Learning for Careers

Big changes in West Valley Junior High's seventh grade science.  Curriculum is connecting the MS Life Science standards set by the Next Gen Science Standards to careers as medical professionals. 

 "Connecting to life beyond West Valley is the driver for this change," said seventh grade science teacher, Kasey Robbins.  "Instead of telling them they need to know this material for their future, let's show them how they will need these skills to lead successful and meaningful lives."

 Students are all earning their First Aid and CPR certifications as a core component of the course.

For students who build a strong passion in Health Science, West Valley High School has an Allied Health program available for them. 

Learn more about the HS program here.

West Valley offers a comprehensive career planner for students available at:

www.wvfutures.org

WVHS | FUTURES Program | Allied Health

West Valley Futures Allied Health

Our newest video on West Valley Futures Allied Health is now live.  Learn more about careers in the medical field and how you can get an advantage pursuing your future.  

Students can take classes in Sports Therapy and Anatomy and Physiology as well as serve as student trainers for West Valley athletic events.  

Learn more about West Valley Allied Health as well as our other FUTURES programs HERE

West Valley Microsoft Certification - December 14 Data

Washington Microsoft Certification Data Updated!

Once again, West Valley is leading the charge with Washington State Microsoft Certification.  With 241 Seventh graders certified teachers Devina Khan and Eric Curnutt are definitely making the right changes in the lives of West Valley student.  

Great job. 

Many Faces of Entrepreneurship

On Friday, November 16 both West Valley Junior High and West Valley High School sent students to the Many Faces of Entrepreneurship.

Central Washington University hosted the 5th annual event.  Students from across the ESD 105 in Yakima gathered at the Yakima Fair Grounds to compete in building and entrepreneurship plan.  Students are divided into teams with students from other schools where the had to come up with a business pitch.

Groups received coaching from entrepreneurs from the across the Yakima Valley to help students think as an entrepreneur.

Two West Valley Junior High students ended up meeting in the event finals.  At the end the entire event was a success.

WVJH WINS Innovation Challenge at WSSDA

West Valley Junior High sent a team from our Core Plus manufacturing program to the WSSDA Conference Innovation Challenge.  This is the third year of the Innovation Challenge sponsored by the DLR Group.

Three school district junior highs were chosen two present, West Valley, Bethel, and Kittitas.  Students were given thirty-six hours to build a presentation and provide a solution to an issue facing public education.

This year, students needed to develop or improve a technology which could revolutionize public education by the year 2030 and level the playing field for students from disadvantaged communities.

The West Valley team presented new virtual reality software which will put students into immersive environments.  The goal is to open access to students without the ability to take technical stem classes with advanced technology needs.

The team won $1000 from the DLR Group.

Huge thanks to Core Plus for the curriculum which provided our students with Project Based Learning opportunities aligned to real world skills.

West Valley Fire Science

Community partnerships are essential in connecting our students to lives beyond high school.  In our newest video, learn about Jake and his experience with the West Valley Fire Department.

West Valley Fire Science

Located next door to West Valley High School is the West Valley Fire Department.  Every morning, students attend classes where they have a direct connection to fire fighting careers.  Students are able to earn their fire fighting certification, become members of the department, and launch careers in the fire industry.  

To learn more contact West Valley's Career Counselor today. 

Innovations in Professional Development

West Valley has taken an innovative approach to teacher professional development.  Each year our teachers have the ability to job shadow, intern, and tour various businesses around Yakima.  Each year's training differs from teachers touring in a whole group to individual placements as the job location applies to the teacher's content area.

This year's Career Connected Learning touring took place at West Valley Fire Department.  Teachers learn about the training fire recruits must pass.  The most important goal of the tours is for teachers to reflect on their courses and the transferability from the classroom to the working world.

The tour was hosted by WVFD Retention Officer, Chris Lyons, who also teaches the West Valley High School Fire Science program.  Chris gave a unique outlook on supporting students to meet standard.

Chris Lyons of WVFD answer questions about cadet training.

"No one gets left behind, it is as though my life depends on them learning everything because it does.  I don't want to be in a burning structure with a recruit unless I am 100% certain they are prepared and it's my job to prepare them."

West Valley Fire hosts their annual potato feed coming up next Friday, September 14 from 5 to 8pm for only $6. 

If you are interested in hosting a WV Teacher for future job shadows, please email at: nesmithc@wvsd208.org

West Valley teachers entering the fire prop where recruits train with active fire.

AMPED Algebra at West Valley Junior High

AMPED Algebra

This fall, West Valley Junior High and Freshman Campus launched a new innovative approach to Algebra through AMPED, Algebra 1 through Manufacturing Process, Entrepreneurship, and Design.  Classes will be a two period block learning experience with a team taught approach connecting a math teacher with a Career and Technical Education Teacher.

AMPED Students learn how to run and operate the business of an advanced manufacturing shop.  They will also learn how to design and build products, market and sell, while using algebraic skills.  AMPED is a real world approach to teaching algebra by allowing students to learn how math skills are embedded in their every day lives.

Learn more about AMPED here.

AMPED Students setting a design plan.

West Valley Junior High

At WVJH the inaugural AMPED class is taught by Jed Watters, Pre-Engineering, and Patrick Murphy, Math.  Students are learning Auto CAD to design wood products which will eventually be cut out on the Pre-Engineering Labs CNC Machines.  

We kicked off the year with a business/school partnership between Triumph Actuation Systems, a local aerospace manufacturing firm here in Yakima, and West Valley by getting students started on the team work process, business ethics, and basic principles of LEAN manufacturing.  Tariq Khan from Triumph worked with students connecting how the skills they learn in class are being used here in Yakima.  Students in class were learning about the 'Laws of Diminishing Returns' and how to use algebra to predict the most effective production rate. 

Tariq Khan from Triumph Actuation Systems working with AMPED Students.