INSTRUCTIONS: You are to write a headline, deck head and copy block of 250 words. You may not make up additional facts or quotes. You may add description to fill out your story (as if you were an eyewitness) but you may NOT make up facts or quotes. You may intermix the information to make the best copy and captions. Your story must be written on the attached blank sheets. Be sure to leave room above your copy for your headline and deck head. DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME OR YOUR SCHOOL NAME ON YOUR PAPER. DO WRITE YOUR CONTESTANT ID ON EACH SHEET OF PAPER. HINTS: Leads should be well written with original angle and focus. Use colorful details, quotes, descriptions and transitions throughout the story. Be sure to use proper grammar and spelling. Use consistent journalistic style. Headlines should be intriguing and reflect the story s content. Captions should state more than the obvious, be varied in beginnings and add to the body of reader knowledge. SCHOOL INFORMATION: Westview High School 13500 Camino Del Sur San Diego, CA 92129 555-474-4000 Mascot: Westview Wolverines Colors: black and white School Population: 1,401 Name of Publication: Currents Volume: 6 Theme: Stepping Up TOPIC: INDUSTRIAL TECH CLASSES PARTNERSHIP Industrial technology classes at Westview High School have partnered with West Technical High School s program to increase course offerings and to produce better career mapping for students interested in a variety of technical careers. Students who participate take prerequisite classes at Westview during their freshman and sophomore years, and they take more advances training courses at West Tech during their junior and senior years. Some classes are even worth college credit. With the increase in graduation requirements in core classes five years ago, electives like Industrial Technology have seen a steady decline in class enrollment. David Blackwood, new industrial technology chair, saw a need for an aggressive change in vision for the department and decided to embrace the high school/tech school partnership program. This is the second year of the program, and already enrollment numbers in Industrial Technology classes are up 45 percent with the highest increases falling in the welding classes. Blackwood attributes this to the large number of specific hands-on training programs offered at the West Tech. As a part of the program, Westview teachers work in learning communities with West Tech teachers to determine basic core areas of knowledge students need to succeed in more advanced course offerings at West Tech. Interested students participate in career path coaching and site visits with the tech school to ensure retention in the program. Often times teachers go between the two schools, creating a partnership program. Career track programs at West Tech include Electronics and Robotics engineering, Precision Machining and Welding. JEA NATIONAL WRITE-OFF CONTEST SAN DIEGO SPRING 2014
QUOTES: The partnership between the industrial technology department and the local technical school is a perfect example of seeing a need and being willing to change in order to find a solution that better serves ours students. Pam Mason, assistant principal I know I want to go in to welding when I get out of high school, and becoming involved in the Westview/West Tech partnership will allow me to enter the apprenticeship program right out of high school. I couldn t think of a better way I could be preparing for my future. Caleb Wells, junior When we first started seeing numbers drop in our classes, there was kind of a feeling of acceptance, but then I started to research and started talking to other area teachers about what they were doing to help better prepare their students for the workforce. Partnering with the technical school meant changing old habits and giving up some control of our curriculum, but in the long run it has been successful and it is best for students. David Blackwood, industrial technology department chair We have been very happy with the partnership that Westview High School has created with our school. Not only do the students benefit from the program, but our school has seen an increase in enrollment in programs serviced by the partnership. Also, the quality of students we are receiving has increased dramatically. Students are excited to enter the program and continue their training. Eric Cochran, principal West Technical High School As a part of the program, students attend Westview for half of the day, either in the morning or afternoon, to complete core class requirements, then they attend West Technical High School for the other part of the day to participate in the technical program. Students take the introductory classes here at Westview in their ninth and 10th grade years, then they go on to take more advanced classes during their 11th and 12th grade years. Lashonna Hardin, Westview counselor I never really thought about a career in machining. I didn t even know what that was. But after I took a tour at West Tech and listened to all the opportunities available, I signed up for the intro class at Westview so I can go to West Tech next year for half a day. The program is perfect for me because I was not really interested in going to a four-year college. I want to start a job right after I graduate. Connor Jenkins, sophomore I have always been interested in engineering, but I wanted to get more experience before I decided to make it my college major choice. At West Tech, I take two classes in the afternoon after my regular classes here. The engineering classes there are really advanced and hands-on. There are kids from all over San Diego that take the classes so I get to be with a lot of other people with the same interests. I am even getting college credit for the courses there which will be a huge head start for my degree. Doh Jun, senior JEA NATIONAL WRITE-OFF CONTEST SAN DIEGO SPRING 2014
CAPTION DIRECTIONS: Write a caption for the picture in the space provided below and include photo credit. Captions may be any length and may include any of the information provided in this packet. You may NOT make up additional information. Use only the facts given. PHOTO INFORMATION: Who: Tim Cassidy, junior What: works on a project in his precision machining class at Westview High. He also attends a precision machining program at West Technical High School every afternoon and is working on the same skills in both programs. Where: industrial technology machine room When: Feb. 26, 2014 YOUR CAPTION: Why: Tim has enrolled in the machining program at West Technical High School, because he plans to major in industrial engineering when he graduates. The foundation work he does in high school will put him two years ahead when he enters postsecondary school. Quote: Entering the program was the best decision I have ever made. I get my core classes out of the way and then I am able to focus on what I love doing. My parents love that I am specifically preparing for my future. Tim Cassidy Photo by: Steve Britton JEA NATIONAL WRITE-OFF CONTEST SAN DIEGO SPRING 2014
CAPTION DIRECTIONS: Write a caption for the picture in the space provided below and include photo credit. Captions can be any length and can include any of the information provided in this packet. You may NOT make up additional information. Use only the facts given. PHOTO INFORMATION: Who: Alex Choate, senior What: Using an electric precision drill to create holes for a multistep machining project that is a collaboration between Westview and West Tech. Where: industrial technology shop at West Technical High School When: March 10, 2014 Why: As seniors, students work on projects that are for both classes at Westview and West Technical High School. In order to coordinate the projects for students, the instructors from both schools met monthly to create expectations, troubleshoot issues and collaborate on projects and new technologies. Quote: This is my fourth year in the program. I have already received enough experience and training that I will be skipping my first year of technical school. I have also lined up a paid internship in my chosen field for this summer, before I even start college. Taking these classes has kept me focused on my future and excited about learning and working hard. Alex Choate, senior YOUR CAPTION: Photo by: Colleen Greg JEA NATIONAL WRITE-OFF CONTEST SAN DIEGO SPRING 2014
CAPTION DIRECTIONS: Write a caption for the picture in the space provided below and include photo credit. Captions can be any length and can include any of the information provided in this packet. You may NOT make up additional information. Use only the facts given. PHOTO INFORMATION: Who: sophomores Carl Jung and Bradley Furnas What: completing a programming project in Electronics 2 Where: Westview High School When: March 12, third hour Why: midterm test to determine their mastery of concepts taught in class; Electronics 2 was the final prerequisite class before students could enroll in advanced coursework at West Technical High School Quote: I really like math and science but wanted something more hands-on for classes. I feel like I am learning things that will make it possible for me to walk right into great career opportunities when I graduate. Bradley Furnas, sophomore YOUR CAPTION: Photo by: Patty Amendola JEA NATIONAL WRITE-OFF CONTEST SAN DIEGO SPRING 2014
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