1. 14020 Highway 18 ■ Raymond, MS 39154 ■ (601) 857-3680 (office) ■ (601) 857-2212 (fax)
www.hinds.k12.ms.us/careercenter
Fall/Winter 2015
Volume 5 Issue 1
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: Hinds County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
disability, religion or age in the admission to and provision of educational programs, activities and services or employment opportunities
and benefits. Contact: Mr. John Neal, Title IX 601-857-5222
SPECIAL POINTS
OF INTEREST:
Inside this Issue:
Hescheles’ Gearheads -
Engineering & Robotics
2
Mr. Sias’ News -
Automotive Technology
2
Sewell’s AEST News 2
Cotten’s Place -
Law & Public Safety
2
Mrs. Jones - The Marketing
Mix
3
Tighe’s Techies -
Simulation & Animation
3
McCarty/Sias -
Health Science Team
3
Horton - Counselor’s Corner 4
Walker’s Student Services
News
4
More News 4
Student Services is off to a great start! We started
the year off with Mr. Reggie Harris and staff
from Hinds Community College speaking to
our students about all that HCC has to offer for
prospective
s t u d e n t s .
The sessions
were very
informative,
and several
students were
interested in
learning more
ThecomprehensiveSchoolCounselingProgram
at Hinds County School District addresses the
needs of all of our students by helping them to gain
competencies in the areas of academic, personal,
and career development. Students’ today will need
all of these areas to succeed in school as well as life.
Here at Hinds County Career and Technical
Center we seek to provide a School Counseling
Program that is made up of classroom guidance,
small group activities, individual counseling, and
college and career planning.
Every student at the Career Center participates
about the college.
Lab/tutorial sessions have also started with
select students coming into the student services
lab to increase their skills in areas such as math,
reading, and language arts. The students have been
using two new programs, IXL and ReadTheory, to
work on these skills. They are finding both to be
very useful and helpful, and most actually enjoy
using the programs!
It is our goal to make all students feel welcome
in the student services lab, and we want to
provide them with assistance in all areas of their
matriculation though high school. ■
in classroom guidance. Our students will learn
about topics such as bullying, conflict resolution,
drug, tobacco and alcohol prevention, career
awareness, and post-high school planning.
Individual counseling is also offered and students
are sometimes referred to the Counseling
department to meet the needs of the individual.
If you want to learn more about Hinds County
School District’s school counseling program or
any of the courses that we offer here at the Career
Center please feel free to contact Mrs. Horton , the
Career & Technical Counselor, at 601-857-3680.■
November 5 - SkillsUSA Fall Leadership
November 8, 9 - DECA Fall Leadership
November 14 - Director’s Advisory Meeting
November 23-27 - School Break (Thanksgiving Day)
December 2, 3 - Professional Dress Day
December 2 - Ms. Linda Fondren, author of Shape Up Sisters will be guest speaking.
December 3, 4 - EEOC’s Youth@Work will be guest speaking.
• Fall Leadership
Conferences
• Open House
• Demo CPAS Testing
• Nine Weeks Exam
• Professional Dress Day
We would like to give
a special thanks to the
following people for coming
to speak with our students:
Mr. Reggie Harris
Recruiter of
Hinds Community College
Mrs. Lacey Loftin
Respresentative of
RiseUp! Mississippi
Congratulations to the
following students for
being chosen:
Al’iza Miller
(THS - Simulation)
Elizabeth Keyes
(RHS - Marketing)
Stephon Davis
(RHS - Automotive)
Jordan Curry
(THS - Marketing)
Students
of the Month
We are off to another great year! In keeping
with Hinds County School District’s new
Vision and Mission, Hinds County Career &
Technical Center (CTC) provides an engaging
and empowering environment that ensures
excellence for all students! The seven technical
courses provide an environment where our
students explore the world and experience
authentic learning through:
• Fieldtrips
• Job shadowing/mentoring
• Student organizations
• Dual credit/dual enrollment
We are excited to have been selected as
one of twenty schools in the Nation to be a
part of the AT&T/DECA Aspire Academy
this year. This academy will provide AT&T
mentors through Nephris. The students will
travel to AT&T Headquarters in downtown
Jackson on December 8, 2015 where they will
be interviewed, dine at the Capital One Club,
and be filmed in a video for National DECA.
Weareevenmoreexcitedtobeparticipants
in the Microsoft IT Academy. Our students
and teachers have the opportunity to become
certified Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) or
Microsoft Certified Specialist (MOS)
We are excited about our first year
of Robotics & Engineering and the Dual
Enrollment program at Hinds Community
College. The Robotics & Engineering
program explores the field of robotic design
using different hands on activities. Students
will be introduced to the tools used to create
robotic devices, and program the onboard
microprocessor using the C programming
language, along with the use of Learnmate
software. Students will cover Autonomous
navigation through the C programming
language, and CAD application is introduced
as a tool used for mechanical design.
Hinds CTC and Hind Community
College are in a partnership in which Hinds
courses are taught here at the Career Center.
Students do not leave the campus to take
these courses. These
students are enrolled in
both high school and
college at the same time
earning both high school
and college credits for
the post-secondary
courses. At this time we
are offering Simulation
& Animation and future
classes will hopefully
include Practical Nursing,
AEST, Health Science,
and Automotive.■
Ms. Ashmore’s Corner
Horton - Counselor’s Corner
Walker’s Student Services News
Sewell’s AEST News (Continued from page 2)
Recently, we have uncovered an unknown
object in the garden, which resembled a mummy.
Although the object looked quite peculiar in the
ground, the material that we found out was only
cement broke off quite easily when picked at with
a shovel, and we were able to remove it from
our garden. As a team, we have developed many
desirable skills in growing plants, in addition to
developing our own distinctiveness in taking care
of animals on the farm.
In the animal aspect of agriculture, we collect
the essential necessities, which are water, feed, and
an occasional treats for our pig, Wilbur. While
we’re in the process of feeding the animals, we do a
routine check of the chickens and gather any eggs
that are left behind. Did you know that it takes 21
days for an egg to hatch? And we’re selling these
chicks throughout the year while supplies last. If
you wish to purchase a chick, please see Mr. Sewell
and put your name on a list. The price of the chicks
is four dollars. Before we sell the chicks, we make
sure they are properly taken care of, and they are
healthy. In doing this, we candle the eggs to check
and see if there are any indicators of a fertilized
egg. On this note, we collectively choose which
eggs we want to place in the refrigerator and the
rest of the eggs we place in the incubator for more
production of chicks. By working closely with
plants, animals, and agricultural equipment on
a regular basis, our agriculture class has gained a
better understanding of animals and plants and
how they play a role in our lives.■
Special
Thanks!

2. Page 2 Page 3
The students of automotive technology
have been learning about safety and
its importance in the classroom and shop
area. We have discussed SkillsUSA, and the
students are actively exploring the various
leadership and skills competitions that
SkillsUSA offers. Automotive Technology
students are very excited about the
upcoming Ford AAA competitions. The
students also aspire to becoming state
officers for the Mississippi SkillsUSA.
Students voted for local officers for the
Hinds Co. Career Tech Center SkillsUSA
Chapter.
The students come to Mr. Sias and Mr.
Cotten about competing in the following
competitions: Opening and Closing
Ceremonies in the SkillsUSA, Quiz Bowl,
and public speaking events. In class, the
students have been learning how to read
tape measures, rulers, micrometers, and
thread pitch. Also, they have been learning
Health Science Core I
Alot of exciting things are going on in
Health Sciene Core!. After completing
ourUnitonSafety,welearnedaboutInfection
Control. We’ve also learned about the Classes
of Microorganisms. They are Bacteria,
Protozoa, Fungi, Rickettsiae, and Viruses.
We’ve learned about the Classifications of
Infections and Diseases, such as Endogenous,
Exogenous, Hospital Acquired Infection,
Opportunistic, Local Infection, Systemic
Infection, Communicable, and Multi-drug
Resistant Organisms. The Chain of Infection
goes through the Source, next the Reservoir,
then Portal of Exit, then the Method of
Transmission, next the Portal of Entry, and
finally the Susceptible Host. We also learned
the correct rules of Hand Hygiene. We’ve
learned about Isolation Precautions and
Bloodborne Pathogen Standards.
All of these important components of the
Infection control unit will help us to become
safe and competent healthcare providers of
the future. In addition, we have started our
next unit on Health Care Systems, Legal and
During the first quarter of Simulation
and Animation Design, the first year
students have learned a lot of content
material. Topics in class have ranged from
ethics to the evolution of gaming, careers
and portfolios, game theory, and beyond.
Both first year classes will soon be making
their first game in Microsoft PowerPoint, a
maze game that puts their physical dexterity
skills to the test with the use of a standard
mouse and basic programming logic. They
will later be using digital photography skills
in game design and working with our Adobe
Photoshop software until school is out for
winter break.
The second year students came back from
summer vacation refreshed and ready to dive
right back into their familiar softwares used
in our class as well as the industry. We started
the year off by participating in the contest
It is going to be
an exciting year
in Robotics and
Engineering! We
started the year
by introducing
the students to
engineering, and the
safety and ethics that goes along with it. The
students learned how engineers can have an
impact on society, and how their ethics and
morals can affect others around them. Then
the students explored the extensive history
First year
students have
been focused
on units 1 and
2 Orientation
and Ethics, and
Personal Health and Safety. The students
have also completed their hands-on
demonstrations and knowledge of C.P.R.
The students learned terminology associated
with personal health and safety both on the
job within law and public
of engineering, and all of the various career
fields that have emerged in engineering.
The class learned about the engineering
design process, and its importance. The
students then used this process to create
paper roller coasters, which turned out to
be a challenge!
Robotics and Engineering is now
starting a new unit for Civil Engineering,
where the students will be building bridges
out of balsa wood. We will be having a
class challenge to see who can create the
strongest bridge! A few students will be
safety, and in their personal lives.
Second year students enrolled in Law
and Public Safety have been learning the
history, techniques and terminology of
Firefighters and Fire Protective Services
within unit 9; also the different types of
vehicles used by fire fighters and the safety
standards they must follow. Since most fires
are started with some type of accelerate,
we also learned about the five types of
hazardous materials and chemicals used in
our everyday life, including how they are
transported and are beneficial to mankind.
for designing their Technology Student
Association(TSA)lapelpintorepresentthe
state of Mississippi. The winner of the lapel
pin contest will have their design applied to
a pin that is traded with students from all
over the United States (and a few additional
countries) at the National TSA Conference,
which is in Nashville, Tennessee this year.
All second year students have composed
their own original video game score during
our audio unit and are currently working
extensively on their programming skills
inside our game engine software. They will
continue to learn about game production
until school is out for winter break.
Both the second year students and
first year students are very excited for
the start of a new year for their student
organization, TSA, and ready to get started
on their competitive events! On October
ethical responsibilities of the health care
provider. Upcoming classroom activities
include: a speaker from MS Organ Recovery
Agency, mock trials and scenario group
discussions.
We also attended our HOSA Fall
Leadership conference on October 3, 2015
at Ridgeland High school. The students
enjoyed leadership workshops and hands-
on activities geared toward different areas of
healthcare. Skills that the students were able
to participate in included: Tracheotomy
care, Medication Administration of
intramuscular and subcutaneous injections,
sterile catheterization and wound care. The
students are eager and excited about District
competition which will be held in Meridian,
MS in January 2016.
Health Science Core II
InourHealthScienceCoreII,wehavebeen
covering classroom units on Health Care
and Clinical Services. Students are focusing
on the aspects of Emergency Care and
mastering vital sign skills. For hands-on/
chosen to compete in the MDOT Bridge
Building competition in March.
Robotics and Engineering is a part of
the student organization TSA, Technology
StudentAssociation,andwemeetafterschool
once a month to prepare for district and
state competitions. Students can compete
in a variety of events from 3D Engineering,
Robotics, and even Fashion Design!
Later this year we will be building and
programming robots, creating 3D models,
using our 3D printer and Laser Cutter, and
much more! ■
about different hand tools, power tools, and
specify tools. One of the most important
things is using the right tool for the job.
One great achievement is all the students
passed their safety test. On November 5, 2015
Automotive Technology and Law and Public
Safety students will be going on a field trip to
the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference at
Jones County Junior College. We are ready to
have a year of fun in Automotive Technology
and SkillsUSA! ■
The Law and Public Safety and
Automotive students have also been busy
selecting officers for our class organization,
Skills U.S.A. Both Mr. Cotten (Law and
Public Safety), and Mr. Sias (Automotive
Technology) are proud of the students
willing to voluntarily fill each position. On
September 14th, we had transitioned into
unit 10 Emergency Medical Services, and
explore the legal and ethical implications
within E.M.S., types of emergencies, patient
assessment, HIPAA laws, and patient
confidentiality. ■
8th, TSA chapter members from both Terry
and Raymond high school were encouraged
to participate in their TSA Fall Leadership
Conference at the Agriculture Museum. We
had a splendid time and the students felt
that the activities and the guest speakers
were very informative. TSA requires a lot
of time and dedication, and the advisor has
very high expectations. Our local chapter
received a national award this summer as
a “Chapter of Excellence” due to the hard
work and dedication that has been put into
each competitive event and their advisor was
also named “TSA Advisor of the Year” for
the state of Mississippi. The bar has been set
very high, but we look forward to bringing
even more students to the National TSA
Conference this summer! ■
lab activities,
students are
mastering how
to properly
measure pulse,
respirations,
blood pressure
and temperature.
We are excited for our upcoming field
trips in different clinical settings. This
year, most of our clinical settings will be at
the Merit Health Central. On October 3,
2015, several health science students had
fun participating in HOSA (our student
organization) Fall Leadership. Our students
are gearing up for district competition,
which is quickly approaching, January 30,
2016.
Community Service hours is HOSA’s
way of giving back to the community.
Health Science classes with be hosting:
Pennies for Patients, canned food drive,
coat drive, Toys for Tots and a blood drive. ■
Mr. Sias’ News - Automotive Technology
Hescheles’ Gearheads - Engineering & Robotics
This year in Agricultural, Environmental,
Science and Technology, There are
so many fun activities going on. We have
covered plant growth and nutrition,
leadership skills, and careers in agriculture.
Recently, we have completed a project/
presentation where each student presented
a different career in plant science. Also in
our class conversations, we have discussed
all the different aspects of going into an
agricultural career. We learned extensively
what specifications were required for the
career they chose to present in class. In
addition, our AEST classmates studied the
structure and functions of the specified
organelles in a plant cell. Even though many
of the students had previous knowledge
about the organelles, it helped to reinforce
what they already knew and had learned
in our science classes at our home school.
During a class conversation, we learned that
attitude and ethics plays a very important
role in leadership. However, poor leadership
skills exemplifies that a leader is not an
effective leader for a group to complete
a certain goal. After completing the class
work of the day, students then start on the
work outside.
GuidedbyMr.Sewell,ourclasscontinued
to work on the rehabilitation of the
greenhouse. We used tools such as shovels
and rakes to remove undesired weeds and
grasses out
of the floor
space of the
greenhouse
to prepare
for the
growing of plants. Students also began to
establish a fall garden for growing many
delicious vegetables. In our fall garden
we have lettuce, collard greens, broccoli,
brussel sprouts, cabbage, and many other
fall vegetables. Some of the things that we
are learning through working in the garden
how to cultivate plants, and discovering
what nutrients are essential for each type of
plant. (Continues on page 4.)
Sewell’s AEST News
Tighe’s Techies - Simulation & Animation
McCarty/Sias - Health Science Team
We have
b e e n
moving right
along this
year! The first
year Business
students have
just finished
units one and two. They have learned about
things such as communication skills, how to
properly answer the telephone in a business
setting, how to give presentations, how to
solve customer complaints, and how to
work as a team. The students will soon
be learning things such as how to write
resumes, demonstrate proper interview
techniques, and demonstrate appropriate
handshakes and greetings.
The second year Marketing students
have just finished unit one. They learned
things such as the marketing mix, types
of utilities, and the marketing functions.
The students have also created flyers and
professional dress posters. The next unit
they will be learning about is the Pricing
unit. They will be learning about things
such as the pricing function and pricing
strategies. Then, they will move on to
the Promotion unit. In this unit they will
develop an advertisement for the Marketing
Program by creating a jingle, flyer, or a
sample television commercial.
The students have recently elected their
DECA officers for the 2015/2016 school year.
The Fall Leadership Conference will be held
in Olive Branch, MS. this year! We will soon
start preparing for DECA competitions and
playing the Stock Market Game. ■
Mrs. Jones - The Marketing Mix
Cotten’s Place - Law & Public Safety