COME, LITTLE LEAVES "Come, little leaves," said the wind one day. "Come over the meadows with me al).d play; Put on your dresses of red and gold, For summer is gone and the days grow cold." Soon as the leaves heard the wind's bud call, Down they came fluttering, one and all: Over the brown fields they danced and flew, Singing the sweet Iittle song they knew. "Cricket, goodbye, we've been friends so long Little brook sing us your farewell song; Say you are sorry to see us go: Ah, you will miss us right well we know." Dancing and whirling the little leaves went, Winter had called them and they were content; Soon, fast asleep in their earthy beds, The snow laid a coverlid over their heads. -George Cooper THE SCHOOL HELBER Volume 43 CAVE SPRING, GEORGIA, OCTOBER, 1942 No. I Employing and Training the Handicapped Worker MRS. ENA HOWELL, Supervisor, Non-Selling Training Rich's, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia SEVERAL months ago, as employment difficulties continued to mount, we decided to conduct an experiment in employing pupils from the Georgia School for the Deaf (G.S.D.) We knew that a few northern stores had been successful in placing the deaf in some departments. but we were beset by a number of misgivings over the problems the idea presented, such as where to place these people. Obviously, the deaf must be placed in non-selling departments, but even there, their deafness limited the position they might fill. Any job requiring the use of the telephone or frequent communications with members of their own or other departments was ruled out; likewise, any job entailing too great ,,"ariety of work. It was decided that it would be best to place this group in jobs where the work would be almost entirely of one type, so that continued instruction would be reduced to a minimum. Into this category fell such non-selling jobs as packing and inspecting, filing, stuffing, marking, salvaging and distributing packing materials, cashiering in the tube room, camptometer and key punch operating. Of course, there are numerous other possibilities, but we felt it wise to proceed slowly. A failure made from placing one of these people in a position where his physical handicap was too great, would be nothing short of tragic. Above all things, we did not want to give any of these deaf a Job at which he was doomed to almost certain failure and a consequent sense of inadequacy and discouragement. We believed it would be infinitely preferable to start these people at something under the limit of their capabilities. We were also extremely conscious of the problem of teaching the deaf and fervently found ourselves wishing we were able to "speak" their language. Their induction into store life found us wishing this more and more and fixed our determination to do something about it, not only because it would facilitate teaching, but because we ached to join in their conversations, to know what they were discussing with such animation. Incidentally, only a few of this group read lips at all or enough to follow rapid speech. Deaf Present a Real Challenge to Teaching Staff The anticipated advantages and difficulties of the plan having been discussed pro and con, the necessary arrangements were made through the State Vocational Rehabilitation Division and G. S. D., and the first few pupils arrived. Arrangements were made for all the girls to live together in a carefully selected boarding house, the boys in another. Department heads who had been contacted had given their whole-hearted cooperation. There was, at first, a certain amount of frank curiosity and downright staring as employees unexpectedly encountered some of the deaf "talking up a storm" in sign language. However, everyone soon became very matter-offact about it and, happily, the deaf seemed equally unconcerned about any attention they attracted. This group presented a real challenge to our teaching staff. At one time, when several of the deaf came in together, we were fortunate enough to be able to arrange ~or their school principal to act as IDterpreter for several days. This was of tremendous help since he c~~ld interpret, even making additional explanations, faster than the teachers spoke (it was surprising to learn that these deaf "talk" more rapidly than do the hearing.) However, it was necessary for us to have our material extremely well organized and carefully presented, stripped of any unnecessary repetition. When we taught without an interpreter it was a real test, but we managed fairly well with the aid of manuals. slide films, and blackboard.. In every class we were given the most rapt attention-no indifference here. Of course, the usual distracting noises were non-existent for this group. These young people are most alert and receptive and I would say that their intelligence is at least average, their memories better than average. The greatest single obstacle in teaching, next to their deafness, is (Continued on Page 11, column 1) -(3)- OUf New Supervising Teacher MRS. NELL A. GIBBONS I T IS with a great deal of pleasure that we introduce our new supervising teacher of the Advanced Department, Mrs. Nell A. Gibbons. Mrs. Gibbons has been a valuable member of the faculty and is well prepared to assume the full responsibilities of her new position. In 1904 Miss Nell Adams came to Georgia and Cave Spring to follow her chosen profession of teaching the deaf. With the exception of the years from 1912 to 1917 she has seen continuous service in the institution since that time. Even in her childhood days she became interested in the deaf and their problems. Her home was in Fulton, Missouri where the school for the deaf of that state is located. Her uncle. the late D. C, McCue, was assistant superintendent of the Missouri school and it was through him that she first became interested. After graduating ~t Christian College. Columbia, Missouri, she entered training for work with the deaf at Fulton. While training she served as substitute teacher gaining valuable experience. The first year after completing training she taught a private pupil living in the home of the deaf child's family in Durant. Oklahoma. After teaching at the Georgia school for eight years, Miss Adams was married to Mr. W. S. Gibbons of Cave Spring. For several years he had been on the staff of the school, later going into the machinery business. He is now one of the leading implement dealers of northwest Georgia. Following their wedding in 1912 Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons lived in Rome for five years. Then came America's entry into the First World War creating a shortage of workers along all lines. Mr. Harris, who was the superintendent at that time. induced her to again consider a place in the institution as her contribution in the emergency that existed. Since (Continued on Page 11, column 1) -(4)- Among the Staff T HE annual meeting of the executive committee of the G. A. D. was held in Cave Spring the week-end of September 5. Members of the committee and their wives were guests of the school. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Will Jeff Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sturgis. Miss Helen Cagle. Ernest Herron. and Jim Ponder. A very impressive ceremony was held Sunday morning in front of Freeman Hall near the beautiful bronze plaque which was presented to the school by the G. A. D. in memory of the Reverend S. M. Freeman who was for many years a devoted friend and minister of the deaf in Georgia. Mr. Hollingsworth accepted the plaque on behalf of the school. The family of Mr. Freeman was represented by Mrs. Malcolm Simmons who expressed her deep appreciation for the plaque and for the love for her father which prompted the act. Mrs. Simmons and the members of the committee were pleased with the location selected for the plaque which is in a very prominent place on the campus. They were also pleased with the installation of the plaque. It is a very impressive bronze tablet set in a marble niche. The guests were delightfully entertained at a watermelon cutting Sunday evening and at a barbecue Monday. A few weeks before school closed in the spring, whispers began circulating around that Mr. Tollefson was showing an unusual amount of interest in the Alabama School for the Deaf. The "mystery" was soon solved, however, for early in June he brought his bride who was Miss Frances May, a member of the Alabama School faculty, to Cave Spring. "Tolly" worked at the school during the summer and they occupied an apartment in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Casey, Jr. With the coming of fall, they showed a "migrating instinct" and went south. Mr. Tollefson accepted a position as teacher in the Academic Department of the Florida School for the Deaf at St. Augustine. He has been such an outstanding member of our faculty and has always shown a willingness to do everything possible for both the teachers and pupils that we are sure we will find him hard to replace. All of us wish for both of them much success and happiness in their new home. Although Mr. and Mrs. Baughman were with us only a few months, we feel that we have lost two very good friends as well as two competent co-workers. Mr. Baughman has accepted the position of Principal of the Oregon School for the Deaf. Letters to their friends in Cave Spring say that they are well pleased with their work and that they are enjoying living in the west. Miss Nettie McDaniel, former principal of the Georgia School, was a visitor here for a few hours one day in August. Miss McDaniel is Principal of the School for the Deaf in Beverly, Massachusetts. Mr. John L. Caple, Superintendent of the Arkansas School for the deaf, Mrs. Caple and their little daughter Suzanne were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth for a week during August. They were entertained at meals by Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. Norton, and Mr. and Mrs. Kennard. About fifty friends met at the spring one evening and spread their picnic supper together. Mrs. Caple was honored by Miss McDermott and Miss Watson at an afternoon bridge party. Several friends enjoyed the morning cola party at which Mrs. W. S. Gibbons and Mrs. Wheeler Gibbons were joint hostesses. A "get together" in the form of a picnic supper was enjoyed by the faculty and their husbands and wives on the evening of Sep- tember 19 at the spring. We discovered many good cooks among our numb~_aI).d as soon as warm evenings come around again. we hope to give them another chance to show their skill. The opening of the fall term brings a number of changes in our school staff. Mrs. Vela V. Evans has accepted a position as teacher at her home in Crab Orchard, Ky. Miss Ann Hutcheson is teaching near Gainesville, Florida. Mr. Rex Lowman is a teacher in the Virginia School for the Deaf. Mrs. Martiele Hedgepeth who taught beauty culture last year and was also a member of the normal training class, now has a position with the West Avenue Beauty Parlor in Cedartown. Miss Anna Terry is at her home in Little Rock. We understand that she is doing defense work. Mr. Connor Dillard has accepted a position as supervisor in the Arkansas School for the Deaf. Miss Ruth Geeslin and Mr. Loyd Sanchez were married early in June and are making their home in Columbus, Ga. Miss Gena Geeslin is connected with the Southern Bell Telephone Company in Rome. We are glad to welcome Mrs. Edna Pettis as supervisor of the large boys in the Primary Department. Mrs. Pettis is the mother of Steve Pettis and was formerly connected with the school. Mrs. Ollie Chapman, Mrs. Elmira Brannon and Miss Virginia Brannon have joined our staff as supervisors of girls. Mr. Clay Hopper is supervisor of the large boys. There are several boys much older than Mr. Hopper but from all reports he is quite able to cope with the situation. Miss Emmalee Jones is a teacher in the Primary Department. -(5)- THE SCHOOL HELPER October, 1942 THE SCHOOL HELPER All communications should be addressed to the School Helper, Cave Spring, Georgia. Published monthly during the school year in the printing department of the Georgia School for the Deaf. Entered at the post office at Cave Spring, Georgia as sp.cond class matter November, 1899. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103. Act of October 3, 1917. Authorized October 31, 1918. Subscription price is fifty cents for eight issues. C. H. HOLLINGSWORTH NELL A. GIBBONS MARIE S. KENNARD TEDDIE WATERS Superintendent . . Editor Associate Editor Printirrg InstructOr Vol. 43 OCTOBER, 1942 No.1 Dear Parents: Inasmuch as this issue of our school paper goes forward to all of you, I am using it as a medium to address this letter to all parents having boys and girls at the Georgia School for the Deaf. School started off in a fine way and most all children seem to be enjoying good health and are in unusually fine spirits. Of course, it is perfectly natural for some of them, especially new ones, to be a little homesick for the time being, but do not become alarmed, it will only take a short time for them to become normall y happy, interested in their work, and entirely engrossed in the entire school-day program. You must feel free to visit your child when you want to, not to exceed once a month, and to write me about them at any time. I shall try to answer all your letters. If you are a new patron, please do not, under any circumstances, become impatient or unhappy to the extent that you would remove your child from school until you have carefully weighed your decision. A boy or girl handicapped with de"afness needs the very best educational advantages possible. Would you deny yours that opportunity? The past summer. for those remaining on the campus, was a very busy one. It was not until the time approached for school to open that we realized how lonesome it had been here without our boys llnd girls. How we enjoyed their cheery greetings and seeing their shining faces! Some of them, as you know, arrived with all their earthly possessions in one battered suitcase or in bundles under their arms. others with more pretentious wardrobes and happy summers behind them; but all came with smiling eyes and grins a mile wide that did our hearts good. Most of the older patrons know what this means to us and to the pupils. I would that the spirit of this experience could be reBected to dubious new patrons who continue to worry about their baby being so far from home. We have a large new enrollment this fall. Many are bright little fellows away from home the first time. There are several older boys and girls who had been making splendid progress in the public schools at home until their deafness handicap began to thwart their progress and damage their bright and pleasing personalities. We see potential college students among some of these, and. improvement and increased happiness for practically all of them. Despite the black warclouds on the horizon and the many privations that are coming upon us, we want to make this the best school year yet. I think our best war. or peace, effort is to renew and enlarge our endeavors to educate and habilitate the deaf youth of our state for work. for happiness, and for independent living. We must see to it that the duf young people of Georgia do not become a burden to anyone, but that they be fitted to do their part and live lives as useful to themselves and their country as that of their more fortunate hearing brothers. Let's all pull together and work together to these ends. Very sincerely, C. H. HOLLINGSWORTH, Superintendent P. S. Send in $.50 for subscription for your other seven issues of the SCHOOL HELPER. G. S. D. OBSERVES COTTON DAY T HE girls and boys of the Georgia School for the Deaf are ready at all times to cooperate in a worthy cause, and when they learned that farmers in our community were in danger of losing their cotton crops, they gladly volunteered to do their part in going to the fields and picking cotton for a day. City children as well as those accustomed to farm work participated on Friday. October 2. Early in the morning trucks and cars called for the pupils who were dressed for the occasion in overalls, slacks, big sun hats and goggles. All started off in high glee as it was an experience entirely new to a large number. Each boy, girl, and teacher confidently expected to be able to claim the prize ($1.00 in war stamps) which had been offered by Mr. Hollingsworth and Mr. Parks for the champion picker in each class. The children were divided into groups of ten and each group was accompanied by a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth visited several fields and Mr. Parks made a round of all fields getting snap shots of each group at work. All returned to school late in the afternoon, a weary and bedraggled lot, with aching backs and a good coat of suntan. but all in fine spirits and happy that they had been able to contribute their bit in this patriotic way. We should mention that Mary Taylor was the champion picker among the girls with 134 pounds to her credit while Byron Avant with 114 pounds held up the standard for the boys' side. Mrs. Caswell surprised everyone with her total of 140 pounds thus defeating both the girls' and boys' champions. By using a little arithmetic we found that we had contributed around 800 hours of work and had salvaged 6646 pounds of cotton. NOT BAD! -(6)- Superintendent's Corner T Honor To Whom Honor HIS cor n e r salutes Mrs. Is Due Nell A. Gibbons, the "Woman of the Year" at the Georgia School for the Deaf. Mrs. Gibbons's appointment as super- vising teacher of the Advanced Department comes as a happy and pertinent recognition of years of useful service, a service begun when she came here as a young girl graduate of Christian College, Columbia, Missouri. in 1904. Throughout the interim, she has served faithfully and well. The popular acclaim coming from faculty and staff members in all departments of the school. fol- lowing this announcement, bodes success for her in this new posi- tion. Her willingness to accept the additional responsibility of editing the SCHOOL HELPER is but another indication of her rare ability and versatile talent. We predict fine success for Mrs. Gibbons in these new assignments. T Brotherhood In The HE management of the G. S D. Profession is most grate- ful to the su- perintendents of state schools for the deaf in our neighbor states for their willing and quick response to a call for aid in determining a parity salary scale for the Geor- gia School. That our neighbors would do this, even though it puts us in position, at long last, to compete with them in employ- ing trained and otherwise quali- fied teachers, is but an example of ethical benevolence that warms our souls. From Washington, D. C, on being appraised of Georgia's good fortune, that national champion of the education of the deaf, Dr. Percival Hall, writes: "I haven't had any better news for a long time .it is a splen- did accomplishment to have provided better buildings for your school. After all, however, the teaching force is the heart of the work and to be able to pay adequate salaries is even more important." We appreciate the advance made in Georgia; we apprec.iate the increased responsibility that is ours; and we appreciate more than ever our fellows in the profession. Dr. Hall's Birthday IN~ the account of Dr. Per c i val Hall's seventieth birthda y celebration, as promoted by the' Gallaudet College Alumni Association, we note there were messages of greeting from Presi- dent Franklin D. Roosevelt, from Administrator of the Federal Se- curity Agency, the Han. Paul V. McNutt, and from organized agencies promoting the education of the deaf throughout the United States and Canada. But, we think the sentiment of the occa- sion was nowhere more touch- ingly expressed than by the following: A SILENT TRIBUTE Fifty years ago last June a young man from Georgetown was graduated from Harvard University. During the preceding Christmas holidays he had been a guest on Kendall Green at the home of hill college roommate, Allan B. Fay. While visiting here he learned of the interesting work in which his friend's father was engaged. As a result he began his life's work one evening during the following September. 1892, when he was enrolled as a student in the Normal Training Department of Gallaudet College. The wheels of Time move s\viftly and tonight, fifty years later, we are gathered on another September evening, to wish that young Harvard graduate peace and happiness on the anniversary of his seventieth birthday, and to offer him our sincere thanks for his splendid and courageous work on our behalf. Although this gl:eeting must be silent. it is, even so, deep from our hearts as tonight, we, the deaf in America, pay tribute to our friend, Dr. Percival Hall. W Outside Interests In Training E would like to The Deaf call at- tention to a feature article appearing else- where 10 this issue entitled, "Employing and Training the Handicapped Worker", by Mrs. EnOl Howell, Supervisor, Non- Selling Training, Rich's, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia. In a corporation the size of this large department store, we know there is a studied selection of desirable personnel. However, it comes as a pleasing surprise to find one outside the actual profession of teaching the deaf so keenly interested and possessing, on such short acquaintance, so discerning an insight and understanding of the deaf boy and girl. We are led to believe this "experiment" with deaf workers 'at Rich's, Inc., together with the progress made along the same lines with other industrial concerns in Atlanta and in other centers, is opening up an entirely new phase in the education and training of boys and girls handicapped by deafness. This new phase is bringing to the Georgia School added facilities and expanded opportunities for vocational training that we had never dreamed of before. We do not think we see the end yet. But, it will be the school's continued policy to take advantage of accruements of such ostensible value. This ,pring we will again solicit the aid of interested employers in the final training of a few boys and girls-in jobs where their worth might be established and where their future can be made reasonably secure. The Georgia School for the Deaf greatly appreciates the cooperation it has had from industry the past year in the working out and promotion of these new training enterprises. Since the plan was inaugurated, more than thirty of our graduates have been trained and are now employed. (Continued on Page 11, column 3) -(7)- From the Primary Department Maybe you've wondered Who's Who among the "littlest" babies. Jo-Jo Abercrombie is the baby girl With the curly hair and laughing eyes. Grace Brown is the serious little brunette. Dorothy Anderson is a tall willowy blond of seven. The little boy with the slow devilish Clark Gable grin, complete with dimples, is Bobby Davis. The pretty little five year old with the enormouS blue eyes is Bobby Harper. Ronald Bell is the little red head. The shy little blond who has acquired the art of blushing is Ronnie Herrington. Junior Galloway is the handsome tall blond with dark eyes. Junior Rutland is the blond with hazel eyes. Rube Collins is the lively little brunette who is always grinning. William Langford is the little man and loves to boss. Jerry Nix is the tall dark young man with the sweet smile. -Miss K. Casey's Class Our class has gotten off to what we hope is a good start, and we are beginning to find that our interests vary considerably. For instanceJean Rentz likes to match pictures. J ewell Henderson likes writing. Grace Roberts is good at drawing around figures for coloring. Louise Hunt likes to show the card that says, "Stand up" and then hold the Bible while we have our morning prayer. Clara Stapler has surprised us all by her interest in food. We think she will gain some weight before long, for she eats a lot to be such a little girl. Andrew Lee Harrison likes reading. Dan Jones reminds us to notice the weather and put our observations on our weather calendar. Gary Yassney is another one of us who finds it hard to wait until dinner time, but he likes to use the peg boards, too. Marshall Harper likes to read the directions for relaxation, but we think the thing he likes best is erasing the blackboard. -Mrs. Irwin's Class We went to town Friday. Shirley, Cynthia, Marcus, Harry, Gail, and Maybellene bought some candy. J ames and Curtis bought some ice cream. We had a good time. Gail and Cynthia got letters Sunday. Curtis and Marcus got cards. Curtis got a box Monday. Harry got a box, too. Shirley got a card. -Miss Jones's Class Guy Jones was eight years old September 18. He had a birthday cake and eight candles. Eugene Baggett was eight September 26. He had a birthday cake, too. Laura Anne Brigman likes to go for a walk. Louise Murphy likes to jump rope. Martha Maxey likes to take our daily report to Mrs. Kennard's office. Louise Smith likes to play outdoors. Ann Thompson likes to march. Rosemary Smith likes to color pictures. -Mrs. Fincher's Class We had a good time celebrating birthdays this month. September 21 was Gene's; September 26 was Frances Cox's; and September 30 was Juanice's. Weare trying very hard to keep our classroom clean. Louise and Betty sweep and mop, Frances T., Vivian, and Frances C. erase the blackboards. Robert, Gene, and Harold take turns emptying the wastebasket and cleaning the erasers. Juanice and Wynell dust and Fay waters the plants. -Mrs. Jones's Class Fleming Bloodworth has a new jacket. R. T. Holmes helped Mrs. Kennard one afternoon. She paid him fifteen cents. Tarver Holmes saw a squirrel last Friday morning. Daisy Smith received a card from her mother one day last week. Dorothy and Ford Hughes received cards from their mother and father. Miss Sawyer received a card from Neal Crew's mother one day recently. Roy Holmes likes to feed the fish. -Miss Sawyer's Class Ralph Hulsey helps with the little boys. He takes them to the hospital every morning for any treatment they might need. Dorothy Sims waters the plants in the classroom every day. Louise Wilson and Billie Jean Smith keep the blackboard clean. Mary Suggs likes to look at the books and pictures in the class~oom. Ruth Owens and Edna Pope are good friends. They like to play together. Marvin McKoy and Vinton Troup help in the dining room. They help clear the tables. W. C. Wooten is in the dormitory with the larger boys this year. He feels grown up. -Mrs. Forbes's Class The children were delighted Friday when they each got a dime. Bobby Gorman, Tom Byrd, Alice Edmondson, and John Pate bought tablets and pencils. Louise Walters bought a box of face powder. Beady Smith bought a bottle of perfume. Ralph Gentry and Lester Smith bought ice .cream cones. Lois Martin bought some chewing gum and three lemons. --