Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 August 1997 — Page 5

SATURDAY. AUGUST 16,1997

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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Warren Township finishes first year-round school year

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for the traditional school year at the end of the week. But it is the year-round program which has generated a tremendous amount of interest in the district. In fact, Warren Township officials get calls regularly from people who are looking to move to the Indianapolis area and are specifically looking to enroll their children in the year-round program. The program still covers a 180 day school year and the students have a 9-week on, 3-week off fall schedule, followed by another 9 or 10 week period of classes, then a two-week break for the Christmas holiday. That is followed by another 9 to 10 week run, and then spring break. That is followed by another 9-week period ending around June 9 or 10. Some students, especially those attending Stoneybrook Middle School, however are not as quick to endorse the program as a success, but not for the reason you might think. For the middle school students, it is mainly a matter of peer pressure, “We have sixth, seventh and eighth graders,” said Stoneybrook Registrar Joanne Craw. “They are very social.” Craw adds many of the students had to adjust to what their peers thought about the program, but she adds the majority of the responses have been positive. She also said Principal Jack Washburn has done a tremendous job helping the middle school students and parents adjust to life in the yearround program. “The key thing that’s made Warren so successful is the parents were given a choice,” said Judge Smith, director of School and Community Relations for the Warren Township School District. “People now see the advantage of year-round schools.” Because of the way the program is structured, none of the minority students bussed into the district are excluded. “They are treated like everyone else,” Smith adds. He should know.

"I’ve been a parent with kids here for 10 years and I’ve had kids in all levels. I can tell you the Warren system has treated us very well.’’ Judge Smith, director of School and Community Reiationsfor the Warren Township School District

Smith, an African-American has had his children enrolled in the Warren Township school system for quite a while. “I’ve been a parent with kids here for 10 years and I’ve had kids in all levels. I can tell you the Warren system has treated us very well.” Two of his children have graduated from Warren Central, and his third child is now a junior at the school. Warren Township officials also think the yearround curriculum will also help those students who struggle to keep up academically. Craw said the unique school year does create some challenges for the district, especially if students have difficulty with some of their classes, but she adds the year-round concept helps students with retention because the semesters are shorter and the students do not have to wait for an entire year to catch up on class work if they fall behind. One solutions instituted by the district is a twoweek inter-session class period that falls between the regular 9-week schedule. This year those special sessions will be held in September and March. Students are also allowed to use the inter-session period to take other classed they have have interests in, but are conducted in a more relaxed and fun atmosphere of the intersession. The Warren Township School System took several years before they implemented curriculum changes. District officials studied the proposals for about five years before implementing changes. Those changes seem to be paying off. “This year before school was over, a dozen people moved into the township for year-round school,” Craw said.

Highlights Through ths Ysars 1969 - Dec. 12: Birth of Martin Center, the parent of the Sickle Cell Center and Martin Center College. 1970 • Martin Center is incorporated. 1974 • Plans are started in earnest to create Martin Center College. 1977 - Aug. 9: Letter is received from Indiana Commission for PostSecondary Education, authorizing Martin Center College to function as a school. 1979 - Martin Center College is Incorporated, and later granted accreditation by the state of Indiana. 1980 • Regional candidacy status for accreditation is granted to Martin Center college by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 1981 • March: Martin Center College holds first graduation; first graduate is James Griffy, who receives a BS in business management and accounting. 1987 - Accreditation is granted by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Main campus of Martin Center College moves from College Avenue to the Avondale Campus. 1988 - Lady Elizabeth Campus opens at Indiana Women's Prison, offering accredited courses leading to bachelor’s degrees. 1990 • Martin Center College is approved to offer master's degrees in Community Psychology and Urban Ministry Studies, and changes its name to Martin University. Renowned poet Etheridge Knight is awarded his bachelor’s degree and named Martin University's first poet laureate. The Etheridge Knight House, site of many of the University's community outreach programs, is dedicated in the poet’s honor. 1993 - Martin University awards its first graduate degrees, and holds its first winter graduation, beginning a tradition of two graduation ceremonies a year. 1997 - Martin University celebrates its 20th anniversary, with more than 750 graduates (including the 23 from the Lady Elizabeth Campus), and 800 students in attendance.

to the current location at 2171 Avondale Place in the MartindaleBrightwood neighborhood. Martin University (1990-present) With the addition of graduatelevel programs, Martin Center College became Martin University in 1990. Today, President Hardin says, “Our original mission of serving minorities, low-income, and adult learners is needed more

than ever before.” The University expresses itself through an acronym, GIFT, which stands for Giving, Intellectual Intensity, Friendliness, and Tenacity. Martin university is named for two Martins, both whom dedicated their lives to serving the poor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and St. Martin de Pones, an Afro-Hispanic man from Lima, Peru, who lived in the 10th century.

states, including Indiana. Cottey’s action would be one of the nation’s first uses of the new law by a local jailer to challenge the authority of a federal court. Child advocates recruit volunteers Child Advocates, Inc. the Marion County Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Litem Program is recruiting for its September volunteer training class. Child Advocates trains volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected children in Marion County Juvenile Court. Part of the national movement which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Child Advocates has served more thanl3,000 children in the 15 years since it began operation. For more information call Julie Petty at 543-2450. Register your klndergartner After Aug. 18, parents who want to enroll kindeigartners in the Hawthorne Community Center satellite program should visit Indianapolis Public Schools 42,1002 W. 25th St. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to register. For registration call 226-4415 or 2264242. CALL 924-5143 | |

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