Washougal Career & Technical Education (CTE) teachers work directly with industry professionals to make sure the skills our courses teach set students up for future careers

This month in Washougal School District, students and staff celebrate Career & Technical Education Month. Washougal middle and high school students explore courses in the 16 national career clusters available for students to explore meaningful job readiness skills. Washougal Career & Technical Education (CTE) teachers work directly with industry professionals to make sure the skills our courses teach set students up for future careers. 

“Washougal School District creates opportunities for students to build confidence starting in the 7th grade, with classes that introduce students to technical skills related to career pathways. In addition, students learn industry standards, workforce and professional skills, and even have the opportunity to market and run businesses, preparing them for post-secondary education, a career and life” said Margaret Rice, Director of Career & Technical Education for the Washougal School District. 

This year, CTE Month includes hands-on projects, competitions, and collaborative projects that combine CTE skills with classroom learning from other subject areas, as well as projects for younger students taught by high school students.  “Career and Technical Education is an important part of the work our schools do to set students up for lifelong success, whether in the skilled trades, military, professional careers or higher education.” said Aaron Hansen, Superintendent.

Dinner Theater at WHS

The Washougal High School (WHS) Drama and Choir programs are joining with the WHS Culinary Arts program to present the district’s second Dinner Theater “Everybody Goes to Rick’s” which is open to the community on Friday 2/28 and Saturday 3/1, starting at 6 PM. This lively evening will feature theater, music and songs, with a three-course dinner prepared by our talented Career & Technical Education students. 

Tickets are available online via the school webpage and will remain on sale until 2/23 so get your tickets now. Tickets are $30 each and include dinner with a choice of classic wedge salad or French onion soup, choice of entree (chicken, beef, or vegetarian lasagna), choice of dessert (New York cheesecake, berry pie a la mode, or a flourless chocolate cake) and a bread basket for each table.

First Food Truck Friday for WHS students

The Panther ‘Shoug Shack, a student-run Food Truck, is scheduled to be open for students during lunch on Friday, February 21. The menu celebrates Black History Month with braised pork shoulder with Hoppin’ John black-eyed peas, rice, sauteed spinach, and maple-glazed butternut squash all served by our Advanced Culinary Students in partnership with our WHS Culinary Services Staff as part of the regular lunch option that day. The ‘Shoug Shack is a real-world project where students combine entrepreneurship skills and culinary arts, along with menu planning, food preparation, and customer service skills in a fast paced environment. The next ‘Shoug Shack offering will be on March 21.   

WHS Wood Technology students teach 5th graders about construction trades and Industry Math by building a toolbox

Washougal High School Woods Technology students are visiting each Washougal elementary school to do a build box project with fifth grade students. The project was inspired by Jon Girod with the non-profit organization Careers in Construction, who helped plan and find funding for this hands-on event.  WHS students created kits that each fifth grader would use to build a toolbox, provided safety training and equipment, and assisted students with the building project.  

The lesson included an applied math lesson tied to the fifth grade learning standards. Each student used a tape measure to find the dimensions of their box, and then calculated the area of the bottom of their tool box.  

School volunteers, students, and Camas-Washougal Rotary members also participated in the lesson, supporting and guiding the process for students to construct a tool box.  At the end of the activity, each student was able to decorate and keep the toolbox they built as well as the safety equipment used during the lesson. 

Fifth grade students at each school signed the tool box that was used as an example for the build to give to their school principal. 

WHS Career and Technical Student Leadership Organization results

Washougal High School students competed in a variety of career related skills competitions around the area this month.  SkillsUSA students performed hands-on technical skills, job skill demonstrations, and showcased leadership skills through these competitions in events for welding, construction, cabinetry, leadership, and plumbing. Washougal co-hosted the Carpentry event with Hockinson High School at the new pre-electrical building for Cascadia Technical Academy located in Ridgefield.

Future Business Leaders of America students showcased business skills including public speaking, journalism, ethics, supply chain management and more. All of the WHS FBLA students who competed at the regional event qualified for the state level competitions in Bellevue, Washington starting in April. 

Get involved with the Career & Technical Education Program at Washougal School District

Industry experts from the local community meet with program teachers and CTE program leaders, sharing current industry standards so students acquire skills that are both relevant and transferable during their high school education. Community business members are also invited to visit CTE classes as a guest speaker, or to host student industry tours. Interested in getting involved? Your professional experience can positively impact the future of our students. For more information, please contact Margaret Rice, Director of Career & Technical Education, at margaret.rice@washougalsd.org.

To learn more about Career & Technical Education programs at Washougal School District, visit http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/cte/.

Information provided by the Washougal School District.