Welcome to the last edition of the 2023-2024 Career Connected Learning (CCL) newsletter! This issue is particularly special as we celebrate the remarkable growth that CCL has experienced in recent years. From elementary classrooms to high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) and building-level experiences, middle school partnerships, to innovative work-based learning experiences, CCL is profoundly impacting Oregon.
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Our team has witnessed inspiring educators and students embracing CCL, from Ms. Bergstedt's third grade students dreaming about their future selves at Schirle Elementary School to Mr. Gary's Sutherlin High School Woodshop, where students mentor elementary students through hands-on building projects. In Crook County, the deep partnership between the middle and high schools and business and industry has brought CTE and CCL to life through hands-on learning labs. At the same time, Mr. Knapp at Vale Middle School has been supporting students through YouScience data and ensures every middle school student in the building experiences a career-specific field trip each year. Meanwhile, in the Klamath County School District, Mazama and Henley Health Occupations students are engaging in paid internships through the Sky Lakes Medical Center Unit Ambassador Program, and their Pre-Education students serve as teacher cadets within the school district. Finally, the Hillsboro School District recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of Career and College Pathways. Read on to learn how Hillsboro School District turned its vision into reality by creating “guaranteed, clear, and viable pathways for all Hillsboro students.”

On April 16th, the Hillsboro School District (HSD) celebrated a significant milestone at the annual Career and College Pathways (CCP) Steering Committee meeting. This event, a cornerstone of community engagement, brought together partners from local industries, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations. Attendees had the opportunity to embark on bus tours to some of Hillsboro's high schools, visit CCP classrooms, and interact directly with the teachers and students who are driving their programs forward.
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“Since the beginning of Career and College Pathways, we have focused on ensuring our efforts are empowered by our community's voice of industry partners, postsecondary, K-12 educators, students, and families collectively coming together to build and cultivate our vision of every student career and college ready. I am proud to say that ten years later, that continues to ring true and is why we have seen the high growth and impact within our programming” said Brooke Nova, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services.
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A decade ago, the Career and College Pathways Project was launched with a bold vision: to forge clear and viable educational paths for all students. Today, we proudly reflect on the growth and success of this initiative. Over the past ten years, we have developed more than 60 CCPs, including 34 state-approved Career and Technical Education programs. This achievement underscores the relentless commitment and invaluable contributions of our partners across various career sectors.
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Regarding the importance of this work, Superintendent Travis Reiman had this to say: “In the Hillsboro School District, we promise to empower each student to achieve their dreams. That mission puts us squarely within the workforce and talent development system in the State of Oregon. Our industry partners know that an investment in schools is an investment in unlocking talent, diversification of the workforce, and enriching our community. Our industry advisory committees are stacked with leaders in business, industry, and public service, and our teachers are leading the future of public education by continuously adapting their CTE programs to open doors for students.”
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In keeping with a tradition started last year, we honored several partners who have provided exceptional support to our high school programs. This year's honorees included the City of Hillsboro, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Genentech, Virginia Garcia, and the Hillsboro Schools Foundation. Their efforts have been instrumental in developing a youth pipeline for high-wage, high-demand careers in our region.
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We also celebrated the increasing student participation in CCPs, the expansion of work-based learning opportunities, and the growing number of students earning college credits while in high school. These achievements not only demonstrate our students' preparedness for postsecondary challenges but also affirm the core values of our educational mission.

"We celebrate everyone who has contributed to the success of the Career and College Pathways program. As we move forward, we remain committed to this vital work, focusing on preparing our students for postsecondary education and future careers, thereby strengthening our community."—Melissa Pendergrass, Coordinator of Career and College Pathways.
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Resources highlighted at the HSD event and partnership opportunities can be found here. Be sure to visit their website as well at https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/ccp for a wealth of CCL resources.

Let's take a moment to celebrate the successes of Career Connected Learning around us. Wishing all our readers a fantastic and rejuvenating summer ahead!
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​Article submitted by Melissa Pendergrass, HSD Coordinator of Career and College Pathways

This spring Central Oregon Community Community College (COCC) will be using CCLSN funds to help support two amazing events run by the college’s incredible recruitment and outreach team and designed to engage high school students with a variety of career pathways and educational opportunities. Preview Day provides students with an opportunity to visit campus and experience what it is like to be a college student by participating in mini classes within an educational pathway of their choosing. In a similar way, the Health Careers Expo provides students with an opportunity to explore health careers options at COCC via hands-on activities. Between these two events, hundreds of high school students will have the opportunity to explore career pathways in an engaging way.

Career connected learning opportunities along the central Oregon coast are growing and expanding due to collaborations and partnerships. An example of the growth in opportunities is directly related to a speaker series at multiple junior and senior highs in Lincoln County called Career Connections--a speaker series connecting students and local professionals. These presentations about careers and career paths are being organized through cooperation with business leaders, Lincoln County Schools District staff, the Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) CCLSN, and Oregon Coast Community College faculty and staff. Additionally, these same partnerships have helped to develop a robust Lincoln County CTE Showcase that continues to grow. The 2nd CTE Showcase occurred in March with hundreds of Lincoln County students providing demonstrations for, which led to interacting with many business partners. These coastal partners, as well as the college faculty, provided hands-on experiences for student participants as well. As a result of activities like the two above, hundreds of Lincoln County students are being afforded opportunities to have personal interactions with local leaders and individuals to facilitate real conversations about careers, career paths, employment, and future possibilities.

On May 10th, Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) will host its inaugural Regional Healthcare Career Exploration Fair, open to high school students of all grades from Linn and Benton counties, regardless of whether or not their school has a health sciences program or classes. High schools are utilizing YouScience or other means available at the school to bring students with an identified interest in pursuing a healthcare career pathway, and the intent of the planning committee is to highlight multiple career pathways and entry points into the field, as well as both direct and indirect patient care roles. Industry partners are aware that some students may be at an early stage of interest and exploration, while others may be committed to a specific pathway and are ready to take concrete steps toward additional education or training, or even applying for jobs. This fair will provide a variety of industry-led workshops, as well as an expo with booths where students can learn about different career pathway options, with hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations strongly encouraged. The overarching goal is to inspire, inform, and prepare local students for next steps on their healthcare pathway. This is a collaborative effort spearheaded by a committee including the CCL Systems Navigator at LBCC, the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub, Samaritan Health Services, the Oregon Pacific Area Health Education Center, and Health Occupations at LBCC.

Throughout the past school year Warm Springs K8 and HDESD CTE/STEM partnered to provide the 8th grade AVID class with career connected learning trips. The students had the opportunity to step outside the classroom and immerse themselves in career exploration. From visiting COCC to touring industry-leading facilities, each field trip was carefully curated to the students' career interests. A few highlights from these career connected learning field trips:

These career connected learning experiences have been instrumental in empowering the 8th graders to envision their future paths with clarity and confidence. As one student said “I had no idea there were so many possibilities for me!”

Throughout the Career Connected Learning project, collaboration with Oregon's 9 federally recognized Tribes was a key focus. Susan Samek, Career Connected Learning & CTE Tribal Liaison, and Renee Roman Nose, Native American Student Success Coordinator, engaged directly with Tribes on their lands to gather insights on CCL/CTE program direction and workforce needs. Susan also provided regular updates to the American Indian/Alaska Native Advisory Committee, and together with Jannell Ives, Director of CTE & SPST, incorporated feedback from Tribal representatives into the CTE State Plan draft during meetings with the Government to Government Education Cluster and the AI/AN Advisory Committee.

During the visit with CTUIR, John Barkley, TERO Director, showcased their youth training programs, including CAT and Welding simulators. CTUIR's involvement in Team Oregon Build will support students in CTE Construction, allowing them to learn construction while building cottages and sheds. Lane ESD, Lane WFTD, Everyone Village, and Crow High School collaborated to introduce CTUIR to the project, showcasing the Constructing a Brighter Future program's impact. The day included visits to Everyone Village, where student-built cottages provide shelter, and Crow High School, where students shared their experiences in building cottages for Lane County residents experiencing homelessness.

We're thrilled to introduce you to an exciting new resource that is poised to transform the landscape of Career Connected Learning (CCL) in Oregon: CareerConnectOregon.org.

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This innovative platform, brought to you by Southern Oregon ESD, Oregon Department of Education and statewide partners, serves as a comprehensive hub for educators across the state to access a wealth of resources, connect with like-minded professionals, and engage in collaborative learning opportunities.

At CareerConnectOregon.org, educators can create a free online profile, unlocking a world of possibilities to enhance their CCL efforts. By joining today, you'll gain exclusive access to a vibrant community of educators passionate about preparing students for success in the workforce.

One of the key features of CareerConnectOregon.org is the opportunity to participate in virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These online forums provide a space for educators to come together, exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative approaches to CCL. Whether you're seeking inspiration for project-based learning activities, looking for industry connections, or simply want to brainstorm with fellow educators, our PLCs are the perfect place to connect and grow.

CareerConnectOregon.org is also a treasure trove of resources designed to support your CCL initiatives. From curriculum guides and lesson plans to industry profiles and virtual field trips, you'll find everything you need to enrich your students' learning experiences and help them explore career pathways.

Join CareerConnectOregon.org today and become part of a dynamic community of educators dedicated to empowering students through Career Connected Learning. Together, we can inspire the next generation of Oregon's workforce and ensure that every student has the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st-century economy.

Visit CareerConnectOregon.org and create your free profile now. Let's connect, collaborate, and create brighter futures for our students, together.

For more information, a demonstration, or to join the CCL Community, please contact Heidi Lee Harless, CCL Project Manager at SOESD, [email protected].

This has been an exciting year for all of us working to help students access Career Connected Learning opportunities. We have shared multiple successes and celebrations showcasing the great work being done around the state. As we approach the end of the school year we want to share updates about the various resources that are available to support CCL and how to access these for use in your school or district. Some of these resources are new and created to support CCL, some of them are from existing partners and provide access to information and materials relevant for CCL education.

Career Connect Oregon - This is a resource hub full of information and ways to connect with each other around the state or your region. Find great lesson ideas or connect with other professionals to support student learning and educator professional development.

C3 Resources - Our partners at C3 have created a variety of tools to support career education and planning. Check out their career lessons for middle school through high school and the career journeys maps that help support discussions about careers with students.

Oregon Employability Skills -Have you been looking for a comprehensive curriculum that supports learning and applies the essential Employability Skills, formerly called “Soft Skills” within the classroom? This is the place to go. Great resources that can be used directly or modified to suit your needs. Either way, kids need these sooner rather than later and this resource will make your job easier.

Oregon CIS - Oregon’s very own first stop for career information. If you haven’t visited them in a while, take a few minutes to review the site updates and expanded resources that are available - even an elementary school version! This valuable resource provides connections to myriad tools and houses all student work required to meet the education plan and profile requirements. Plus, they provide regularly scheduled PD for anyone wanting to improve how they use this tool to support students.

Career Journeys Video Series - This dynamic resource currently contains over 30 profiles of young Oregonians who share their personal career journey. Also available are lesson plans and ideas for extending learning. Engaging and thoughtful, these are great resources for any school.

Comprehensive School Counseling & CCL Courses - These two courses are self-paced courses that help you hone your knowledge and skills related to Career counseling and career connected learning. Some portions may still be under construction, but you can get a jump start on expanding your knowledge and practice by completing these courses.

Over the past year, a cohort of dedicated educators embarked on a transformative journey in Work-Based Learning (WBL) and project based learning (PBL). Representing various school districts across the state and spanning a range of career areas, these CTE teachers came together to participate in a professional development opportunity aimed at enhancing their understanding and supporting the implementation of WBL.
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The journey began with a virtual 3-day PBL Works workshop (PBL 101: An Introduction to Project Based Learning) held over the summer of 2023. During this immersive workshop, educators delved into the foundations of project based learning and collaborated to design a project based workplace simulation. This initial phase charted the course for the year ahead, guiding educators towards hands-on implementation in the classroom. Throughout the 2023-24 school year, the teachers worked diligently to implement their WBL workplace simulation projects. Partnering closely with business and industry professionals, they sought to provide students with high-quality, real-world learning experiences. Regular professional development sessions, conducted via Zoom, offered opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and support as educators navigated the challenges and successes of implementation.
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One highlight of the journey was the opportunity to present their workplace simulations and share their learning as a panel at the Oregon ACTE conference last month. The session allowed educators to showcase their innovative work, exchange insights with colleagues, and inspire others to embrace WBL in their own classrooms. In addition to their ACTE session, the cohort recorded a webinar detailing their experiences and insights, providing a valuable resource for educators unable to attend the conference. The initial project plans the teachers crafted are available for sharing, offering practical guidance and inspiration to educators statewide. To view the panel presentation, access the project plans, or get started planning your own workplace simulation, please visit the Planning a Workplace Simulation module in ODE’s WBL Canvas course.

The success of this cohort serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and dedication in advancing Work-Based Learning opportunities. By investing in professional development, fostering partnerships with industry partners, and sharing their work statewide, these educators are shaping the future of CTE education and equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the workforce.

**Action Needed: Secure YouScience access for 2024–25!**

Time is of the essence for our Oregon schools under the ODE ESSER grant in partnership with HDESD and YouScience! With grant funding concluding at the end of the 2023–24 school year, schools will now be responsible for finding their own funding to ensure uninterrupted access to YouScience.

To secure YouScience access for the upcoming 2024–25 school year, you can explore the following funding options:

Please connect with Chase McCubbins, your dedicated YouScience Territory Manager, via email ([email protected]) for pricing details, or schedule a meeting with him to explore your options.

Let's keep the YouScience spirit strong in your school!

Sincerely,

Your YouScience TeamChanel Maestas & Chase McCubbins

Undocumented parents or guardians have encountered difficulties in establishing FSA IDs under the updated FAFSA format. The US Department of Education has recently implemented temporary modifications to the process of creating an FSA ID account for undocumented FAFSA contributors. Consequently, those experiencing challenges in setting up an account should experience expedited account creation and be able to promptly access the FAFSA portal to manually input their information and sign the document. While contributors will still be required to provide proof of identity, this step will now occur after the completion of the FAFSA. For further details, please refer to the following link: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2024-04-30/update-access-2024-25-fafsa-form-individuals-without-social-security-number

OSAC has updated its web page with some additional guidance for students with contributors who are undocumented, and they plan to share this on their social media, too (see links to all accounts here). The guidance information is here on their website under the first question in the blue boxes with Q&A.

​https://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/fafsa-orsaa/2024-25-fafsaorsaa-changes/

Don’t miss the monthly Career Connected Learning Lunch & Learn gatherings! Click here to register and learn more about the meetings previously known as CCL Office Hours.

Join the Career Awareness & Exploration session on May 8 at noon. We are excited to share updates and resources that are now available on the CCL Resource Hub site: Career Connect Oregon. Join us for a tour of the site’s new features and resources and share your experiences using the site in your setting. Learn how to sign up on the site to connect with others around the state doing this valuable work.
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Join the Work-Based Learning session on May 15 at noon for our Wrap-Up: Reflecting on our Journey and Next Steps. As we conclude the 2023-24 WBL Lunch & Learns, let's reflect on the incredible journey we've shared in Work-Based Learning (WBL). Together, you've celebrated successes, overcome challenges, and made a lasting impact on the lives of students across Oregon. Let's take this closing opportunity to acknowledge the accomplishments and address any lingering questions from the past year, all while eagerly anticipating the growth that awaits us in 2024-25.
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Your participation in our sessions this year has been greatly appreciated! We're already looking forward to having you back with us next year. Please help us spread the word and invite your colleagues to contribute to our efforts in advancing Career Connected Learning across the state. Click here for the 2024-25 Lunch & Learn registration links.

May 23 @ Noon - Remembering the Why: Ending the Year Inspired

Register: bit.ly/WBLMay2024