Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies - Excalibur Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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ADMINISTRA TION Dedication, service, a basis for people helping people Dr. Eli Brent has been principal at SOCES since 1979, when the idea of magnet schools first occurred. During his ten years as principal he has innovated many outstanding, exemplary educational practices that have been accepted and imitat- ed by other schools. A helping hand— Mrs. Radin provides information for parents at college night. She is one of the college counsel- ors that help students with admission forms and financial aid. She is the ad- visor of the college peer counselors and helps publish a letter, Aim High , de- signed to help students with college in- formation. In a rare, candid interview. Dr. Brent talked about his life and career. Dr. Brent: I was born in Chica- go and attended public schools there. When I reached the qualifying age, I joined the ser- vice, and served in the 1st caval- ry unit. After I left the service I came to California and enrolled in the University of Southern California. I received my Bach- elors and Masters degree, teaching and administrative credential. I began teaching in the inner-city, and went on to be a vice-principal. Supervisor of Instruction and principal. I be- gan at Sherman Oaks CES on November 19, 1979. Q: Would you be willing to share some of your family back- Earl Banier, Assistant Principal Eli Brent, Principal Vera Clement, Magnet Coordinator Rita Hymes, Head Counselor Vicky Lee, Administrative Dean ground with us? Dr. Brent: I have an older sister who ' s a teacher. Two children, a daughter who ' s also a teacher, and a son who ' s into banking. I have three grandchildren, Mi- chael 1 year, Katlyn 1 ' : years, and Noah 6 months. Q: Did you plan to be a teacher when you were younger, was that your career objective? Dr. Brent: Actually, my wife had plans of being a teacher, and I thought that it sounded pretty good. I ' ve loved every minute of it, I have no regrets. I ' ve enjoyed some parts better than others, but it ' s been mean- ingful and very exciting. I ' m looking at retirement just like most people my age do. I still enjoy students, faculty, and parents. It ' s still a very reward- ing job. Helping those students who need help in getting into the mainstream. Q: What type of changes have you noticed? Dr. Brent: I ' ve noticed good changes, like Mr. Becker mak- ing a basketball team work, I see Ray Schaeffer with the speech and debate, Mrs. Honda with the chorus, Ed Gershon with the decathlon, and all of the teachers who make our school function. I see kids strug- gling and wanting to learn and teachers helping them, that ' s what SOCES is about. People helping people. By Mai Free- man Jeffrey Opeadst CounseloK Ann Petty, Assistant Principal Jaqueline Pu{dy CounseloKZzSy Carol Radin, Coun hr 9-I2I ' i V }A€h 166 Administration Faces

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. ' 1 -■, Brent Rosen Amit Runchal Eldwin Truong Sharoa Vogel Jeath Wagerman LasUzwmresr rtlance Wance r Ulenn waiter Evan Weissman Stacey Winegrad Jason Woolman FOURTH GRADE Mom and Dad, I want . Every fourth grader wants some sort of amazing toy. They rush home and yell, Mom, there ' s this amazing new toy that I really need! The holidays are a time when they might get this new toy. When Cabbage Patch Kids came out I rushed home to tell my mom about them. She asked me how much they cost and when I told her she got me one for Christmas, said Jamie Lilenfeld. Christmas, A time for many presents — Kim Hill was presented with a cuddly teddy bear by her good friend. She thanks him with a gigantic smile and a hug as the fifth period bell rings and she goes to class. It is mine — says Abbie Lookofsky as she struggles for her bag with hands full. Taemy Kim says it ' s hers as they struggle with their mouths for it. Valer- ie Mortimer looks on laughing as they are still fighting. Computers, Cabbage Patch Kids, G.I. Joe, roUerskates and telephones, everything a fourth grader can imagine. From cars to earrings, fourth graders want toys that weren ' t even thought about 20 years ago. They want toys that walk, talk, and trans- form. The three things that I want most for Chanukkah are a ra- dio, a phone, and a colored tele- vision. I want a colored televi- sion because I already have a black and white one and I want to move up in the world, said Abbie Lookofsky. Many fourth graders want things that they know they are not going to get. They want toys that cost hundreds of dollars. Toys are getting more expen- sive as time goes on, such as Le- gos. I want a car for Christmas. I guess that my mom will have to use it until I turn sixteen. That is going to be in seven years, but I can wait. I want it to be a bright, red Corvette, said Taemy Kim. The holiday season is a very important part of life for fourth graders. It is a time for them to get presents that they have been asking for all year. The two things that I want most for the holidays are a leather skirt so I can look cool, and another Cabbage Patch Kid. I already have seven of them but I want another boy, said Michele Feigelson. Many childrens parents start shopping many months in ad- vance. Many parents will only spoil their children this one time during the year. The holidays are a very important time for fourth graders. By Amy Goldr- ing

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s V « Los Angeles Unified School District — - Sherman Oaks CenieFJdrTnmhed-Stu3tes s Street. Reseda, California 1(818) 342-5175 Always helping students — Dr. Eli Breni has dedicated his life to helping students be it as a teacher or administrator. He is always inno- vating new ideas to help students and teachers at our school feel pride. Dare to say no — Dare officers are assigned one semester to a school to help students with information about drugs and why they will not add to your life but subtract everything that you love. LEONARD M BRITTON Supfnntendent of Sckooia DR. ELI BRENT Prindpal PRINCIPAL ' S MESSAGE Each year we look forward to the future and yet look longingly back to the past. This year is no exception. This year ' s school theme WE CARE has given us hope for the future because the past will show that at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, values, integrity, and caring were an integral part of our school character. We continue to take great pride in our students and staff. It is a tribute to the dedication of all that our school ranks high in academic purpose and achievement. This yearbook along with the past yearbooks record our past and help us provide direction for Che future. I know you join with me in continuing the SOCES promise of Educational Excellence and Human Caring. Sincere U Dr. Eli Brent Principal Administration 1 - Faces 10