Letter from the Principal
I hope everyone had a restful Fall Break! I spent the week visiting with my little nephews in Virginia - I was on Aunty duty so that my sister and her husband could take a trip to celebrate a milestone birthday. I channeled the former elementary educator in me for a week of baking, Legos, "The Floor is Lava," and kid germs. I'm not sure that I would call it restful, but it was a week well-spent.
Before we headed to break, Clifton participated in A+ Federal Credit Union's "Mad City Money" Financial Simulation. Students chose occupations and were assigned a corresponding salary, family, student loans, insurance copay, and credit card debt. They had two hours to go around to different stations and purchase their needs and wants (housing, transportation, food, diapers, fun activities, etc.) while our staff tried to upsell them. In the middle of the simulation, the "Fickle Finger of Fate" hit, and each student also had to select two unexpected expenses. We'r grateful to A+ Federal Credit Union for organizing this event - it was great to see students engaged in hands-on financial literacy.
We're in the home stretch of the semester, with really just a few days of Clifton classes left. As a reminder, the last day of Clifton classes for this semester will be Monday, December 15 (see below for "Looking Ahead" dates). That means students will be taking their final exams this week. Many of our final exams include hands-on skills, which sometimes take more than one day. It is important that students are present during this last week.
Looking Ahead
- December 10-15: Clifton Final Exams
- Some campuses may choose to follow a C-Day schedule on Monday, December 15. If this is the case AND students have completed their Clifton final, they may choose to stay at their home campus that day. They should check in at the office, library, or other campus location to make sure their attendance is recorded at their home campus for their Clifton periods.
- December 16-19: No Clifton Classes
- During the Final Exam days at home campuses, high schools have early dismissal. Unfortunately, our Clifton buses are unable to run during an early-dismissal schedule. Students should ask their home campus counselor or administrator about expectations during their usual Clifton block.
- December 22 - January 5: Winter Break
Staff Spotlight: Front Office
Clifton's front office is staffed by our Admin Assistant, Ms. Anngela, and our Accounting Tech, Ms. Payne (seen here running the "Fickle Finger of Fate" booth alongside our AP, Mr. Reyna). They are both new to Clifton this year but bring a wealth of knowledge from across Austin ISD. Prior to working at Clifton, Ms. Anngela (left) worked at Kealing Middle School in their Magnet Program office. She is also a graduate of AISD schools herself. Ms. Payne (right) joins us from just down the road at Northeast ECHS and served LBJ ECHS before then (plus several other campuses and districts across her career). We're glad to have their expertise and energy at Clifton this year!
Our Career Tech Programs
Agricultural Technology (Welding)
First-year students are deep in their shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) unit in the shop. This is a skill that takes time and practice as students learn how to burn different rods and weld different joints. It's important for them to build strong habits with SMAW that will carry over as other techniques are introduced. Towards the end of November, some of our second and third-year students attended Trades Day at the Travis County Expo Center. They had the opportunity for hands-on career exploration in construction, engineering, and skilled trades. Back in the shop, our second-year students have wrapped up their Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs), and our third-year students have been practicing pipe-to-plate welds for an upcoming welding contest.
Culinary Arts
First-year students have mastered the three main mixing methods used in baking: muffin, creaming, and biscuit. This November, Clifton was grateful for all sorts of carbs: quick breads, cookies, biscuits, scones, and hand pies, oh my! Second-year students are moving through different food preparation units - everything from sandwiches to pies. Third-year students have been focusing on plating and presentation, including a beautiful Thanksgiving buffet. They also got a behind-the-scenes look at L'Oca d'Oro with owner Adam Orman.
Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services (Health Science)
First-year students completed their career presentations and transitioned to their cardiology unit, learning about the heart. This sets them up for CPR and First Aid certifications when we return in January. Second and third-year students have been preparing for their upcoming hospital rotations - they are expected to complete the same onboarding steps as hospital new hires. They have also been revisiting and leveling up their vital sign skills as they get ready to shadow nurses and medical assistants in January.
Career Preparation
Students in Career Preparation are taking concrete steps towards their postsecondary goals. We have students touring schools, meeting with program directors, submitting college applications (and some who have already received acceptance letters!), completing FAFSA and applying for grants/scholarships, starting new jobs... At this point in the year, it feels like things are moving very fast.
Bond Construction Update
It's amazing to see the progress in construction over just a few short weeks:
- Framing has been completed in the our downstairs Culinary Arts and Cosmetology area (even going so far as to block for cabinets). Some windows and doors were moved, so the mason has also been at work filling in gaps as needed.
- Electrical and plumbing "rough in" has also been completed and is scheduled for inspection this week. This includes work in our new spaces but also the electrical improvements in our existing commercial kitchen.
- Before Fall Break, the team started ripping up the old roof and installing the new roof. The work is about 20% complete at this point. It's not the quietest of projects, but we'll be glad to have that new roof in place after Winter Break.
I'm hoping to get an updated overall timeline for the full project before Winter Break, but our projected end date is still set for July 2026.