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Email: sachi.edson@austinisd.org
Website: https://cliftoncds.austinschools.org/
Location: 1519 Coronado Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 414-3614
Facebook: facebook.com/CliftonCDSAustin
Twitter: @cliftoncds
Ag Mech (Welding)
Sparks are definitely flying in our welding shop! First-year students in Ag Mech (Welding) have been hard at work on their stick welding/SMAW (shielded metal arc welding). They were recently checked off on their butt & 1G-welds and are moving forward with lap and T-welds. Meanwhile, second and third-year students are practicing to earn their upcoming Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) where they will be assessed by a Certified Welding Instructor (CWI).
Culinary Arts
In Culinary Arts, our first-year students are continuing to practice new skills, and our Clifton staff are happy to taste-test all the cookies coming out of the kitchen. Second and third-year students earned 3 Grand Champion Ribbons and 7 Blue Ribbons for their entries in the Travis County Youth Show! Additionally, one of our internship partners, Kimchi Rok, has started selling pork kimchi mandoo and kimchi fried rice developed during our student internship. You can find them at the Sunset Valley SFC Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings.
Early Learning
First-year students in Early Learning are officially CPR & First Aid certified! They have also been busy exploring how children learn and develop across different age groups. Second-year students are learning more about post-secondary options and practicing skills they will need if they choose to pursue a Child Development Associate (CDA) in the future. In February, students also hosted our third No Place for Hate (NP4H8) activity, teaching our campus how to Speak Up! in situations where biased language is used.
Health Science
First-year students in Health Science have been practicing vital signs, which is an important part of the Medical Assistant role. In addition to learning about blood pressure, pulse, respiration, & temperature, students have been practicing their bedside manner and professionalism. Second and third-year students started their hospital rotations with Ascension Seton, shadowing hospital staff in different departments and gaining important first-hand experience. In February, several students also attended an interviewing event hosted by St. David's and participated in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Future Pre-Med Summit at UT Austin.
Hospitality
Our first-year Hospitality students have finished Principles of Hospitality and started Intro to Event & Meeting Planning, learning about everything that goes into hosting a successful event. To get some first-hand experience, students went behind the scenes at the University of Texas, meeting with the event coordinator and exploring hospitality departments and careers at UT. Second-year students continue to learn about different roles in the hospitality industry, including job shadowing at a local hotel. They have also been applying their learning (and perfecting their flip) to help coordinate the return of our Clifton Pancake Breakfast.
Plant Science
Our Plant Science students have been hard at work cultivating a range of plants for our Annual Spring Plant Sale: tomato & pepper starts, flowers, herbs, indoor plants, and succulents! In the classroom, first-year students have been learning about pesticides while second and third-year students developed a plan to redesign our back flower garden. This spring, students are also looking forward to several field trips with Austin Civilian Conservation Corps (ACCC) to green spaces around the city. ACCC is also partnering with our program to explore jobs and paid internships for some graduating seniors!
Career Prep
Our seniors in Career Prep have officially entered the last grading period of high school, and they are continuing to work towards their individualized post-secondary goals. This includes touring schools and worksites, studying for entrance exams, filling out job applications, interviewing, and obtaining their IDs and licenses. In addition, students are learning more about what it takes to navigate life as an adult: banking, housing, navigating public transportation, cooking a meal, choosing an appropriate interview outfit, and more.
Transition
Students in our Transition Program have been excited about new community partnerships this spring, engaging in volunteer and work opportunities at Austin Creative Reuse, Festival Beach Food Forest, and Goodwill. They've also enjoyed additional community outings to access public transportation and pick up job applications from local businesses. On campus, students continue to build additional employability and independent living skills, including resume writing, interviewing, and cooking. Students are also developing entrepreneurial spirit by creating items to sell at our upcoming Plant Sale!
Laundry
This spring, we've added several new shifts to our Clifton Laundry Program. These new student employees are helping us catch up on mountains (literally) of clean linens, to help ensure that AISD Food Services has clean aprons, dishcloths, and potholders and that AISD Athletics has clean towels (our secondary schools go through A LOT of towels every week 😳). Paychecks go out next week for the third grading period!
We're also excited to welcome Carmen Menjivar to the Clifton Family as a new teaching assistant to support our student employees!
