First quarter is in the books!

It has been a busy nine weeks! Angeline Academy of Innovation in Land O' Lakes opened in August and is offering CTE courses for grades 6-12. Current programs at the school include Applied Cybersecurity, Computer Science Principles, Applied Robotics, and Entrepreneurship.

At the October School Board workshop, our team shared quarterly data about industry certification, student career planning, career dual enrollment, and business and industry partnerships. We also hosted the Career Advisory Council Fall General Membership meeting, where the group provided objective focused on work-based learning opportunities for students.

The Adult Education team has been leading learning at both Marchman Technical College and Pasco-Hernando State College's Dade City campus. Stay tuned for more news about expanded opportunities as we launch a streamlined enrollment and orientation process and establish supports that will set adult students up for success in their courses.

As we enter second quarter, our team is busy collaborating with school-based administrators during our annual program advisement sessions. We review current course and program offerings, enrollment data, and Digital Tools and industry certification results. We also look at program costs and provide information that helps our colleagues make decisions about their 2024-2025 CTE pathway options.

As always, we are "Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Workforce" and we appreciate your support of our students and schools!

Please feel free to contact us at 813-794-2204, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @PascoCTE!

Stay safe, keep it simple and be well,

Lori Romano, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education

Alaina Butchko is an 11th grader in the career dual enrollment Cosmetology program at Wendell Krinn High School and Marchman Technical College. She is also a Florida SkillsUSA state officer. In September, along with other Florida SkillsUSA officers, she visited Washington, D.C., where she spent time advocating for the importance of CTE support and funding from legislators. She also was awarded the SkillsUSA National Statesman Award, which is the highest award in SkillsUSA. Congratulations Alaina! We are very proud of you!

- submitted by Kellyann Haudricourt

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, many students in our construction and electricity programs at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and Pasco High School had the opportunity to participate in the "Framework of the Future" program sponsored by Lennar Homes. The event took place in Plant City and required transportation to the event. Another builder, Pulte Homes, stepped up and sponsored transportation allowing our Pasco County students to attend this hands-on learning opportunity to bring classroom lessons to life, network, and build onto their current knowledge.

Lennar's Customer Care and Construction Associates were onsite to share their expertise and encourage students to become skilled workers. Students rotated through homes under construction and learned from about all professions needed to build a home - masons, framers, electricians, and more! This was an incredible opportunity for students to make valuable connections about what they are learning in class to specific industry needs.

Thank you Lennar Homes and Pulte Homes for working together and giving our students this in-field experience and Work-based learning opportunity.

- submitted by Deedra Mitchell, CTAE Program Coordinator

Pasco High School CTE students have multiple opportunities to share their knowledge and skills at the school's Dade City campus. Whether Electricity students are assisting plant operations staff with regular repairs, or Certified Nurse Assisting students are sharing insights into their pathway during Open House, they're available to support their school and promote their programs.

- submitted by Mignon Edwards, PHS Career Specialist

Over 40 members of Wiregrass Ranch High School's FBLA chapter participated in the school's fall festival on October 13, 2023. They had a great time and were able to raise funds for state competition.

- submitted by Donna Fraser

Cypress Creek High School student Miguel Rosario was recognized as Pasco County's nominee for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education Program. Miguel is a senior in the Academy of Engineering. He is pictured below with Superintendent Kurt Browning and School Board Vice Chairman Alison Crumbley.

Students in Selena Iverson's Forensics course at the Academy of Criminal Justice at Zephyrhills High School not only learn about crime scenes, they created their own models for investigation. These are just a few of the many the build by applying what they've learned so far this school year.

- submitted by Selena Iverson

On October 26, 2023, Automotive and Diesel Technology students at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation loaded two full busses to attend the Elite Trades Championship at the Tampa Convention Center.

Developed by Ideal Industries, the championship unfolds across several specialized events, the championship will feature the 8th annual IDEAL National Championship for electricians, the 3rd U.S. Auto Tech National Championship Driven by Yokohama, the 2nd ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship and the inaugural Plumbing National Championship. The ETCS finals will be televised in December on CBS Sports Network.

- photos courtesy of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation

• Please share information about your program that you would like considered for the CTAE monthly newsletter (photos, awards, events, certifications, etc.).

• Don't forget that you can email Pam Willoughby (pwilloug@pasco.k12.fl.us) with news and photos you want posted on our social media platforms at any time throughout the month.

Email: lmromano@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/cte/
Location: 7227 Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-2204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pascoschools/
Twitter: @PascoCTE