The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
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...

BREAKING: CCSD MANDATES MASKS FOR STUDENTS, STAFF WHEN INDOORS

BREAKING: CCSD MANDATES MASKS FOR STUDENTS, STAFF WHEN INDOORS

Ahmed Ahmed
July 27, 2021
A new frontier in the COVID-19 culture has arrived, as schools debate mandating masks.
Debate over anti-racism agenda ignites firestorm at CCSD board meeting

Debate over anti-racism agenda ignites firestorm at CCSD board meeting

Ahmed Ahmed
July 1, 2021
As conservatives ramp up the fight over critical race theory, a chaotic Clark County meeting shined a spotlight on talks about race and racism.
School operations closed for Summer Break

School operations closed for Summer Break

Gurleen Swaich
May 25, 2021

Summer Break begins on Wednesday, May 25 until Monday, Aug. 9. We look forward to seeing you when in-person learning resumes. Have a great break!

Administration is currently organizing to ensure a safe and successful ceremony for seniors. In contrast to last year's drive-thru graduation, this year's graduation will include pre-recorded speeches and a smaller audience at Orleans Arena. "Senior year went well for me as I still was able to spend time with the people I care about even though it was in a reduced capacity," senior Micheal Brock said. "It’s obviously bittersweet as it’s [graduation is] saying goodbye to a part of my life, but I’m excited for the future.” Photo Credit: MD Duran

In-person graduation scheduled for June 7

Hanae Furugaki
May 19, 2021
Abiding by the guidelines, senior graduation 2021 will be held in person with limited capacity
The torque lab required students to test different weights on a seesaw. Placing mystery boxes on one side and a brick on the other, they were able to determine the weight of the mystery box. “I found the lab helped me figure out the torque formulas,” junior Franchesca Ramirez said. “After working on this assignment I feel like I’m actually prepared for any tests on it.” Screenshot By: PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado, Boulder

AP Physics I students complete online torque lab

Juliana Borruso
May 18, 2021
Working to prepare for the exam, AP Physics I students have completed an online lab, using a digital seesaw to find mystery weights.
Animation II students are delving into 3D animation by creating a 3D donut and coffee cup in the animation software, Blender. For this assignment, they will follow tutorials to guide them through the process. “I am enjoying following a specific guide on how to use Blender,” sophomore Simon Tolentino said. “I feel like I am learning the necessary steps to 3D animation and I am truly enjoying it.” Photo Credit: Farhad Yazdani

Animation II Students begin learning about 3D Designing

Farhad Yazdani
May 17, 2021
Animation II sophomores begin making 3D donuts and coffee cups in Blender.
Students in Jennifer Conder’s Chemistry class were tasked with creating a device that could keep water warm. Sophomores tested their creations in three trials and recorded data. “In project based learning there is always a guiding question,” Conder said. “Our guiding question is to design a device that can prevent the release of energy, an endothermic reaction, using water.” Photo Credit: Anika Aller

Chemistry students build hydro-flask like devices

Monserrat Mendieta
May 17, 2021
Students researched conduction, convection, and radiation to make a homemade device that keeps water warm.
« Previous Page — Next Page »