The Falcon Flyer

The CCAP Early Childhood Education students recently facilitated a learning project with The Children's Center students, planting seeds in the planter boxes funded by the Suffolk Education Foundation grant, "From Garden to Table." The grant has funded a collaborative school-based enterprise and project-based learning opportunities for the CCAP Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education & Services programs and pre-school students and their parents at the Children's Center. The program is inclusive of a small greenhouse, raised beds, and associated gardening supplies. Produced vegetables are integrated in nutrition, food production, and science-themed activities for all partners. This year's interactive lesson focused on a planting experience for The Children's Center pre-school students and their parents, facilitated by CCAP's Early Childhood Education & Services students. Ideally, produce will contribute to the promotion of learning and healthy development for the preschool students and continued teaching opportunities for CCAP's Early Childhood Education & Development students.

Each year, the Suffolk Education Foundation invites instructors at all Suffolk Public Schools to apply for up to $2,000 for innovative projects within their classrooms. The programs that receive funding demonstrate the innovation of SPS teachers and their commitment to engage students in the classroom. The Suffolk Education Foundation has funded close to $400,000 in instructional grants over the years.

The CCAP Early Childhood Education and Services program is a two (2)-year program that prepares students to enter the workforce upon graduation in a variety of settings and/or continue training through post-secondary education.

Students learn about child development, nutrition, safety and dealing with emergencies, caring for children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and others with special needs), planning experiences for learning, and creating a positive learning environment. Students are provided with hands-on experience working in pre-school classrooms.

Participation in the program enables students to earn the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) Early Childhood Education and Care-Basic credential, which demonstrates students' understanding of concepts and knowledge needed to succeed in the area of Early Childhood Education. Additionally, students are able to earn 22 hours of dual-credit toward an Associate's degree with the Virginia Community College System.

Visit CCAP's website at spsk12.net/Domain/23 for more information about the Early Childhood Education & Services program, as well as other exciting program opportunities.

While we try to teach our children about life, the farm teaches us what life's all about. Eden Foods

CCAP Culinary Arts II Student, Caleb Piker (NRHS), was recently awarded a total of $35,170.00 in scholarships to attend Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte, NC) for the 2024-2025 academic year. Caleb plans to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship. Following graduation, Caleb aspires to design and operate his own "food truck," themed around creole-inspired food products.

Caleb is the son of Mr. Ronnell Piker and Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell. Caleb has one sibling, Alyssa Piker, who attend Creekside Elementary School.

Caleb has attended Suffolk Public Schools during his entire academic career!

Caleb has received instruction and certifications through the Culinary Arts program at CCAP, facilitated by Chef Maia Collins.

Caleb is a member of the National-Technical Honor Society (NTHS) club at CCAP and the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club at NRHS.

Caleb is additionally an Eagle Scout with Troop 16 of the Boys Scouts of America chapter in Driver, VA.

Caleb offers profound advice to his peers in encouraging them to try as many new things as possible. It is through practicing this advice that he found and developed his love for Culinary Arts.

The CCAP Culinary Arts program is a two (2) year program that prepares students for entry-level employment in the Food Service and Hospitality industry and/or continue training through post-secondary education programs at the apprentice, associates, or baccalaureate level.

Students learn about commercial kitchens, including large and small kitchen equipment, sanitation, safety, food preparation, culinary math, nutrition and baking. Students engage in planning, preparring, and serving catered events at CCAP and various other locations. Students may also participate in food competition for awards and/or scholarships.

Participation in the program prepares students to earn the ServSafe, National Occupaional Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Culinary Ars Prep , and NRAEF Culinary Arts credentials, pending a successful outcome on the exams.

Visit CCAP's website at spsk12.net/Domain/23 for more information about the Culinary Arts program, as well as other exciting program opportunities.

When it comes to cooking, it's a skill you learn and develop. Ainsley Harriott

On Wednesday, April 17 2024, CCAP's Hampton Roads Public Works Academy (HRPWA) cadets visited Newport News Waterworks to observe water treatment and security protocols.

Student cadets attending the trip included: Jaylen Johnson, Jamaury McPherson, Amanda Culpepper, Nachae' Dunston, Booby Freeman, Landon Patton, Dylan Cornett, Reginald Johnson, Jaden Knight, Morgan White, William Greenfield, Jaxon Vincent, and Kirbo Mitchell.

The group was chaperoned by Mrs. Mona Parker, School Counseling Director, and Jawaun Porter, Utility/Heavy Construction Teacher.

The HRPWA is a non-profit regional coalition promoting cooperative training in the various disciplines comprising public works and utilities, water treatment being one.

The HRPWA Academy has three (3) objectives:

1. To coordinate lower-cost training for current public works and utilities employers.

2. To educate area high school students with the goal of participants becoming future pre-trained public works and utilities employees.

3. To provide networking opportunities for member organizations.

The two-year program is centered on high school students from New Horizons Career and Technical Education Center, CCAP, and the Virginia Bach Technical and Career Educational Center. Students, that are recommended by their teacher and accepted into the program after an interview process, will be required to meet some basic criteria. If these conditions are not met, a student will be released from the program:

1. Complete an application.

2. Have good attendance.

3. Maintain their Career and Technical Education course grade of "C" or better

4. Complete a summer internship

5. Display strong work ethic.

Upon completion of the program, students will receive their certificate, which among other benefits, will highlight them as first priority for public works and utilities positions. In most cases, positions will be available immediately after program completion.

The HRPWA additionally awards two (2) $1000.00 scholarships annually to local high school cadets. CCAP boasts a valuable history of scholarship awards contributing to student's career development. Most recently, CCAP Completers Yessenia Winston and Faith Rivers, 2022-2023 completers of the program, were awarded scholarships.

Additional information regarding the HRPWA can be found by visiting https://www.hrpwa.org/high-school-cadet-program/.

"Water is critical for sustainable development, including environmental integrity and the alleviation of poverty and hunger, and is indispensable for human health and well-being." - United Nations

Administrative Professionals Day is a day to highlight the important role of secretaries, assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. This year, Administrative Professionals Day was celebrated on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Administrative Professionals are the unsung heroes of the workplace. They perform financial, personnel, communication, and organizational tasks that truly undergird the success and effectiveness of an organization.

CCAP honors three (3) Administrative Professionals, Sonya Joyner, Receptionist, Pamela Briggs, Bookkeeper, and Ethan Brown, Administrative Assistant.

Mrs. Joyner, Receptionist, joined Suffolk Public Schools in 2017. She has 30+ years of related clerical work experience. Mrs. Joyner keeps CCAP's office rolling. She greets all callers and guests with a smile and helpful spirit. She truly is the "face" of CCAP.

Mrs. Briggs, Bookkeeper, joined Suffolk Public Schools in 2017. She has 30+ years of clerical work experience. Mrs. Briggs is meticulous. Since joining SPS, she has facilitated a "No Comment " financial audit for the past five (5) years.

Mr. Brown, Administrative Assistant for the Adult Learning program at CCAP, joined Suffolk Public Schools in 2022 as a part-time Records and Admissions Clerk. He transitioned in 2023 to the Administrative Assistant role, where he now serves full time. Mr. Brown maintains his credential as a PearsonVue Admission's Clerk, facilitating the examination and registration process for patrons.

CCAP extends appreciation to each of these remarkable professionals. Although their contributions often go unnoticed and/or unrecognized, they are an integral component of CCAP's shared success.

"If you take a bunch of superstars and put them in a room where they don't have their assistants and entourage, it's funny to see what happens." Daryl Hall

In February 2020, just prior to the pandemic, CCAP held the inaugural Passport Day event in collaboration with Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School (CFCMS). During the event, 8th grade students selected four (4) CCAP programs of interest and participated in a tour of CCAP and participated in related career development experiences.

Having field-tested scheduling and activities, CCAP and CFCMS chose in 2024 to enhance access to this great experience and added sessions for Forest Glen Middle School (FGMS) and John Yeates Middle School (JYMS). Next year, CCAP looks to expand the event and add John F. Kennedy Middle School (JFKMS) and King's Fork Middle School (KFMS) to the fun.

Purpose:

• To explore SPS/CCAP career education programs related to personal interests and inventory results of 8th grade students (in preparation for Academic & Career Plan generation).

• To prepare for project implementation for all SPS middle schools.

• To increase middle school staff, student, and parent awareness of SPS CCAP CTE programming.

Description:
Students selected six (6) programs of interest, being matched with four (4) programs. Students attended related program sessions, participating in planned activities such as recipe preparation (flavored popcorn), blood pressure screening, engine manipulation, and simulator operation (Utility/Heavy Construction). Students received a "passport stamp" following each session.

Future Plans:
Next year, CCAP hopes to offer this opportunity to all SPS 8th grade students enrolled at the city's five (5) middle schools (JFKMS, CFCMS, JYMS, FGMS, and KFMS). Event evaluation is now underway! Feedback will be utilized for future planning.

The visionary behind this great event is SPS's very own middle school CTE teacher Joan Bowden (CFCMS).

“A mind that is stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

CCAP Early Childhood Education I & II students have recently been partnering with the Suffolk Public Schools/Oakland Elementary School (OES) Early Start program to facilitate internship opportunities for CCAP students in OES Early Start classrooms. The Early Start/VPI (Virginia Preschool Initiative) program is designed to reduce disparities among young children upon formal school entry and to reduce or eliminate risk factors that lead to early academic failure. This program is designed for children who turn 4 years old by September, who need an extra year to prepare for success in kindergarten.

Oakland Elementary School houses two (2) Early Start classrooms, serving 16 students each. The classes are taught by Karen Branson and Alicia Felts.

During the internship experience, CCAP Early Childhood Education students have been able to assist with Career Day, eat lunch (enjoy mealtime) with pre-school students, facilitate lesson activities surrounding the life cycle of a butterfly, and facilitate a variety of small group activities.

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” Napoleon Hill