The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Animation I students are designing their own flip books. Students have creative freedom to do what they want, but they may face a few problems. "There are some students that are a little less comfortable with drawing, so they're gonna have a little bit more of a struggle and try to get hung up on it not being perfect, but perfection is not what you're going for," Animation teacher Monte Carman said. Photo Credit: Arcadia Encarnacion

Animation I students dive into their creative drawing skills

Arcadia Encarnacion
September 29, 2021
Students in Animation 1 put their skills to the test to make their own flip books.
At Thursday’s School Board meeting, teachers spoke about the current failure of the ccsd funding of insurance deficit. “I would've loved to teach for another 5-10 years, but I was tired of seeing other educators get ill or die too young from stress induced illnesses,” retired teacher Janet Clayton said. “I had to make a change to enjoy my life.” Photo Credit: Screenshot of meeting

Teachers’ Health Care Deficit cause for concern at CCSD School Board Meeting

Tishie Nyitray
September 29, 2021
Another school board meeting results in dispute
Students work on conducting research for their presentations and sharing similar ideas on the white board. Each individual had to fill out a Google Doc about basic element information to help them create a video. “Working with classmates allows us to share ideas and [it] helps us help each other work on our videos,” sophomore Madison Davis said. Photo Credit: Ava Julian

Chemistry Honors Students Create Video Presentations on Elements

Ava Julian
September 27, 2021
Students are learning through element focused video projects in chemistry.
Dental II students begin Preventive Dental Care Unit

Dental II students begin Preventive Dental Care Unit

Kathryn Peterson
September 27, 2021
After a year of online learning Dental II students get back in the classroom and start a new unit on preventative dental care.
Showing the luncheon schedule to culinary student Gabrielle Bagtas, Chef Michael Hadobas explains the tasks she must complete. Students aided in preparations for the Straight A Luncheon. “When we’re in the heat of the moment and we’re sending out food, everything’s just working smoothly and all the students are at their stations, doing what’s expected of them, and everyone’s communicating well,” Hadobas said. “Those are the moments for me that I'm like, this is why I teach what I teach.” Photo Credit: Dean Carrasco

Straight A Luncheon returns for the school year

Crystalyn Estabillo
September 27, 2021
As the school year back on campus began, many traditions return for students and staff. The Straight A Luncheon has returned to honor hardworking students for the second semester of the 2020-21 school year.
Ironing her fabric, junior April Reyes gets ready for her button-up shirt project on September 16 in the sewing lab. Students had to prepare their materials before cutting out the pieces for the garment. “The most intimidating part is actually getting on the sewing machine and putting things together,” Reyes said. “I feel like I might mess up a lot or maybe when I’m ironing I might burn it, which is terrifying.” Photo Credit: Ashley Harris

Fashion III students sew button-up shirts

Ashley Harris
September 27, 2021
Fashion Design III students begin sewing button-up shirts, the first sewing project they're doing in their program area.
Students in P.E. played volleyball, the first indoor sport of the year, and new limitations came from the masks.. ¨I think wearing masks inside during pe is annoying and to be honest does little to nothing to prevent the spread. But personally I really like volleyball and I like my team¨ sophomore Daniela Hernandez said. Madelynn Evans [STUDENT], Now Photo Credit: Alexa Rondez

Mask mandate stifles indoor physical education activities

Madelynn Evans
September 27, 2021
Students in P.E. are required to wear masks while indoors and out.
Although CCSD has resorted to a new form of grading, social studies teacher Jessica Kelly has found ways to ease students into the world of summative assignments by assigning a Native American drawing assignment. “It’ll all depend on how the teachers assign summative assessments,” Kelly said. “If they can differentiate the assignments and allow more opportunities for it, then that allows an opportunity for more students to be successful. You can do speeches, debates, discussions, drawings, multiple-choice tests, essays, so many options, all of which can be summative.” Photo Credit: Hannah Paine

CCSD implements new grading policy

Hannah Paine
September 15, 2021
As of the 2021-22 school year, SWCTA has transferred to a 90/10 equitable grading scale.
Faculty retirements add to CCSD substitute shortage

Faculty retirements add to CCSD substitute shortage

Gurleen Swaich
September 15, 2021
CCSD is dealing with a lack in substitute teachers to sub in for vacancies, which have schools scouting.
Mental health among teens has been a growing concern. With Care Solace's new outreach program, teens can have a new connection to health services. “I am just the person you can come to if you need help and they have hotlines,” Thomas said. “But for many students, it's the home, the parents would have to be the ones with that extra support so that students feel like they want to live. I can change a little bit, but it would have come from the family.” Photo Credit: Gurleen Swaich

Mental health crisis prompts CCSD policy change

Tishie Nyitray
September 7, 2021
In the wake of increasing suicides in CCSD, innovative steps are being taken to grapple with student depression.
Paige Myers lays out her support for the anti-racist task force, while maintaining the position that the Board of Trustees wasn’t doing enough of a job in bolstering anti-racism. The primary point of discussion was the formation of their anti-racism task force, which became a lightning rod of division during the six hour meeting. “I feel compelled to lift the voices and the concerns of my fellow educators who are working within a system that is inherently broken,” Myers said. Screenshot of meeting

Fight over anti-racism task force continues during hectic Board meeting

Ahmed Ahmed
September 2, 2021
The Thursday meeting again centered around the issues of race and racism.
The CCSD School Board of Trustees met Thursday night to cover several topics regarding masks, new busses and changing policies. They struggled to get through their agenda due to constant interruptions from the audience. “We are not going to have these disruptions,” Board President Linda Cavazos said. “I would like to hear those voices tonight.” Photo Credit: Screenshot of meeting

CCSD School Board Meeting met with interruptions from opponents of mask mandate

Tishie Nyitray
August 16, 2021

Thursday's CCSD School Board Meeting was met with nonstop COVID-19 and mask mandate opposition.   “I am sick to my stomach knowing that there are children that look up to you guys, they want...

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