Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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The new ISC building will house a computer room, a photography room, a wood and metal shop, a multi-purpose area, and a media center. Photo by B. Mitchell Plans for the new wings allow science. and special for foreign language, education classrooms. Photo business, computer math, by L. Cates Additional Wings, New ISC To Improve Facilities Construction for the new wings on Elsik's north and west sides is tentatively planned to begin in January, 1986, and end in the fall of 1987, according to Director of Planning and Construction Phillip Cappola. Elsik's corridors and classrooms accommodate 2950 students. By 1987 the district expects an additional enrollment of 1250, making the total number of students 4200. Cavitt McKnight Weymouth Inc., who originally designed Elsik. is the architectural firm contracted to design the new wings. Along with the addition of new classrooms, new teachers will have to be hired, said Cappola. In addition to the new wings, a corridor on the second floor, extending from the North House English to the South House English has been put into consideration to help reduce student walking distance. The new ISC building will put Alief in the spotlight of alternative education reforms. Now that construction is underway, their program can perfect its methods in the area of alternative education. House Bill 72 requires us to have a center, that if a student is placed into it, he or she will have the same choices of activities to choose from,” said Cappola. In October 1982. the district received $52.2 million on a passed bond referendum. “The new building should run $1,384,000 for the building itself, and $150,000 for the furnishings. estimated Cappola. The building is of concrete foundation and the exterior bricks will be an off cream color. The inside will be done in post-modern colors that include shades of blues and the mauves The woodwork will be natural and there are some windows in the counseling and waiting areas as well as the hall side of the classrooms. We don’t want the The new fieldhouse, located across from the Natatorium, was available for use by kids or parents to feel trapped when here. In a tight or tenseful situation, they can look out of the window and get a sense of openness.” said ISC Principal Carolyn Brown, who had some input on the designing of the school. The colors are light and happy. With still over $20 million left in bonds, other construction plans have already summer. Photo by N Splllcr been made. The new $866,000 fieldhouse will help in the . security and 1 population problem at the current complex fieldhouses. Also, a new elementary school is set to open in the fall of 1987 anc a middle school in the fall of 1988. By Kristir Dietrich and Elliot Segal; Edited by C. Yang 34 Expanding

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Dr. Morton Katz discusses the symptoms of a suicidal individual. Dr. Katz Is a frequent speaker at AISD schools. Photo by M. Spillor mmy Todd, born jvember 16, 1966, tended Elsik for four years, a sophomore, she was a ember of the Spanish Club and the tennis team. During her junior and senior years, she was a member of OEA. She died on April 18, 1985. Photo by K. Sides Teen Problems Surface Tragically The increasing suicide rate among teenagers has become alarming as indicated by media reports and the Clear Lake suicides. On April 23 and 24, meetings on this much publicized topic were held in the North LGI. Though both Drs. Karen Helffenstein and Morton Katz were scheduled to speak. Dr. Helffenstein was unable to speak due to a patient problem. Dr. Katz, also a consultant to AISD. Spring Branch ISD, and several Catholic and Jewish schools, presented an interesting and earnest discussion on the factors that lead to suicide and coping with suicide. Several members of the audience contributed to the discussion with personal situations and questions. The recent airings of movies such as Surviving (ABC. February) provoked controversey. Though Dr. Katz was unable to view Surviving, he had comments on such programs. If these programs glamourize or popularize suicide, then they are detrimental. Suicide is a problem. What should be the focus of these shows are coping skills.” One positive aspect of these shows is that they make people nervous and make parents realize that they need to talk to their kids. Katz was very open and the audience responded well to him. At the conclusion of the April 24 meeting, he along with Vocational Counselor John Hall and Counseling Coordinator Becky Anderson, discussed the idea of a district checklist of students who could be potentially suicidal. By Christi Yang. Reporter unsollng Coordinator cky Anderson and World itory teacher Jane Gattis end the April 23 discussion suicide. Due to a sparse audionce, the talk turned into a rap session for students and teachors. Photo by M. Splller Teens Coping 33

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Faculty Experiences Baby Boom i Although experts 5ay there is not a rise n population, anyone who walked the halls Social Studies Teacher Ther- jsa Brandt is expecting a jocond child. Erin, age four. of Elsik could see that the baby business was booming. There were two new mothers and is the Brandt's first child, and they are hoping for a boy. Photo by V. Pai six mothers-to-be among the faculty that were born during the “baby boom. South Social Studies teacher Theresa Brandt, born 1950, and husband of 12 years, Jim, were expecting their second child on October 1. We wanted to increase the size of our family because we don't feel being raised as an only child is good for a child. explained Mrs. Brandt. Math teacher Sonya Kennedy, born 1960, and her husband of four years, Mark, decided to start their family. Expecting their first child September 25, the Kennedys did not make any name choices or sex preferences, As long as it’s healthy, we'll be happy. I've been married long enough to have time alone with my husband, the biological time clock is winding down and I love children.” said North World History teacher rld History Teacher Linda rookin helps Leslie ckler with a homework ignment. The Abrookins areexpectingtheirfirstchild, and although both parents are hoping for a boy named David Michael, they would be just as happy with a girl named Heather Nicole. Photo by V. Pai Linda Abrookin, born 1958, in reference to her first baby which was due July 21. Steve would like a little boy - he has visions of little league and going to the Rockets, while I always wanted to have a big brother, so a boy would be nice for a first child. North Business teacher Kay Armstrong, born 1950, and husband of ten years. Rick, were expecting their first child June 17. We didn't start trying to have a family until about five years back and then when we weren’t planning on it, it happened. laughed Mrs. Armstrong. Because of my age. we had an amniocentesis done and we know it's a boy, but we can't decide between Bryan or Scott for his name. Justin, four, is excited about the baby now but at first he was a bit leery because he was jilted out of some attention, said South German teacher Debby Neely, born 1957. Mrs. Neely and husband of six years, Charles, can not agree on names but the mother . . . got her boy the first time around, this time, either sex is fine.” I can't dance like I used to. I can’t touch my toes, but other than that I'm fine, giggled Revies Sponsor Cindy Martin, born 1952. Mrs. Martin and her husband of four years. Christopher, were expecting their first child the first week of June. I’d really like a boy, Chase Patrick, because boys are easier to raise. Girls are kind of. . . well, let’s just say boys are more even tempered. If it's a little girl, Courtney Ann, then she'll be a dancer. Chris is gaining a playmate, explained Mrs. Martin. Either way, it's going to be a musician and athlete. North Social Studies teacher Kay Stephenson and husband. J.B.. were expecting a baby June 8-10, but to their surprise, a 3 pound, 14 ounce boy. Zachary Fletcher, was born April 5. We had recently bought a house and felt it was time to start a family. explained South Health teacher and Girl's Soccer Coach Kathy LeRibeus. I carried the baby breech until the seventh month, then somewhere in the last week, he turned again. He was delivered by caesarian section. My husband, Duke, for three years, and I had wanted a boy real bad, but when they were preparing me for delivery, the nurse told me it was going to be a girl.” It was a nice surprise when Lance Andrew James was born February 18. By David Brantley, Reporter; Edited by C. Vang Maternity Leave 35