NewsBriefs -
Nov. 18, 2014 -- SPECIAL EDITION

SHORTRIDGE TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL IB SCHOOL

FALL 2015

IPS SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO MAKE SHORTRIDGE IB, MOVE LAW & PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM TO TECH

It is with true mixed emotions that I write the outcome of the actions of the IPS School Board meeting this evening! -Dee Duff, Editor of

NewsBriefs

The IPS Education Center conference room and hallway were filled to a standing-room-only crowd of primarily Shortridge Magnet Law & Public Policy High School and Gambold Preparatory High School students, parents, and supporters to learn the fate of these two schools beginning with the 2015-16 school year. Over 20 students from both schools made personal appeals to the Board; a like number of adults made their individual remarks for and against the relocation design plan of the IPS Board. At this meeting, only the subject of Shortridge and Gambold changes were decided after it was recommended the decisions regarding Broad Ripple and Key Learning Center would be tabled.

Essentially, the Board voted to move the Law & Public Policy (L&PP) Magnet program at Shortridge to Arsenal Technical High School; Gambold will move its International Baccaleurate program into the Shortridge building. There are over 700 students currently enrolled at Shortridge in grades 7-12 (approximately 300+ in grades 9-12) Those students who wish to remain in the L&PP program will be transferred to Tech. However, the Board has indicated that any students who wish to switch to the IB program are welcome to remain at Shortridge. This proposal also means students in all IPS schools who wish to consider the IB curricula and those parents/students wishing to attend an IB high school, would have the opportunity to apply for admission. The current Gambold building, which has 164 high school students, is a former smaller IPS elementary/middle school that has no space for expansion. As well, the Shortridge campus offers a wider range of school facilities lacking at the Gambold location; e.g. auditorium, gymnasium, larger classrooms, music and athletic programs, track and field, and more centrally located (Gambold is on the far westside of Indianapolis).

As you know, for the past six years, the Shortridge Alumni Association has worked tirelessly to support and promote the L&PP program at Shortridge and fully supported by our alumni as follows to name a few:

**Thousands of dollars have been donated to our scholarship endowment. Our alumni classes have helped us promote educational excellence for the students and awarded scholarships for students of the past two graduating classes.

**Our alumni have donated thousands of dollars for the athletic and music departments.

** We've welcomed thousands of alumni back to the school for reunions; welcomed numerous special guests to learn about the school and its unique L&PP program.

**We created the Hall of Fame to honor alumni who have excelled in their business and professional careers.

**Continued the Judicial Wall of Fame recognition of alumni who rose to judicial levels of elected/appointed positions of judges in our legal system. The mock courtroom was adopted by the Class of 1965 to furnish, decorate, and name in honor of alumnus Justice William E. McAnulty, Jr. for his superior role as the Chief Justice of the State of Kentucky.

The Alumni Association realized that we might lose a portion of this battle. We've grown to love working with the students and teachers at Shortridge; we realize we can continue our student/alumni programs with a new population; we mentioned being willing to work with new administrators, teachers, parents, and students to educate them about Shortridge and our historical legacy. But we know that moving an entire student body to a new location is traumatic for all concerned. We welcome educational excellence, more parental involvement, a new student body that is diverse and committed to educational excellence. We want graduates with these qualities to be future Shortridge alumni, but at what expense?

Also we learned tonight: The Board recommends moving the courtroom to Tech! The Class of 1965 is responsible for that room. The portraits of the alumni that decorate the walls of the courtroom are SHORTRIDGE ALUMNI -- NOT TECH! Furnishings in the room were a gift from The Class of 1965. They petitioned and won approval of the IPS School Board for naming rights to that room. Before this action step is taken, we will make our displeasure known with this proposed decision and attempt to find a compromise.

Stay tuned - we may be just beginning a new battle.

It is certain that we will focus our time, talents, and attention to make this remaining school year as fun-filled as possible for the students inspite of the tears that were shed after the meeting tonight.

SAA Board of Directors

Executive Board

Alfred "Al" Edyvean - '68 - President

Jarnell Burks-Craig - '63 - VP, Public Relations

Keith Rand - '70 - VP, Marketing & Development/Fundraising

Deloris "Dee" (Richardson) Duff ' ;59 - Treasurer

Joyce (Edwards) Moore - '68 - Recording Secretary

Open - Corresponding/Financial Secretary

Members-at-Large (decade representatives)

Martha (Cantwell) Meeker - '39 (Decade of the 30s)

Kathryn "Katy" (Hill) Meredith - '42 (Decade of the 40s)

Lynn (Bolles) Boatman - '58 (Decade of the 50s)

Marcia Warrington - '58 (Decade of the 50s)

Marilyn (Chance) Shank - '67 - (Decade of the 60s)

Thomas J. Griffin, II - ;72 (Decade of the 70s)

Carolyn (Waters) Payton - '72 (Decade of the '70s)

Joseph Matthews - '81 (Decade of the '80s)

Board appointments:

Consultant/SHSAW Founder - Guy E. Russell - '59

Parliamentarian - Grant Hawkins - '67

SMHS Administrators

Stanley Law, principal:

Debra Ward , vice principal

Thank you for your continued interest and support.

Sincerely,

Dee Duff

Deloris "Dee" (Richardson) Duff

Treasurer & Editor, NewsBriefs

President Emeritus

Shortridge Alumni Association

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Self-Register on the website

Click here for membership flyer if you cannot sign on via PayPal. Print. Complete, enclose your check, payable to SAA, and mail to: 5030 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254.

Navigate the website. Self register at www.shortridgealumni.com.

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SAA Memberships & Renewals -- Membership Renewal Increases

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD VOTES TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP TO $50/YEAR EFFECTIVE MAY 1. 2014

The rate of renewal and New memberships has slowed drastically since our mass mailing in early May. Please don't put the letter and card aside. We'd like to increase our paid membership to at least 2000+. Only you can help us reach that goal--we are not even close to our goal.

FOR RENEWALS: Look at your membership card for the expiration date. If joining or renewing online, please include your class year; ladies please include your maiden name. Example: Dorothy (Jones) Smith, 19xx, email and USPS mailing address.

Alumni Association membership is required for full access to the website.

Fees:

One-year membership: $50 annual fee payable via PayPal or check
Five-year membership (General Members for Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund) (see Feature Article); payable to Shortridge Alumni Association; mail c/o 5030 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254 or pay online.
For more membership information, visit our website: www.shortridgealumni.com or send email: shortridgealumni@sbcglobal.net

2014-2015 CLASS REUNIONS

Is your class planning a reunion in 2015 or beyond? Let us help publicize your event. Continue to read NewsBriefs for information regarding upcoming class reunions.:

SAVE THE DATES:

Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16, 2015

Shortridge HS Class of 1965

50-Year Reunion Weekend

Tentative Schedule (Complete details and reservation forms available early in 2015)

Friday night: Informal gathering at a location to be decided

Saturday morning: Group tour of the school

Saturday night: "Senior" Prom at the Indiana Roof Ballroom (not to be confused with a similar event hosted by the SAA in June)

Sunday mid-day: Brunch in the Oxford Room, Aristocrat Pub & Grill

Visit the Shortridge High School Class of 1965 Facebook page. Help the reunion committee in locating other 1965 classmates. Email the reunion committee at: shortridge1965@outlook.com

REMINDER: Reunion organizers, you and your classmates are encouraged to become active members of our alumni association. We have hundreds of Shortridge alumni gathering every year for milestone reunion celebrations. Please inform others that our alumni association is alive and well...we need everyone's support. And if your class budgets yield a surplus, kindly consider a donation to the Legacy Scholarship Fund or other special project that will benefit the students at Shortridge.

Also, please note that if during your reunion you plan to visit the school, a written request must be submitted through the school office that must be approved by the IPS Maintenance Department IF the school is to be opened on weekends--Saturday or Sunday. (Arrangements must be made in advance if your group wish to host your gathering in the courtyard.) A fee is levied to the using group based upon how long the group will visit the building. Other restrictions may apply; therefore, schedule your reunion and complete the necessary paperwork as early as possible to confirm your date and time.

Thank you!