THE STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.

(Established by virtue of an act passed in 1897; located at Bedford Station, Morrison Division Colorado and Southern Railway. Post Office, Morrison, Colorado.)

Board of Control.

Mrs. George W. Gano, President, Denver.

Mrs. Frederick F. Chamberlin, Secretary, Denver.

Hon. Edward C. Stimson, Denver..

Mrs. John A. Arkins, Denver...

Mrs. Henry Van Kleeck, Denver.

Term, five years.

Term expires.

.1911

.1913

1912

1914

1915

No salary.

Mrs. Marian Rudgers Hutton, Superintendent.

M. Ethel V. Fraser, M. D., Visiting Physician.

Population at the close of November 30, 1908, 77; received during the two years closing with November 30, 1910, 97. Paroled during this period, 59; returned from parole, 8; second parole granted, 2; violated parole, 2; transferred to Crittenton Home, 6; at the House of the Good Shepherd, 1; died, 1; honorably discharged, 60; on parole November 30, 1910, 17; in institution at close of November 30, 1910, 107; total under care of school November 30, 1910, 131. The population has increased 64 in four years.

The school consists of four cottages, an executive building and a school house with an assembly hall. Each cottage is independent and reproduces, as far as it is possible, the spirit and methods of a home.

If a girl is willing to adapt herself to the simple rules and regulations governing the school, she becomes eligible for parole in about 18 months. The girls remain on parole for a year, during which time they are visited twice a month by the assistant superintendent, who keeps close watch over them. Great care is exercised in selecting homes for the girls, that they may see the better side of home life from the very beginning of their parole. During this period they receive $3.00 per week for their services.

It is necessary in some cases to keep the girls at school for a longer period than 18 months on account of mental defects, and in some cases they are held until they are 21 years of age. Each year sees some admissions of this class.

The report of the visiting physician covering the work from May, 1909, to October, 1910, shows that, in that time, 158 girls came under her observation, and of those 20 per cent. were in apparent absolute health, and of the remainder, a majority had but minor ailments. There was but one death. The most important work has been the removal of adenoids, and tonsils when diseased,

and contributing to moral and mental, as well as physical ill health. In every case the benefits have been distinct, and in a few cases so marked that the girls seemed to be regenerated.

There are four sessions of book school each day, two in dressmaking, one in model and plain sewing, two in cooking, and two in garden or out of door work. The report cards giving the averages for the month, and the deportment in school and cottage, have done wonders toward promoting hard study. These cards are sent to the parents.

The training in the cooking school covers a period of four months, with two sessions of three hours each in every school day. There are eight girls in each class, 48 pupils receiving instruction annually. Great interest is taken in this work, and the girls learn to prepare and serve meals very creditably.

The model sewing class consists of fifteen beginners. The Pratt Institute system of sewing is used. It provides forty models, which teach as many stitches and methods of work. Afterwards each girl is taught to use the sewing machine, and to make plain garments before she is promoted to the dressmaking class.

In the dressmaking department, garments are made for the entire school. Here the girls are taught to cut and fit underwear and dresses, as well as to do fine machine work. During the past year, besides doing the usual amount of sewing, the girls have made their sailor suits-one hundred of them-for Sunday wear. They are also taught hemstitching, embroidery and other kinds of fine needle work. They take great pride in sending an exhibition of their work to the monthly meeting of the Board of Control.

An orchestra of seventeen pieces has been organized. Forty girls are being instructed in note reading, and those who have instruments at home are allowed to send for them. This orchestral work is stimulating the girls in good conduct, as well as teaching them a knowledge of music.

Instruction in physical culture was given during the summer. Evenings are devoted to basket and volley ball. The old games of "Three Deep" and "Last Couple Out" are much enjoyed, while roller skating on the cement walks gives unfailing pleasure.

Under the supervision of the matron, the girls assist with the weeding and irrigation of the garden. It delights them to put on rubber boots, and, armed with a shovel, to wade about, making dams and ditches. Each cottage cares for its own lawn and flower beds, as well as performing all the light work around the place. Often during the busy gardening season a grade is excused from school work for two or three days, the teachers and pupils all enjoying the change to out-of-door work. The girls apply weeks ahead to be one of the garden squad.

The school management and pupils have been much occupied and interested during the past two years in laying cement walks

about the grounds; replacing the old board ones. These cement walks are an improvement which is a credit to the State, as well as being a great convenience to the school. Over 1,000 square feet of walk have been laid. The girls sift the sand, measure the same and the cement, and dig the trenches for laying the 2x4 timbers, as well as mixing the quantities. They learn to do the troweling, edging and marking very neatly. Some of the school door blocks look like large pieces of stone.

Religious exercises are a marked feature of the school. Representatives of the different denominations conduct the services and preach.

The Christian Endeavor and Sunday School have done much to help the individual girl. The girls in turn lead the meetings and it is quite remarkable to see the interest taken and the attention paid to the well chosen readings and Bible selections. The Christian Endeavor active member pledge has been signed by every girl in the school.

The appropriations made by the last General Assembly provided for the completion of many needed improvements at the school. Much repairing, such as painting, etc., has been done by the girls. A new cottage, frame barn, a storage water tank, and a brick power house have been built. The old ice house has been converted into the farmer's cottage and the former administration building has been remodeled so as to serve as a cottage with dormitories, and the grounds have been greatly improved.

A balance of $15,244.61 remains to the credit of the institution at the close of this biennial period.

This institution will ask the coming Legislature for the following appropriations: