A different world, part one

As I've mentioned, I have just returned from my HS reunion - class of 1960 at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. At the time I went to Shortridge and for decades previously, Shortridge was a fine school dedicated to preparing students for college and for lives of the mind.

You could take courses in Home Economics and Shop but you could also take eight semesters of Latin and six of Greek, plus a pioneering, vocabulary-building course in Latin and Greek Derivatives.

While we '60 grads were in Indy, we were offered copies of The Shortridge Blue Book, "a handbook for students of SHS," last edition, published in 1953, the school's 100th anniversary. I plan to post a few excerpts from that Blue Book, found evidence of a lost world that flourished in Central Indiana only half a century ago.

Note: I have left spelling alone. So "street car" is two words and "busses" has three esses. Notice the use of "as" and "for" instead of "because."

Transportation to and from Shortridge is a safety problem, for pupils come from all directions on foot, on bicycles, in automobiles, and in street cars and busses. This adds greatly to the congestion on the streets surrounding Shortridge. Students can help immeasurably in dealing with this problem by following a few simple rules.

I. As a pedestrian
A. Follow all traffic rules applying to pedestrians.
B. Cross streets only at intersections or cross walks.
C. Observe the law which forbids thumbing or soliciting rides.
D. Keep to the right on sidewalks.
E. Do not crowd other pedestrians off the sidewalk.

II. As a cyclist
A. Follow the Indianapolis Traffic Code, for under that code a bicycle is classed as a vehicle.
B. Do not ride on the sidewalk.
C. Ride single file about three feet from the curb or as close to the curb as parked vehicles will permit.
D. Provide a basket for books and keep both hands on the handlebars.
E. Ride alone on your bicycle unless you have a "bicycle built for two."
F. Dismount at the curb and walk with your bicycle to the parking racks.
G. Lock your bicycle to the rack as the school cannot assume responsibility for loss of property.