As we celebrate successes of the 2017-18 school year, career and technical education in Forsyth County has shown tremendous impact this school year. Thanks to the support of our Career Path Partners, CTSO sponsors, local business/industry, and teachers, our students have taken their classroom experiences into the community. The district has also been engaged in long-range planning through
Workforce Forsyth 2.0
. The strategic planning process will be officially released this fall and will guide the district for the next several years in terms of program growth and improvement. This work was a joint effort between Forsyth County Schools, Lanier Technical College, the University of North Georgia, and local business/industry to take our programs to the next level. See below for our end-of-year recap, and please continue to provide us feedback with current initiatives. For more information about career and technical education in Forsyth County, visit
www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/ccd
or email vlowe@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
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General Information and Opportunities to Get Involved
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By becoming a Career Path Partner with Forsyth County Schools, your organization allows students to go beyond the classroom and into the community to consider different career fields, learn basic workplace behavior, and develop specific skills within an industry. Through these experiences, students can apply what they are learning in the classroom as they prepare to transition into post-secondary education and training.
Click
here
for the Career Path Partner form or
here
to download a PDF version.
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In February and March, 2500+ high school juniors and seniors participated in community-led mock interviews through their third-year career pathway course or through their participation in Work-Based Learning or Honors Mentorship. This event was community-driven, as volunteers from across the county spent time creating an experience that exposed students to what is expected in a job interview, while providing constructive feedback on all aspects of the interview process. We truly appreciate the time donated by our 300+ volunteers.
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High school students in 3
rd
level career pathway courses, along with students in Work-Based Learning and Honors Mentorship, recently participated in a two-day seminar hosted by PIVIT.
Students learned how to develop a professional resume, how to network among business professionals, how to build their personal brand, and how to interview successfully for a job. These experiences successfully prepared them for their community mock interview!
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Community Presentation Night
Honors Mentorship students from across the district presented their capstone projects to the community on Tuesday, May 1 at Cumming City Park and Recreation. The program gives motivated, mature students a career mentorship designed around the individual's student's interests in a specific field/career of interest that they are passionate about. Students are matched with a community mentor and will work with that mentor for the duration of the scheduled class while engaging in real-life career experience along with the latest information and technology in the field. Thank you to Zaxby's of Cumming for their support of this event!
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Led by Forsyth County Schools career and technical education teachers, youth in our community are invited to participate in any of the following summer camps being held in our state-of-the-art labs. Sign-up today, as space is limited!
AUTOMOTIVE CAMP
In this camp you will learn how to maintain your automobile with auto basics, preventative maintenance, including brakes, tires, oil changes and more. You will also learn what to do in an emergency roadside situation, such as flat tires and jack operation. This camp will also increase your general automotive knowledge. Parents are welcome to attend the class for free with a paid registration for their child. Campers will receive a t-shirt.
AGES DAYS TIME DATES LOCATION FEE
13-18 M-F 8:30 am-12:30 pm Jun 4-8 Forsyth Central HS $150.00
13-18 M-F 8:30 am-12:30 pm Jun 11-15 Forsyth Central HS $150.00
BIOTECH CAMP
Campers will get to experience cutting edge biotech techniques including: DNA extraction, transformation, and PCR. Each camper will also receive a t-shirt, lab googles and a set of protocols. Guest speakers from the award winning iGEM team and Georgia Tech will lead the sessions.
AGES DAYS TIME DATES LOCATION FEE
13-15 W-F 8 am-12 pm Jul 18-20 Lambert HS $175.00
CULINARY ARTS CAMP
Want to be a chef? If you are a rising 7-9th grade student and would like to have a blast learning some basic cooking techniques, join us for our second annual Forsyth County Culinary Arts Camp! Our theme this summer is United States Regional Cuisine. The week will be filled with hands on cooking distinct cuisine and ingredients from different American regions. We will have demonstrations from local chefs, plenty of cooking techniques to teach you, and lots of great summer fun!!
AGES DAYS TIME DATES LOCATION FEE
11-15 M-F 9 am-3 pm Jun 18-22 South Forsyth HS $300.00
VEX IQ ROBOTICS CAMP
NFHS Robotics Team will be offering 22 spots for VEXIQ students from the 4th - 7th grade levels. We will be working on the 2018-2010 competition game.
AGES DAYS TIME DATES LOCATION FEE
9-12 M-F 9 am-3 pm Jun 25-29 North Forsyth HS $195.00
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Kellie Racine - South Forsyth MS
Kellie Racine has been an educator her entire career in Forsyth County Schools. Prior to that she spent many years in corporate America as an operations manager for Digital Equipment Corporation and BEA Systems, Inc. Kellie is excited to teach Marketing and to be the DECA advisor at South Forsyth MS where the students embrace the subject and love competing on DECA’s stage!
"Kellie Racine is dedicated to developing an engaging standards-based Marketing curriculum for middle school students. She continually shares her knowledge with colleagues at SFMS, the district, and state. She truly connects with students by allowing their passions to shine through DECA. We are very fortunate to have her as part of our SFMS family.
”
-Jo-Anne Jackson,
South Forsyth MS Assistant Principal
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Jackie Jones - Forsyth Central HS
Jackie Jones is a cosmetology instructor at Forsyth Central HS. After high school, she worked as a hairdresser and then at age 27, decided to go to college and graduated from Oglethorpe University with a degree in secondary education. Jackie has taught all social studies subjects from 8th-12th grade, but she found that combining her education background with cosmetology has given her the perfect fit within education. Teaching cosmetology to high school students, with the chance to complete a cosmetology pathway or licensing program, is exciting and effective means of preparing our young adults for the work force. She is currently a SkillsUSA Advisor, as well as a member of the Lanier Technical College Cosmetology Advisory Board.
"
Jackie is an unbelievable educator who loves her students. She gets to know each and every one of her kids, finds out how to motivate them, and pushes, pulls, inspires them to achievement!
”
-Mitch Young, Forsyth Central HS Principal
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Staff Externship Spotlights
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Kerri Graczyk - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Kerri Graczyk, RN and healthcare science instructor at North Forsyth HS, shadowed Jenny Volk, Assistant Nurse Manager at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta- Forsyth Urgent Care. This collaborative experience provided an opportunity for Mrs. Graczyk to increase her awareness and obtain a realistic prospective of today’s careers in healthcare. This professional learning experience allowed her to gather information to enhance her class curriculum and teaching strategies. Thank you, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta!
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Tracy Robar - American Proteins, Inc.
Tracy Robar, engineering and technology instructor at Little Mill MS, completed an externship at American Proteins. Throughout the day, she toured the plant and grounds, where she learned what an incredible example of sustainability and recycling this company represents. Mrs. Robar was able to see the cutting edge technology, including air scrubbers, a biofilter, and a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) unit used at American Proteins to abate smells. She was able to glean several ideas for class projects and make connections with employees who are willing and able to assist with technical guidance on those projects. Thank you, American Proteins!
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Student Internship Spotlights
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Kristen Archer - North Forsyth HS
Learning Bridge Intern
Kristen Archer works with Learning Bridge in the after school program at Coal Mountain ES. She i
nstructs and monitors students individually and in groups and organizes and leads activities in the after school program.
"Kristen does a fabulous job. We love having her at Coal Mountain Elementary."
-Melinda Fields
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Yasamin Khorashahi - Lambert HS
City of Alpharetta Intern
Yasamin Khorashahi has job shadowed Michael Woodman in the Planning and Zoning department with the City of Alpharetta. Throughout the year, Yasamin was able to sit in on meetings with developers and city officials as well as see first hand the amount of time and steps it takes to break ground on a new development.
"
It has been a pleasure mentoring Yasamin over the past year. She approached every situation in a professional manner and with an eagerness to learn. Yasamin understood the significance of this opportunity and took full advantage of it."
-Michael Woodman
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South Forsyth HS VEX Robotics
The SFHS 1961 teams competed at the Worlds VEX Competition in Louisville Kentcuky, April 24th - 28th, 2018. Team 1961K was in the Science Division and they made it to semifinal match 2. Team 1961N was in the Engineering Division at the end of qualifications rounds they finished ranked in the 25th place. Team 1961U was in the Arts Division and at the end of the qualification rounds they were ranked in 24th place. They made it to the semifinal match 1. Team 1961X was in the Research Division at the end of qualifications rounds they were ranked in 11th. They also won the Think Award.
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Liberty MS DECA
Liberty MS DECA and 8th grade marketing students have been working with Georgia Swarm Lacrosse team sales representatives to learn about Sports Marketing in the "real world." The students created a Marketing Campaign for the Swarm Game on March 18th called #NoCapesNeeded. This is a theme night game, “Heroes Night”, honoring heroes such as military, first responders, police officers, local heroes, etc. After the game, LMS DECA presented the first ever “LMS HERO Award” to student hero, Jeremy Leurart. LMS DECA chapter also received a donation for $500 for winning the DECA competition of selling the most tickets to the game.
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Lambert HS Engineering
Congrats to Lambert HS Engineering for receiving industry certification by the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association. This certification signifies the program met the highest standards established by the GA Department of Education and the University of Georgia.
The Lambert Engineering program is led by Joe Fuqua.
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North Forsyth HS HOSA
Jade Reynolds was awarded a $1,000 American Red Cross Scholarship through HOSA for being an active participant in the North Forsyth HS blood drive program. She held a leadership role in the recruitment and coordination of these events at North Forsyth HS.
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Lambert HS FCCLA
Lambert HS FCCLA held their end of the year banquet in early May. At the banquet, they installed their 18-19 FCCLA offers and celebrated all of their 17-18 successes!
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South Forsyth HS Marketing
Congratulations to the South Forsyth HS for completing industry certification for their marketing pathways. Their program went through a very stringent industry certification process receiving the "stamp of excellence" which represents the apex of program quality. Their certification team was made up of officials from the American Marketing Association, State Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Georgia Association of Career and Technical Education. Forsyth Central Marketing instructors include Kimberly Clapper, Diana Jones, and Laura Martin.
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Lambert HS Business & Computer Science
Congratulations to the Business and Computer Science program at Lambert HS for completing industry certification. Only programs that have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by leaders from
the Society for Human Resource Mgmt and the Georgia Department of Education are recognized with this distinction. The Lambert HS Business and Computer Science instructors are Brian Daughtery, Susan Fagan, Mary Beth Jager, Mike Saxton, and Stephanie Van Slyke.
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South Forsyth HS Marketing
Students in Marketing Principles courses at South Forsyth HS conducted two real-world marketing projects this semester. In one project, students re-branded Forsyth County’s annual Ghost-Out program and created unique ideas to increase attendance. The name, Wake Up, pitched by one student group, was chosen as the new name for the event. In the other project, students created a variety of promotional strategies for Rosati's Pizza aimed at increasing catering revenue and awareness of the restaurant’s Dine & Donate nights for charitable organizations.
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Little Mill MS
Students in the agriculture, business and engineering pathways are collaborating on a project where they will ultimately conduct tomato plant sales in our car line and at other school events. They have been meeting as a group and working on subcommittees, establishing deadlines and necessary profit margins, developing a marketing strategy, creating advertising and a pricing structure, and designing and building a necessary "produce display" stand, as well as growing and nurturing the actual plants.
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South Forsyth HS Engineering
Congrats to South Forsyth HS Engineering for receiving industry certification by the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association. This certification signifies the program met the highest standards established by the GA Department of Education and the University of Georgia.The South Forsyth Engineering program is led by Jim Chamberlain, Travis Hodges, and Jeff Olney.
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South Forsyth HS Marketing
Students in Advanced Fashion Marketing courses at South Forsyth HS conducted two real-world marketing projects this semester for RSVP Prom & Pageant and Mel Belle Boutique. For RSVP Prom & Pageant, students conducted marketing research and developed prom promotional campaigns based on data collected. For Mel Belle Boutique, students developed ideas for sidewalk displays, interior displays, and unique store signage that were presented to the the owner, Melanie Connelly.
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North Forsyth HS Business & Computer Science
Congratulations to the Business and Computer Science program at North Forsyth HS for completing industry certification. Only programs that have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by leaders from
the Society for Human Resource Mgmt and the Georgia Department of Education are recognized with this distinction. The North Forsyth HS Business and Computer Science instructors are Shannon Anderson-Rush, Lisa Harrell, Joshua Craddock, and Don Hilton.
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West Forsyth HS Engineering
Congrats to West Forsyth HS Engineering for receiving industry certification by the International Technology & Engineering Educators Association. This certification signifies the program met the highest standards established by the GA Department of Education and the University of Georgia. The West Forsyth Engineering program is led by Dan Biskup and Anthony Tarantino.
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South Forsyth HS NTHS
Arjun Karanam and Grace Oh were each awarded $1,000 Jon H.Poteat NTHS Scholarships. These two students were two of 225 outstanding NTHS members across the country to receive the $1000 Jon H. Poteat Scholarship based on their involvement and achievement in Career & Technical Education courses.
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Forsyth Central HS Marketing
Congratulations to the Forsyth Central HS for completing industry certification for their marketing pathways. Their program went through a very stringent industry certification process receiving the "stamp of excellence" which represents the apex of program quality. Their certification team was made up of officials from the American Marketing Association, State Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Georgia Association of Career and Technical Education. Forsyth Central Marketing instructors include Kimberly Clapper, Diana Jones, and Laura Martin.
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North Forsyth HS Agriculture and Food and Nutrition
North Forsyth High's farm-to-table program hosted Coal Mountain Elementary School's fourth grade classes on field trips throughout the school year. Mrs. Smith's Food Science class coordinated with Mrs. Nesbitt's Agriscience classes to host a hands on learning experience that every fourth grader got to participate in including a farm fresh cook of vegetables sautéed into a lettuce wrap, featuring lettuce for our hydroponics system. The fourth grade classes also toured the animal science lab, green houses and gardens, visiting the goats, bunnies, a baby chick and even harvesting their own lettuce to take home.
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South Forsyth HS Business & Computer Science
Congratulations to the Business and Computer Science program at South Forsyth HS for completing industry certification. Only programs that have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by leaders from
the Society for Human Resource Mgmt and the Georgia Department of Education are recognized with this distinction. The South Forsyth HS Business and Computer Science instructors are Robert Kline, Stacy Moultrie, James O'Connor, and Carla Yonk.
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South Forsyth HS Engineering
On Saturday, May 12 the Electric Vehicle Team 998, took 1st place at the FCS Spring 2018 Electraton Rally at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Teams from three states competed at the event!
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