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ITCA Aware

February 2017 Newsletter

ITCA AwareFebruary 2017 Newsletter

ITCA Excels in BPA Competition

Business Professionals of America is the premier CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields. BPA has 45,000 members in over 1,800 chapters in 25 states and Puerto Rico.


As a co-curricular activity, Business Professionals of America has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service and social endeavors. Business Professionals of America members participate in these activities to accomplish its goals of self-improvement, leadership development, professionalism, community service, career development, public relations, student cooperation and safety and health.


A major program of Business Professionals of America is the Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP). The WSAP prepares students to succeed and assesses real world business skills and problem solving abilities in finance, management, IT and computer applications. It is BPA's showcase program and facilitates students demonstrating their career skills at regional, state and national conferences in more than 90 competitive events.


ITCA Business students competed at the BPA Regional Leadership Conference on Saturday, January 13th in Meridian. Students competed in two competitions, Fundamentals of Web Design, which has students create a basic website using html coding, and Fundamental Desktop Publishing, which has students use desktop publishing software such as Word to create business projects like memos, agendas, postcards, etc. Four students placed in the top 10 of both competitions and two students placed high enough to compete at the State Leadership Conference in March.


Fundamentals of Web Design:

Kathryn Falk 3rd Place (state qualifier)

Camon South 5th Place

Cody Huntington 6th Place

Riston Taylor 7th Place


Fundamental Desktop Publishing:

Cody Huntington 3rd Place (state qualifier)

Kathryn Falk 5th Place

Camron South 6th Place

Riston Taylor 7th Place

Congratulations to these students and their accomplishments! We are so proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing them continue to succeed at ITCA.

Staff Spotlight: Mandolyn Garcia-Ruiz!!

While traveling is my favorite hobby, I’ve lived in Idaho my entire life. Born in Coeur d’Alene, my family moved to Spirit Lake when I was 9 where I graduated from Timberlake High School, then spent two fun years at North Idaho College, and continued on to the University of Idaho in Moscow where I received bachelor’s degrees in biology and secondary education. Growing up in northern Idaho gave me a strong passion for the outdoors including mountain biking, cycling, camping, rafting, and just relaxing on a lake. I started my teaching career in Lewiston at Sacajawea Junior High where I taught 8th grade science for 5 years. When I had my first son, I decided to change things up a bit which is how I ended up as the science teacher here at Idaho Technical Career Academy. My husband, myself, our son, and two dogs moved to Twin Falls a couple years ago so we could be closer to family. Now I am due to have our second son at the end of February. We are very excited for this new addition and can’t wait to meet him! Fortunately, my long-term sub will be someone already familiar with our school. Mrs. De La Pena subbed for one of our business teachers, Mrs. VanLeuven, while she was on her maternity leave during November and December. ITCA has become my extended family. I absolutely love working with our teachers and students, providing a unique experience to meet the diverse needs of these young minds.

LATE Policy

All assignments are due by the end of each quarter. No assignments will be accepted after that. If you have special circumstances, please reach out to your individual teachers.



  • Quarter 1-Nov. 6, 2016 by 11:59pm
  • Quarter 2 (end of Semester 1)-Jan. 13, 2017 by 11:59pm
  • Quarter 3- April 9th, 2017 by 11:59pm
  • Quarter 4 (end of Semester 2)-May 26th, 2017 by 11:59pm

Area Spotlight

WHAT PART OF IDAHO ARE YOU LOCATED IN? WE WANT TO KNOW AND SEE! SEND US A PICTURE FOR A HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT. THIS MONTHS SPOTLIGHT: SUN VALLEY, IDAHO!

ITCA Recipes

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Red Velvet Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cupcakes:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons red food coloring
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons distilled white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 ounces butter, at room temperature
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Special Equipment:

  • Standard 12-cup muffin pan
  • Red food coloring
  • Disposable decorating bags
  • Attic #827 decorating tip

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard muffin/cupcake pan with liners.
  2. On medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.
  3. In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
  4. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
  5. Again, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another couple of minutes until completely combined and smooth.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a thin knife or skewer inserted into the center of the largest cupcake comes out clean.
  7. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove cupcakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
  8. To make the frosting: Using the whisk attachment, whip the butter and cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.

*Submitted by Mrs. Amanda Peterson

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Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 1 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 2½ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1¼ c. milk
  • 3 tbsp. butter or margarine
  • 1 large egg
  • Vegetable oil for brushing pan

Directions

  1. In bowl, with wire whisk, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, butter, and egg and stir until flour is moistened.
  2. Heat griddle or 12-inch skillet over medium heat until drop of water sizzles; brush lightly with oil. Pour batter by scant 1/4 cups onto hot griddle, making a few pancakes at a time. Cook until tops are bubbly, some bubbles burst, and edges look dry. With wide spatula, turn and cook until underside is golden. Transfer to platter; keep warm.
  3. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing griddle with more oil if necessary.

*Submitted by Mrs. Amanda Peterson

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Taco Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground round beef (85% lean)
  • 1 can (16 oz each) beans in chili seasoned sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained, liquid reserved
  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1-1/2 cups broken tortilla chips

Purchase ingredients from Peapod or Amazon

Get Ingredients

Directions

  1. Cook beef in large skillet over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink, stirring occasionally; drain. Add chili beans, chili powder and reserved liquid from tomatoes. Cook 2 minutes or until hot; set aside.
  2. Divide lettuce between 4 serving plates. Spoon meat mixture evenly over lettuce. Top evenly with cheese, broken chips and drained tomatoes.

*Submitted by Mrs. Amanda Peterson

Motivate 2 Activate

K12 has created a series that provides different principles and techniques for Learning Coaches to help keep their students motivated! You can learn more about that here.


UPCOMING SESSIONS IN THE SERIES


February 7th @ 7:30pm ET, 6:30pm CT; 5:30pm MT; 4:30pm PT
Holding Students Accountable
Learning to use consequences instead of punishments to help motivate students to be successful is key. Practice strategies that develop good consequences that can be effective with students.

February 21st @ 7:30pm ET, 6:30pm CT; 5:30pm MT; 4:30pm PT
Responsibility for School Work
4 steps to help students take ownership of their own learning:
· Help them understand what learning looks like
· Sit back and let them take ownership. Allow them to fail or succeed
· If they fail…..then we hold them accountable with a consequence
· We continue to have high expectations of school work

February 28th @ 7:30pm ET, 6:30pm CT; 5:30pm MT; 4:30pm PT
Why Having Objectives Is So Important
Knowing and understanding daily expectations for Learning Coaches and students makes a happier schooling at home environment. Having an objective that defines a clear target is motivating for all because we know what it’s supposed to look like when it’s done and we can tell when we’ve completed it.

March 7th @ 7:30pm ET, 6:30pm CT; 5:30pm MT; 4:30pm PT
Praise vs. Encouragement
The way we talk to kids gives them a sense of whether they’re accomplishing things or whether we’re just saying nice things to them. “You’re so smart.” Helpful or not? Using encouragement properly motivates students because it demonstrates to them that achievement is a product of their effort.

March 14th @ 7:30pm ET, 6:30pm CT; 5:30pm MT; 4:30pm PT
Helping Students Self-Correct
Oft-times students find themselves in situations that take them down a path that makes their day ineffective. If we can help them self-correct, they will be more likely to be motivated to keep working effectively.

FYI

NO SCHOOL ON FEVURARY 20, 2017!!

It s President's Day

FYI: Spring Break

ITCA's Spring Break is March 20-24, 2017. Please plan accordingly.

Be Apart of Our Community

Do you have a recipe, artwork, stress management tips, etc? Please submit them, so they can be featured in our newsletter. Please email them to Amanda Peterson: ampeterson@idtca.org

Learning Coach University

K12 Learning Coach University™ was created to support the Learning Coaches who guide the schooling of their children at home. Online classes provide a clearer understanding of the developmental process of learning as well as effective strategies and resources to use at home to help every child succeed. Click here to view the September sessions.
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Idaho Technical Career Academy (ITCA)

Idaho Technical Career Academy (ITCA), as a public charter school, is open to all students. ITCA does not discriminate against any student on any basis prohibited by federal or state constitutions or any federal, state, or local law. All students, regardless of ability or disability, will receive an equal opportunity to enroll in and participate at ITCA.

Website: http://itca.k12.com/
Location: 1965 S. Eagle Road, Suite 150 Meridian, ID 83642
Phone: (208) 917-2420