Tag: #CareerTechnicalEducation

Thankful for CTE (Career and Technical Education)

December 2, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie West Centennial High School Culinary Arts students invited Northport K8 Culinary Arts 8th graders to collaborate on a Thankful for CTE (Career and Technical Education) event at Centennial High. Their plan was to work together in the Centennial High School Culinary Arts’ commercial kitchen. The instructors, Chef Chris Balachak at St. Lucie West Centennial and Chef Tiffany Tredor at Northport K8 created a plan for their culinary students to work together. Principals Mr. Rustay and Ms. Popwell supported the event which had the middle schoolers collaborating with high school mentors to create a Thanksgiving-style meal that included dishes … Read More

Florida International University Hosts Biomedical Research Internship Program for SLPS Students 

August 5, 2024 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Florida International University (FIU) recently organized a prestigious summer internship program, specifically tailored for students from St. Lucie County.  Thirteen exceptional students were selected to participate in this enriching opportunity.  The internship spanned five weeks and focused on biomedical research training at FIU’s Center for Translational Sciences (CTS). From June 3rd to July 5th, these students delved into various areas, including biosciences, biomedicine, and data science. Through hands-on experience, they honed essential research techniques, developed scientific reading and writing skills, and learned how to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.  During their internship, students collaborated closely with FIU … Read More

Westwood FFA Parliamentary Procedure at Board Meeting

April 15, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students and FFA members Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Jayden Weil, Alyssa Coppock, and Laila Chastine presented Parliamentary Procedure at the monthly School Board Meeting. Westwood’s proud Principal Alfonso, Assistant Principal Gordon, and Agriscience Instructor Jenna Blakenbaker cheered them on as well as St. Lucie Public Schools Career and Technical Education CTE Director Aliesha Seitz.

Westwood FFA Horse Judging Competes

April 8, 2024 By Dana Caputo

The Fort Pierce Westwood Academy FFA Horse Judging team competed at the University of Florida FFA State Horse Judging contest against the best horse judging teams in the State of Florida. They had to pass the preliminary online test and be a top 15 team at the State Fair to be eligible to even compete at the State contest. Westwood’s team placed 6th in the state with 3 freshman and only one veteran judger. Wow! Team members consist of Zoey Thomaselli, Abigail Brickley, Madison Curtis and Adrianna Spotts. Congratulations!

CTE Student Entrepreneurship Showcase

April 8, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from middle and high schools across St. Lucie Public Schools participated in the CTE Student Showcase. The Showcase was all about entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the resilience needed to be an entrepreneur.  The CTE classroom is a perfect place for teaching these skills since CTE teachers already cover many lessons and projects in entrepreneurship. Across the board, CTE has produced many small business owners in St. Lucie County and across the State of Florida.  Many of the Showcase participants someday want to own a business and be an entrepreneur. Thank you to our … Read More

Westwood Wins State FFA Veterinary Assisting

March 25, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students who competed in the FFA Vet Assisting contest in Plant City! They placed FIRST in the state with Jayden Weil being the high individual of the whole contest. The team members (pictured) Briana Plaza, Samuel Rogers, Jayden Weil, and Ella Stark will be recognized during the State FFA Convention in June and then continue on to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October! Woo-hoo! Great job, Panthers!

Culinary Students Win Awards at ProStart to Culminate CTE Month

March 11, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts High School students from across St. Lucie Public Schools competed at Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Education Foundation (FRLAEF) ProStart competitions in Orlando, Florida, and came out winners! Their accomplishments deserve celebration! Congratulations to: Fort Pierce Central High: Nicholas Leonardi-third for ProStart Edible Centerpiece, fruit carving, Aristhene Thelisnort-FRLAEF $2,000 college scholarship, Jerimiah Telusma-FRLAEF $2,000 college scholarship, and Aristhene Thelisnort-ProStart Hospitality Excellence recipient. Aristhene is attending IRSC for Culinary Management in the fall, Nicolas is attending Tallahassee Community College in the fall then transferring to FSU to study Technological Engineering, and Jeremiah will be attending The Culinary Institute of … Read More

Chart Your Course: Maritime & Marine Career Expo

February 26, 2024 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

St. Lucie Public School students (middle and high school students) participated in the Chart Your Course: Maritime & Marine Career Expo.  This event was hosted by the Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation in partnership with the Career & Technical Education department (St. Lucie Public Schools).  This career expo provided opportunities for students to learn about various career pathways available to them in St. Lucie County.  Local Maritime and Marine business representatives provided information on skills and education needed for various career options, along with guided knowledge on obtaining career goals. The day afforded each student the time to explore post-secondary … Read More

Culinary Arts Advisory Board Members Meet

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools Culinary Arts Program teachers virtually met with their Advisory Board members. Teachers and business partners discussed plans for Derby Day, IRSC Open Houses, the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff, SERV Safe, and Food Safely industry certification testing. The culinary teachers and students are busy, busy, busy this time of year planning catering events, Proms, sports concessions, senior celebrations, ProStart Competition, SkillsUSA competition, and more.

Outboard Marine Service Technology Virtual Field Trip

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St Lucie Public Schools middle school students participated in a Virtual Field Trip to St. Lucie West Centennial High’s Outboard Marine Service Technology Program. The middle schoolers were able to see hands-on activities on electrical troubleshooting, engine mechanics troubleshooting, and marine service lab activities, and ask questions. Big thanks to Mr. Bob Kachanis Outboard Marine Service Instructor, his students, the St. Lucie Public Schools Media Services team for recording, St. Lucie West K8, Southern Oaks Middle, Oak Hammock K8, Dan McCarty Middle, and Allapattah Flats K8 for a great field trip!

Centennial Marine Program Meets with Advisory Board

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s Outboard Marine Service Program teacher met with his Advisory Board. Local marine industry members virtually met with Mr. Bob Kachanis to collaborate on classroom projects and industry needs. More meetings and activities are planned. Big thanks to Rob Abbott-Oceanwide Electronics, Justin Beard-Marine Industry Association of the Treasure Coast, Jim Dragseth-Shearwater Marine, John Helfrich-Grand Banks Yachts, and Tracy Campbell-Grand Banks Yachts.

Career & Technical Education Entrepreneurship Mentors, #CTEmonth

February 19, 2024 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher, Mrs. Jasmine Shepherd, lead teacher for the Sports, Recreation & Marketing program at Port St. Lucie High School, is strengthening her students’ connection to community and business experts. Mrs. Lisa Cobb (Executive Director – Youth Empowered to Prosper) and Mr. Jordan Harold (Founder & Entrepreneur of Black Chain, a bitcoin company) were guest speakers for Mrs. Shepherd’s students and are now serving as mentors.  Later this month, Mrs. Sheena Heppern of REAS Marketing, will be a guest speaker. Mrs. Shepherd’s students are preparing for the CTE Entrepreneurship Showcase coming up in April 2024.  The CTE office has worked … Read More

TCHS Engineering & Manufacturing PreApprenticeship to Apprenticeship Connection

February 5, 2024 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Treasure Coast High School’s (TCHS) Engineering and Manufacturing program students learned about Apprenticeship opportunities available to them after high school graduation.  Students in the program were then able to register for one of two available pre-apprenticeships (Welding or Industrial manufacturing) while enrolled in the program at TCHS.  Thank you to Ms. Colleen Gill (CareerSource Research Coast – Apprenticeship Navigator) for presenting to Mr. Phil DePuy’s students. (Photos courtesy of Mr. DePuy) #CTEmonth

Criminal Justice Collaboration with Clerk of the Circuit Courts & Comptroller, Michelle R. Miller

February 5, 2024 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Students from the Criminal Justice programs (Career & Technical Education) participated in a special session hosted by St. Lucie County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Michelle R. Miller.  This session included multiple presentations from the St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office, IT department, Detention staff, Probation & Parole officers, court staff, and more!  Students were then provided an opportunity to tour the Courthouse and sit in on a live trial. Thank you to Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Michelle R. Miller and her team.  Together, they put a meaningful presentation and provided career exploration opportunities for St. Lucie … Read More

Preapprenticeship Opportunities at TCHS – Engineering/Manufacturing

January 2, 2024 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Mr. Phil DePuy’s students from Treasure Coast High School (Engineering and Manufacturing programs) were afforded an opportunity to participate in a presentation hosted by Colleen Gill (Apprenticeship Navigator) from CareerSource Research Coast.  Students learned about apprenticeship opportunities available to them after high school along with education and career options for those wanting to pursue a career in the industrial manufacturing industry.  Mr. DePuy offers the pre-apprenticeship program for students enrolled in his program at TCHS.  Ms. Colleen Gill is also an Engineering/Manufacturing Advisory Board Member.

Westwood FFA Sweeps Competitions

December 18, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to West Prep FFA students who swept the local FFA contests in Okeechobee, winning every category! 1st place Creed- Laila Chastine 1st place Prepared Public Speaking- Berkley Barnes 1st place Extemporaneous Speaking- Anna Paige Cruse 1st place Safe Tractor Driving- Reed Blankenbaker 1st place Parliamentary Procedure- Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Laila Chastine, Jayden Weil and Alyssa Coppock Best wishes as these students move on to district competitions in late January.

CTE High School Nursing Assistant Students Participate in Skills Lab and Tour at IRSC School of Nursing

November 13, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE high school students from Fort Pierce Central High School, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, Port St. Lucie High School, and St. Lucie West Centennial High School participated in a School of Nursing Day at Indian River State College.  The high school students are a part of their high school’s Nursing Assistant program at their respective school.  Students participated in a campus tour, simulated wound care lab, IRSC and School of Nursing informational session, and opportunity to view current nursing students in action in the new simulated hospital at the IRSC Pruitt Campus.  Thank you to IRSC’s staff and College of Nursing … Read More

Middle School CTE Students Connects With IRSC Health Science and Nursing Programs

November 13, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE Middle School students from Dan McCarty Middle School and Northport K-8 were participants in a guest speaker presentation for IRSC’s Health Science and Nursing programs.  Thank you to IRSC Deans Dr. Anne Hubbard (Health Science) and Dr. Patricia Gagliano (Nursing) and their team for the presentation, Mr. Kevin Fess (Northport K-8) and Ms. Nadjhla Gracia (Dan McCarty Middle School) for opening their classroom for this opportunity.  Students in both sessions were able to get hands-on demonstrations and college information.  Hands-on demonstrations included the use of personal protective equipment, using a stethoscope, and a simulated phlebotomy arm for students to … Read More

Pathways to Becoming a Physician or Scientist

November 6, 2023 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

The Pathways to Becoming a Physician or Scientist event was held at Lincoln Park Academy and live-streamed for students at the other high schools. Students from high school CTE and science classes from all over St. Lucie Public Schools participated as either live or as virtual audience members for the event.  Additionally, middle school students within the Allied Health program at LPA also joined. This event was co-hosted by the Career & Technical Education (CTE) and the Science Curriculum departments.  This session focused on opportunities in the medical and science fields.  The purpose of this session was to have students learn … Read More