Career and Technical Education Academy -

Hey Sioux Falls School District families! Just a heads-up: there’s no school on Monday, November 11th, as we honor Veteran's Day—a time to recognize and thank all the brave men and women who’ve served in the military.

Congratulations to Angelica Petersen and Olivia Welsh, who have been selected to receive FFA jackets through the Blue Jacket Program! A huge thank you to Sioux Valley Energy for sponsoring these jackets—they’ll certainly be put to good use!

Reminder, everyone! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this weekend on Saturday night, November 2nd! Enjoy that extra hour of sleep, and we’ll see you bright and early on Monday!

Skya Ness has been named our first “See the Vision” award winner for the 2024-25 school year, recognized for her outstanding work in Introduction to Human Services. She exemplifies the CTE Academy's values of attitude, effort, and excellence. Her teacher, Mrs. Drummond, shares that Skya consistently brings dedication and a positive outlook to class, making it a pleasure to have her as a student. The CTE Academy is excited to see all that the future holds for this remarkable young woman. Congratulations, Skya!

"Straight up a great student!" That’s how Mr. Kortemeyer describes his student, Kaydason Somsawat. A 9th grader from Washington High School, Kaydason chose Auto Body because, in his words, "I like doing something that is real-world experience." Known at both the CTE Academy and Washington HS for his helpfulness in the classroom and Auto Body shop, Kaydason consistently brings a positive attitude and dedication to his repair projects. Mr. Kortemeyer commends his strong work ethic and willingness to support others. Kaydason, we’re excited to see you continue your journey at the CTE Academy—it's clear you’re on the road to success. Congratulations! You are a “See the Vision” winner!

🎃👻 Happy Halloween from the Toy Story crew at the CTE Academy! We’re here to add a little magic, a lot of fun, and plenty of smiles to your day. Have a spooktacular Halloween, and remember—trick or treat! 🍬🧡 Check out our video below! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bktmJkO2kNycn6ceW1tqHkNd7xl5Vqax/view?usp=sharing

The Baking and Pastries class gave a huge shoutout to five superstar students for September! These awesome kids were selected for acing all the criteria: zero phone distractions, perfect attendance, and every assignment turned in right on time. Their reward? An autographed copy of Chef George Geary’s cookbook and a fabulous dinner at Cooks & Bakers Kitchen, where owner Joanne Bogus wowed everyone with a delicious meal! “If you haven’t visited her store, you need to! We’re so lucky to have such amazing support from the Sioux Falls food community,” said Mrs. Whempner. And the cherry on top? Next month’s incentive will be… dinner at Morrie’s Steakhouse! Stay tuned!

When asked what she enjoys most about the CTE Academy, Yanmi Leiva Juarez highlighted “meeting students from other schools, hands-on learning, and friendships.” Her answer reflects her natural ability to connect with others—a quality that shines in both her work and relationships. Yanmi, a senior from Jefferson High School, brings infectious energy and a positive attitude to her Health Careers class every day. Her teacher, Mrs. Drummond, sees a bright future for Yanmi, noting that she will be a valuable asset to the healthcare field. Known for her hard work and warm personality, Yanmi's people skills will serve her well as she moves forward in her career aspirations. Congratulations to Yanmi on her “See the Vision” award!

It's National Cat Day, and our purr-fect little family is growing! Momma Cat and her kittens are doing paw-sitively amazing. Stay tuned for the cutest names ever, chosen by our talented staff and students

Our CTE Speech classes have just successfully completed their visual support speeches, showcasing impressive effort and creativity. Up next: persuasive speeches with a research component! Great job to all involved!

Aspiring healthcare professionals in Biomedical Science classes recently completed essential Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR training, equipping them with critical life-saving skills. These dedicated students are not only preparing for promising careers in the medical field but are also gaining the expertise to make a meaningful impact in emergency situations. 🚑🩺 #CPRTraining #BLS #FutureHealthcareHeroes #MedicalScience #STEM

Reminder for Virtual Conferences that are happening at CTE on October 28th 3:45-7:45pm. If you would like to visit with your student's CTE teacher VIRTUALLY, please touch base with them via email.

Academy of Finance students visited the University of Sioux Falls (USF) to explore their interest in business through engaging activities such as Half-Baked, Lacy's Lemonade, and Operation Research. These hands-on exercises emphasized the value of teamwork, providing students with practical experience and fostering meaningful discussions on the benefits of collaboration for collective success. Here are some quotes about the field trip from the students! "If you are passionate about something, make it into something successful like a business." Alexis WHS "Really helpful and opened us to a part of business that we have never experienced which was really fun." Akou LHS "Everyone is creative in their own way, we picked our business ideas, I would never have thought of the money in the candle." Ruby JHS Thanks USF for the amazing field trip!

Students from the CTE CyberAcademy had the opportunity to visit Dakota State University, where they gained valuable insights into programming and digital forensics. We extend our gratitude to DSU for hosting an informative and enriching experience! #DSU

To finish off Principals Month - Let's meet Mr. Don Ryswyk- Assistant Principal at CTE I have had the privilege of serving in the Sioux Falls School District for twenty-six years, with the past six years dedicated to the CTE Academy. I am deeply passionate about our mission to prepare students for future success through specialized, relevant, and career-oriented education. It is truly rewarding to witness students actively engaging in CTE classrooms, where they explore and define their career pathways. The CTE Academy provides an exceptional environment for students, enriched by industry exposure, field trips, guest speakers, and the invaluable real-world experiences shared by our teachers. These elements make the CTE Academy a unique and inspiring place for students to grow and thrive. You’ll often find me at the front door, greeting students as they arrive or wishing them well as they leave. Over time, many students warm up to my daily questions, playful remarks about energy drinks, and lighthearted reminders—especially when I joke about our “dress code” favoring SDSU over USD apparel. What they may not realize is that these brief interactions are often the highlight of my day. It is a great honor to be part of an institution that empowers students to discover and pursue their pathways to success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their journeys.

Small Animal Science students conducted a fascinating digestion lab! Using nylon, bananas, crackers, and milk, students created a model to observe how animals break down food. The results may explain why we don’t always see our food in a partially digested state! Ewww...

The Biomedical, Health Careers, and Human Services students had the opportunity to tour the Sioux Falls Public Training Campus. This cutting-edge facility provides police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel with realistic training environments. The tour offered a deeper understanding of these critical professions and fostered a greater appreciation for the work done to ensure the safety of our community.

Reminder Tomorrow October 21st, is in person Parent Teacher Conferences and Career Fair! Stop out to CTE and see us!

Our welding class is learning the art of welding while staying safe and strapped in! Students are not only mastering welding techniques but also understanding the importance of using harnesses to prevent accidents. Safety first, always!

The Nonstructural Repair and Auto Body Refining classes are revving up their projects! From restoring a dirt bike to giving a Power Wheels Jeep a fresh coat of paint, these students are flexing their automotive skills and learning about everything from refinishing car rims to performing bodywork. It’s a hands-on adventure that’s sure to get their wheels turning!