1. Spring/Summer 2018
Volume 5 Issue 2
SPECIAL POINTS
OF INTEREST:
Inside this Issue:
Gowers’ Gearheads -
Engineering & Robotics
2
Mrs. Johnson -
The Marketing Mix
2
Pickens’ AEST News 2
Troyer’s Place -
Law & Public Safety
2
Mr. Billians’ News -
Automotive Technology
3
Clay’s Techies -
Simulation & Animation
3
McLin/Billian -
Health Science Team
3
Draper -
Counselor’s Corner
4
Atkinson’s
Student Services News
4
More News 4
13268 Highway 24 ■ Westside, JY 98151 ■ (901) 857-3000 (office) ■ (901) 857-2000 (fax)
www.westsidewaybackintheday.k12.jy.us/careercenter
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: Westside 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 Doe, Title IX 901-857-5000
The Student Services Department has had a very busy,
yet exciting and rewarding year this year. We have had
speakers from various schools and organizations to come
out and speak to our students, and we are not finished yet!
Some of the guest speakers that have come to visit us this
year include Westside Community College, Delta Technical
College, Get 2 College, EEOC, The United States Army, etc.
In May, we will be excited to host Jackson State University as
they come to present the wonderful opportunities that they
have for students.
We are also working diligently with students on improving
their skills in reading and math, among other problem areas,
with our new IXL program. This computer-based program
allows students to work at their own pace on a variety of skills
in which they are weak. Using this program, students are also
able to self-evaluate and self-assess in areas that they may not
have known they were weak. Not only are students using IXL
but they are also using USA test prep to help prepare them for
the upcoming SATP. This program is a great tool that allows
them to review the material that has been covered in class
Activities associated with the Westside CTE counseling program include:
յյ Advising students and parents on high school programs and academic curriculum, as well as,
preparing students for college application and admission.
յյ Providing fun and exciting opportunities for middle school and elementary school students in
Westside County to explore career pathways.
յյ Advising students and parents on high school programs and academic curriculum, as well as,
preparing students for college application and admission.
յյ Arranging dual/concurrent enrollment for Simulation and Animation, AEST, and Automotive in
the upcoming school year will assure Westside CTE students Advanced Placement credits. These
dual enrollment courses also prepare students for the rigor of postsecondary education.
յյ Planning and preparation for the college admissions tests, the ACT and SAT.
յյ Informing students about postsecondary financial Aid that can be used to support advanced
education and training.
յյ Arranging and encouraging job shadowing. Assisting with work placements, and community-based
learning to allow students to directly experience workplace situations.
յյ Sponsoring workshops, classes, small and large group activities, and special presentations that focus
on job skills and personal development.
յյ Providing specialized counseling and intervention services in an effort to provide students with
individualized attention.
We are doing great things here at the career center – it is a wonderful place to be…
and allows them to get an idea of
how prepared they are for the state
tests.
Lastly, we are wrapping up
the year with continuous college
and career readiness strategies.
Students coming into the lab will
continue to receive test-taking and
study skills’ tips that have helped
and will help them in classes now
and in the future. We will continue
to deliver employability skills’
training and other skills needed
to be successful in the workplace.
Our goal is to make sure that
we are doing and have done
everything in our power to ensure
that students are successful during
their matriculation through school
and in their future endeavors. ■
March 30, 31 - TSA State Conference
March 31 - BFA and DWHS 9th
graders will tour WTC.
April 6, 7 - Professional Dress Day
April 6-8 - WePAS’ Performance Based Assessment (Simulation 2nd
year students only)
April 11, 12 - JY-WePAS2 and CERTS Assessments for DWHS and BHS students
April 13 - May 13 - NIMS Assessment for Law & Safety 2nd
Year
April 22 - Jones/Stuart Elementary Pre-K students will tour WTC.
May 6 - Students’ Awards Day
May 25 - Last day of school (60% Day)
• Student Organizations’
State Conferences
• Students’ Awards Day
• JY-WePAS2 Testing
• WTC Recruitment
• Professional Dress Day
We would like to give a special
thanks to the following people
for coming to speak with our
students:
Ms. Cynthia Williams
Author of “Wake Up Sisters”
Mr. Michael Dowry
EPOC’s Youth @Work
Mrs. Karri Allen
Middleton Technical College
Students
of the Month Where has the time gone? This school year is
almost over and it is time to begin planning
for next year! We are excited about the possibility of
going to a 4x4 Block schedule which will provide the
opportunity for students to take more classes! Some
students could have the opportunity to graduate
early.
The Career Center is further delighted to be
partnering with Westside Community College
to offer the new Practical Nursing Program. To
qualify for this program, students must be a 12th
grader in the 2016-17 school year and have a score
of 18 on the ACT. The program is offered through
Westside Community College as dual enrollment
and is free to the students in their senior year. The
tuition, books, and uniforms will be paid for their
senior year. Students will be expected to enroll at
Westside Community College for the summer and
the fall semester. In December they will complete
the program. If they pass the nursing exam they
can begin work as an LPN. They will also have the
opportunity to bridge to the RN Program. That is
awesome!
All our students are preparing for the
JYWePAS-2 in the next two weeks. Some will have
Performance Based tests while others will take the
online JYWePAS-2. Let’s wish all our students the
best on the JYWePAS-2.
Our Student Awards and Appreciation Day
will be May 6, 2018. We will recognize students
who have completed the two year programs,
participated in state competitions and student who
have represented the Career Center in community
events. ■
Congratulations to the
following students for
being chosen:
Chris Davidson
(DWHS - Marketing)
Mildred Wheeler
(DWHS- AEST)
Erica Newton
(BHS - Health Science)
LaKeisha McGowan
(BHS - Simulation)
Florence Flowood
(DWHS - Automotive)
Cameron Thompson
(DWHS - Robotics)
1. Get Rid of Obvious Distractions
It’s not smart to study with your cell phone on,
even if it’s set to vibrate. As soon as you get a text,
you’re going to look. You’re human! You can’t focus
on studying if you’re chatting with someone else,
too. So the cell phone is off limits. Turn off the
computer (unless you’re prepping on it) and any
music with vocals. Study music should be lyric-
free!
2. Anticipate Your Physical Needs
If you’re studying intently, you’re going to get
thirsty. Grab a beverage before you open the book.
You may even need a power snack while you’re
working, so grab some brain food, too. Use the
bathroom, put on comfortable clothes (but not
cozy), set the air/heat to best suit you.
3. Choose an Appropriate Time
If you’re a morning person, choose the a.m. for
your study session; if you’re a night owl, choose
the evening. You know yourself better than anyone
else, so choose the time when you’re at the height
of your brainpower and the least tired. It’ll be
much more difficult to focus if you’re battling
fatigue, too.
4. Answer Your Internal Questions
We’ve all sat down to study and had worries and
other internal distractions invade our brains.
“When is she going to call me? When am I going
to get a raise?” It seems silly, but if you answer
your own internal questions, you’ll focus your
mind back where you want it to go. If necessary,
write the worry down, solve it in a simplistic
manner and move on.
5. Get Physical
Some people are just antsy. They need to be
doing something, and their bodies don’t make
the connection that they are doing something
during studying. Sound familiar? If you’re one of
these kinesthetic learners, get out a few things to
anticipate an “ants in your pants” issue: a pen, a
rubber band, and a ball.
The source of this article comes from th website:
http://testprep.about.com/od/tipsfortesting/ht/
Focus.htm (“How to Focus On Studying in 6 Steps”
written by Kelly Roell, Test Prep Expert)
Dr. Steveson’s Corner
Draper - Counselor’s Corner
Special
Thanks!
Atkinson’s Student Services News

2. Page 2 Page 3
Alot has been happening in Engineering
and Robotics! The students finished our
Civil Engineering unit by creating balsa wood
bridges and testing the bridge to see how
much weight it could hold. The students then
calculated the efficiency of the bridge they
The Law and Public Safety first year students
are presently exploring Unit 6 Police and
Highway Patrol. The students’ main focus
will be on the history and responsibilities of
both the Jackson Police Department and the
Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Pertaining to the Jackson Police
Department, the students will learn the
different Divisions, Precincts, size of J.P.D.
jurisdiction in miles, number of citizens
protected by J.P.D. Officers, Recruitment,
eligibility requirements, career availability
and early history of both J.P.D. and the
Mississippi Highway Patrol. The students have
also learned the number of sworn officers and
civilian staff within J.P.D. The students will
also learn the role and responsibility
of both police and
created. We then moved on to our Robotics/
Mechanical Engineering unit where the
students got to build their own robots! Once
the students had created their robot they began
learning how to program their robot to drive
autonomously. We are now moving on to 2D
highway patrol within our communities. The
students will also examine defensive tactics
used by police and highway patrol and be able
to recognize appropriate use of force within
law enforcement.
These students are also preparing to take
their Law and Public Safety state certification
exam, CERT (Community Emergency
Response Team). These students have all
completed units containing a large range of
topics within Law and Public Safety ranging
from The History of Criminal Law, Legal
Systems of the U.S. (Court System) to History
and career opportunities with the correctional
system of the U.S. Hands-On activities for both
first and second year students includes proper
weapon deployment, mock active shooter
exercise,policetrafficstopsanddrillmarchand
physical training. The second year students are
and 3D modeling using SolidWorks. Once the
students finish creating their 3D models they
will learn how to use 3D printers, and will get
to 3D print some of their own creations!■
preparing to be Nationally Certified by taking
their NIMS (National Incident Management
System) test in the up coming weeks. Previous
units of instruction have included fire
protective services (Fire Fighters), Emergency
Medical Services (E.M.S.), Interagency
Collaboration and Communication, Incident
Reporting and Conflict/Stress Management.
Second year students are currently in Unit
14, exploring the history, responsibilities and
careers in all branches of the U.S. Military. A
SkillsUSA is the class organization of Law and
Public Safety, and the students have been very
active in SkillsUSA competitions. Students
attended a SkillsUSA Leadership Conference,
SkillsUSA Regional Competition (Won 2nd
Place) and went on to win 2nd Place in the
SkillsUSA State Competition held in Jackson
on March 1 & 2, 2016.■
It has been such a busy year for all of the
Simulation and Animation Design students.
Since returning from winter break, year
one students have been working in multiple
computer software during our remaining
game design units. They have started learning
about collision theory logic within a game
engine for basic programming, drawn their
own character concept art created from vector
graphics using the pen tool in our Adobe
Illustrator software, and 3D modeled both
characters as well as world designs in our
Autodesk 3DS Max software. Simulation and
Animation Design I students will finish up
the year by creating animations inside of our
Autodesk 3DS Max software.
The second year students came back from
winter vacation ready to start their business in
gaming unit. The students have learned how
to use marketing surveys and demographic
segmentation to find their game’s target
audience, create game pitch presentations,
write a contract between a publisher and
an independent game designer, and even
create the game packaging art for a game
in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Simulation and Animation Design II students
are now spending their class periods creating
an edutainment genre game together and
functioning as a real video game design team.
They each have their own game department
roles and jobs and have completed all of the
concept phase and preproduction phase
together. The students are now involved in
the production phase of the game and will
continue working in this phase until after their
state exam, the WePAS.
Our local TSA chapter has been doing
amazing things again this year! In the fall, we
learned that Jimmy Dismuke’s lapel pin design
was chosen by all of the TSA chapters in
Mississippi to represent the state this year, what
an honor! Shortly after returning from winter
break, we had nineteen students compete at
our Central District TSA Conference this
year with multiple wins from both Terry and
Raymond. Those students are advancing to
the State TSA Conference at the end of March
in Jackson, JY. We will also be competing
in additional state events such as Music
Production and Video Game Design; our
chapter will have sixteen students competing.
Each year the Mississippi TSA State Advisor
contacts Ms. Clay to task one of her students
with designing the Mississippi TSA State
Conference program book cover. As a chapter
of excellence, we have excelled in the digital art
competitive events. This honor was trusted to
Rashad Plumpp this year. Rashad’s design for
the book cover pairs very well with Jimmy’s
lapel pin design – both students based their art
around the state bird this year. With hard work
and passion comes success; we hope many of
our students have the honor to represent our
chapter at Nashville, TN this summer for the
National TSA Conference.■
Health Science Core I
Alot of exciting things are happening in
Health Science Core! This semester we
focused on units about the Human Body.
Students were able to experience hands-on
activities such as Deer heart dissections,
research on vegetation and plants for
medicinal purposes and learning how to
catheterize patients using sterile technique.
Students also completed research projects
and poster boards related to the Respiratory
and Digestive Systems. Students also worked
hard preparing for State HOSA Competition
which was held in Jackson, JY at the Marriott
Hotel Downtown. Students will continue on
preparing for their WePAS-2 Test which will
take place on April 11-12th. After WePAS
testing, students will continue to the next units
which will be the Endocrine and Reproductive
Systems.
Health Science Core II
Students are learning so many wonderful
things in Healthcare and Clinical Services.
After mastering the aspects of Emergency
Care, Health Science II students
learned about the stages of growth and
development along with the concepts of
death and dying. Students also explored
the field of Sports Medicine. Along with
the unique topics covered in Medical and
Nursing Services, students were excited
to practice skills ranging from the proper
use of medical equipment to the different
positions for certain medical and physical
examinations.
The students have had interesting
speakers this year and had the
opportunity to tour the Dr. George Ball
Simulation Center at Westside Community
College. Students also have an upcoming
clinical experience at the Mississippi Forensic
Laboratory. They will learn things ranging
from the purpose of the Crime Lab and its role
in the Criminal Justice System to the process
of Forensic Analysis.
Things are underway as students prepare
for the upcoming HOSA State Leadership
Conference/Competition. This year, the
conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel
(downtown Jackson) on March 21st – 23rd.
Several students are registered to attend.
Students will be competing in several areas
and have the opportunity to network and
learn leadership skills.■
WOW…this year is flying by! The students
have been working so hard preparing for
the WePAS and for the DECA competitions.
Two of our students placed at the DECA
district competition and then competed in the
DECA state competition. While at the state
competition, one of the students placed second
and will compete at International Career
Development Conference in Nashville, TN.
Furthermore, two of our students were elected
as State Officers. One student was elected as
the President of JY DECA and another was
elected as DECA District I Vice President! We
are so proud of them!!!
In addition to all of the excitement in our
school, the business and marketing classes
were selected to be a part of the DECA/AT&T
Aspire Mentoring Program. This program
has given the students the opportunity to go
on field trips and be more involved in DECA
activities.
The first year business students have just
finished the unit on Business, Management,
and Entrepreneurship. They have learned
things such as the different types of business
risks, marketing functions, the types of
leadership styles, and entrepreneurship
opportunities. The students will soon be
learning about personal finance and business
law.
The second year marketing students
have just finished the unit on distribution.
They learned things such as the distribution
process, the process of warehousing and stock
handling, and the shipping and receiving
process. The next unit they will be learning
about is the marketing planning unit. They
will learn things such as marketing strategies,
how to conduct a market analysis, and how to
develop a marketing plan.
The business and marketing classes
have recently completed a new product
development project and a business layout.
They had the opportunity to present their
projects to their classmates. Some of their
projects were even showcased at the School
Board meeting. They all did a great job, and
they all had a blast!■
The first year students in the AEST program
are currently learning about how plants
grow and mature where they are having hands
on and visual learning. They are learning the
techniques of maintaining plant growth and
harvesting successful crops. Soon, the first year
students will begin to develop a class garden,
where they will have hands on experience
with vegetables and fruits. Additionally, they
are going to be selling chicks, which they have
raised throughout the year. The AEST students
have acquired a new family member to their
program. She’s round, black and a whole lot
sweeter than Wilbur and her name is Georgia.
Georgia enjoys company and affection from
each and every one of the AEST students.
More recently the AEST students along with
Health Science students will be taking a trip to
the crime lab in Pearl, Mississippi.
The second year students have been
working on growing tulips in the front of the
Career Center, around the flagpole. They have
been steadily pulling weeds from around the
tulips to ensure that the plants are growing
properly. On days when they are not able to
go outside, they were learning about the effects
of weather and climate on the environment.
The AEST students were introduced to a
meat instructor named Chad Davis from
Westside Community College. He advised
them on merchandising market meats to the
public. In addition, he discussed with the
students on different careers in Agriculture.
Also some students were able to compete in a
land judging contest where they were able to
display real world knowledge through hands
on experience. It has been a very exciting year
full of many fun events for students to learn
and gain experience in agriculture.■
The students of automotive technology have
been learning about engine repair, Basic
electrical/electronic system, and advanced
engine performance. We have discussed Skills
USA and the students are actively exploring
the various leadership and skills competitions
that Skills USA offers. Automotive Technology
students went to state event for SkillsUSA.
The students come to Mr. Sias about
competing in the following competitions:
Automotive Service in the skills USA, Job
Demo Open and public speaking event. In the
class the students have been learning how to
read volt/ohm meter, scan tools, how to test
different circuits in a car, and thread pitch.
Also, they have been learning about different
tool to help fix electrical system the safety way.
One of the most important things is using the
right tool for the job.
One great achievement is all the students
that place in district conference are qualified
to go to the state conference.■
Gowers’ Gearheads - Engineering & Robotics
Pickens’ AEST News
Clay’s Techies - Simulation & Animation
McLin/Billian - Health Science Team
Mr. Billians’ News - Automotive Technology
Mrs. Johnson - The Marketing Mix
Troyer’s Place - Law & Public Safety