Columbus East High School - Altis Yearbook (Columbus, IN)

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Parent Switch Day was such a success on September 22 that it was repeated on February 23 for the entire student body. Sophomore Susan Smith ex- plains a chemistry lab to her mother. During extended homerooms upper- classmen helped sophomores discuss problem solving during small group cluster meetings. Senior Rhonda Jines listens before making a suggestion. Principal Philip Houston presents Mrs. Diane Holdeman the Outstanding Olympian Award recognizing her hours of hard work as director of the Student Success Program. Students, parents, teachers and administrators met six weeks to discuss changes for the second floor resource area, student study center and library.

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Student success: proving is believing “Fantastic! was the word that Counselor Harry Miles used to describe a new program this year fittingly named. Student Suc- cess. The program was an original and East was one of the first schools to try this new approach to student relations. Last spring Principal Philip Houston and Superintendent Law- rence Heyerdahl contacted Miles and Mrs. Diane Holdeman and asked if they would be interested in starting up this new program. Both agreed readily, and the training began. A group of 20 people met and trained together for six months. The members consisted of five teachers, five students, five staff members, and five community members. Sessions consisted of members and any other interested persons. After finishing training Mrs. Holdeman and Miles set out to bring this unique program to the students at East. The results were predictably good. Mrs. Holdeman explained why the program was so successful. Others had wanted a change a long time ago, but they weren’t organized. They were afraid to set up anything because they thought it wouldn't do any good, she said. Another vital fact to add to Student success' aptitude was that it was begun last spring. We started working last spring, while others waited until the school year had already begun, Mrs. Holde- man added. We just kept building up while others were losing their momentum. The general atmosphere of Student success was to have every- one feel like they belonged, Miles explained, It really gave the students a chance to have a meaningful realm besides sports and academics. There has been a change in the atmosphere at East, Mrs. Holdeman said. The kids feel more united. Since the juniors and the seniors are working with the sophomores they feel more like a team. Mike Nelson, senior, agreed, I think this program is really bene- ficial because the sophomores get to be friends with the upper classmen, and this helps them feel more at ease. Sophomores agreed it was a beneficial program. It (student success) made a lot of things clear to me that wouldn’t have normally been clear. Instead of just bringing us in and saying Good Luck,' we had someone there to help us, Amy Brougher said. Another sophomore, Mike Buchanan agreed, “You were able to find things about the school and the way it’s run from the people who have already been through it. Activities that student success have done includes everything from postermaking to sophomore orientation. Cluster meetings were scheduled approximately once a week. In these meetings the student counselors discussed with the parents what was going on at East. The cluster meetings were also set up to help the sophomores decide what classes to take. One sophomore, Sam Hau, said, The cluster meetings helped the students understand the various fields and partially plan their schedules for upcoming years. Teachers from the various departments came and told the students about what they had to offer; thus, hopefully making it easier for the sophomores to decide their schedule. Senior student counselor. Jane Kutch, commented. It has helped the sophomores become more prepared for the following year. It also helped them become familiar with the classes they need to take if they are considering college. Planning, one of the main objectives of student success, includ ed everything as a group activity. Mrs. Holdeman explained, Our process of planning takes a lot more time because we think every- one snould have a part in the planning of the school if it is going to affect them. The decision is better if we do it this way, instead of having one person just decide what is to be done. One decision that was made was to have a peer tutoring pro- gram next year. Miles expressed enthusiasm towards this idea, We think that students relate better to students; it's just easier to talk to someone your own age. The program is still on the drawing board, but it should be in practice next fall. by Carla Bowen It’s what's inside that counts Senior Karla Van Zant answers ques- tions before sophomores begin giving ESA speeches. Sophomore Jeff Ei- chen’s homeroom helped him cam- paign with signs at the convo. Sopho- mores met in the auditorium as a class for elections and in smaller groups for curriculum cluster meetings.

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During Christmas vacation three teachers assisted librarian Don Reed move the entire library to its new home. Some students stroll slowly while Curtis Irvin helps physics teach- er John Kastings move a desk. Before Christmas teachers and students moved furniture on the resource level to meet specifications on the new floor plan for better access to all resources. Top: Students adjusted to the Com- mons as an area for quiet reading dur- ing academic hours and socializing during lunch. Above right: Senior Mike Sage looks over some library materi- als. Right: Music aide Mrs. Nancy Kessler gives Senior Mary Scifres a so- phisticated hair style for the play, “The Good Doctor.” 4 It's what's inside that counts