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Clifton Community Newsletter

December 2023

Clifton Community Newsletter December 2023

Letter from the Principal

We've had a great first semester and are so proud of all that our students have accomplished:


  • Eight Friday Luncheons hosted by Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Career Preparation with almost 400 meals served
  • A successful Holiday Plant Sale with over 250 plants finding new homes for the holidays, including large orders for school board members, Austin Ed Fund, and the December Principals' Meeting
  • Five different types of Industry Driven Certifications (IDCs) earned across seven different programs + Industry Based Certifications (IBCs) earned in our welding shop


After tracking attendance over the grading period, we were excited to celebrate our individual and class winners last week! Students were entered into a raffle for each week of perfect attendance, and last week we drew four names to receive gift cards. We also threw a party for the class with the highest attendance in each of our sections:


  • A Day Morning (1st & 2nd periods): Hospitality
  • A Day Afternoon (3rd & 4th periods): Applied Ag Engineering (Welding)
  • B Day Morning (5th & 6th periods): Early Learning
  • B Day Afternoon (7th & 8th periods): Plant Science


We'll continue our attendance incentives into spring semester, and we're looking forward to having students start off the new year strong. We hope everyone has a restful break and will see our students back on January 9.


Tony Dishner

Principal

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Looking Ahead

  • January 9: Classes Resume
  • January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Student & Staff Holiday)
  • January 26: First Friday Luncheon of 2024

Program Highlights

Student holds up wooden board with burned design
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Applied Ag Engineering (Welding)

This month, our students took a short break from metal and turned their attention to wood. They experimented with lightning wood (Lichtenberg figures if you're feeling fancy) and applied a variety of pigments, inlays, and treatments to create one-of-a-kind boards.

Student stirs barbecue sauce on stove
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Culinary Arts

First-year students wrapped up their measurement unit this month, which meant lots of baking (no complaints here). Meanwhile, our second-year students are perfecting their Travis County Youth Show recipes so they are ready for the competition in January. They've learned a variety of new culinary skills along the way, and we're always happy to serve as taste-testers!

Two students sit behind CPR mannequins. One administers chest compressions.
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Early Learning

First-year students earned their CPR and First Aid certifications this month, and third-year students re-certified so that they are ready to take those skills into the workforce. Second-year students are evaluating their peers' lesson plans to make sure only the highest quality work goes into their portfolios.

Student studies medical terms on flashcards
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Health Science

For our Practicum students, this month was focused on preparing for our upcoming hospital rotations. Students went through the same process as new employees, filling out paperwork, completing trainings on HIPPA and emergency management, and participating in a drug screening. We can't wait to see them hit the hospital floors in January!
Students and staff at payment/check-in table for Friday Luncheon
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Lodging & Resort (Hospitality)

Second-year students learned more about about recreation businesses, applying that knowledge to design their own theme parks. First-year students dug into personality types and considered how their traits impact interactions in the workplace. All students finished out the semester strong serving as Front-of-House for eight luncheons and becoming more comfortable engaging with our dine-in guests.

Students deliver poinsettias to Congress Hotel
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Plant Science

It was all about poinsettias this month in the greenhouse! Our students did a great job responding to online orders, engaging with customers and completing transactions during pick-up, and delivering orders across the district. In the garden, we've had a great harvest (turnips, radish, lettuce, bok choy, and more). We're also excited to see our first year students beginning to complete their OSHA certifications.
Student shows classmate how to pipe frosting
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Career Prep

At internship, students are increasing their job knowledge and time management skills. Several students are also stepping into leadership roles, providing guidance for their peers. In the classroom, we are learning about character traits that employers look for when hiring. We are also solidifying post-secondary plans and making sure students have what they need to be successful (like their Texas IDs!).
Two students sit together on the city bus
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Senior Transition

We've seen so much growth in and out of the classroom this semester. We've been working on person-centered transition planning and connecting students to job coaches to continue developing employability skills and increase success and independence on the job. We're excited to celebrate several students starting new jobs this month!
3x3 grid of Student of the Month photos
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Student of the Month

Each month, we recognize a student from each program for their positive attitudes, work ethic, and contributions to their classes and teams. Congratulations to our third round of Clifton Students of the Month for the 2023-2024 school year!

Learn More About Clifton

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