CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC SCHOOLS PREPARING ALUMNI DIRECTORY

School officials hope an alumni directory will make it easier for Cape Girardeau public school graduates to find each other.

The directory was one of the first projects the superintendent, Dr. Dan Steska, initiated when he joined the district last summer. Steska said the directory will be part of continuing efforts to support the district's theme to "Renew the Vision, Maintain the Mission."

Over the past year, names and addresses along with pictures and other memorabilia have been collected from as far back as 1853 for inclusion in a single directory. Only the information OK'd by graduates is included in the book, and the information will not be sold to a third party.

The directory is scheduled for release by Harris Publishing of Norfolk, Va., in late February. Hard-cover editions will be available for $69.95 plus $9.95 for shipping and handling. Soft-cover editions will be sold for $59.95 plus $9.95 for shipping and handling.

Postcards were mailed last week asking alumni to call a toll-free telephone number and update address and personal information for the directory. Willetta Brookins, who has been in charge of collecting data for the book since last fall, said she has fielded numerous calls questioning the legitimacy of the book.

"We get calls every month asking about calendars or other things related to the school that we have had nothing to do with," she said. "They're featuring school-related things, but we don't make any money off of it. This is legitimate, but it's strictly a service to the community. The district makes no money off of it."

Several Central alumni also have been unable to verify their information because of a chance circumstance regarding the toll-free telephone number. People were instructed to call an 800 number that included a "651" prefix. Some 50 local alumni dropped the "1-800" however, and were surprised when they reached Southeast Missouri State University's Center for Earthquake Studies.

"They see that and they recognize that as a Cape number, so they just dialed locally," said Darlene Langley, who received most of the erroneous calls. "I kept asking what they were calling about and finally called the Board of Education. Now when they call I tell them just dial the 1-800."

Brookins said the directory will be of benefit to reunion committees trying to contact classmates. It also will enable the board office to share information about class officers or help people locate childhood friends.

"We get calls all the time from people looking for lists," said Brookins. "We're not allowed to give out telephone numbers even if we knew them. This way they have a reference book, and the people they're looking for have given permission for their information to be published."

Graduates of Cape Girardeau schools are asked to submit updated name and address information to Harris Publishing at (800) 651-2195. For more information contact the board office at 335-1867.