Spring Valley High School - Purple and Gold Yearbook (Spring Valley, WI)

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38 PURPLE AND GOLD 1913 stools, tahorcts, piano benches, morris chairs, library tables and chairs, and many other well-made pieces of furniture. Some of the work was on exhibition at the Pierce County Fair at Ellsworth last fall, when it received the prize. lt is fair to say that there was no competition: but favorahle comments from the visitors to the hooth would indicate the high order of workmanship shown. The standard has been kept high, due to the efforts and ability of Mr. lt. E. Barr, the instructor. lt is safe to say that it ranks well with similar work at any of the schools of the state. 'l'he University at Madison, after having twice inspected the work in our schools, has given credit for it upon entrance requirements. At a meeting of the voters of the school district held April 14th, it was decided to discontinue the Manual Training, at least for the present. This decision is the result ofthe extra expense incurred in maintaining the department. But, sometime in the future, the people will realize the benefit derived from Manual Training and will replace the work in the Uourse of study. VIIAS. l l'l'ZGEltAl.ll. BOYS AT WORK IN MANUAL TRAINING SHOP SPRING 'VALLEY SCHOOLS

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SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 37 Chapter Three MA UAL TRAINING The question of vocational work for the schools has been dis- cussed for a number of years. The first direct effort here was made in 191 1, when the Sciences in our Course of Study were emphasized wherever possible, especially along the Agricultural side. Judging and testing of seed corn and testing of milk and cream were carefully worked out. In February, 1912, the Manual Training department began its work in a basement which had been previously prepared by the laying of a cement floor. The trial that was given Domestic Science and Manual Training during that half year was so satisfactory that it was decided to place in operation a complete course of study in both lines of work. The Manual Training room was further fitted with benches and tools, the equipment to be complete for fourteen benches. Provision for future needs was made by laying a foundation for a gasoline engine and for a forge equipment. The individual tools consist of two planes, a tri- square, scatch awl, rule and sloyd knife. There are many other tools, which are for general use by all. Racks were made by the students for the rough stock and for partially completed projects. and cabinets were constructed for smaller pieces. Manual Training is taugl-t, not merely for the making of furni- ture, but to teach the skilful use of tools, to train boys how to work with care and caution, and to train them in judgment, both of proportion and artistic design. The confidence and self-reliance that comes from the training received, so that a boy is not afraid to accept certain directions to work, knowing he has the ability to carry them out in a successful manner, is perhaps the greatest benefit derived from the work. This benefit is worth much in the future life of the boy, both in a general way, and in actual dollars and cents. ln addition to Manual Training, the subject of Mechanical Drawing was added in September. 1912. This enables a student to draw the plans of whatever he wishes to construct, and, with keenness of eye and good judgment, to determine the dimensions and proportion of the article, and, upon completion, it leaves the student with a working draw- ing. Thus he may either copy what he sees and likes in other designs or even design his own model. An exhibition of the work done in the shop last year was on dis- play to the public at the close of the school year. The work received nulch praise, both by the people in the village and from the surrounding country. ln this exhibit were shown towel racks, tie-racks, broom holders. cutting boards. knife boxes, and other similar articles from the Grades: while the Iligh School department contained mirrors, fern stands, foot-

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SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 39 Chapter Four DOM ESTIC SCIENCE The Domestic Science department was instituted in the Spring Valley schools during the latter part of the school year ISJII and IQ. .Ks this was only the beginning, there were few things to work with: room B was turned into a cozy little kitchen, fitted with a cabinet, oil stove, cook- ing table and cooking utensils. The laboratory was turned into a sewing room, and on every Tuesday and Friday afternoons busy girls could be seen at the long tables and sewing machines. All the classes, beginning with the sixth grade, on through the fourth year of high school, took this course. It proved such a success, and everyone became so interested under the guidance of Miss VVaters, the instructor, that it was decided to have a regular department fitted up in true domestic science style for the next year. A large room was prepared in the attic, and fitted out nicely with domestic science furnishings. Miss Kennedy, the new teacher, was es- pecially trained for the work, so prospects were bright at the beginning of the new school year. But a large debt was incurred, and furthermore the citizens of the village found that they were unable to support such an institution: so there will be no domestic science department in the future. It is, how- ever, the wish of all that some day they will be able to re-establish it, as it has proven very valuable. GIRLS SEWING ---- IN LABOIIATOIIY