Qtr 3 Career Education Newsletter
State of California’s Distinguished CPA Academy Award Recipient - Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy
Congratulations to Chef Kristen Collins and the students of the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy on their recognition as a Distinguished Academy!
The Culinary Arts Academy represents the very best of what California has to offer, according to the team at the California Department of Education. "We could not be prouder of your achievement. Across the state, educators in countless academies work tirelessly to provide students with the support and opportunities they need to succeed. However, it is clear that the Culinary Arts Academy at Pacifica High School stands out as a model of excellence."
It takes a dedicated community to achieve this distinction. The CDE team recognizes the teachers, faculty, support staff, counselors, administrators, district support, and industry partners who have fostered a collaborative, student-centered learning environment that exemplifies the core values of a California Partnership Academy. They were especially impressed by your team’s camaraderie, strong cross-curricular connections, and deep industry partnerships that provide invaluable mentorship and internship opportunities. The sense of community and belonging among the PHS Culinary Arts Academy students—cultivated through the co-horted classes is "truly remarkable." The commitment to excellence, inclusion, and student success is inspiring.
More information can be found about the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy on Instagram, @phs_culinaryartsacademy.
VENTURA COUNTY HOSPITALITY WEEK
Students from the Culinary and Hospitality pathways at Channel Islands, Pacifica, Oxnard, and Rio Mesa high schools took part in the annual Ventura County Hospitality Week during the last week of January. OUHSD CTE Program Specialist Debra Gallagher collaborated with Ventura County Coast CEO Brian Tucker and his team members, Dave Lion and Kristal Silva, to develop an engaging and informative program, providing students with insights into the diverse career opportunities in Hospitality and Tourism, both in Ventura County and worldwide. Ventura County Coast also provided students with professional headshots and padfolios to support their future endeavors. The students and teachers are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such passionate professionals in this dynamic industry.
The Channel Islands High School Culinary & Hospitality students visited the stunning Ojai Valley Inn, where they enjoyed a fresh pasta-making demonstration at the beautiful Farmhouse and were treated to a delicious lunch featuring freshly made pasta and pesto. Following the meal, Training Manager Rory Fratkin led them on a tour of the resort, showcasing its many amenities. Their experience concluded at the Apothecary, where they learned how guests can create personalized souvenirs such as candles, soaps, and artwork.
Students from the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy received a behind-the-scenes experience with the staff at Four Points Sheraton, where they gained hands-on training in banquet setup and room preparation.
RANCHO CAMPANA HIGH SPEED INTERVIEWING EVENT
Career Technical Education teachers at Rancho Campana High School hosted their 9th annual Speed Interviewing event for 10th-grade students in the Engineering, Health Sciences, and Arts, Media & Entertainment pathways. According to Dr. Katie Barry, the Engineering Academy lead and event organizer, a total of 240 students participated, rotating through seven interactive workshops throughout the day, including interview preparation, speed interviewing, interview debrief, college research, resume writing, elevator pitch development, and professionalism.
During the speed interviewing session, 34 industry partners and stakeholders joined the event to conduct interviews with the students. Each student rotated through four rounds—beginning with a practice introduction before answering three distinct interview questions—gaining valuable real-world experience in professional communication.
Congratulations, Hueneme High Medical program!
Hueneme High School's Medical Pathway Teacher Ms. Nicole Lopez was awarded $20,000 from Kaiser Permanente. The grant funding will be used for supplies for the new CTE Anatomy course, based on evidence presented about community health needs. Ms. Lopez has been building a partnership with Kaiser Permanente over the last 2 years. "They are very interested in our medical program and want to support us," stated Ms. Lopez.
The grant money was used to purchase microscopes, micro viewers and slides, dissection trays, aprons, scalpels, pins, forceps, scissors, probes, petri dishes, glass tubes, clay, and many specimens for dissection such as sheep hearts, fetal pigs, cow eyes, and large Earth worms. The money will also be used to for an anatomy related field trip. Ms. Lopez hopes to obtain future funding for an Anatomage table, which costs anywhere between $60,000-$100,000, for students to have a more advanced, interactive learning experience to enhance their understanding of human anatomy.
Description of the grant: Kaiser Permanente uses Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) to identify and measure the health of communities and the social, environmental, and equity factors that impact them, to understand the strengths and assets already present, and to amplify community voices.
To learn more about the HHS Medical pathway go to Instagram @hhs_medicalpathway or contact:
Ms. Nicole Lopez, nicole.lopez@oxnardunion.org or Mrs. Rosa Soliz, rosa.soliz@oxnardunion.org
Channel Islands High School Welding Pathway - Grand Opening
The Welding Pathway celebrated its grand opening, showcasing the state-of-the renovations that have transformed the Welding Shop into a top-tier facility. The event began with Assistant Principal Wendi Butler recognizing the dedication and hard work of CTE Instructor Juan Rodriguez for his contributions with building the program, prioritizing student relationships and establishing connections with local industry partners and post-secondary apprenticeship and educational programs.
Superintendent Dr. Tom McCoy addressed an audience of students, parents, industry professionals, and local dignitaries, including Oxnard City Council member Gabe Teran and Atticus Reyes, representative for Assemblymember Steve Bennett. OUHSD school board members Genevieve Flores and Linda Baker-Torres were also present, participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and touring the facility alongside student leaders from Mr. Rodriguez's program. Mr. Rodriguez took to the podium to share inspiring stories of students searching for a career focus and through the program, found success in the Welding industry, securing well-paying jobs and bright futures. Director Phillippe ended the presentation by recognizing key partnerships that secured the required facility upgrades; the community support with Measure A, the K-12 Strong Workforce grant that provided state-of-the-art equipment and support, and Lincoln Electric and AirGas, who donated welding hoods to students in the CIHS Welding program.
The celebration was further enhanced by the delicious appetizers provided by the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy and balloon decorations made by the Welding CTE college tutor, Jasmine Hernandez, adding a special touch to the event. After the ceremony, attendees were guided through the shop by student leaders, offering a firsthand look at the impressive new facility.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Students from ACHS, HHS, PHS, OHS, RCHS, and RMHS competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition held at the NAVSEA Fathom Works Laboratory. The teachers and students have worked tirelessly building a robot that will be competition ready to compete against schools across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS to FOLLOW.
Rancho Studios SLE
The Rancho Studios SLE/Advanced Photography students are practicing their simulated work-based learning by "cold" emailing potential clients with their marketing flyer and a link to their professional portfolios, closing the sale (aka "signing the contract" and providing an invoice), client consult, photoshoot, image editing, and delivery of final product (photos). For this project they are responsible for securing their own client to work with and are simulating real world business practices to prepare them for working in the field as professional photographers.
The students were grateful to have been able to work with staff members Jon Sachs, Nadia Ameri, and Katie Barry who volunteered to receive targeted marketing emails and to work with student photographers as clients for photography services.
Congratulations to Chef Kristen Collins and the students of the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy on their recognition as a Distinguished Academy!
The Culinary Arts Academy represents the very best of what California has to offer, according to the team at the California Department of Education. "We could not be prouder of your achievement. Across the state, educators in countless academies work tirelessly to provide students with the support and opportunities they need to succeed. However, it is clear that the Culinary Arts Academy at Pacifica High School stands out as a model of excellence."
It takes a dedicated community to achieve this distinction. The CDE team recognizes the teachers, faculty, support staff, counselors, administrators, district support, and industry partners who have fostered a collaborative, student-centered learning environment that exemplifies the core values of a California Partnership Academy. They were especially impressed by your team’s camaraderie, strong cross-curricular connections, and deep industry partnerships that provide invaluable mentorship and internship opportunities. The sense of community and belonging among the PHS Culinary Arts Academy students—cultivated through the co-horted classes is "truly remarkable." The commitment to excellence, inclusion, and student success is inspiring.
More information can be found about the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy on Instagram, @phs_culinaryartsacademy.
Channel Islands High School Welding Pathway - Grand Opening
The Welding Pathway celebrated its grand opening, showcasing the state-of-the renovations that have transformed the Welding Shop into a top-tier facility. The event began with Assistant Principal Wendi Butler recognizing the dedication and hard work of CTE Instructor Juan Rodriguez for his contributions with building the program, prioritizing student relationships and establishing connections with local industry partners and post-secondary apprenticeship and educational programs.
Superintendent Dr. Tom McCoy addressed an audience of students, parents, industry professionals, and local dignitaries, including Oxnard City Council member Gabe Teran and Atticus Reyes, representative for Assemblymember Steve Bennett. OUHSD school board members Genevieve Flores and Linda Baker-Torres were also present, participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and touring the facility alongside student leaders from Mr. Rodriguez's program. Mr. Rodriguez took to the podium to share inspiring stories of students searching for a career focus and through the program, found success in the Welding industry, securing well-paying jobs and bright futures. Director Phillippe ended the presentation by recognizing key partnerships that secured the required facility upgrades; the community support with Measure A, the K-12 Strong Workforce grant that provided state-of-the-art equipment and support, and Lincoln Electric and AirGas, who donated welding hoods to students in the CIHS Welding program.
The celebration was further enhanced by the delicious appetizers provided by the Pacifica High School Culinary Arts Academy and balloon decorations made by the Welding CTE college tutor, Jasmine Hernandez, adding a special touch to the event. After the ceremony, attendees were guided through the shop by student leaders, offering a firsthand look at the impressive new facility.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Students from ACHS, HHS, PHS, OHS, RCHS, and RMHS competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition held at the NAVSEA Fathom Works Laboratory. The teachers and students have worked tirelessly building a robot that will be competition ready to compete against schools across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS to FOLLOW.
Rancho Studios SLE
The Rancho Studios SLE/Advanced Photography students are practicing their simulated work-based learning by "cold" emailing potential clients with their marketing flyer and a link to their professional portfolios, closing the sale (aka "signing the contract" and providing an invoice), client consult, photoshoot, image editing, and delivery of final product (photos). For this project they are responsible for securing their own client to work with and are simulating real world business practices to prepare them for working in the field as professional photographers.
The students were grateful to have been able to work with staff members Jon Sachs, Nadia Ameri, and Katie Barry who volunteered to receive targeted marketing emails and to work with student photographers as clients for photography services.