The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Junior President-Elect Mariel Batara sits at her desk with a pencil in hand, concentrating on finding the right words to convey her message. This year, writing a letter to a patient in need of hope is one of the ways she will receive volunteer credit for her CTSO. “I’m glad that I’m still able to help out the community as best as I can. Volunteering virtually won’t change the way I feel about helping people,” Batara said. Photo Credit: Mariel Batara

HOSA undergoing major changes

Monserrat Mendieta
September 16, 2020
HOSA undergoes changes ranging from switching to virtual volunteering, gaining new advisors, and more.
Practicing her speech on female harassment, junior Lizeth Ontiveros makes sure to include hand gestures at chest level. Students needed to include hand gestures, use an expressive voice, and keep a consistent pace, to earn a good grade. “Being in COM 101 while online is a little bit conflicting because we can’t physically be there to express ourselves for our speeches,” Ontiveros said. “However, I am excited to get into speeches and especially the first one because I am passionate about my topic on [female] harassment and I am looking forward to delivering it.”Photo Credit: Lizeth Ontiveros

Speeches for COM 101 conducted virtually

Gurleen Swaich and Juliana Borruso
September 16, 2020
Taking a different turn this year, teacher Henry Castillo works around internet issues and adjusts guidelines for delivering speeches at home.
Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting program are utilizing their learned skills at home by brushing their own teeth. This not only helps them practice, but also ensures that they are hygienic. “The Dental Assisting program has helped me learn more about dentistry and gets me closer to my dreams. Even the little things like brushing my teeth gives me practice,” Wendy Ramirez, a sophomore, said. Photo Credit: Wendy Ramirez

Dental students start preventative dentistry unit

Truong Phan
September 14, 2020
The unit focuses on the education and prevention of disease by performing intensive research and theoretical practice.
Distance education has presented many challenges, including the uncertainty of how physical education courses will work. Students will still have to do physical activity through fitness logs, as well as complete modules to learn the importance of exercise. “I would say I was a bit bummed we wouldn’t be returning to school in person, but in times like we just keep moving forward,” senior Christina Chen said. “Lifetime Sports is a more laid back class and the daily question quiz, as well as weekly lessons, are pretty reasonable and easy.” Photo Credit: Rosalie Schmitt

PE Teachers find ways to transition course online

Julia Jauregui and Gurleen Swaich
September 11, 2020
With PE mainly consisting of outdoor activities with sports and teams, teachers and students slowly adjust to a virtual environment.
The yearbook staff works on their spreads through Jostens Yearbook Avenue. They do this in groups, having three people and an editor to a spread so it’s easier to get it done. “Now that school is out, permanently, all of our photos will be taken from social media,” editor-in-chief Alan Ong said. “Interviewing students will be done over text, social media, email, or through a digital meet.” Photo Credit: Alan Ong

Yearbook production continues despite distance learning

Juliana Borruso and Naila Yazdani
September 9, 2020
With everything being digital, the yearbook staff faces changes while working on this year’s yearbook.
School operations closed for Labor Day

School operations closed for Labor Day

Gurleen Swaich
September 6, 2020

In observation of Labor Day, regular classes will not be held until Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Students aim to lessen daily workload by enrolling in new guidance elective

Students aim to lessen daily workload by enrolling in new guidance elective

Julia Jauregui
September 4, 2020
A new form of ‘study hall’ has just begun for all sophomore to senior students to partake in.
During her class overview, Anatomy & Physiology teacher Mary Breslin includes a slide of websites she plans on using in first semester. More technology tools will be integrated into coursework to increase interactivity and to aid in learning as the year progresses. “When students work together and collaborate, they help one another learn more effectively; therefore, to encourage more student participation, interaction and collaboration, I am using these other programs,” Anatomy & Physiology teacher Mary Breslin said. “Nearpod allows a teacher to incorporate many different student response activities so that you can check for understanding in real-time during a lesson. With anything, practice makes perfect. So the more you interact with the information, the more familiar and comfortable you will become with it.” Photo Credit: Sigmund

New education tools introduced by teachers for virtual education sessions

Gurleen Swaich
September 2, 2020
Aside from using Canvas, teachers plan on using other platforms such as Nearpod to duplicate the in-person learning experience.
NHS uses Google Classroom to collaborate and share announcements with students. For their first meeting, they are trying to reconnect with members after summer. “We hope to find different ways to connect virtually, do small group activities, and provide community service opportunities that don't involve face to face interactions,” NHS adviser Laura Penrod said. Photo Credit: Screenshot of Google Classroom

Distance learning poses challenges for clubs

Juliana Borruso
August 31, 2020
Figuring out how to make clubs work in a virtual environment, advisers and board members find new ways to have members participate in their club through an online medium.
Virtual education starts with minor bumps amidst Canvas, Infinite Campus outages

Virtual education starts with minor bumps amidst Canvas, Infinite Campus outages

Julia Jauregui, Gurleen Swaich, Ahmed Ahmed, Juliana Borruso, and Naila Yazdani
August 26, 2020
After the technology complications were resolves, the remainder of the day continued without noticeable complications.
New faculty members prepare for start of virtual year

New faculty members prepare for start of virtual year

Gurleen Swaich
August 21, 2020
School will begin on Monday using Canvas and Google Meet for instruction.
Senate Republicans blocking the Cares Act prevented dollars from getting into people’s hands. We can, and should, reverse the damage. Photo Credit: Steven Depolo/Flickr Art Credit: Ahmed Ahmed

School year to start with full time distance learning

Gurleen Swaich and Ahmed Ahmed
July 24, 2020
Students will begin full time distance learning starting August 24th.
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