One comparatively small sewing class in the vocational school at Mount Vernon, New York, filled a box for the Belgian Relief, according to Red Cross specifications, as follows:
18 hot-water-bag covers 54 sheets 36 pillow cases 27 wash cloths 27 pairs of pajamas 36 hospital-bed sheets 9 pairs slippers 9 convalescent gowns 36 pairs socks 18 pairs bed socks 18 bath towels 36 face towels
In addition this class shipped in a few months over 2000 separate articles to Red Cross headquarters; as, for example,
75 children's dresses 149 tampon bags 224 baby bootees 219 ward shoes 76 hospital nightshirts 62 crocheted trench caps 597 slings 19 petticoats 14 chemises 403 body bandages 42 eye bandages 373 bathing suits 12 air cushions 77 pneumonia jackets 50 bath towels
All the schools of the state inquired if they might go on with this work when the schools opened in September. Schools which were not able to do the work in the spring were ready to begin on the first day of school in the fall. The work, however, has hitherto been neglected except in the curriculum of schools which have vocational courses, so that only girls electing domestic arts have had the opportunity of doing it as a part of their school program, but there is no reason why it should be limited to these girls. Those who are taking academic courses in high schools--and they greatly outnumber the vocational students--should have a chance to render service through the schools. In this connection it is well to say that the burden of doing productive work in war service should not be limited entirely to students in vocational courses. It will be a mistake to throw the burden of useful service upon a special group and in this way help develop the notion that those who take classical courses have nothing to do but look on, while those in vocational courses are to do the work.
Voluntary after-school clubs were organized in a great many schools, but no voluntary work can be systematized or directed so well as courses incorporated in the curriculum, and it is suggested to the schools of the country that special Red Cross courses be offered and that all girls be expected to devote a few hours a week to the work.
The following quotation from Édouard Petit's book "De l' école à la guerre" on what the normal schools of France are doing ought to be enough to inspire our American girls.
