Clifton Community Newsletter

Second and third-year students are putting the finishing touches on some barbecue pits and have also circled back around for Round 2 of certifications. We're proud to announce that 7 additional students earned their Industry Based Certifications this month! Our first-year students are moving their way through different rods and positions; they're currently working on 7018 rods in the 2F position and doing "darn good" according to Mr. Duncum.

Students across levels spent some time outdoors this month for spring planting in the culinary garden. In addition to spring vegetables, we're excited to add a few fruit trees and bushes (pear, lemon & blackberry). Building on this, first-year students learned about farm-to-table practices and enjoyed harvesting and preparing some Clifton-grown asparagus. Second-year students are diving into "wish list" recipes chosen by their peers, including pizza, seafood boil, mochi, and ravioli.

First-year students are learning all about infants and competing in our annual "Baby Olympics" to put their diapering, car-seat installing, and swaddling skills to the test. Second-year students learned about parenting styles and their effects on us as adults. Third-year Practicum students are hard at work on their Child Development Associate's (CDA) Competency Statements with their philosophies on early childhood education.

Practicum students completed their 6-week hospital rotations at Ascension Seton and developed presentations to reflect on their experiences. Last week, seniors also got the opportunity to attend St. David's Interviewing Day, receiving 22 offers to shadow later this spring for possible job placement. First-year students are continuing to learn about workplace safety, including fire response, chemical hazards, hygiene, and infection control (there's a LOT of hand washing happening in the classroom).

First-year students kicked off their wedding planning project (planning a full wedding event from vows to honeymoon) with a site visit to possible venues in Austin, including Jennifer's Gardens and Barr Mansion. Second-year students are exploring local businesses for off-campus job prospects and practicing their interviewing skills. They're also working to develop their cultural awareness by learning more about the world and how that perspective might help them in future hospitality jobs.

Our students' hard work paid off and resulted in a successful Spring Plant Sale last weekend! In addition to plants already established in our greenhouse, students transplanted over 1,000 baby plants this month, learning about proper pesticide and fertilization, to ensure our customers went home with happy and healthy plants. Thanks to all who came out to support our last plant sale and special shout out to the students who were able to volunteer on the day of the event.

In the classroom, students are becoming more comfortable with interviewing and are also learning about traits of a positive vs. toxic workplace. In the kitchen, some of our students have taken on a special project for Earth Day by learning about and recipe testing with sustainable ingredients. Cricket cake, anyone?

In the classroom, students are learning about employability skills, growth mindset, and expected behaviors across different workplace settings. At internship, students continue to build their skills (and their resumes). Students also had several new experiences this month, including a tour of ACC Audio Tech and an apartment-hunting trip.

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 latest Clifton Students of the Month!