SUHSD Work Based Learning CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) AND OUR PARTNERS

Work-Based Learning

Welcome to the SUHSD, WBL Newsletter, Volume 8

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

I am feeling incredibly thankful for all of you! Over the past semester, with your support, we’ve been able to offer so many amazing experiences to our students. From field trips to exciting destinations like ElectricFish and one of my personal favorites, the UC Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center, to career mentoring, project guidance, guest speakers, mock interviews, and much more—each of these opportunities plays a vital role in helping our students grow and develop. Your dedication and involvement have made such a difference, and I truly appreciate all you do!

Of course, we will have plenty of new opportunities in the upcoming year! Here are just a few to pique your interest and get you excited for what’s to come:

  • March 19 - TIDE Academy Symposium - volunteers in technology
  • April 1 - Skyline College & Career Fair-mock interviews
  • April 17 - Foothill College & Career Fair-mock interviews
  • Guest Speakers in Building Construction & Trades, Engineering, Animation modeling, and Photography.

Photos by Woodside High School's Advanced Photography class.

Coco Kerzic
Flowers by Jenny Richter
Ravi Malhotra1

Cover photo is Holiday by Charlotte Lowe 4 and to the right is Fall by Ella Jack.

Student Work

TIDE Academy Graphic & Interactive Design I class projects

Starting the creative process!
T-shirt with video game characters created by students as merchandise to promote their games.
Annie Alvarado explains the difference between UI and UX.
Watch Annie's Animated Explainer Video on UI/UX

TIDE Academy Juniors participate in a monthly Mentor Program

Introductions during Mentor Training, October 24th, 2024.

Carlmont High School's Entrepreneurship Class

Idea Pitch Competition

This event had 5 business teams presenting their ideas. They had a 5-7 minute pitch followed by a Q and A involving business professionals.

Students are in the basic part of their business idea. They will present an idea, consumer research, market value and why they think that their product idea should go forward to a funding round in February.

Judges completed a survey for each team after asking clarifying questions about their presentation.

Very thankful to our volunteers! The students really learned a lot from their experiences and benefitted from their feedback

Judges Terri Bittner, Michele Schneider, Eli Stepp and Kevin Thompson

Ongoing Mentors: Stephen Bulfer, Annamarie Buonocore, Jim Diller, Nancy J. Luscri, Gary Mi, and Chris Zaino

Awards were given for 3 categories:

1. Best overall presentation

2. Most feasible: The product that has the greatest chance for success

3. Most valuable professional: Best voice projection, posture, enthusiasm.

Congratulation to all of the winners!

Woodside's Culinary Arts students showcase their delicious food!

The savory appetizers (cucumber towers, bruschetta, etc.) are from the WHS Foundation Major Donor Event in September.
Desserts for the San Mateo County CTE Advisory meeting on Thursday, November 7th, 2024.
The cinnamon buns were just a fun weekly lab students did as part of a baking unit. Yum!

Food & Nutrition is the introductory class, followed by Culinary Arts. SUHSD has 393 total students in these classes, the largest CTE dual-enrolled pathway in our district.

Field Trips

“Today’s students are visual learners, and a field trip lets them touch, feel and listen to what they’re learning about, which helps them build on classroom instruction, gain a better understanding of topics, build cultural understanding and tolerance, and expose them to worlds outside their own.” --Carylann Assante, executive director for Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and SYTA Youth Foundation

Carlmont's Biotech Institute (BTI) Seniors visited Skyline College

These students are dual enrolled in a Biotech Manufacturing Class. Visiting the college where they are enrolled, the day included:

  • Pathway experience--to share what comes next in the educational pathway they have been enrolled in.
  • Campus tour--see the amazing educational facilities that are available in our county.
  • Mock Interviews--thank you to all the volunteers who participated!
Students had a great time in the lab and the mock interviews!

Green Academy Sustainable Design Students to ElectricFish

Green Academy Sustainable Design Seniors were hosted by Vince Wong, Co-founder & COO, as well as Nelio Batista, Co-Founder & Chief Systems Architect at ElectricFish.

ElectricFish is building and deploying distributed energy resources to power a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future.

Students enjoying the questions & answers at the end of the visit.

Sequoia Culinary Arts to UC Elkus Ranch

Lunch at the Ranch offers a full farm-to-table experience!

Computer Science students visited Meta through our partnership with Junior Achievement!

We enjoyed walking around the 9-acre green roof that spans the entire length of Meta's new building.

Redwood High School's Building & Construction Trades

Under the guidance of teacher, Jim Bender, and woodworker, Simon Silver, students milled their own wood for their greenhouse project at the Simon Silver Designs Sawmill in Santa Cruz.

Students enjoyed working with the wood and were proud of what they accomplished.

Guest Speakers

WHS Engineering welcomed Brembo Inspiration Lab & Operational Technology Engineers

Thursday, November 14 8:30-10:30 & 2:00-3:00

  • Kyle Zhou, Software Platforms Development Engineer
  • Karthik Pillutla, Software Platforms Development Engineer
  • Amanda Brief, Senior Manager, Brembo Inspiration Lab & Operational Technology Engineering

Friday, November 15 10:00 am – 12:20 pm

  • Daniel Cohen, Software Controls Engineer
  • Kip Ringsrud, Vehicle Test Engineer
  • Karthik Sriram, Embedded Software Engineer, IoT-AI Platform
Brembo employees, Kyle & Karthik, shared their career journeys.
Amanda Brief inspires students.

Menlo-Atherton's Woodshop Includes a Monthly Guest Speaker Series

Former M-A student Salvador Jimenez and Project Superintendent at Pacific Ridge Builders, Inc. was happy to be back in the woodshop.
Winners of the Pipe Person model that the Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 483, brought as part of their presentation to students.

Henry Funcke, Outreach/Rotation Coordinator, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 104 and Bay Area Industry Training Fund is pictured to the left.

Careers in Visual Arts

SQ Digital Arts Academy and WS Multimedia I students are dual enrolled in a career exploration program entitled Careers in Visual Arts, guest speakers were clustered during this time and include:

WS Multimedia I:

  • Eric Hards, Head of Creative & Strategic Branding for Lockheed Martin Space
  • Ryan Hood, Lead Animator at Sledgehammer Games
  • David Gainey, Project Director at Cañada College

SQ Digital Arts Academy:

  • Eric Hards, Head of Creative & Strategic Branding for Lockheed Martin Space
  • Michelle Boire, Freelance Artist, Photographer, Education Consultant, Educator Coach, Curriculum Developer

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Woodside's Engineering Class

  • Who: Professional engineers, electricians, welders, machinists, fabricators, robotics, etc.
  • What: Speak to WHS Engineering classes
  • When: Pick a date that works for you, we do ask that you try to speak to at least 2 classes, but will work to find a time that fits your schedule: 1* 8:30-9:20, 3* 9:30-10:50 (A Day), and 4* 11:20-12:55 (B Day)
  • Where: 199 Churchill Ave., Woodside CA 94062
  • How: Sign Up Here.

Menlo-Atherton's Woodshop Class

  • Who: Professionals in the building & construction industry
  • What: Speak to MA's Woods I & II students
  • When: Pick a morning that works for you, class is offered Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 8:30-12:25
  • Where: 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton, CA 94027
  • How: Sign Up Here.

TIDE Academy Symposium

  • Who: Those in technology-related careers
  • What: Small Career Round Tables - speak to a group of 4-6 students about your career, education, a typical day, and the pros & cons of the field
  • When: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (9:30-10:45)
  • Where: 150 Jefferson Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
  • How: Sign Up Here.

College & Career Fairs Coming - Hold the dates!

  • April 1 - Skyline College
  • April 17 - Foothill College
Click here if you want to get more involved!

For any additional information, contact Faith Velschow, Work Based Learning, SUHSD

Missed an earlier newsletter, click here!

Thank you again; we hope that you have a wonderful holiday, and we will reach out again in the new year! --FWV