1931 - Annual Convention

              33 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
if it is not satisfactory, advocates having a quiet talk with the teacher over
it instead of proclaiming to the district that she is no good because your
c h i l d r e n are not making progress.
Now for the other side of the picture. Many Institutes report their
teachers ' being so helpful in the Institute and community and one p a r t i c u l a r ly
speaks of t h e i r principal's wife giving them a fine paper, and adds the little
note, " Her home is always open to the senior pupils for advice and help as
well as for glee club practise." Doesn't that foreshadow ideal conditions
when we make such co- operation universal.
Now a word as to our activities. We made glad the hearts of the c h i l d r en
again w i t h the usual number of Christmas entertainments, valentine parties,
picnics, etc., accompanied by tons of ice cream. Who can estimate the value
of these good times we give the children, p r o v i d i n g sweet memories of child­hood,
happy pictures to hang on memory's wall. We did our part again in
making the schools attractive, both inside and out, providing pictures, books,
pianos, good ' magazines, new desks, gas lamps, dishes, planting trees and
window boxes and arranging for cinder walks and sport equipment. This
must mean much especially to the c h i l d who comes from the poorer type of
home, thus to come in contact with beauty and culture. It w i l l unconsciously
raise his standard and he in turn " will endeavor to raise the standard of his
home as he has the opportunity. We paid much attention to the health of
the children d u r i n g the year— making the schools sanitary, providing good
d r i n k i n g water, hot lunches, first- aid kits, thermometers, soap, towels, toilet
paper, saw that the out- buildings were kept in a sanitary condition, had
medical clinics by local doctors, had children immunized against contagious
diseases, encouraged the making of health posters and ' w r i t i n g of health
essays. The Junior Red C r o s s was organized in some schools.
It seems to me that we gave more prizes than ever ' before this year. I
don't know where the money came from, and for e v e r y t h i n g from obtaining
the highest marks on the departmental examinations to gopher tails. Some
of these prizes intrigued me. One was a watermelon, given to a school as a
prize, and my, how they enjoyed it, the convener said. Then there were
thermos flasks, snap albums and books.
We continued our support to the school fairs by offering many prizes
and furnishing workers to get the exhibits ready. One school had an out­standing
exhibit of school w o r k at one of the fairs, and another a fine exhibit
of health posters and books. A good suggestion comes from some source,
that public speaking, singing and athletic contests should be held in connec­tion
with the school fairs. O r a t o r i c a l contests have been sponsored, and
where the effects of the depression has been felt worst, children have been
supplied with shoes, stockings and clothing, as well as books, so that they
might he able to attend school. In some cases the examination fees of
children were paid. I was glad that among so many unselfish and varied
activities our women had a l i t t l e , t i m e left to develop their own souls. We
find them enjoying good papers on worth while subjects. One Institute had
a unique and pleasant way of studying geography . w h i c h I recommend t o you.
They had a w o r l d cruise, v i s i t i n g a country a month, a paper being given
on the c o u n t r y , . i t s people, customs and industries, the hostess serving refresh­ments
typical of the country and dressing in tire costume if possible.
I desire to express my gratitude to the Conveners a n d , a l l from whom I
received information to assist in preparing this report.