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SCTE Celebrates Nontraditional Day

Pictured above:  Caleb Smith, a 9th Grade STEM student, reads to Pre-K student Camryn Rainwater.  Smith was participating in Nontraditional Day activities.

Susan Feather and Christy Paul, Student Services Coordinators at the School of Career and Technical Education, were recently awarded a $1,300 grant from the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development. The purpose of this grant is to provide nontraditional services to eligible high school students in Mississippi. This year’s theme is “A World of Opportunities” and this is the 5th year this grant has been awarded.

“Our nontraditional enrollment has increased substantially since the first grant was awarded in 2005-2006,” stated Feather. “The first year the total nontraditional enrollment was 15 and this year there are 64 nontraditional students.” In order to be designated as a nontraditional student, a student must be a certain gender in a specific class. For example, boys in Early Childhood Services and girls in Auto Services or Building Trades are considered nontraditional students.

Nontraditional Day was celebrated on Tuesday, February 16. Students in Jalon Bullock’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) classes visited one of eight technical/skill classes offered at the School of Career and Technical Education. Prior to Nontraditional Day, the STEM students filled out a form stating their interest in exploring a program as a nontraditional student. During this visit the technical/skill instructor and his or her students will provide a “How To Clinic” related to the program to allow STEM students to learn about the opportunities available to those who choose to prepare to work in a nontraditional setting.

Monies from the grant were used to provide supplies for the following How To Clinics:
Allied Health: Learn proper handwashing techniques
Auto Services: Learn proper procedure for checking oil & tire pressure
Business & Computer Technology: Design PowerPoint presentation
Building Trades: Build bluebird house
Culinary Arts: Learn proper measuring techniques & how to follow recipe
Drafting: Explore CADD program
Early Childhood Education: Learn how to read books to children
Technology Applications: Make name tags using CNC

At the conclusion of Nontraditional Day, STEM students were given a brochure featuring nontraditional opportunities at the School of Career and Technical Education. In addition, a note will be sent to the parents of these students informing them of the activities that took place on Nontraditional Day.

“Students seem to enjoy this special day and our instructors and their students work diligently to make Nontraditional Day a success,” said Christy Paul.

Pictured below:  Cody Cissom, a nontraditional Allied Health student, leads a "How To Clinic" on proper handwashing techniques.