Tag: #CareerTechnicalEducation

Pre-apprenticeship Career Opportunities Soar in St Lucie Public Schools

March 22, 2021 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools has five pre-apprenticeship programs preparing students for careers.  The pre-apprenticeship Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school programs are located across the District: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Treasure Coast High Building Construction Technologies at Port St Lucie High Outboard Marine Service Technology at St Lucie West Centennial High Pharmacy Technician at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy – The W.E.S.T. Prep Magnet Technical Design at Port St Lucie High The pre-apprenticeships offered in CTE at St. Lucie Public Schools lead into registered apprenticeship trades of Carpenter, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Truss Design Technician, Pharmacy Technician, and Yacht Service Technician.

St. Lucie Medical Center’s Emergency Medicine Residency DEI Physician’s Forum with CTE Medical Students

March 22, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

CTE Medical teachers and students from St. Lucie Public Schools participated in a virtual forum with Dr. Thomas Matese, Dr. Josephin Mathai, Dr. Ashkahn Zomorrodi, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McNamara from St. Lucie Medical Center. Over 200 SLPS Medical students learned about the process to become a Physician from the St. Lucie Medical Center’s Emergency Medicine Residency DEI group.  This presentation also included Resident students currently in the Emergency Medicine program sharing their personal experiences and pathway to achieve their medical career goals.

HCA Hospital Virtual Employment Presentation with Graduating Seniors in Medical Academies

March 22, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Tina Ankeny, representing St. Lucie Medical and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute met with with St. Lucie Public School (SLPS) medical students on various topics related to employment and career opportunities within the local hospitals.  The medical teachers joined in via Teams to allow their graduating seniors an opportunity to network with HCA hospital representatives and learn how their earned industry certification will get them entry-level positions after graduation.  This session is a follow-up to the SLPS and EDC Counselor’s Healthcare Bus Tour session held in February 2021.  

West Prep FFA Rounds up Awards at SLC Fair!

March 11, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to all St Lucie Fair exhibitors and winners!  What a year for Ft. Pierce Westwood-West Prep FFA who’s final tally is impressive: 5- Grand Champion Titles, 2- Reserve Grand Champion Titles, 9- First in Class, 3- 2nd in Class, 3- 3rd in Class, 1st place Senior II Swine Record Book, 1st place Senior II Steer Record Book, 2nd Place Senior II Swine Record Book and more! Mrs. Jenna Blankenbaker, FPW Agriscience Instructor shared, “If you see these kids, please congratulate them, they have worked hard for a year on their projects and it was apparent … I had a … Read More

Career and Technical Education Programs Connect with St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office Drone Team

March 8, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Fort Pierce Westwood students from Ms. Mildred Brown’s Criminal Justice program, Mrs. Ursula Johnson’s Digital Media program, and Mrs. M.E. Musgrave’s Medical program joined the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team for a live presentation.  Students learned about the significance of the drone team to our law enforcement agencies and community, sUAS Part 107 industry certification, and career opportunities after high school.  Sergeant Wes Harbrin organized this event for SLPS students enrolled in these various programs.  Additionally, students preparing for their 911 Telecommunications industry certification exam were able to connect with our local law enforcement business and community partners! … Read More

St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team Demonstration with Centennial’s Criminal Justice Students

March 8, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Representatives from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Drone team hosted a live demonstration for Criminal Justice and Law Academy students from St. Lucie West Centennial High School.  Special thanks to SLPS Criminal Justice Advisory Board member, Sergeant Wes Harbrin from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office for setting up this event!  Mrs. Angela Baumgarten’s students were engaged and learned about skills, training, and career options for sUAS industry certification and the connection of drones to the field of law enforcement.  

West Prep FFA Beef Breeding Winners at SLC Fair!

March 8, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations Fort Pierce Westwood FFA and Mrs. Jenna Blanenbaker on the outstanding West Prep FFA Beef Breeding Winners!  This weekend at the St Lucie County Fair at the Beef Breeding Night, three FFA students were awarded top winners: Grand Champion Sr II Grooming – Nayeli Fernandez Grand Champion Cow/Calf – Reed Blankenbaker First in class Heifer – Lena Shingledecker Congratulations Panthers!  Level Up CTE!

Counselors Participate in Virtual Tour for Marine Industry

March 1, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

School and district administrators, counselors, educators, and graduation coaches from St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) participated in a virtual tour focused on the local marine industry.  Representatives from Maverick Boat Group, Freedom Boat Club, Shearwater Marine, and Derecktor Shipyard centered their discussion on employment opportunities and talent recruitment for their respective company.  This information will be shared with SLPS graduating seniors interested in this career pathway.  This ties directly to the Outboard Marine Service Technology program at St. Lucie West Centennial High School led by CTE Educator, Chadd Fleming.  This engaging event was made possible through the collaboration between St. … Read More

Treasure Coast High Hosts Virtual Field Trip to Indian River State College Robotics Lab

March 1, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Phil Depuy, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Instructor at Treasure Coast High and his students virtually visited Professors Natalia Chekhovskaya and Paul Godfrey at the IRSC Kight Center for Emerging Technology.  Discussions centered on mechanical, electrical and programming fields specifically Robotics, Photonics, Manufacturing, local employers, and student projects.  Big thanks to Jerry Jacques, President at TCMA and Advanced Machine and Tool for setting up the visit.  Level Up CTE!

Criminal Justice Students Participate In Virtual ‘Great Explorations’ with IRSC’s Criminal Justice Department

March 1, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s (SLWCH) Criminal Justice & Law Academy students participated in a virtual ‘Great Explorations’ event with Indian River State College’s (IRSC) Criminal Justice Department located on the Treasure Coast Public Safety Complex.  Mrs. Angela Baumgarten (SLWCH Educator) collaborated with Ms. Lisa DeLeon (IRSC Criminal Justice Academic Facilitator) and Mr. Richard Dewey (Criminal Justice Department Chair) to bring this virtual event to the students.  Students in Mr. Diego Rios’ (Treasure Coast High School), Ms. Mildred Brown (Fort Pierce Westwood Academy: The WEST Prep Magnet), and Mr. James Nichol’s (St. Lucie West Centennial High School) classes also … Read More

West Prep Freshman Named Fair Queen

March 1, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Emma Chancey was awarded 2021 St. Lucie County Fair Queen!  Jenna Blankenbaker, Fort Pierce Westwood Agriscience Instructor proudly commented, ” She answered all her questions with grace and eloquence. I am so proud and impressed.”  Congratulations Emma!  Go Panthers!  Level Up CTE!

Port St Lucie High School Teachers Visit Indian River State College Lab

March 1, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Bruce Gardner, Building Construction Technology Instructor and John Picchiarini, Technical Design Instructor visited Professor Dean Zirwas’ lab at the IRSC Kight Center for Emerging Technology.  Discussions centered on the CNC machine setup, troubleshooting, software applications, procedures, projects, and materials.  Mr Gardner’s Port St Lucie High Building Construction Trades Preapprenticeship Program recently purchased their own CNC machine giving students access and practice to these real-world job skills.

Criminal Justice Students Connect to Emergency Operations Center

February 22, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s Criminal Justice students from Mrs. Angela Baumgarten’s class participated in a guest speaker presentation with business partners from the Emergency Operation Center of St. Lucie County.  Guest speakers were Kathleen Hissong (Communications Manager) and Karen Kozac (Emergency Management Safety Planner).  The presentation was very well received by the students and included a conversation on qualities and characteristics needed to work, and details on employment opportunities within St. Lucie County.  This connection was made possible from the Criminal Justice Advisory Board and business partnerships with Doug Baber (Director, Human Resources and Risk Management) and Frank … Read More

Port St Lucie High Virtually Visits Apex Engineering in Jacksonville

February 14, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Port St Lucie High School’s Technical Design and Building Construction Trades Programs virtually attended a field trip to Apex Engineering in Jacksonville, Florida.  Business Partner, Dan Morris at Apex Engineering virtually hosted John Picchiarini and Bruce Gardner’s classes.  Dan used interactive technology to demonstrate creating trusses, floor joists and discussed details of  the apprenticeship and preapprenticeship opportunities available to students in St Lucie County!  Level up CTE!  

TCHS Medical Students Attend Virtual Presentation with Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency

February 14, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Students within Mrs. Becky Loupe’s medical classes (Treasure Coast High School) participated in a guest speaker presentation with Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, University of Miami.  This virtual event was hosted by Cynthia Hacker, the Life Alliance representative and a member of St. Lucie Public School’s Medical Program Advisory Board.                        

Criminal Justice Student Interns with the City of Fort Pierce

February 14, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

St. Lucie West Centennial High’s Criminal Justice student, Taylor Cuevas, is an Intern with the City of Fort Pierce- Code Enforcement Unit.  This internship allows her to learn and apply her training as an Accredited Legal Professional.  She states that she is gaining new knowledge and appreciates the opportunity.  Taylor plans to attend the University of Central Florida to pursue Criminal Law after high school.  Thank you to Mr. James “Jim” Nichols for offering this opportunity to his students through the Criminal Justice 4 course.

Aerospace Grad Lands Job Working With Drones

February 8, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Jacob Kendrick, 2020 St Lucie Public Schools and Fort Pierce Central High Aerospace Institute graduate, landed a job with a drone contractor for FPL.  In March 2020, while a senior at Central, Jacob received his Drone Pilot’s License.  Now, he travels around Florida inspecting FPL power lines with drones.  He is pictured working in Bunnell, FL inspecting a 37-mile-long stretch.  Jacob is also pursuing his bachelor’s Degree with IRSC.  Go Cobras!  Level up CTE!  

Criminal Justice Virtual Advisory Board

February 8, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Criminal Justice Academy Educators from St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) participated in a virtual advisory board meeting.  Board members represented: Indian River State College, Keiser University, St. Lucie County Human Resources, St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center, St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office, SLPS Criminal Justice Educators, and Career and Technical Education department.

Pharmacy Technician Virtual Advisory Board

February 8, 2021 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy: The WEST Prep Magnet’s Pharmacy Technician Educators (Julie-Anne JnPaul and Bailey Renick) participated in a virtual advisory board meeting.  This included representatives from Indian River State College, University of Florida, Crosstown Pharmacy, Career & Technical Education Department, and Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency.

Fort Pierce Central Culinary Arts Teacher Hosts Virtual Field Trip

February 1, 2021 By Dana Caputo

Cindy Swertfager, Culinary Arts Instructor at Fort Pierce Central High hosted a virtual Field Trip to visit Texas Roadhouse in St Lucie West with General Manager Rick Kirk.   Students from culinary classrooms across St. Lucie Public Schools participated LIVE and the session was recorded for future showings.  Students virtually toured the facility and asked Rick many great questions about his scratch kitchen, restaurant management, and running a restaurant during Covid19. Big Thanks to Texas Roadhouse Community Outreach Director Sarah Kirk for coordinating the trip!   Level up CTE!