Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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LISTENING TO stereo music, Joel Smith con- centrates on a complicated problem during his Architectural Drafting class. DUE TO AN INCREASED interest in computer oriented careers, an expanded programming curriculum was offered in the math and busi- ness departments. ITIore than the three R’s Although with the countless clubs, sports, dances and other extracurricular activities many thought otherwise, when you got right down to it, the real reason for coming to VHS was to get an education. With a curriculum that offered classes in anything from Small Engines to Ad- vanced Physics, both the future mechanics and the col- lege preps were able to schedule an academic program suited to their individual needs. Many students from nearby schools, including Kouts, Washington, Township, Chesterton, and Portage discov- ered that if they wanted to take an advanced or special- ized course, they would literally have to “take it from here,” if it wasn’t offered at their school. The variety of courses taught by skilled teachers made VHS the place from which other schools took their exam- ples. — Kathryn A. Vocke 29 Academics Division

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A FAMILIAR FIGURE in Health and Safety classes, Fireman Phil Griffith teaches Jenni Car- michael the basics of CPR. 28 Academics Division

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Changes are for better or for worse Significant reforms dominate curriculum Change is a word that can express many different meanings. We change money at the bank and the tires of a car. Times change. Mothers change diapers and remind their children about changing underwear. Even school classes can change. In fact, this year the curriculum of Valpar- aiso High School underwent great changes that affected all of the stu- dents. One of the biggest changes occurred in the English department where the phase system was modified to corre- spond to the track system in the math- ematics department. Phase I was the honors phase for those students who have a great skill or interest in English. For the student with an average inter- est in English, phase II was designed, and was considered the college-bound phase. Finally, phase III was for the stu- dent whose ability or interest was a little below average. English classes also changed from nine-week classes to semester classes. The length of English classes was changed to one semester to meet the needs of the guidance department, ex- plained Mrs. Judith Lebryk, English de- partment chairperson, .who added that the previous system of nine-week courses was not under criticism. Some changes, like class sizes, were not so noticable. The speech classes which include General Speech, Dra- matic Arts, and Advanced Acting de- creased in size. According to Guidance Director Don Dick, the sizes of the speech classes decreased because fewer students are enrolled at VHS, more students to ok General Speech in summer school, and more took it in the ninth grade. Class enrollment, however, in- creased in some areas. In the math- ematics department, Pre-Calculus track 3 was added for students who wanted a fourth year of math, but needed more review of algebra and a less theoretical approach. More stu- dents are electing to take four years of math and are looking forward to ca- reers in math,” explained Miss Linda White, mathematics department chair- person. “This year we had 150 stu- dents taking Pre-Calculus.” Even though the word “change” can express many different meanings to many different people. VHS students and faculty will remember this past school year as a year of change. — Stephanie Brown DURING HIS COMPUTER CLASS, senior Law- rence Ventura helps Brandon Mitchener on his computer monogram, a challenging program for advanced computer buffs. 30 Basics TRYING TO PICK OUT the most important as- pects of a Greek mythology lecture, senior Aaron Madrid pays close attention to his English teach- er, Mrs. Judith Lebryk.