USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Towson > Oriole and Tower-Light, 1922-1927 > Part 135
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May you decide to enroll with theSt., Mr. Townley R. Wolfe.
Page 3
TOWER LIGHT
JANUARY, 1927.
COUNTY UNIT REPORTS.
The Allegany County Unit.
Last spring the Alumni of the Maryland State Normal at Towson living in Allegany County met and organized a unit of the Alumni As- sociation for the purpose of keeping in touch with their Alma Mater and doing such work as may be planned by the Association.
Since we are so far away and were unable to attend the luncheon and conference held on Saturday, Novem- ber 13, at the Towson Normal, we planned a luncheon in Cumberland on that day. On that occasion we received, through a letter from Miss Mary H. Scarborough of the faculty, inspiration and information concern- ing the Association. Miss Myrtle Eckhardt, Class 1913, and a member of our unit gave us a message from the Reunion last June.
We have "rounded up" thirty graduates living in our county, and we hope at a luncheon in the spring to have the entire group and a facul- ty member meet together in fellow- ship and true Normal School spirit.
MARY T. DUNKLE, Chairman.
The Normal School Alumni Associa- tion Of Anne Arundel County.
The Normal School Alumni Asso- ciation of Anne Arundel County has been organized for several years. We were honored in having Miss Sarah Richmond inspire us at our first meeting.
The members throughout the coun- ty have been enthusiastic and ambi- tious for the Normal School. Many interesting and purposeful meetings have been held.
In the spring of 1925. we had quite an exceptional general meeting, fol- lowed by a luncheon at Carvel Hall. At this time we were able to give one hundred dollars ($100.00) to Miss Tall, as a gift to the School.
In 1926. when the big drive was on for an increase in the Sarah E. Richmond Loan Fund, Anne Arundel County contributed five hundred dol- lars ( $500.00) plus an individual scholarship of one hundred eighty dollars ($180.00) to the cause. Great appreciation is here expressed for the efforts of Mrs. Joshua Linthicum, of Linthicum Heights, and of Mrs. Conrad Stoll, of Brooklyn, for con- tributing so generously toward the funds. Much credit, too, can be giv- en the Parent-Teachers' Associations of the County for their support and interest in the drive. And too much call not be said of the your utmost support.
deavors of Mrs. Louis Thomas, our present president, for inspiring the people and soliciting aid.
This year, we are having a special drive for new members, and are look- ing forward to a very happy and en- thusiastic meeting in the spring, with a greater love than ever before for the institution that has meant so much to us.
RUTH PARKER, Secretary.
Cecil County Unit Works!
The Cecil County Unit of the Md. State Normal School was organized March 5, 1920, at a County teachers' meeting. The Unit's first business We wanted to put in the "Tower Light" meeting was held in April. At our first social meeting which was a ban- But remember we're Prince George's Some Pretty Good thrilling tales- quet, Miss Sarah E. Richmond was our guest of honor. County
Since that first meeting, almost seven years ago, the Unit has grown both in membership and usefulness. Our purpose is threefold; to effect a closer relationship between the Cecil Alumni and their Alma Mater; to create an interest in educational mat- ters; and to promote personal ac- quaintance among members.
We find that the best way to pro- mote personal acquaintance among our members is to have them work together for some definite purpose, and in doing this we have become one of the outstanding units of the State.
During the year 1925-1926 we raised $150 for the Loan Drive and $50 for a local loan fund. This money was raised by bakes, Japanese sales, and subscription card parties.
We have given $25 to the school. have sold tickets for the theatre benefits given by the Alumni As- sociation, and one of our members has been president of the Alumni. We have attended many of the Bal- timore meetings.
Our slogan for 1927 is an increased membership. We will be glad, read- er, if you are a Cecil County gradu- ate, to welcome you to membership in our unit and to have your co-op- eration in our work.
MARY CONNER KEITHLEY. 17.
President.
KATHERINE M. BRATTON, '07. Secretary.
The Dorchester Alumni Association.
The Dorchester Chapter of the Alumni Association is waiting to welcome each new member in June. Stand hy your Alumni Association and it will stand by you. Help to
make this Chapter one of the biggest and best in the State by giving it
sincere and whole - hearted en- Margaret Mills, Class of '22.
Harford County Report.
The Harford County Unit of The M. S. N. are planning a meeting for January 15, 1927, at 2 P. M., in the Assembly Hall of Bel Air High School. At this time they hope to launch a drive for a 100% member- ship of paying alumni members. All alumni of the Harford Unit are earn- estly requested to be present.
Hiss Mary H. Scarborough, of the faculty of the M. S. N. S. has prom- ised to be with us.
HATTIE M. BAGLEY.
And not the Prince of Wales.
Our Contribution Is-
We have a County unit In our county called P. G. We're from and for Old Normal That's plain as it can be.
So our unit had a meeting And just thirteen came-all told But we weren't a bit unlucky, Worked and sang "The White and Gold."
A membership drive has been started. "Make our unit whole per cent!" And our mailing list-Alumnae- To our Alma Mater sent.
Busy? Yes-but always ready Just to show appreciation
To our school as the members Of the Alumni Association.
HAZEL WRIGHT.
Oldest County Alumni Unit Heard From!
Montgomery County Alumni held their first meeting in September, 1919, at the home of Mrs. Barnsley. It included such prominent people as Dr. and Mrs. West, Miss Rich- mond. Miss Snyder, Miss Scarborough and nearly a hundred others.
Our unit is renewing its activities and sends New Year's Greetings and best wishes to all.
Mrs. LUCY BARNSLEY, Chairman.
Washington County Is Lively.
The Washington County unit of M. S. N. S. has been in existence since May of 1926. It has a three-fold aim -to keep in touch with its Alma Mater, a social aim, and a beneficial one. The last one seems to be para- mount for it has been working for funds with which to help a worthy
JANUARY, 1927.
TOWER LIGHT
Page 4
student secure a Normal training. This has been done by voluntary subscriptions. cake sales and an Evening in the Sunny South-a mus- ical and literary entertainment. The Unit held a box social in September at the City Park in Hagerstown, and sent representatives to the meeting of the Alumni at the Normal School in November.
LAURA C. KING.
WHO SHOULD CHOOSE TO TEACH?
Theoretically, yet absolutely truly, only those should choose to teach who, like the violin virtuoso, "feel the call," love the material and love the instrument, those who have a sense of the high calling of the teach- er, and feel within themselves both the determination and the power to make a success of the calling. A friend once said of her two boys: We have a violinist and a fiddler in our family." Explanations were su- perflnous. The statement contained the whole story. One labored and dreamed. The other diverted him- self.
The teacher-elect should be inter- ever making either of these quali- ested in people, a student of human fied and efficient teachers. There has been more of laughing in the room today than at any previous time. nature under all sensible social con- ditions. The recluse soon dries up, and should blow away, but does not. Nov. 21-Received a complaint from the Steward about the girls making a noise-especially by Danc- ing. Met a committee of Conference from the Young Ladies-talked over the matter. Of children and of herself she should learn that a healthy atmosphere, in school and ont, is based upon quiet- ness and confidence. Noise, combat. suspicion work evil in the home and in the school.
She should cultivate attention to details without hecoming the slave of detail. No well-ordered home nor school neglects them, and yet, in the most successful homes and school they seldom appear to the casual oh- server. The teacher-elect should reg- ister a vow never to say "I told you that once," but cheerfully insist twice or several times as necessity requires, that the thing be done ac- cording to directions.
The teacher-elect should be of a hungry mind, an eternal seeker af- ter truth, a student in many fields. She may not know what bit of knowledge or information may awak- en the interest and kindle the en- thusiasm of
some eager mind, nor to what heights of accomplish- ment that experience may Icad.
SARA C. BROOKS, St. Paul, MInn.
JOURNALS OF YESTERDAY AND | Oakes and family of East Cambridge.
TODAY.
A new book has just been added to the library containing a history of the first normal school in Ameri- ca, now situated at Framington, Mas- sachusetts-The Journal of Cyrus Peirce, the Principal, is written at Lexington, beginning July 3, 1839. Some of the entries are of interest because of the similarity of his problems to ours of today; others because of their quaint difference. Some items are:
July 8, Monday-School opened this day with 3 pupils, Hawkins, Smith and Stowe-one Miss Rolph added during the day Exercises Con- versation-Grammar & Arithmetic. ! Three of the Scholars promise well .. Aug. 12-Several scholars absent this day because of the rain. This
I was sorry to see. It angurs ill.
Sept. 9-The school now consists of twelve scholars. They seem in- dustrious & interested; and nearly every one of fair capacity. But many of them are yet backward They want language-they want the pow- er of generalization, and of commun- ication.
Nov. 8-Two or three of my pu- pils Normalites seldom make any answers to questions. Misses X. & Y. especially. I have little hope of
Nov. 23-This day learnt authen- tically that one of the pupils of the Normal School is under Matrimonial engagement. The School will not suffer a great loss.
Dec. 23-Most of the lessons have heen well recited. Several of the Scholars went home last Saturday, and have not returned: this is the Evil of leaving School: it is always a great inconvenience and interrup- tion.
Dec. 30-The Exercises today im- perfectly prepared. The girls not un- frequently speak of the want of time. I have urged the propriety of having no more studies than they can prepare well and in season.
Jan. 29-No session. Cleaning stove-funnel.
May 28-Many deficient-imper- fect Performances in every part of the Schoolroom. I never knew a good School next day after a holi- day.
Tuesday, Aug. 4-Held much Con- versation with my pupils on various Topics-especially Physiology and Matrimony. I gave them to under- stand that I thought there were but very few of them, who did not violate the Laws of Physiology in the matter of tight lacing. I hope, it may do good.
*
* *
This engaging book has also ex- cerpts from the journal of Mary Swift, a student of the school. Mary's point of view is as enlightening and entertaining as that of her Principal.
M. L. O.
Adventures In School-Teaching.
Sept. 5-It is Monday night. To- morrow I open school at
Sept. 16-I am plugging away pretty hard at teaching even tho I don't know what it's all about. I manage to keep things going tho and that's something. I get along with the children all right, but if they know what it's all about, I don't
Oct. 16-I entered upon teaching with high ideals and a purpose to teach by modern methods of peda- gogy. I made the mistake of start- ing with the children on a higher level than the one on which they were living. Since then I have stead- ily retreated from my lofty notions of teaching and am more nearly on the children's level. From now on begins a struggle to raise them to a higher level.
Oct. 22-I should have worked on my lesson planning tonight but I didn't feel like it.
Oct. 31-I have been reading when I should have been making lesson- plans, but I don't give a "kitty." I will get along somehow and then at the end of the week I will plunge industriously into next week's work.
Nov. 1-I discovered that I can get thirty-five books from the Md. State Library Commission for four months.
Nov. 15-Today I brought a pair of boxing-gloves to school. It was a regular circus. Many damaged noses and black eyes were taken home as souvenirs.
There seems to be difficulty in get- ting three people up here to sign the application blank for the books from the State Library Commission. I'll get them to sign or know the reason why.
May 15-Friday. Warm and pleas_ ant. P. M. Rain. Exercises-Geog- raphy, Anc. & Mod. Arithmetic, Grammar, Ment. Philosophy, Cons. Nov. 17-This is Friday. It has been one Dickens of a week. Disci- plinary problems are uppermost at present and unless I change or they of Man, Mental Excitement, Reading, Spelling, Orthoepy, & Rhetoric. Per- formance fair-School visited by Mr. change, somebody is going to get a
JANUARY, 1927.
TOWER LIGHT
Page 5
"A" CLASS OF 1887-'88.
licking pretty soon. I guess I did (sity, I deny it, and hope I won't have A CHAT WITH PRINCIPAL THOS. something the wrong way bnt I don't it to do again, unless I tackle some- know what it is.
one my own size.
Nov. 23- Last week, for some rea- son I was very irritable,-so were the youngsters. This week things are different. While there has been just as much or more to make me fly off the handle, it hasn't jolted me 'whom I told to stay in ran out a at all.
Nov. 24-Yesterday our soccer team was defeated by the
School by a score of 4 to 0. My kids enjoyed it a lot and said "Just you wait 'till they come up to our school. We'll show 'em.
Nov. 29-It is stimulating to buck up against a lot of high-spirited boys who will not docilely comply with one's demands. Of course order must be maintained or there could be no school, but I wouldn't give a cent for a boy who didn't get into mischief occasionally or defy the teacher.
Dec. 6-I whipped a boy today. I didn't realize what it would be like until I did it. I would do it again if it was necessary but I hope I won't have to. If I am faced at any time with open defiance or rebellion I will tell them to step up and have it out right there. It is debasing to whip a hoy. It does more harm than good to both the inflictor and the receiver. However others may talk of its neces-
Dec. 7-I was mistaken when l thought some time ago that there was no problem of discipline. I have a bad spirit of disorder and rebellion rampant in the school. Several
little before four o'clock. Tomorrow they will stay in twice as long and I will be at the door. Then let them try running out.
Dec. 8- Things are becoming in- teresting. There seems to be no dan- ger of stagnation. It sure is interest- ing to observe how the children re- act to me. I'm liable to throw a couple out tomorrow.
Dec. 10 -- We are getting ready for a Christmas Entertainment. Today one of my larger hoys remarked that he wished he had school tomorrow (Saturday). Most of the boys show a fine spirit of co-operation. We got the Inmber for the stage and made shelves for refreshments. The boys are going to put up the stage tomor- row.
Dec. 15-The supervisor was up today. The youngsters were like an- gels, and she said to me as she left, "What marvelous control you have over those children, Mr.
I am very much pleased."
ONE OF '26.
C. BRUFF, ONE OF OUR OLDEST ALUMNI.
The Maryland State Normal School was established in 1868 in Red Men's Hall over a fire engine house on Paca street, near Fayette, by Principal M. A. Newell and Miss Sara Richmond, his assistant, so Mr. Newell and Miss Richmond are well known as the father and mother of our Maryland State Normal School. Phenomenal growth demanded that the school be moved from Paca Street, in 1873, so a building was rented at Franklin and Charles streets, called the Athe- neum Club. The years passed rapid- ly, and Normal School so increased in popularity that it was found neces- sary to move it to Carrollton and La- fayette Avenues. The fourth step taken landed ns at the beautiful plant in which we are now residing at Towson.
Among those graduates of the time our school was in Baltimore, we have a former city principal now living in Towson whom it was my privilege to interview. Mr. Thomas Bruff has done much for the Mary- land State Normal School and bas taught and supervised a generation who bless him for all of the knowl- edge and ideals which he gave them. He opened the Waverly School in
Page 6
TOWER LIGHT
JANUARY, 1927.
1$70, and taught there until 1874, and then was transferred to Balti- more County High School at Towson. After Mr. Bruff had taught two years in high school, he was given the po- sition of county examiner, now known to us as that of County Su- perintendent. During his adminis- tration. he bronght to Baltimore Connty the grade system, which made a marked improvement over former methods. Mr. Bruff revised the Bal- timore County Course of Study, and gave each grade certain brief assign- ments for the year.
Mr. Van Sickle was made snperin- tendent of schools in Baltimore City in 1890, and at_ that time every building had a principal. In the Su- perintendent's reorganization. he changed principals to vice-principals and appointed a number of group principals, each one being assigned a district to supervise. There were twenty-one group principals. Six of these group principals were former Normal School graduates. Nine of them had served as principals of Bal- timore County. Mr. Bruff was one of these. Among our other promi- nent alumni is Dr. Richard Grady, who was fonnder of the Polytechnic School.
There were twenty-one principals, and out of these, eight are living who were gradnates of Maryland State Normal School. There is only one principal remaining in Baltimore City who was a graduate of Mary- land State Normal School. He is Mr. Rosall Berryman, principal of one of the largest Junior High Schools in Baltimore City.
Dr. Love, a former graduate, has become a successful physician and is now living in Baltimore. Dr. J. Charles Linthicum has led a very successful life and is now one of our Congressmen of £ Maryland to the United States House of Representa- tives.
The Alumni have promoted our growth by teaching over the State, and bringing to the students the need of normal trained teachers. We owe much to Miss Sara E. Richmond for the advancement and success of Maryland State Normal School. She was throughout the State an inspira- tion and a much beloved teacher and principal.
Speaking from our present stand- point. we see the standards of Mary- land State Normal School much high- er today than they were in the early life of Normal School. This situa- tion has been made possible only by the rapid growth of Normal School
and the great
numbers
of
well-
trained Normal teachers we are get- ting both in Baltimore City and throughout the State of Maryland.
RACHEL POWELL, Sr. 12. Reporter.
A REALISTIC PLAY.
Founder's Day Observed 1926.
Introduction-
Just sixty-one years ago today the Maryland State Normal School was founded, and it has seemed fitting and appropriate to commemorate that day lest we forget its signifi- cance.
In 1704 Angnst Hermen Francke, a German, attempted to provide special training for teachers. Since that time the question of training teachers has been of great concern not only to our educators, but to all
men of great foresight. In 1743, when Benjamin Franklin proposed the founding of the Academy and Charitable School of Philadelphia,
he gave as one of the reasons for starting such an institution that some of the students of a lesser sort might be trained as teachers. We presume that the students of the greater sort would become doctors, lawyers or ministers. However, such a concep- tion is not held today.
The first Normal School that was established in America was at Lex- ington. Mass., in 1839, by James C. Carter. Maryland was the next State to make such a move toward the education of trained teachers. January 15, 1865, the Maryland State Normal School was created by the Maryland Legislature and opened in 1866 with eleven students by Dr. M. A. Newell. The school was first located in Red Men's Hall, Paca Street, near Fayette, in one of the noisiest sections of the city. One moderate sized hall, badly lighted and ventilated, served as recitation room, studio and gymnasium.
As the number of students in- creased, conditions became intoler- able, and through an increased ap. propriation the school was moved to the Athenean Building on the corner of Charles and Franklin streets. In 1874 the school was given a perma- nent home at Lafayette Square.
Dr. Newell was very anxious to se- cure a home for the school where there would be an abundance of room permitting dormitories and athletic grounds for the students. Unfortn- nately he did not live to see his dream come true, for he died in 1893, having served the State and School for many years in a most admirable manner.
In 1909 the Alumnae Association of the school met and discussed the need of more trained teachers in Maryland, and through a well organ- ized campaign acquainted the people of the State as to the true situation. Hon. J. Charles Linthicum, an
Alumnus, introduced a bond bill in the Legislature providing $400,000 for the purchasing of a suitable site for the proposed new Normal School. The bill was passed and a committee
let it be known that it wished to purchase not less than seventy-five acres of land on a trolley line, mak- ing it accessible to Baltimore and near a railroad and town in which were located churches, stores and physicians. In '1912 a bond bill of $600,000 was passed and the site decided upon. The present campus contains eighty-two acres of land that cost $83,735. The buildings are of Middle English Architecture, of fireproof reinforced concrete con- struction throughont and represent the latest in modern school archi- tecture.
When the school was first organ- ized there was military training for the men. Later the Domestic Sci_ ence Department was organized and its work particularly stressed. The two literary societies have existed since 1866. At first, the nor- mal colors were red and gold, and the Pest colors were blne and pink. In 1916 the Pest colors were changed to blne and gold. It was not until Miss Tall became Principal that the various clubs were organized.
In order to portray more vividly and possibly more interestingly the his- tory of our school to you we have planned a short dramatization. We have tried to portray the social life as well as the academic life of the school at various periods, and in or- der to impress npon yon its signifi- cance the characters have dressed to demonstrate the period they repre_ sent. The dramatization was planned by Senior Ten, and the dialogue, cos- tumes and pantomine woked out in class. We have done much research work, and to the interviews with Mrs. M. A. Newell, Miss Martha Richmond, Mrs. Tolson, Miss Tall, Miss Scar- borough and Mr. Brnff we are much indebted for our historical informa- tion, as well as to Miss Osborne, who loaned us books and pamphlets deal- ing with the history of this school. The examination questions used in the dramatization were taken from the catalogue of this school in 1866.
We are told in our history classes that we study the past to secure a keener appreciation of the past and present in order to improve our fu- tnre. We have indeed, inherited a rich past, for our school today is a product of the nntiring efforts of our predecessors. We appreciate those efforts and we appreciate still more their results, but if we are to get the fullest, richest and
deepest value from our history, we must not live in our glorions past, but make our present more glorious so that we may leave to the future as rich a heritage as onr successors left us.
Dramatization.
Scene-Modern Living Room.
Time-Six o'clock. (Grandmother and mother seated, with their knitting in hand). Clock strikes six.
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TOWER LIGHT
JANUARY, 1927,
Grandmother-Six o'clock! How dark it is! Is it not time for Mar- garet to be coming home? Mother :- Don't worry, mother. She has been late quite frequently. There is always a game or a tea dance or some club to attend. She probably will he coming in late many times in the near future, as the school year is drawing rapidly to a close and she will be preparing for her graduation.
Grandmother :- That hrings to mind my happy year at Normal. The first school opened in the little, poorly ventilated Red Men's Hall on Paca street, near Fayette, in January. We graduated that June, sixteen of us. Four received a higher diploma and twelve a diploma of a lower that graduation now. I think it was
grade. It seems as though I can see logical forms and parsing of easy
sentences. In spelling we had to the proudest moment of my life when : write correctly three verses selected I received my diploma. We were all dressed in white, in dresses something like the one I have on now, and the State Superintendent,-the Governor could not come-gave out the diplomas.
Enter Margaret.
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