Career Academy Principal, Mrs. Katie Towler
Hello and welcome to a new school year. My name is Katie Towler and I am the principal of the Sioux City Career Academy. Year two in our new Career Academy campus is off to a great start. I am excited to share with you as we continue to grow.
Our goal is to allow students the opportunity to explore their passions while they are supported by caring and experienced teachers; pursue a pathway that could potentially lead to a course of study or career; and get hands-on, real-life experience in high school. We are passionate about providing students with diverse opportunities while remaining focused on achieving academic goals in literacy and in math.
This year our teachers are committed to raising the percent of students who are proficient in writing and in math by focusing on writing and math standards in their content-specific courses. Students will practice daily writing through the lens of career and technical education. Teachers will study best practices and become proficient practitioners in developing students who are strong and confident problem solvers and communicators. As a team we are committed to helping students see relevance and find value in their education.
Each month we will highlight a program or two to give you a deeper understanding of who we are and what we do. This month I am proud to present our CNA, biomedical, pharmacy tech, and surgical tech pathways. Students can start exploring the health sciences in 9th grade through our principles of biomedical science course (over 300 chose to do so this year). They can continue all the way through a certification/licensure in 12th grade through CNA, pharmacy tech, or surgical tech. Our wall-to-wall program allows 10th and 11th graders the opportunity to spend an entire day at the Career Academy studying English, math, and social studies through the lens of health science as well as learning about health careers and teams, medical terminology, and issues in health and society. Pair this all with extensive job shadows, tours, guest speakers, and internships and it’s an experience second to none.
The Career Academy is intended to benefit our entire community. If you would like to get involved with the Career Academy, have questions, or would like to visit our campus, please stop by. We would love to partner with you.
Thank you,
Katie Towler
Career Academy Guidance Counselor, Mr. Jeff Lucas
As the 2019-20 school year kicks off there are plenty of things that seniors should be doing to help them reach their post-secondary goals. Below are items that seniors can be focusing on over the fall months.
Seniors:
1. Begin applying to schools that you are considering attending. As part of the admission process, you will need likely need to submit your application for admission, official transcript and ACT scores. Other items may be required.
2. The Sioux City CSD is partnering with Parchment to have official transcripts sent to colleges.
Seniors will need to create a Parchment account at www.parchemnt.com or by clicking the Parent tab and then College Resources at the district homepage. Orders are placed to have transcripts sent to college admission offices as part of the admissions process. If you have questions about setting up a Parchment account to have transcripts sent to colleges you can see Mr. Lucas at the Career Academy or your home high school counselor. Parchment accounts apply only to current seniors.
3. Retake the ACT. All seniors took the ACT in the spring of 2019. Almost 60% of students increase their ACT score when they take the test a second time. There are two opportunities for seniors to take the ACT this semester. The ACT is offered on Saturday, October 26th and Saturday, December 8th. The ACT is part of the college admissions process for many schools and can lead to scholarship opportunities.
4. Seniors can submit their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) starting October 1st. All seniors are encouraged to submit a FAFSA. Everyone is eligible for financial aid through the FAFSA regardless of family income.
5. Start looking for scholarships! There a many web sites with 1000s of scholarships listed. Fast web and Scholarship Owl are two to consider. Know what is available at the financial aid office of schools you are applying. Check the local scholarship list at your home high school and for additional scholarships follow the Career Academy Counseling Twitter account--- @MrLucasAcademy
If you have questions or concerns about any of these fall senior post-secondary steps, see Mr. Lucas in the Career Academy Counseling Office.
Jeff Lucas
School Counselor
Sioux City CSD Career Academy
712 279-6668 ext. 3014
HOSA 42nd Annual International Leadership Conference
Career Academy HOSA members and their advisors, Mrs. Mary Dermit and Mrs. Courtney Greene, traveled to Orlando, Florida to participate and compete in the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 19-22, 2019.
ILC STATS
· 11,525 attendees
· 9,749 Competitors
· 110 workshops
· 748 HOSA University attendees (Leadership development)
We are very proud of all the students who had the courage to demonstrate their skills and abilities at the State and International level through HOSA competitive events.
Health Sciences Pathway EXPANDS
In addition to the Sophomore and Junior Wall to Wall Academy’s that prepare the students for the Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician programs of study, a new program called Biomedical Sciences has recently enrolled 300 new students. As health professionals themselves, the teachers could not be more excited to have the numbers they do. It is such an amazing opportunity for these students to become exposed to healthcare and medicine at the freshman, sophomore and the upper classman level.
Biomedical Sciences is part of the Project Lead the Way curriculum. PLTW is designed to engage students in hands on activities, projects and problems that help them develop the knowledge, skills necessary for the changing world of medicine. Having this program at the SC Career Academy also allows students to rise to a new level of professionalism through interactions with speakers, tours, job shadows and internships in areas of interest.
Lots of exciting projects and experiences await these eager students. Follow them on Facebook: Sioux City Career Academy and #Twitter: @BiomedicalAT, @w2wacademy
CONTACT US
Email: towlerk@live.siouxcityschools.com
Website: www.siouxcityschools.org
Location: 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6668
Facebook: facebook.com/SiouxCityCareerAcademy
Twitter: @sccareeracademy
