Tuesday, December 3, 2019
A CTSO visit day was part of the New Glarus School District’s goal of college and career readiness for every student. Officers from career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) visited New Glarus High School November 13 to talk with students about what CTSOs have to offer. “It was fantastic to have three different CTSOs represented at New Glarus,” says Julie Martin, family and consumer sciences educator.
The officers included Jess Kott representing SkillsUSA; Emily Sheehan, representing FFA; and Abigail Marty, a senior at New Glarus representing Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at the event. They each talked about the benefits of their respective CTSOs.
The aim of the CTE team at New Glarus is to encourage freshmen to get involved. “Sports are great, but there are so many other opportunities that give you life skills, coping with others, and competition,” says Dan Ziegler, agriculture and natural resources teacher. He added that CTSOs look good on a resume and offer scholarships.
All New Glarus freshmen are enrolled in a dual credit course (through Madison College) called “College and Career Readiness.” It focuses on how to be a productive high school student and addresses the students’ transitions from middle school to high school, and from high school to a successful life after high school. Students are placed on a three-week rotation with each of the CTE teachers: Dan Ziegler, agriculture and natural resources; Jacob Mihm, technology and engineering; Julie Martin, family and consumer sciences; and Tammy Haight, business and marketing.
The freshman course is the first in a series at the high school that helps students develop their Academic and Career Plan (ACP). Beginning in middle school, students complete a variety of ACP components including attending a college tour and completing personal inventories and career assessments. The freshman class is followed by an employability class in sophomore year, college success class (dual credit) in junior year, and service learning project in their senior year.
—Julie Martin, Family & Consumer Sciences and Health Educator, FCCLA advisor, New Glarus High School