It's Industry-Based Certification (IBC) season in the welding shop! Second and third-year students are working hard on their D1.1 Structural Steel and several students have successfully passed their certifications! Meanwhile, our first-year students are making record time in the shop and have already moved from oxyfuel torch to shielded metal arc or stick welding (SMAW).

First-year students are honing those foundational skills and have been focusing on measurement this past month. Second-year students participated in quarterly "job reviews" to reflect on internship skills. Teamwork and efficiency have been a major are of focus. We have increased production with KimchiRok because our mandoo have been selling out, and students going to Our Shared Kitchen are preparing and packaging 150+ meals within their internship window!

First-year students are developing their collaboration and feedback skills, which are critical in any future career. Meanwhile, our second and third-year students have learned the routines at internship and are taking more initiative to be helpful to both staff and students. They are also continuing to work on lesson plans to build a strong portfolios for future teaching.

This month, our students have been focused on certifying or re-certifying in Adult, Child, and Infant CPR. Students are doing a great job planning for all possible scenarios, including having to teach others in case of emergency. In the classroom, we are also learning about the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication and the role of ethics in the medical field.

This month, our first-year students have been learning about opportunities across all the different branches of hospitality. Our second-year students are digging deeper and exploring next steps in the hospitality field beyond Clifton. Our students visited ACC Highland's Hospitality program and have also been touring different types of lodging properties to get a better sense of the jobs in each.

This month in the garden, our first and second-year students harvested radishes, tomatoes, and jalapenos while planting new winter veggies and flowers. Students in our Green Pathways Practicum learned about green stormwater infrastructure at Zilker Park with Austin Civilian Conservation Corps, then worked collaboratively to design rain gardens for our Clifton grounds. Across the program, we're also gearing up for our Holiday Plant Sale (see below for more info)!

Students are continuing to build skills at internship. In particular, we are focusing on taking initiative and asking specific questions for help/clarification. In the classroom, students have finished workshopping their resumes and are learning about workplace hazards. We are also setting aside time for budgeting and financial literacy.

This month, our students added a new work-based learning opportunity at Festival Beach Food Forest. Some of our students attended the Skilled Trades Showcase at Workforce Solutions and several have gone on individual job interviews! We're also spending some time in the kitchen to learn some independent living skills.

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 second round of Clifton Students of the Month for the 2023-2024 school year!