REPORT OF THE KINDERGARTEN COMMITTEE.

Of the many inspiring and interesting papers presented at the recent National Convention held in our city, July 14, 15, and 16, 1896, none seemed to take deeper hold on the Washington League, than those presenting the practical results obtained in the kindergarten. It was regarded as the safest and quickest way of insuring that saving grace to the masses of our race, which makes for permanent goodness and usefulness.

At the first meeting of the League after the summer vacation the work was taken up in earnest, and on the 1st of November, 1896, a model kindergarten was opened, with fifteen young ladies in the training class under the care of Mrs. Louise Pollock, a trainer of national reputation. The school was opened with two sessions daily and a total enrollment of forty children. A free kindergarten was opened in the morning, and in the afternoon another for those who felt able and willing to pay the sum of 50 cents a month. This source of revenue enabled us to buy materials for both sessions.

The children of the free kindergarten brought a penny a day, which was used at the end of every month toward supplying shoes for the most needy.

The interest taken in the movement by the members of the League is very encouraging and gratifying. The day before Christmas one of the ladies sent six new aprons for the little girls and six new jackets for the little boys, beside some shoes, coats, and caps. From the shoe fund up to this time and from other sources ten children have been clothed and provided with shoes.

As most of the children of the free kindergarten come from homes where both parents are wage-earners, having to leave home very early in the morning, they necessarily come to us poorly attended to, and we deemed it advisable to provide an attendant to wash their hands and faces, and otherwise tidy them up.

The wisdom of this provision was soon apparent, for the children tried to the best of their ability to attend to their faces and hands before coming to school, and the parents also began to look after them better.

It was deemed advisable to secure the services of a medical inspector, both to increase the better physical condition of the children and prevent contagion in any form. We have had six cases requiring medical treatment. Have had occasion to order a disinfectant (chloride of lime) once. Treated two cases of conjunctivitis; one case of tonsillitis; one case of eczema; one case of habitual constipation.

A Christmas dinner of the good things that belong to that season was given the children of the free kindergarten. After the dinner the children of the pay school joined them in games, and at the close all were given a bag of nuts, candy, oranges, apples, and raisins to take home; they were all very happy and to the poor children it was a red letter day in their little lives.

In the early evening a meeting was held with the mothers of our children. Short talks asking their cooperation with us in taking care of the bodies and clothing, drew forth expressions of willingness to help in whatever way they could. One mother whose little boy had been provided with a number of shirtwaists and pants, and who is a regular contributor to the shoe fund, takes the lunch napkins home and launders them without pay. The mothers were given dinner, and a basket full of provisions each, and thus parents and children alike will ever look back with pleasure to the League's kindergarten Christmas dinner.

The Kindergarten Committee gave an entertainment to raise funds for the maintenance of their teacher, on the 15th of January, which was in every way satisfactory.

Through the efforts of the kindergarten Committee, our school officers and our Commissioners have been interested in the movement to the end of soon making kindergarten instruction a part of our Public School system, thus extending its benefits to all sections of our city, and opening up another avenue of employment for our women.

We regard this work as a most important branch of our education, in that it strikes deep at the root of those troubles which, unless eradicated by some such substitute for the home and wise mother, will continue to retard our progress as a race.

Respectfully submitted,
.......... MRS. ANNA EVANS MURRAY,
.......... Chairman of Kindergarten Committee.

Full text (Library of Congress/Daniel A.P. Murray Pamphlet Collection)