Connected to CTE

We're thrilled to start the Fall semester with renewed enthusiasm and excitement! As we move forward into the 2025-2026 school year, we would like to introduce our refreshed CTE quarterly newletter. Our department will be bringing news from our programs of study, spotlighting student achievements, delivering words of wisdom from our dedicated staff, sharing academic resources, linking scholarships, and so much more!

Let's keep climbing to new heights - Upward and Onward!

Career & Technical Education (CTE) provides opportunities for students to gain career-focused experiences and certifications through specific industry pathways. Pathways serve as the sequence of courses for each Program of Study that students will follow throughout high school. Floresville High School currently offers 10 Career Clusters and 14 Programs of Study, consisting of 59 different courses!

Programs of Study currently include Industrial Maintenance, Business Management, Animal Science, Plant Science, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems, JROTC, Digital Communications, Teaching & Training, Exercise Science, Wellness & Restoration, Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services, Culinary Arts, Cybersecurity, Welding, and Automotive & Collision Repair.

• October 7, 9-11: 81st Annual Floresville Peanut Festival! Visit the sites below for more information: floresvillepeanutfestival.org & www.floresvilletx.gov/calendar-event/peanut-festival-2025/ 🥜
• October 11: ACE Race Series Medina Valley Race will take place from 8:00am-4:00pm at Medina Valley HS. Let's cheer on our FISD Automotive Team!
• October 13: Monthly FFA meeting will take place in the FHS Cafeteria from 5:30pm-8:30pm.
• October 13-November 7: FFA fundraiser will be taking place throughout the month of October and into November.
• October 14: The College & Career Fair will be taking place at FHS in the Main Gym from 9:00-11:00am.
• October 18: ACT testing will take place at FHS.
• October 20-21: Sheep and goat validation will be held at the Wilson County Expo Center from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
• October 22: PSAT/MNSQT Digital Test will be conducted at 8:30am. The test is mandatory for all 10th graders. 11th grade will be eligible to opt in for testing.
• October 24: Deadline to register for taking the SAT on November 8th at FHS. Students interested may register at www.collegeboard.org.
• October 27: Halter Heifer validation will be held at the Poth ISD Project Center.
• October 30: All stock show entries will be filled out. Entries will be collected from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Please watch emails for electronic copies or links to the entries.
• November 3: FASFA Night will take place in the FHS Library from 3:00-7:00pm.
• November 3: Guadalupe Valley FFA LDE Contest from 2:30pm-8:00pm.
• November 6: Preliminary testing date for TSIA2. Test results would be needed for students interested in dual credit courses or seniors applying for colleges or universities.
• November 6: HOSA meeting at 10:07 in the FHS Library.
• November 7: Registration deadline for ACT test on December 13th at FHS. Students may register at www.act.org.
• November 11: ASVAB Test will be conducted in Room 117 at 8:30am.
• November 12: CTE Fall Advisory Committee meeting at the FHS Library from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
• November 13: 8th Grade Tours will be taking place. Excited to show off our CTE programs!
• November 15 & 17: Pig validation will take place atthe Wilson County Expo Center.
• November 21: Deadline to register for taking the SAT on December 6th at FHS. Students interested may register at www.collegeboard.org.

This week we celebrated our College & Career Fair with 70 different employers and colleges signed up to present to our students! Our CCMR Counselor, Mrs. Ackely, worked tirelessly to ensure all of our visitors were supported and thanked for their participation during this year's fair. This event gives students the opportunity to visit with perspective universities and employers to develop a better sense of post-secondary steps in their academic and career-oriented journeys!

This Fall season has been filled with activities! Our incredible CTE students brought their skills to life in exciting and hands-on ways that had both students and staff talking!

Health Science students hosted an interactive wellness activity, where they demonstrated their growing expertise by taking vital signs (such as respiratory rate, pulse and blood pressure) and explaining key healthcare concepts. From BP checks to pulse readings, they engaged the campus community with professionalism, confidence and a passion for healthcare.

Meanwhile, over in the Animal Science lab, students got hands-on experience with livestock care, practicing ear tagging and tattooing techniques on cow ears. These important identification skills are essential for herd health management, and our students approached the task with precision and care.

We are so proud to spotlight these dedicated learners, who continue to demonstrate real-world skills, strong work ethic, and a commitment to excellence in their future careers. Awesome jobs all around - keep leading the way with skill and heart!

Personal Financial Advisors are part of a fast growing field under the umbrella of Financial Services. The positions available in this area are set to grow by over 7% through 2034! While this path does usually require a four-year degree, there are many options for college programs in the surrounding areas - UTSA, Texas State University, Trinity University and several more universities all offer financial programs!

Our courses in Business Management and Personal Finance can help prepare students for careers in this industry! The salary for this type of position in Texas is $82,180 and can move upward to an average of $102,104 on a national scale! This job provides opportunities for students to gain and use employable skillsets, such as public speaking, analytical thinking, dependability and written communication abilities.

Ever wonder why our teachers choose to teach Career & Technical Education? In this new section, our passionate CTE instructors and staff share what drives them to educate the next generation of skilled professionals - and along the way, they offer a few words of wisdom to inspire students as they explore their own career paths.

For this edition, we spoke with one of our Welding instructors, Mr. Daniel Palma, about what motivates him to teach CTE. Mr. Palma stated that what he enjoyed most was "the ability to show career opportunities to students that can take them around the world! It's a great field that also allows you the opportunity to invest and save to reach your goals. I really enjoy when students tell me that they come to school for these classes." And, what are Mr. Palma's parting Words of Wisdom - "Be a hard worker, don't slack. Give 100% in everything you do in life."

Thank you, Mr. Palma. These messages are a continual reminder that dedication in CTE goes far beyond the classroom!

Get ready to cheer on our amazing CTE students as they put their knowledge and talents to the test! In this new section, we''ll shine a spotlight on the hard work, leadership and dedication happening within our Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) - from preparing for upcoming contests and conferences to showcasing the skills they've been sharpening throughout the semester.

Whether it's competing, leading or serving their communities, our students are rising to the challenge. Our upcoming CTSO events include the Guadalupe Valley FFA LDE Contest and the first official ACE Race of the school year! Our students have been preparing and finetuning their skills to get ready for these events. Let's show them our support as they take the next step in their CTE journey!

Our very own Floresville ACE Race Crew geared up for the first race of the school year this past weekend. They competed against 23 other cars across multiple districts. After a multi-year hiatus, they earned a well-deserved 3rd place! We are so proud of our students and their instructor! Mr. Ovalle worked hard on preparing our students for their competition and our students (both our driver and pit crew) did an outstanding job on the course! Congratulations to everyone in the ACE Race Team - y'all did your school and community proud!🏆 👏

We are always thrilled to work with community members and to build opportunities to showcase our programs and our students' achievements!

If you are not sure about how to get involved, here are some suggestions:

1. Become part of our Advisory Committees : Community members with industry experience can serve on advisory committees. These committees will meet several times throughout the school year to provide guidance on curriculum, industry trends, and relevance of programs to workforce/labor market needs. These meetings are a fantastic way to begin building a pipeline for highly-qualified future employees as well!
2. Guest Speaking: Industry professionals can volunteer to speak in classrooms about their career experiences, trends in their industry, or specific hard/soft skillsets. These presentations provide students with real-world insights and can inspire them to explore different career paths!
3. Job Shadowing: Community businesses can offer job shadowing experiences to students, allowing them to observe and understand various careers. This helps students make informed decisions about their future path and build connections with local businesses.
4. Internships & Apprenticeships: Community members and businesses can host students as interns or apprentices. These hands-on experiences give students practical skills and workplace knowledge while allowing businesses to mentor and shape future talent in their industries.
5. Program Sponsorships or Donations: Local businesses and individuals can sponsor CTE programs by providing financial support, equipment, or materials. This funding can help enhance the program's capabilities, provide scholarships, or support student-led projects and competitions.
6. Mentorship Programs: Community members can mentor students by offering career advice and personal development. This one-on-one support can make a significant impact on students' confidence and career readiness.
7. Volunteering for Events or Competitions: Members within the community can volunteer to help organize, judge, or support CTE-related events, such as Career Fairs, skill competitions, or expos. These events highlight student achievements and bring together students, families, educators, and businesses.
8. Worksite Tours: Businesses can open their doors for worksite tours, giving students a chance to explore different workplaces and industries. This helps students visualize their potential future careers and better understand workplace environments.
9. Partnership Development: Local businesses and industries can work with schools to create formal partnerships. These partnerships might include co-developing curriculum, offering professional development for teachers, or creating pipeline programs that prepare students for specific careers within specific companies.
   
10. Advocacy & Awareness: Members of the community can help advocate for CTE programs by raising awareness of their value and impact in preparing students for the workforce. This advocacy could involve speaking at school board meetings, engaging in social media campaigns, or participating in community forums.

By engaging in these roles, community members can help enrich CTE programs, create stronger connections between education and industry, and ensure that students are prepared for successful careers!

Earlier this year, two bills were signed into law as part of Texas legislation. Both bills are geared to help in expanding and boosting CTE programs and services in public schools. House Bill 20 directs the state commissioner to establish and administer the Applied Sciences Pathway program. This would be a new initiative to afford students the opportunity to earn a diploma while also completing an industry-recognized certification. This change seeks to target high-wage, high-demand industries such as robotics, HVAC and others. House Bill 120 recognized Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) courses as part of CTE and established the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership, a program designed to connect students in rural areas with high-demand technical positions.

We are thrilled with the state's interest in bolstering CTE programs and resources! These changes will help build connections across our CTE programs and serve to support our students in all of their career goals!

• Myth #1 - "CTE is only for students who are not going to college." The Truth: CTE prepares students for both college and careers. Many CTE pathways lead to 2 or 4-year degrees, industry certifications, and apprenticeships. In fact, students often gain a head start in college or enter the workforce with real-world skills and experience - sometimes both!
• Myth #2 - "CTE programs are just about learning a trade." The Truth: CTE is about career readiness, which includes far more than just technical skills. Students also develop problem-solving , teamwork, communication and leadership skills. All of these skillsets are essential to any profession, from healthcare to business to engineering.
• Myth #3 - "CTE doesn't offer the same academic rigor as traditional classes." The Truth: CTE programs are academically rigorous and often include STEM concepts, project-based learning, and real-world applications. Many students in CTE programs even earn college credit or industry-recognized certificates while still in high school.

Q: What certifications are available for my student?

A. CTE programs offer multiple options for certification opportunities, including Adobe Professional Certifications, ServSafe Manager, Educational Aide I, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. Each career pathway offers its own set of industry-related certifications. Some of our newest certifications are part of our Business, Marketing & Finance cluster as well as our Exercise Science, Wellness & Restoration cluster - they consist of certifications in Entrepreneurship & Small Business and Nutrition.

Q: Can students switch pathways during the school year?

A: Schedule changes typically take place during the first weeks of school. We are recommending that students remain in their pathways in order to obtain all skillsets necessary for completing their IBCs successfully. Students may also visit with their counselor for scheduling information.

Thank you for your continued support of our CTE programs! We are looking forward to an awesome school year and building out new connections and partnerships!

Reach out to our department if you have any questions about our programs of study, certifications, or if you are interested in getting involved with our programs! Our contact information is below:

CTE Coordinator

Salyna Guanajuato-Galvan

830-393-5370 Ext. 21008

sguanajuato1@fisd.us

CCMR Counselor

Kim Ackley

830-393-5370 Ext. 21009

kackley@fisd.us