Crispus Attucks Elementary School

Attucks Elementary School
Established	1906 - (old building) 1989 - (current building)
Type	Public elementary
Principal	Sheila Dannar
Faculty	25
Students	100
Grades	PreK-7
Location	2400 Prospect Avenue Kansas City, MO, USA
District	KCMSD
Colors	Purple and Gold
Mascot	Bobcat
Website	Official Website

Crispus Attucks

Crispus Attucks Elementary School or Attucks is a comprehensive elementary school located at 2400 Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. It is part of the Kansas City, Missouri School District.

Attucks is named after Crispus Attucks, an African-American who became the first casualty of the Revolutionary War in 1770, the first of five people slaughtered in the Boston Massacre. ^[1][2]

According to the school website, the school has a staff of 43 (25 teachers), and just 100 students. This makes Attucks' student-to-teacher ratio just 4:1, quite low compared to regional and national averages. Attucks has Early Childhood, Kindergarten, and grades 1 through 5.

History

The Crispus Attucks Communication and Writing Magnet School was once located at 19th Street & Woodland Avenue, one-block east of the 18th and Vine District and about two-blocks north of Lincoln High School (renamed Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in 1986). Attucks moved to its present location in 1989, a building which cost $4.8 million.^[3]

Local politicians lobbied hard for the new school format and location. The move was seen not only as a means of providing a culturally-diverse learning environment, but also a revitalization of a rough part of town.^[4][5]

Magnet school format

Attucks is a magnet school, this format was adopted in 1989 (the year the school moved to its current location), when the Kansas City, Missouri School District began implementing the communications and writing theme in its Long Range Magnet School Plan. Attucks offers theme instructional experiences in photography, computer use, video production, and writing.

Attucks was the subject of a report by Sharon L. Brock, entitled Formative Evaluation of the Communications and Writing Magnet Elementary Schools 1990-1991. Brock concluded that Attucks had made good progress in implementing the communications and writing theme. Enrollment was at least 80% of capacity, however the court-ordered minority enrollment goals were questionably applied.^[6]

Problems noted in early years as a magnet school

According to Brock, students had expressed concern about student relations; stating they did not get along well with students of other cultural backgrounds and ethnicity. Teachers also expressed concern with the students' academic progress. Teachers' were also dissatisfied with staff development and inservice programs. Even with these noted deficiencies, parents universally favored the school, the magnet program, and the progress of their children in the theme.

Controversies

• In 1991, a few months after the new school building opened, the safety of the school's busstops was called into question. One student, a six-year-old girl, was abducted, literally pulled from her 8-year-old brother's arms while waiting for the bus.^[7][8][9]
• After a supreme court decision in 1993 to end desegregation, the school stopped providing transportation for suburban students in the 1994-1995 school year; a move that caused outrage for parents of the affected students. Many parents disenrolled their students from the school, in favor of enrolling them elsewhere.^[10]
• The school's staff hiring practices were called into question, when in 2003, a man who worked in the school's after-school program was accused of molesting five boys. The man was charged with child molestation, attempted statutory sodomy and three counts of sexual misconduct. The man was suspended and later fired.^[11]
• In 2004, a schoolbus full of students in the school's early learning program was hit by gunshots, further bringing in to question the safety of students while on their way to school.^[12]

Notable alumni

• Bennie Moten, American jazz pianist and band leader.^[13]
• Charlie Parker, American jazz saxophonist and composer.^[14] (Although some jazz historians dispute that Parker attended Attucks.)^[15]
• Professor Roger Wilkins, American civil rights leader, professor of history, and journalist.^[16]

References

1. ^ "School namings reflect our heroes" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. B1. 2007-10-09. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAF3D070A0F16FA&p_docnum=6&s_dlid=DL0107122500063703176&s_ecproduct=SBK-W3&s_ecprodtype=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F31%2F2007%206%3A22%20PM&s_docsbal=&s_subexpires=12%2F31%2F2007%206%3A22%20PM&s_docstart=3&s_docsleft=1&s_docsread=2&s_username=jlavoie&s_accountid=AC0107122423225525809&s_upgradeable=no. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "J.C. Nichols, William Volker, Abraham Lincoln and Crispus Attucks. When it comes to Kansas City, what do all of these men have in common? The answer: All have been rewarded with a bit of local glory by having schools named after them. When you examine each of the names of Kansas City's earliest schools, it's like putting a mirror to this city's heroic infatuations. William S. Worley, adjunct professor of history and liberal studies at the University of..." 
2. ^ Horsley, Lynn (1997-07-31). "What's in a name? Kansas City schools offer lessons in history with those they honor." (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. B3. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=list&p_topdoc=11. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "It may be midsummer, but it's never a bad time for a history lesson. Hey, boys and girls: Do you know how your Kansas City public school got its name? Just who is Holmes Elementary named after? Or Greenwood Elementary? Or Bingham Middle School? Now is a particularly appropriate time to reflect on schools' names, just as the Kansas City School District is closing or considering closing some of these buildings to save money. It is, perhaps, fitting to pay homage to..." 
3. ^ O'Connor, Tim (1992-11-05). "Community joins to help dedicate Attucks school" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. 1. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "Community members, students and others came together Wednesday morning to dedicate the newest elementary school in the Kansas City School District. Attucks Elementary, a communications and writing magnet, actually has been open since September. The new building, 2400 Prospect Ave., replaced the old Attucks school, 1818 E. 19th St. Community leaders had lobbied strongly for construction of the $4.8 million school on Prospect Avenue, which formerly held the old Booker T. Washington Elementary School." 
4. ^ McTaggart, Jim (1992-11-05). "School dedication" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. C2. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "Fifth-graders LaDonna Battles and Derrick Green help Walter L. Marks, superintendent of the Kansas City School District (center), cut the ribbon during the dedication of the Crispus Attucks Communications and Writing Elementary Magnet School. Ned Holland, on the school's board of directors, also assisted Wednesday." 
5. ^ Horsley, Lynn (1992-08-21). "New elementary school in KC fostering dreams of neighborhood rebirth" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. 1. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "At the corner of 24th Street and Prospect Avenue, amid dilapidated storefronts and vacant houses, crews are finishing a pristine new elementary school. The Crispus Attucks communications and writing magnet school, which is to open Sept. 8, has emerged as a diamond in a rough part of town. For nearby residents and visionary developers, the school is not just a place where children will learn to read and write. It symbolizes their dreams of rebirth for the inner-city neighborhood." 
6. ^ Brock, Sharon L. (1991) (Reports - Evaluative). Formative Evaluation of the Communications and Writing Magnet Elementary Schools 1990-1991.. Kansas City, MO: Evaluation Office - Kansas City Public Schools MO. pp. 54. ERIC:ED345246. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED345246&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED345246. Retrieved 2007-12-24. 
7. ^ Norton, Bill (28 Octiber 1991). "Stations to broadcast pleas to kidnapper Turn yourself in to police or call a telephone number to talk it over, radio programs will urge." (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. B1. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAF3D070A0F16FA&p_docnum=6&s_dlid=DL0107122500063703176&s_ecproduct=SBK-W3&s_ecprodtype=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F31%2F2007%206%3A22%20PM&s_docsbal=&s_subexpires=12%2F31%2F2007%206%3A22%20PM&s_docstart=3&s_docsleft=1&s_docsread=2&s_username=jlavoie&s_accountid=AC0107122423225525809&s_upgradeable=no. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "Laurie Spoon, public information officer for the Kansas City School District, said Sunday that the district had been working with Ad Hoc and other community groups to protect schoolchildren at school bus stops. Today, she said, teachers will review with all students a list of precautions to prevent being abducted. The instructions were sent home last week to parents. "At the schools particularly affected, such as Crispus Attucks, we've tried to maintain business as usual so the students' lives aren't in turmoil," she said. The latest victim was a student at Attucks, a communication and writing magnet elementary school." 
8. ^ Penn, Steve (1991-10-28). "Family scarred by kidnapping Prayer for abductor said by victim's mother." (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. A1. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=list&p_topdoc=21. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "On Friday the woman feared for the life of her young daughter, missing after someone grabbed her off the street as she walked to a school bus stop. On Sunday the mother prayed for the child's abductor, saying she knew he had some goodness in his heart because he had let her daughter go. "If I could talk to him, I'd tell him that he's God's child because he dropped her off," she said Sunday evening in the kitchen of her..." 
9. ^ Barbara Shelley (1991-10-26). "Fourth girl abducted, released Kidnapper puts city in fear" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. B3. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=list&p_topdoc=21. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "A family screamed for joy. Their 6-year-old girl, grabbed off the street seven hours earlier, was alive. Throughout the city Friday afternoon, people hugged and cheered as the good news spread. But the elation was mixed with fear and anger that the man who is believed to have seized four children and sexually assaulted at least three of them remains on the loose. An extraordinary day in Kansas City began about 7:30 a.m., when a man jumped out of a tan car and snatched a first-grade student..." 
10. ^ Ashcroft, Michael (1995-11-23). "Magnet school stops transporting students from the suburbs" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. A6. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Crispus%20Attucks%20Communication%20and%20Writing%20Magnet%20School)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "For months, bad news seemed to produce more bad news for the Kansas City School District. The public may have assumed that Kansas City's magnet schools lost whatever magnetism they ever had for suburban families when transportation was eliminated after the Supreme Court's desegregation decision in June." 
11. ^ Vendel, Cheustine (2003-05-22). "KC man charged with child molesting Suspect worked with foster care" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. B1. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0FB3299C0870D9A9&p_docnum=1&s_accountid=AC0107122423225525809&s_orderid=NB0107122423204814818&s_dlid=DL0107122423230825822&s_ecproduct=SBK-W3&s_ecprodtype=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F31%2F2007%206%3A22%20PM&s_docsbal=Docs%20remaining%3A%202&s_subexpires=12%2F31%2F2007%206%3A22%20PM&s_docstart=3&s_docsleft=2&s_docsread=1&s_username=jlavoie&s_accountid=AC0107122423225525809&s_upgradeable=no. Retrieved 2007-12-24. 
12. ^ Schultz, John (2004-10-06). "Gunshots hit bus full of preschoolers" (Newspaper). Kansas City Star, The (MO) (Kansas City, MO: The Kansas City Star): p. B3. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Crispus%20Attucks%20elementary%20school%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Crispus%20Attucks%20elementary%20school)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "Bullets from a street gunbattle struck a bus full of preschoolers on their way home Tuesday afternoon, though no one was seriously hurt. The bus was early in its route from Crispus Attucks Elementary School's Head Start program when it happened upon the melee on Chelsea Avenue near 25th Street shortly before 5 p.m., said Kansas City School District spokesman Edwin Birch. Police were unsure what the fight was over, but they said at least one of the people involved fired shots..." 
13. ^ "Rice Musical Quarterly" (PDF). Break o' Day Blues: The 1923 Recordings of the Bennie Moten Orchestra. 2002. pp. 282–306. http://mq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/86/2/282.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-24. 
14. ^ Woideck, Carl (1996) (hardcover). Charlie Parker: His Music and Life. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. pp. 304. ISBN ISBN 0472085557. http://books.google.com/books?id=APg2gV5y4HsC. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "pg. 3: Addie Parker then stated that Charlie had atteded Crispus Attucks Elementary School in Missouri. (footnote 6)" 
15. ^ "Birdhop Modern Jazz". BIRD’S KANSAS CITY REVISITED. Modern Jazz Music Network. 2004. http://www.birdhop.net/content/view/35/74/. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "On the older received wisdom, the pre-teenage Charlie Parker had earlier attended Crispus Attucks Elementary School in the 18th and Vine neighborhood. Llew Walker explains: "Charlie, his mother, friends, and even a teacher are all on record as stating that he attended this school. However, the Student Records Office for the Missouri School District, has no records of Charlie at this school? How it entered the consciousness of so many people as being Charlie's alma mater is unclear." (Somehow, it now almost seems, the inventors of the original Bird legend wanted to forget about Bird's earlier years in Westport, where school records do show that he had attended "Penn School ... in the affluent, white Westport district in a former slave settlement called Steptoe, a small but successful black community" — the "first public school for African Americans west of the Mississippi and ... a highly respected school."" 
16. ^ Wilkins, Roger (hardcover). Jefferson's Pillow: The Founding Fathers and the Dilemma of Black Patriotism (4th ed.). Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press. pp. 272. ISBN ISBN 0807009563, ISBN 978-0807009567. http://www.booknotes.org/Transcript/index_print.asp?ProgramID=1626. Retrieved 2007-12-24. "LAMB: And you went to school where? Prof. WILKINS: Well, Crispus Attucks Elementary School in segregated Kansas City. LAMB: By the way, he was... Prof. WILKINS: He was one of the heroes. He was the first black--he was the first person killed in the Revolution. He was--Crispus Attucks was a former slave, participated in the Boston Massacre and was shot during the Boston Massacre and became the first casualty of our Revolution." 

External links

• Official site
• School history