Career Academy Newsletter

Happy best month of the year! October has always been my favorite month. The weather finally allows for weekend fire pits with a sweatshirt, and the days allow for sunbathing walks without tons of bugs or sweat!

We also have to be very intentional about our grades this time of year. You can help your child manage their grades by logging into Canvas as an "observer." While our children like to think they know it all, they also have a terrible time managing adult decisions that can manage their future. Parenting never stops and is very critical in the high school years where GPA can mean the difference between going to college and getting paid to go to college!

On that note, stay tuned for an exciting announcement on a new College & Career planning software called Xello. We are extremely excited to have this available to all of our students in grades 8-12. There are so many tools within this system, and we can't wait to share how you can help your child plan for post-graduation (yes, even if they are in 8th grade!!).

We are committed to establishing and carrying out a vision of College and Career preparation at the Academy. If there is ever anything we can do for you and your child, reach out! Thank you and have a wonderful fall!

New College & Career Planning App for Students

All 8-12th grade Sioux City students now have access to Xello through their Clever account. Xello is a student-driven program that helps students discover their interests, skills, and goals, and plan for their future. It offers assessments, profiles, lessons, applications, and more features to support college and career planning. In addition, seniors will use Xello to request and send transcripts to colleges. Another great feature is a built-in scholarship database where students can search for national and local scholarships. This semester students will use Xello in their classes to complete their career lessons and academic high school plan. It is a fantastic tool all of our students can access so please reach out to your students' School Counselor if you have any questions.

Students can register to take the ACT at act.org. Below is a list of the ACT National Test Dates and their registration deadlines.

See Mrs. Hoch at the Career Academy or your School Counselor for more information.

Intro to construction started the year by designing and building paper houses with stipulations of a gable roof, sill plate, window and doors. Students were excited to design the project, work in a team and do a hands-on activity. Students are starting to design and construct little free libraries and Adirondack chairs.

The Army National guard came to Harry Hopkins and showed the students several different options they could possibly do if joining the Army guard. Some stations they were introduced to, were crane operation to overturn cars, medical field, tool truck, and information about benefits about the Army National guard. Students were allowed to operate and work with each station. Thank you to Danny Hutchenson and the Army guard for spending two days with us.

Join the SCCSD for National Walk to School Day! Check out the safe walking routes for schools across the District and encourage your students to be active by walking to school.

The District is committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The District’s Anti-Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing policy defines bullying and harassment as well as the procedures for reporting and investigating bullying or harassment complaints.

Bullying and harassment are defined as any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

· Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.

· Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.

· Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.

· Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

If your student feels they are being bullied or harassed, encourage your student to visit with the student involved and tell them to stop. They should also tell a teacher, principal, or trusted adult at their school. An online discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hazing complaint form is also available on the District’s website and may be completed by the student, parent, or school employee.

Fall Conferences – No School Days

Parent/teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 24. There will be no school for students on Friday, October 25.

Thank you for partnering with us in your child's education.

Parent volunteers are needed to join the District’s Grassroots Advocacy Committee. As a volunteer, you will receive email updates about important legislative events that could impact public education and be asked to contact our legislators to advocate for our schools. Tips are provided to help volunteers connect with legislators. Volunteer today and let your voice be heard! Contact Communications@live.siouxcityschools.com to volunteer.