Career Academy Newsletter

Happy February to our students and families of the Career Academy!

We sincerely hope you are following us on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, X, or our Live Feed) because we LOVE showing off your students. They give us so many opportunities to share their learning while they are experiencing their future job options.

Speaking of future job options, more and more employers from around the community are reaching out to us to offer up paid apprenticeships, internships, and camps for our kids. If you are interested in learning about some summer work or camps, please reach out to us! Your child is regularly exposed to these opportunities via flyers and posters, as well as college recruitment officers, but they can still use an assist from you. Make sure your child doesn't miss out!

You are welcome to contact us any time with any thoughts, questions, concerns, and ideas. It is a privilege and honor to serve your children.

Scholarships: Seniors, scholarship listings are posted in the District Advisory course within Canvas. The listings are updated weekly. Be checking Canvas often for scholarships as February and March are busy scholarship months for seniors.

Financial Aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may qualify students for grants, loans and work study to assist with the cost of attending a post-secondary school this fall for current seniors. Seniors that have not submitted their FAFSA can still do so. Seniors planning on attending a 2 year or 4 year post-secondary school should be submitting a FAFSA. Assistance is available thru WITCC, ICAN and the counseling office at the Career Academy.

District ACT Testing: All juniors will be taking the ACT Test on Tuesday, April 9th. District ACT Testing allows all students to take the ACT test during the school day. District ACT Testing is a great way for all students see where they are at in regard to being college ready. For information about the ACT Test go to act.org.

Career Academy Course Offerings: Feel free to reach out to the Career Academy counseling office with questions about Career Academy pathways and course offerings.

February 19, 2024 - Professional Development - NO SCHOOL

Hometown: Born in Pasadena California, moved to Austin Minnesota when I was 5 years old. Lived there until the 4th quarter of my junior year of high school and moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa where I graduated.

College: I received my AA from Iowa Central Community College, obtained my BA from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Decided I wanted to be a Family and Consumer Science teacher and I was in the first cohort of the Teacher Intern Program at Morningside College and got my teaching endorsement. Received my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Wayne State.

I have been teaching in the Sioux City Community School district for 14 years. I started at North High school and was there for 8 years and have been at the Career Academy going on my 6th year.

Before choosing a second career to become a teacher. I worked for 9 years in the banking industry, had a daycare in my home, was a church secretary and had a home business named Prairie Rose designs. And I was a decorating consultant in the interior design industry for 10 years.

Fun Facts: My husband and I have been renovating a 104-year-old house for 5 years and it will be completed this summer. My husband is the contractor, and I am the designer. I love to garden and do landscaping in the summer. I have 4 grandchildren ages 5, 4, 2 and 1. Spending time with my family is the highlight of my day.

Hopes As An Educator: I want to share my passion for design with my students and make a difference in a young person’s life by teaching them life skills.

Best Moment In Education So Far: Are seeing current and former students be excited about the life skills that I taught them and applying it to their daily lives.

Congratulations to the fall semester CNA students. The majority passed their state exam and are now certified to work as a CNA in long term care.

Firefighter One and Hazardous Materials Operation Students were able to try their gear on. Students from 6 different high schools are taking part in these courses.

These Career Academy students have been busy 1st semester. They completed 60 hours interning in an area that they wish to pursue as a career. They also received credit for successfully completing their internship. We will showcase more interns in future Newsletters!

For more information on how to become an intern, please contact:

Mr. Anthony Gaul - gaula@live.siouxcityschools.com

or

Mrs. Wendy Bryce - brycew@live.siouxcityschools.com

Mark your calendar for spring parent-teacher conferences on Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12.

There will be a two-hour early dismissal on Tuesday, March 26 for spring break and no school from Wednesday, March 27 through Monday, April 1. School will resume on Tuesday, April 2.

The District provides every student with a device to enhance the overall learning experience. When a student receives their device, it is their responsibility to take appropriate care of the device. Unfortunately, the District has hundreds of devices damaged or destroyed each year.

Damage to devices or lost devices could result in fines and reduced Internet access. Detailed information on fees is available in the Parent/Guardian and Student Handbook on the District website. We encourage you to remind your student about the responsibility that goes with having a device.

The District’s mobile app provides quick and convenient information at your fingertips. Download the mobile to receive push notifications from the District about closings and cancellations and stay updated on today’s school lunch menu, upcoming events, and school news. Look for Sioux City Community Schools in your app store today!