Skyline High School - Olympian Yearbook (Oakland, CA)

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Change marks s ecial year Unlike past years, Skyline students had a variety of things to talk about everyday during the school's 25th year. In October, Oakland schools had the privilege of host- ing a delegation of Chinese visitors. Joe Coto became Oakland's Superintendent of Oakland Public Schools when J. David Bowick resigned in November. Skyline was again accredited by Western Associ- ation of Schools CWASCJ, an organization responsible for accrediting institutions of learning in Western States. Students, staffs, and the PTAjointly produced a Stu- dent Handbook. The PTA also combined with CSF to print a Student Directory. An unfortunate number of faculty members, including Principal Judith Watson, spent many hours in the hospital. Skyline's foot- ball team defeated Oakland High to win the Silver Bowl for the second straight year at the Homecoming game. Due to the month-long teachers strike, a recall of the Board of Education was put into motion, and various school activities were de- layed. The Spring Dance was pushed back to April, the Olympian yearbook sale was extended time, the Spring musical was put off until May, and the annual Olympiad was held later in the year. Sports sched- ules were also delayed and two weeks were taken off from the first semester which caused great concerns for many seniors. Many changes occurred in the school day. Classes got off to a five minute earlier start, lunch period was shortened to only half an hour, and a new reading period was added. Around the Bay Area, star-watchers and astronomers kept their telescopes peeled for one of the rarest phenomenon in the Universe, Halley's comet. In February, the Bay Area was hit with what was possibly the worst storm in history. Damage cost of the storm was estimated in the millions. At the beginning of the new year, California put into effect a law mandating the use of seat belt, and also began r the long awaited lottery which produced grand prizes as high as EIS6 million. At least thirty-four percent of the money generated by the lottery went to the California education system. 220 Year unfolds

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,4- 5 ..n-l-'ig I ' T' , F :-'.-9 i .- Ji' fl . - I- y 'A , G A ,iff i iv ti 1 5 .21 M .U k,.J 4 K' ,-1 .-.S .ik 'VA ,kr J , ri If 6 Strike disrupts school year All of the schools in the Oakland Public School system were thrown into turmoil when the teachers' union went on strike the day after Winter Vacation. On Mon- day, January 6, thousands of OPS teach- ers began what proved to be a four week walkout. The teachers had been working without a contract since July 1, 1985. Due to the fact that the district was unpre- pared for a strike, even though the teach- ers had threatened to strike three times, education was brought to a stand still. Ev- eryday, while teacher and union represen- tatives made no progress, more and more students stayed away from school. At one point, over 50,000 of the 54,000 OPS stu- dents were absent from class. The stu- dents hurt most by the strike were high school seniors. Usually, near the end of the first semester, seniors begin to get ap- plications, letters of recommendation, and transcripts sent to the colleges of their choice. Because of the strike, how- ever, teachers and counselors were not on campus and were unable to seriously help the graduates. Once the strike finally ended the next two weeks were used in order to complete the semester. Along with the transcripts, a letter was sent to a college explaining the situation. Massive confusion was still present even when school began. 'F F ' '-SW 1 I - lful' 9 Adults Q55 were not the only people supporting the strike. Students leaving school early Q61 was a famil- iar sight during the strike. Lynne Ottoson, Anthony Barton, and Clarence Stevenson C75 take a break during the strike. Hard at work, Ajmir Singh C81 fixes his sign. Leonard Wong and a friend f9l watch the surroundings. Strike 219

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we fp KL- ar I California lottery Q11 gave away millions of dollars to many winners. Skyline Q21 celebrated its twenty-fifth year. Eileen Lee Q31 always have something to smile about. Jeff Love Q41 thinks life is funny. Liz Niven and Kurt Burton Q51 listen to yearbook details. Having a ball during lunch Q61 are Kirk Kanagaki and Jack Von- ich. Waving to his fans Q71 is Tommy Webb. Support- ing the teachers strike Q81 is Shirley Heady's dog, Robert. Jud Smith Q91 wonders if he can type fast enough. Chatting before class Q101 are Wendi Sue, Anna Schroepfer, Jennie Mollica, and Rani Derasary. Wm fr ' ? Wg., , -V f.,,,,,., .lf-:ff ' M-.ir -fs., Q 996' Year unfolds 221