts solely to housekeeping
duties. Consequently many doubled
burdens are falling on the shoulders
OF those who are not so occupied
and who feel that parent t-teacher
work is important and worth while.
So perhaps it is good idea to re-
view briefly some of the projects
occupying the time and attention
OF members of this organization.
Lunch Project Tops List.
First on the list probably, might
be counted the lunch project. It is
now we'll known that the free lunch,
as 1t was carried on for several
years in Washington, is no more.
The dissolution of the WPA wrote
fms to that project But thought
ful members of the District of Co.
hmbia Congress of Parents and
Teachers have, for a long time, been
aware of the need for an overall
lunch program for Washington
schools that would insure the chill
dren who do not go home for lunch
a nutritious meal at the noon hour.
Realizing that the need is steadily
growing for such plan, as the
number of working mothers in
ueases, the Board of Managers, at
its February meeting Tuesday,
passed resolution declaring itself
heartily in favor of an overall
school lunch program, to be served
in all schools where possible, and
paid for by those pupils able to do
so, and of free lunches where neces-
sary, all to be under the paid super
vision of adequate, competent per-
sonneL"
The PTA is becoming more and
more impressed with the need for
proper nutrition instruction in the
elementary grades, especially, and
for this instruction to be illustrated
and vitalized by the serving of
MONDAY meal, we'll balanced and of
certain nutritive value. 1t is COM
mitted to an educational campaign
Cor better health through knowledge
Of what it takes to make that good
health.
Other Activities.
Other projects include the an
nual summer roundup of pre-school
children; active participation in
efforts for effective legislation for
the benefit of children, teachers and
parents; an active student aid COM
mittee which supplies wearable
clothing to many hundreds of indi-
gent children in the course of
school year; parent-training insti-
tutes, and classes given by the
George Washington University in
cooperation with the PTA.
Ali of these enumerated are read
fly classed as conservation programs,
tor they are directed toward con-
serving the children of our Nation.
Perhaps, the best gift that any one
interested in child welfare might
give is leadership, so that these pro-
sects, and others of like Importance,
may continue unbroken during these
times. And, in Offering
this leadership, we will be laying at
the feet of the founders of this
great organization one of the most
effective testimonials to their fore
sight.
State News.
Mrs. William Kletzer of Seattle, |