CHRISTMAS AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
(Phyllis M. McMurray and Elsie M Emerson^.
We reproduce the following article, contributed to the Training School Bulletin, published by the Training School at Vineland, New Jersey, U.S.A., by two New Zealand students, at the 1927 session, and who remained as Fellows in the Department of Education and Research for a period of six months. Christinas in a strange country is always interesting, but Christmas at The Training School, Vineland, New Jersey is just one big beautiful time. Everyone works for weeks beforehand and the whole institution is given over to making this the best Christmas of all. About a month before Christmas many beautiful and attractive gifts were placed in the store and the children took great pleasure in choosing presents for their family and friends. These were taken >to package rodms, wrapped in pretty paper, and tied with shiny cord and mailed to all parts of the country. Imagine with what delight these packages were opened on reaching their destination. From then on an air of expectancy prevailed. The children worked hard in th* play, sweet voices singing, the witch’s laugh, the scolding mother, Hans and Greta laughing and dancing, the demons stamping, the fairies tripping lightly, these could be heard and seen at all times of the day. The boys at Menantico were getting ready the laurel ropes and wreaths for decorations, the staff was busy preparing the Christmas dinner, helping to make the children’s boxes look just as bright and attractive as possible, and in the many other activities that go towards the making of a beautiful Christmas.
One of the most striking phases of Christmas time was the manner in which every person big or little did his or her bit towards Christmas and yet did hot know one quarter of what all the other people in the institutios were doing. But when the work of these minds, hands and hearts was brought to-, gather, what a wonderful result! And is not this so in most of the beautiful and wonderful happenings in life, when each one does his part with ail his might, cheerfully and willingly? Nearer came the time. The children had written their Santa Claus letters, the packages had been wrapped and strongly tied, all ready for hasty delivery and eager lingers on Christmas morning. The cottages, transformed with bright Christmas cheer, wreaths, sparkling Christmas trees, pretty chains and coloured lights, looked like fairy palaces as indeed they were to the children who seemed to reflect back again the radiance of happiness which tells of something done for someone else and the joy of expectancy for what is to come. Christmas Eve. Hearts almost stopped beating with the thrill of it. We dressed. up in our best, then with clattering feet and chattering tongues we set off to Garrison Hall and see! We are inside. We almost hold our breaths at the wonder of the scene. The fairies have been at work. This is surely the home of Santa Claus. Yes, there s the Christmas, tree all hung with sparkling, glittering things and there’s a castle in the middle of the stage. Now what can that be foi ? And look at the lights 1 Everyone knows' that Santa Claus always uses red and green lights. This is surely Santa Claus’ home. Then Professor Nash asked us all to sing “Hail Santa Claus. We sang with might and main but no Santa appeared. Ah! There comes Professor Johnstone. Perhaps he knows where Santa is. No but he says he will ring him up. “He was at Menantico you say?” (with shining eyes and open ears we all listened).’ “He has gone to Pitman. Thank you!” (sighs from the children). He rings Pitman. “Santa CJlaus there? No. Just left for Malaga.” (More sighs). Then with untiring efforts Professor Johnstone rings Malaga. “Is Santa Claus there? What’s that you say? He is!” (little squeaks of delight from the children and everyone settles back in their seats). “Well, there are a number of children waiting here at The Training School for him. Do you think I could speak to him?” Santa comes to the ’phone and Professor Johnstone asks the children to give a cheer so Santa will know they are there. The cheer would certainly bring Santa from the North Pole. Tim is asked for and eagerly rushes up to assure Santa that they aie all waiting for him. Professor rushes off to get him while all sit there just aching with anticipation.
Then a jingle, jingle. A sound of a voice. And —he’s here! Hail, hail, Santa Claus! Big and little rush up to shake hands. He talks to us a little, dances round to amuse ns then with a dash and a jingle, he’s gone. We feel sort of sad and lonely for a. moment till we remember that he said he might visit us on Monday with out toys. Then the castle dissolves into a box of candy for everyone and we leave Santa Claus’ home to tumble into bed and dream of him.
Sunday afternoon came bringing with it a long Assembly whither we all went quietly; to hear a little aljQut the best and most wonderful Gift given to the world so very long ago, to sing some Christmas Carols and to hear Professor Johnstone talk about the little Christmas tree outside Garrison Hall. We always felt that the little tree was move than a mere ordinary tree and now we know that it is a real human tree trying to grow good and straight and feeling, Oh! so happy that it can do its share to make Christmas bea'utiful.
Next morning very, very early we were wakened from our sleep to hear a ehoir of angles singing “O Silent Night” and as we gradually became more awake we heard “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” We knew it was our band but yet we felt, quite sure that we were in a Holy Church, and it was the Angels singing. You see, these tilings do happen in real life.
ißut Oh! this—this was Christmas Day. Wie had to hurry if we wanted to see Santa, shake him by Hie hand and wish him a Merry Christmas. There were the packages going into the cottages and with a wave of his hand Santa was gone. The children for a moment with bursting hearts almost afraid to touch the packages. Then with shaking hand and impatient fingers they tore the wrappings off. “Oh, I have a watch.” Ooh, here’s a scooter and here’s some candy, have some?” These remarks were heard from all sides. One little boy stood with wide open, black eyefi waiting very quietly and patiently for his package. Not a word said he. Down to the last package. “Why, what’s that hiding under the table? Here ij is, Tony —a wagon and a huge box!” Tony, wreathed in smiles, heartily attacked his box!” One boy who was having his first Christmas in the Training School sat with a shining, bewildered, happy look on his face saying, “I can’t get over it, I can’t get over' it. It’s all so lovely.” Then watches were set to the right time, every few minutes scooters were tried out, (Gee! this is a dandy one!) mouth organs played and heigh presto! it was time for dinner. Christmas dinner. That meant all sorts of good things to eat. We had to hurry.
The teachers and various members of the staff had the great privilege of serving the children. How they enjoyed their roast duck, sweet potatoes, seasoning and pumpkin pie. Their expressions of delight at the lovely day they were having made everyone feel that it surely was one big happy Christ,mas for all these five hundred children. There was something so sweet, so lovable about every child that it was a pleasure to be with them.
The children went back to their cottages eager to. look at their presents anew while the staff prepared for their dinner. How attractive the dining room looked with its beautiful ropes of laurel mak-, ing a canopy overhead. Each place was marked by a colourful spray of holly and dainty card. What a happy group! There was much laughing and talking while the turkeys were being carved. Christa mas, here and in other lands, was discussed. Professor Nash called on all to sing Christmas Carols and the harmonious chorus rolled forth like the tones of a great organ. We ''realised again the beauty and wonder of Christmas. Short speeches were given by Doctor Doll, representing. the Laboratory; Mrs. Nash, the School, Mi-. Merrithew, the Colony, Mrs. Sharp, the Family, Mr. McDougall, the Outside, and Miss McMurray, the Foreigners. Then Professor Johnstone spread some more of his cheery wisdom giving us happy thoughts to take away. The Children’s Blessing ended the most beautiful and wonderful Christmas that must stand as a landmark to those who were fortunate enough to partake in it.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3765, 10 March 1928, Page 1
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1,499CHRISTMAS AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3765, 10 March 1928, Page 1
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