Tiger Topics, Apr. 1978

              TIGER TOPICS
Vol. 10, No. 8
.Crispus Attucks High School, Indianapolis, Ind.
April, 1978
Medical Magnet Program Should Increase Enrollment
by Mary Hopper
Current plans in the city school system have raised questions about the future of Attucks.
As the medical magnet program goes into effect next year, many wonder how many students will be here next year, where they will come from, and why they will be there.
At the present time there are 1138 students here; next year there will be an estimated 1440 students and 105 part time students. These students will come from all over the city because CAHS does not have an attendance district in the new plan.
However, there will be five reasons for which students may elect to attend Attucks.
1. They may have brothers or sisters here.
2. They may choose to come here as their first choice no matter where they live in the city.
3. Attucks may not have been their first choice but because of color balance here or in the schools of their first or second choices they were sent here.
4. They are enrolled in the Medical Magnet programs.
5. They already attend Attucks. Despite the fact that the enrollment is
expected to go up, rumors of shutting the school are heard. However, according to Principal Earl Donalson, "No. Any rumors of this are not founded on anything said by the School Board, who would be the ones to make this decision."
David Banks, foreign language depart¬ ment head, was also asked about this. He feels closing the school would be unlikely because it would arouse the community's anger, since the school is part of the city's cultural heritage.
Will there be expansion of the school to accommodate the increased enrollment?
Donalson says none is in the planning, but if the enrollment does grow as projected, an expansion might become feasible. Former School #17 could be renovated for such purpose or it could be
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torn down to allow for building a new three-floor wing.
Although expansion is not planned at this time, a $375,000 renovation of parts of the building are planned for next year.
This includes remodeling of Rooms 273- 277 and 280, which will be used for the medical magnet program.
The faculty lounge is also being redone by the Class of 1942. Rooms 247, 155 and 166 are also due for changes. The English office and workroom will be improved, with alterations and improvements also in Rooms 201 and 204, as well as in the boys' locker room.
Another change—this one in staff—will be the addition of Steve Bittner, football coach presently at Wood, which will close.
While some other improvements will not be made at this time, Donalson feels that "the best education does not neces¬ sarily take place in new buildings, and Attucks is a good building, which does not need to be redone at the present time."
However, he admits he wouldn't mind seeing a swimming pool added at the appropriate time. In fact, he wouldn't mind seeing it next year.
Some other possiblities which might improve the school for next year would be:
1. Brightening the halls. Although the corridors are repainted every five years
and the CAHS halls were done three years ago, there are opportunities for students to paint portions of walls with the approval of the principal.
2. A student lounge. Donalson says he would readily agree to such a facility if a
suitable room could be found.
After numerous interviews and inquir¬ ies, Tiger Topics found indications that support from the community and parents carried to the Education Center is essential to further benefits for the school.
PARENTS MARCH, above and left, to protest options program for next year. Look for more about this in next issue. These pictures were taken by Richard Meyers at School 67.
Look Out China—Here Comes Foley
Michael Edward Foley, social studies teacher here, has been selected to go to China during summer vacation. He was one of 200 educators chosen to attend the excursion.
Foley, or as his mother calls him, Mickey, has been teaching here for four years. Asked his qualifications for making the trip, he stated jokingly "Fm not sure if I'm qualified," but he added, "actually I obtained my philosophy major at Marion College. I am currently on my master's degree at Indiana Central."
Of all the organizations he belongs to, he is most active in Friends of China. He believes this helped in his selection. The organization aims to push for better relations with China.
On being selected his first reaction was a mixture of emotions—pleased and honored. When he called his wife to inform her, she was happy and asked if wives were included in the $3000 needed. "Of course they're not," he laughed. He is not positive whether or not he is going because of the money needed.
Foley's hobbies are golf, wrestling and watching Mel Brooks' movies. His house is shared with three dogs, three cats, and two aquariums full of fish.
Commenting on his four years of teaching without missing a day, he says he owes it all to the Protestant work ethic he learned as a boy at home.
Student Council Officers Are Elected for 1978-79
Student Council held its annual elec¬ tions Mar. 16 after a three-day campaign and a campaign assembly in the audi¬ torium.
According to president-elect Debbie Johnson, she is very anxious to start her term in office. She has many activities in store such as dances, car washes, and other events.
She also hopes to combat negative attitudes here.
Along with her in office are Todd Thompson, vice-president; Glenda Woods, treasurer; Annette Robinson, corre¬ sponding secretary; and Kina Smith, recording secretary.
Chosen for the Advisory Board are Shawnette Beard, Mary Hopper, Tonia Garrott, Michelle Todd, and Linda Bellamy.