Welcome back to another edition of the CTE Newsletter! As we kick off the Fall season, we are thrilled to unveil our new FISD CTE Logo! The logo was created and chosen by students to represent our Career & Technical Education programs. Keep an eye out for our logo at competitions, campus tours, and school events throughout the year!

What is CTE?

Career & Technical Education (CTE) provides opportunities for students to gain career-focused experiences and certifications through specific industry pathways. Pathways serve as the sequence of courses for each Program of Study that students will follow throughout high school. Floresville High School currently offers 9 CTE Clusters and 13 Programs of Study, consisting of 55 different courses.

Programs of Study currently include Animal Science, Plant Science, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems, Graphic Design & Interactive Media, Digital Communications, Marketing & Sales, Teaching & Training, Exercise Science, Wellness & Restoration, Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services, Culinary Arts, Cybersecurity, Welding, and Automotive & Collision Repair.

We received word that over this past weekend one of our students earned an outstanding award while attending the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, TX. Nicole Lee traveled to Dallas to exhibit broilers at the fair and was named the exhibitor of the Grand Champion Broilers of the show! There was a great deal of effort and hard work put in by both Nicole and her family to achieve this honor. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and achievement at the fair! Congratulations, Nicole!

For this month we will be highlighting our sweetest program, Culinary Arts! These classes begin with introductions to the field by learning about equipment in a professional food service setting, methods of cooking, and prevention of food hazards. From there students begin jumping into in-depth culinary experiences working in a professionally designed commercial kitchen. Students gain mastery of culinary techniques by preparing multiple types of cuisine and demonstrating knowledge of food service preparations! Our amazing instructors are continually implementing hands-on experiences for the students to build culinary skillsets. Students in the advanced courses also work on catering school and district events as well as crafting menus for Snack Days! In this exciting pathway, nothing is impasta-able!

Scott Morales, a senior in the Welding Pathway, is in his final year in the CTE Welding program. He is an active member of Skills USA and is currently planning to attend the University Technical Institute (UTI) to continue his welding education and build on his trade certifications! He is already enrolled for the Fall of next year! Following his collegiate career at UTI, Scott plans to put his welding experience to use as an Oilfield Welder. Adding to his welding experience, he also works on horse pins and gates during the summer months at Guero Ranch. He will be a 1st generation student to attend school after high school. We are very proud of Scott's accomplishments, dedication to his craft, and his leadership within the welding field!

• October 3: Testing for TSIA2 will begin at 8:25am. Test results would be needed for students interested in dual credit courses or seniors applying for colleges or universities.
  
• October 3: FFA Meeting will take place at 6:30pm.
• October 5: SAT testing will be conducted for students who registered through www.collegeboard.org.
• October 5: World Teachers' Day 🍎
• October 8: Floresville Peanut Festival kicks-off with Goober Games at the Floresville Event Center!
• October 10-12: Floresville Peanut Festival Celebrations! Check the City of Floresville website for more information on events for each day! https://www.floresvilletx.gov/calendar-event/peanut-festival-2024/
• October 14: Halter Heifer Validation takes place at Poth ISD Project Center from 3:00pm-6:00pm.
• October 15: World Students' Day 📝
• October 16: On-Campus PSAT for 10th Grade
• October 21-22: Sheep and Goat Validation will take place from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
• October 22: Welding students will tour worksites to enhance their real-world and hands-on learning experiences!
• October 28: The CTE Fall Advisory Meeting kicks off with staff, industry partners, and students discussing CTE programs and being workplace ready!
• October 31: FHS Snack Day!
  

The global personal chefs market was valued at $15.86B as of 2023. Globally the market size is expected to grow by 6.5% through 2030. Within the United States, growth in this field is largely due to the growing awareness of health and nutrition across the nation - more families and individuals are seeking chefs familiar with specific dietary needs. The average salary in this position starts at $89,575 in the United States as of August 2024. Our Culinary Arts Pathway prepares students for careers in this delectable field by providing a real-world setting with a fully-stocked commercial kitchen as well as preparing students to certify in ServSafe. Employability skills are also integrated into the curriculum, allowing students to build a strong foundation in time management, organization, and problem-solving. Numerous opportunities are extended in this pathway through culinary institutes and work-oriented avenues!

Mrs. Middleton is one of several instructors in our Health Science Program of Study, while she has been a Health Science teacher for 5 years, she is currently entering her 2nd year of teaching at Floresville High School. She has been a nurse for 12 years, working in Pediatric Private Duty, WIC,

the Federally Qualified Health Clinic, as part of the quality improvement team as well as a referral nurse, and also possesses experience in both long-term care facilities as well as dialysis centers. As she states, she found her way to teaching through her nursing career, "What I love about nursing the most has always been teaching the patients, so I guess that's why I found myself teaching." During her first and third year teaching with East Central ISD, Mrs. Middleton received the Teamwork Award and the Recognition Award, respectively. She has continued to demonstrate her prowess in her profession during her years here at Floresville ISD, earning the Dream Maker Award and being named the THOA Area 1 Outstanding Teacher just this summer! Mrs. Middleton hopes to instill a strong sense of self through her coursework with students, noting, "I would like my students to understand that communication is everything. It's okay to make mistakes and be wrong, this is how we learn. I want them to be comfortable in their own skin, around all people, and feel safe. I try to instill that if you are a good person, making good choices, and love and respect others, then other people's opinions do not matter." She also endeavors to ensure students gain a solid understanding of the healthcare profession, as she states, "I hope that my students will understand the important role each medical profession plays within the medical field and that they will have found a love of learning, if they have not already. We are a team in this world and we should be able to lean on one another. I let my students know, if you learn just one thing from me, whether it be curriculum or about life, then I have succeeded as a teacher, and in what God has called me to do." We are privileged to have such a committed and compassionate teacher on our staff! We appreciate all she does and look forward to her students' successes throughout the school year!

Mr. Tim Gunn, and the entire McCoy's Building Supply corporation, have been highly supportive of our Agriculture students, staff, and pathway. Mr. Gunn has helped in the facilitation of donations from McCoy's for needed items for the courses within the pathway as well. McCoy's has also been instrumental and dynamic in their continual support for our CTE program! We are very appreciative of both Mr. Gunn and McCoy's for their help in building learning opportunities and environments that lead our students towards both academic and industry success!

We are always thrilled to work with community members and to build opportunities to showcase our programs and our students' achievements!

If you are not sure about how to get involved, here are some suggestions:

1. Become part of our Advisory Committees : Community members with industry experience can serve on advisory committees. These committees will meet several times throughout the school year to provide guidance on curriculum, industry trends, and relevance of programs to workforce/labor market needs. These meetings are a fantastic way to begin building a pipeline for highly-qualified future employees as well!
2. Guest Speaking: Industry professionals can volunteer to speak in classrooms about their career experiences, trends in their industry, or specific hard/soft skillsets. These presentations provide students with real-world insights and can inspire them to explore different career paths!
3. Job Shadowing: Community businesses can offer job shadowing experiences to students, allowing them to observe and understand various careers. This helps students make informed decisions about their future path and build connections with local businesses.
4. Internships & Apprenticeships: Community members and businesses can host students as interns or apprentices. These hands-on experiences give students practical skills and workplace knowledge while allowing businesses to mentor and shape future talent in their industries.
5. Program Sponsorships or Donations: Local businesses and individuals can sponsor CTE programs by providing financial support, equipment, or materials. This funding can help enhance the program's capabilities, provide scholarships, or support student-led projects and competitions.
6. Mentorship Programs: Community members can mentor students by offering career advice and personal development. This one-on-one support can make a significant impact on students' confidence and career readiness.
7. Volunteering for Events or Competitions: Members within the community can volunteer to help organize, judge, or support CTE-related events, such as Career Fairs, skill competitions, or expos. These events highlight student achievements and bring together students, families, educators, and businesses.
8. Worksite Tours: Businesses can open their doors for worksite tours, giving students a chance to explore different workplaces and industries. This helps students visualize their potential future careers and better understand workplace environments.
9. Partnership Development: Local businesses and industries can work with schools to create formal partnerships. These partnerships might include co-developing curriculum, offering professional development for teachers, or creating pipeline programs that prepare students for specific careers within specific companies.
   
10. Advocacy & Awareness: Members of the community can help advocate for CTE programs by raising awareness of their value and impact in preparing students for the workforce. This advocacy could involve speaking at school board meetings, engaging in social media campaigns, or participating in community forums.

By engaging in these roles, community members can help enrich CTE programs, create stronger connections between education and industry, and ensure that students are prepared for successful careers!

Students: Please use the poll below to indicate your preference for the focus of the Business Program of Study. Courses are being developed as we move through the school year and your input is important to us! If you would like more information on the courses for each pathway, please use this link: CTE Program of Study - Business, Marketing, & Finance

Encourage your student to set goals for their CTE journey. Whether it's earning a certification or exploring an internship, help them stay motivated by discussing their progress regularly. Also, connect with your student's teachers to stay informed about class projects and opportunities for growth.

• Instructional Support: Flex Time can be used for each course to assist students with content. Ask your CTE teacher about these times if you need help with content, assignments, or projects.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Use the link below to begin reviewing scholarship opportunities for CTE students throughout the school year. Scholarship information will be reviewed and revisited each month.
• Career & Technical Student Organizations: Students have the opportunity to join CTE-based clubs and organizations to better hone their trade and expand their networks within their desired career path. Some of these organizations include: TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators), FFA (Future Farmers of America), BPA (Business Professionals of America), and Skills USA. Talk to your teacher about memberships and important CTSO dates!

Q: What are CTE Concentrators and Completers?

A. Concentrator: A student who completes, passes, and receives credit for two or more high school CTE courses for a total of at least 2 credits within the same program of study and who is not a completer.

Completer: A student who completes, passes, and receives credit for three or more high school CTE courses for four or more credits, including at least one level 3 or level 4 course, from within the same program of study.

Q: What is a Program of Study?

A: Programs of Study are a set of courses that prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen career. Courses should progress in content and rigor, taking recommended and required prerequisites into consideration. These courses utilize relevant, real-world experiences and culminate in industry-based certifications that prepare students for high-wage, high-skill, in-demand careers.

Thank you for your continued support of our CTE programs! We are continually striving to bring together our community and our students to build an atmosphere of authentic learning and fellowship. We are proud of our educators and our students for their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm!

Feel free to reach out to our department if you have any questions about our Programs of Study, certifications, or are interested in partnering with our programs! Contact information is provided below.

Mrs. Salyna Guanajuato-Galvan

CTE Coordinator

(830) 393-5370 Ext. 21008

sguanajuato1@fisd.us

Mrs. Kim Ackley

CCMR Counselor

(830) 393-5370

kackley@fisd.us