July 2001 Connections page 1

INSIDE

Taking Shape
Variety of bond projects underway throughout
the school district
Page 2

She's a hit
in the Big Apple
Dobie graduate's work takes center stage on Broadway
Page 3

Set in Stone
Your memories, that is...
Here's how to be a part
of the SHHS Walk of Fame
Page 7

CLASS REUNIONS

Sam Rayburn
High School

Class of 1966
When: October 5-7, 2001
Where: Radisson Hotel - Hobby Airport
Contact: Taylor Reunion Services at 1-800-667-7800 or lfontana@taylorreunions.com

Class of 1981
When: July 27-28, 2001
Where: Doubletree Hotel at Allen Center
Contact: Taylor Reunion Services at 1-800-677-7800 or www.taylorreunions.com

Class of 1982
Contact: Susan (Burkhalter) Walta at 713-475-9761 or susanwalta@msn.com or John Barrera at jbtexreal@aol.com

Class of 1986
When: July 13-15, 2001
Where: South Shore Harbor Resort in League City
Contact: D'ann Fleming at 713-663-4517 or view the website at http://users2.ev1.net/~justjanice/ samrayburnclassreunion.html

More Class Reunions
page 2

Groundbreaking marks new era for Genoa Elementary

A new page in the long history of Genoa Elementary School was added with the groundbreaking of a new campus recently.

Work already has begun on the new Genoa Elementary, located next to the present campus on Almeda Genoa Road. The current building is more than 60 years old, making it the oldest elementary campus in the district.

Structural problems and other hazards prompted the need for a new campus, which was approved by voters by an 8-1 margin as part of a $199.05 million bond issue in February 2000. Completion of the campus is scheduled for August 2002, officials said.

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(In photo at right) Gretchen, Heidi and Emily Oertli and their mother Sarah scoop ceremonial shovels of dirt during the groundbreaking of the new Genoa elementary School recently. Sarah Oertli attended Genoa in the 1970s and now works as an aide at the school.

RIGHT AT HOME

As a student and an educator, Tom Hancock stayed true to his roots

Tom Hancock took a trip back to third grade recently when he visited his old classroom at Kruse Elementary School recently. The appearance of the room had changed since the 1940s and single desks had been replaced by tables. As this soft-spoken man with his tall, slender stature sat among the other students, he felt right at home again. It was like he had never left. In fact, he never has.

Pasadena ISD always has been home to Hancock, who retired from the district in July after 39 years. Whether it was as a student in the Pasadena schools in the mid-1940s to late 50s, or as a teacher and administrator, his life has revolved around the Pasadena Independent School District.

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