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April 7th, 2022 Board Minutes

Construction Trades Instructor

Job Goal & Description: To instruct the CareerTEC Construction Trades Youth Apprenticeship Program for high school juniors and seniors in the Stephenson County/Winnebago County area. The program will prepare students for trades occupations and post-secondary education through an onsite construction project, to include remodels, additions, and new construction, based on demand. The instructor will need to secure and coordinate job shadows and internships for students in diverse trades occupations. This is a nine-and-one-half-month position that follows the local school calendar. Part-time, a.m. position Monday-Friday (approximately 2-3 hours per day, 10-15 hours a week; participation in staff meetings/recruiting/career events also needed occasionally). Background check is required. Salary will be up to $25,000 per year.

Qualifications: Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in a CTE area OR ability to obtain Illinois Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) endorsed in Career and Technical Education. To earn ELS endorsement, one needs either 2,000 hours of work experience in the Construction Trades field and 60 college credits OR 8,000 hours of work experience in the Construction Trades field.

Career and Technical Education Consortium (CareerTEC)

2037 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-232-0709, FAX: 815-235-8050

If interested, please email CareerTEC director Brian Greene (brian.greene@fsd145.org) with your letter of interest and resume no later than Friday, May 27, 2022

Careers In Business (CIB)

May 2022

What does job shadowing, the Stock Market Game, college searches, interviewing skills, mock interviews and resume writing all have in common? They’re all happening in the Careers in Business class during May! It’s an insanely busy month but we’re going to finish strong! 

The students have been job shadowing for the last two months and honing their communication skills. We have had a tremendously positive response regarding the student’s preparedness and professionalism from all of the mentors participating in shadowing. 

The Stock Market Game is winding down but it’s becoming a tight race. We have two teams in the top 17 out of 1100 teams, with less than $10 separating them! At the end of the game, each team will provide a portfolio and a presentation to the class about their stocks, choices, pitfalls, and successes. It’s always a rewarding experience. 

The first week of May we focus on interviewing skills including how to answer behavioral based interview questions, attire, greetings, and handshakes. Then we practice during class with a friendly “hiring” competition. Later in the month, we will conduct mock-interviews utilizing outside businesses to do the interviewing. 

Next, we focus to college and careers. Students take an in depth look at their potential career path and college choices that would best fit them. We discuss what metrics to look for when choosing a college, how to finance college, and how to analyze the return of investment (ROI). We have 10 juniors taking the second year of the program next year and we will discuss those expectations, internship location choices, as well.  

Lastly, I’m extremely fortunate to have been blessed with another fantastic, intelligent, hilarious, and hard working group of young people. I’m excited to see where they will intern next year. For the students graduating, thank you for a great year!! Good luck in your future endeavors and stop by to visit from time to time; I’ll miss you! Everyone, enjoy your summer with those you love!

https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/suicide-prevention

Suicide Prevention

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States – talk to someone now (800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)).

What is suicide?

Suicide occurs when a person ends their life. It is the 10th leading cause of death among Americans.  In Illinois, suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death resulting in more than 1,000 deaths each year.  For young adults 15 to 34 years of age, suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death in Illinois.  However, suicide deaths are only part of the problem. More people survive suicide attempts than actually die. They are often seriously injured and need medical care.

Suicide is recognized as a chronic epidemic, despite the overwhelming numbers, the tragedy of suicide is hidden by stigma, myth and shame. The stigma surrounding suicide often has an impact on prevention and intervention efforts. Additionally, many people have the mistaken notion that talking about suicide causes it to happen but experts agree that suicide is preventable.

Who’s at risk?

Suicide does not discriminate based on race, gender or age. However, there is a higher risk of suicide for those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. In fact, the risk of suicide is increased by more than 50 percent in individuals affected by depression. Studies also show roughly 90 percent of individuals who die by suicide have one or more mental disorders.

Some groups are at higher risk than others. In Illinois, men are three to four times more likely than women to die from suicide. More women than men report attempting suicide. In addition, suicide rates are higher among middle aged adults; whereas suicide attempt rates are higher among young people.

Warning signs for suicide.

Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK if you or someone you know exhibits any of the following signs:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life 

Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance

The Suicide Prevention, Education and Treatment Act (Public Act 095-0109) created the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance (ISPA.)  The alliance’s purpose is to bring together public and private organizations and stakeholders concerned with mental health to implement the goals and objectives that reduce this tragedy, using a positive, public health approach.  The alliance reflects a multi-disciplinary membership appointed by the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Appointed membership represents state agencies, organizations that focus on the prevention of suicide and the improvement of mental health treatment, suicide survivors, mental health consumers, first responders, researchers and those representing at-risk populations.  In addition to the appointed members, numerous stakeholders also assist in the alliance’s work.

Resources

• CDC: Suicide Prevention
• CDC: WISQARS
• Depression
• IL Public Awareness Campaign: It Only Takes One
• IL Suicide Prevention Webinar Series: Hope for the Day
• IL Violent Death Reporting System
• IL Youth Suicide Prevention Project
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• SAMHSA: Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Illinois
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Zero Suicide

Laws & Rules

• Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance
• Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act

Publications

• Chronic Disease Burden Update - Youth Suicide
• Chronic Disease Burden Update - Depression
• Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2020
• Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2018-2021
• Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2007
• Illinois Suicides by County
• Illinois Suicide Rate by County
• Preventing Suicide: A Public Health Issue that is Preventable
• Prevention Report 2010
• Prevention Report 2009
• Prevention Report 2008
• Prevention Report 2005 - 2007
• State Agency Review & Initial Recommendations
• Suicide: All Ages
• Suicide: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Youth Suicide
• Suicide: College Students
• Suicide: 1st Responders Role
• Suicide: Older Adults
• Suicide: Illinois Youth
• Illinois Suicide Deaths and Crude Rates 2006-2015 Map and Table
• Suicide Prevention for Juvenile Justice Populations

CIS

May Article

We finished up the month of April with a visit to Highland Community College and saw their server room, the software they use to run the college, and got an idea of what a day in the life of an IT professional looks like there. In May students will be preparing for their CompTIA certifications, CIS 1will be finishing up curriculum with some networking, laptops, and mobile devices. They will take their final and have the opportunity to get part 2 of their A+ certification. CIS2 students are finishing up Cybersecurity and will be working with Powershell, Packet Sniffers, and preparing for their Security + certification.

Help is available. 

Violence-Prevention-Support-Resource

Speak with someone today
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.

800-273-8255

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

In a crisis?

Crisis Text Line
Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

HOYA 2

May Article

Wow.  How did this year go by so very quickly?  

Students were a bit surprised as to all of the opportunities Highland has to offer; from Certified Medical Assistant courses (with 2 Full scholarships from Monroe Clinic Hospital), both full and part time Nursing programs, and the fact that they could receive their Bachelor’s of Science of Nursing degree with only 1 extra semester with HCC’s partnership with Northern Illinois University. (An extremely cost effective tactic)

Students were also able to practice Epi-pen injections, mixing “medications”, as well as listening to heart and lungs sounds of the infant mannequin. 

We learned about Deep Brain stimulation for diseases such as Parkinson's, Tourettes, and seizures.  Students were a little shocked that a rather archaic treatment is still used today.  Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still being used for patients with severe depression when  accompanied with psychosis (especially when depression is not improving with prescribed medications.   It is also used for patients suffering from severe mania, catatonia, as well as those with agitation and aggression (sometimes noted with dementia and for children on the Autism spectrum, again, this is for patients who do not respond to medications)

As HOYA II only meets twice weekly, our days are down to single digits.  We will finish up our body systems with the Reproductive system next week.

Our final is scheduled for May 9th and the review will be on May 4th. We will have a few relaxation/stress relieving exercises to finish up our final days. It has been my pleasure to watch these young adults grow throughout this year. I hope they all remember to "put that glass down" and enjoy life this summer (as in put the little things down, don't hold on to the stress too long or it becomes unbearable).  I can't wait to see the great things they all do in their future!

Culinary Arts

May Article:

In the month of April, Culinary Arts students went on a field trip to Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, WI, during which they received a tour of the facilities and were cooked a 5-course meal prepared by their culinary students. In class, students learned how to cook with unique ingredients, including daikon and tofu. Students also catered a breakfast for the regional principals and counselors, including breakfast pizza and cinnamon rolls, which was very well received. Lastly, they practiced baking with yeast.