1930 - Annual Convention Report

              40 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
At Bashaw the Institute converted the old school building into a gym­nasium
which the children were able to use all winter. I thought this rather
outstanding. Another Institute equipped a tennis court and still another made
a rink at the school. Very many others bought playground and athletic
equipment. One Institute had what I considered a better plan in this direc­tion,
however, and one which I thought might be utilized where'school boards
felt they could not afford, to spend money on equipment. They planned and
assisted the teacher to put on an exhibition of the pupils' work, combined'
with a programme. This was patronized by the district and the money re­ceived
was used to buy the needed equipment, thus securing the end desired
and incidentally teaching the children to help themselves.
In addition to the things we have been especially concentrating on, the
Institutes have been busy with a host of other things. Arbor Day was a
busy day in the Province of Alberta. The " Institute" must have " gone to
school in a body" that day. Grounds were cleaned, hedges, trees and flowers
planted. Window boxes prepared and in many cases lunch was served to the
busy workers, old and young, by the Institute.
A musical note comes to us from the north this time. Pianos have been
placed in many schools there, one Institute agreeing to buy the piano if the
school board would engage a teacher with musical training. As a result the
children in this school now have musical instruction. We begin to under­stand
why the north has such a good musical festival. Many gifts of books
were made to schools during the last twelve months. In one case the Insti­tute
buying books as well as paying for the services of a librarian. The
Geographic Magazine was a very favorite gift also. Please bear in mind
that we now have a " Canadian Geographic" published, which should make
us better acquainted with our own country. Help in securing art studies
was also given.
Honor Rolls were placed in schools and Commencement Exercises arrang­ed
where the successful grade eight pupils were presented with signet rings,
medals, etc.
The School Fairs were well supported and prizes given for many classes
of exhibits. New School Fairs were also reported as having been organized,
while one Institute reports serving free lunch on the day of their School
Fair. Where there was no School Fair organized, prizes were given for
children's work at the A g r i c u l t u r a l Fair.
Oratorical contests, public speaking and spelling contests were popular,
while one Institute mentions a contest in " Canadian Industries," but did not
mention how it was conducted. The fairy God Mother, the Institute, as usual
provided the prizes for these contests. Free picture shows with educational
films have been given to the children. An illustrated lecture on Canada,
procured from the Extension Department, has also been used, while one Insti­tute
was endeavoring to secure slides to assist the pupils with their Ancient
History study.
F r om another source comes news of a wonderful concert, featuring artistic
and folk dancing, also folk songs, the children in this case being trained by
one of our members. Another Institute reports buying a moveable platform,
curtains and other equipment for their school, to be used for concert pur­poses.
Then in very many districts, the Institute either arranged a Christmas
tree or assisted with one.
A splendid banquet was held for the school in one district on the 24th of
May, at which the children made after dinner speeches on such subjects as
" The Fur Bearing Animals of Canada," " Our National Parks," " The Turner
Valley Oil Fields," " What I Shall Become when I am a Man," etc.