Utilizing a planned program of learning experiences in education and real world training settings, Career Education assists students to make informed decisions about their study and/or work options and enables them to participate effectively in working life.

Within the Career Education curriculums there is a strong commitment to nutrition, wellness, healthy lifestyles and well-being.

• default_titleCPR and First Aid for children and infants
• default_titleChildhood obesity (short and long term effects)
• default_titleThe Great Plate/Food Pyramid for formation of healthy diets
• default_titleEating disorders
• default_titleSafety and sanitation (prevention of food borne illnesses)
• default_titleNutrition, dieting and weight control (development of a life-long health plan as well as long term effects of a poor diet)
• default_titleThe nutritional needs of young children as well as learning indicators of a healthy child
• default_titleFoods that may be harmful to children (food allergies)
• default_titleChildhood illnesses, causes and preventive measures (special focus on childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension, anemia and asthma)
• default_titleExercise (benefits and incorporation of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle)
• default_titleSubstance abuse and its effect on the body
• default_titleCareers in biomedical sciences, health, nutrition, wellness, dietary sciences, culinary, and education
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Emphasizing cooperation with other disciplines (i.e. Medical, Agricultural and Environmental Research and Field Studies Academies), several high school culinary arts career academies have planned, planted and utilized the benefits of growing a garden on campus. Accentuating the “freshness and taste factor”, nutritional content, and chemical free gardening, vegetables and greens have found their way into the menu planning and food preparation within the career academy restaurant concept. Field trips to sites such as the Squire’s Urban Herb Farm underscore the utilization of using fresh products in preparing foods.

Students in the Medical Sciences Academies are required to complete the HIPAA training prior to starting the clinical rotations. Students must follow confidentiality laws to protect all patients.

As part of the curriculum requirements for several career academies (Medical Sciences, Early Childhood Teacher Education and Criminal Justice), students are eligible to be certified in CPR and First Aid – preparing students to prevent and respond to life-threatening emergencies.

After completing this training, all students in the Medical Sciences Academies receive a State of Florida Certification. The purpose is to provide students with an understanding of the intent of the blood borne pathogens regulation issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); how disease transmissions occur; serious communicable diseases; precautions to prevent disease transmission; and what to do if an exposure occurs. In addition, specific information regarding HIV and AIDS is covered including transmission, prevention, health care, social and legal issues.

In collaboration with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, medical academy students are able to participate in the Healthcare Careers Outreach Program designed to increase interest in the health sciences for young people interested in careers in medicine and to mentor and prepare them to successfully compete at the highest levels of college and post-graduate studies. Participating schools include Lake Worth Community High, Palm Beach Gardens Community High, Roosevelt Community Middle and Lake Worth Middle. The mission of this program is to increase opportunities in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for students, especially under-represented and under-served minorities in South Florida.

A program that is designed to educate, train and promote careers in healthcare, the Everglades Area Health Education Center (a division of Nova Southeastern University School of Osteopathic Medicine) offers students the opportunity each summer to participate in the Health Careers Camp. This is available to students in the Medical Sciences Academies both in middle and high school.

Middle and high school students have the opportunity each summer to attend the Temple University School of Medicine Summer Program. The main objective is to prepare and train future scientists to pursue careers in biomedical research. Students gain an early exposure and clinical experience while receiving a stipend for their participation.

Yearly in November, students in the Medical Sciences Career Academies participate in the Day in the Life of a Nurse, collaborating with the Nursing Consortium of South Florida, along with local hospitals and healthcare facilities in Palm Beach County. Students are introduced to nursing careers and the advancements within the profession including biomedical research. Activities include skills labs, simulations, presentations and shadowing experiences.

Keiser University nursing students participated in the Pediatric Nursing rotation at Lake Worth Middle School Medical Sciences Academy for the past four years since the inception of the academy. Both institutions work hand in hand to promote careers in health sciences while addressing the national nursing shortage, especially in South Florida.

A student representing each of the fifteen medical academies competed with other university and medical resident students for the Palm Beach County Medical Society Services Heroes in Medicine Awards. Jordon Camp from Palm Beach Gardens High School Medical Sciences Academy received the prestigious “Student Hero Award.” Stephanie Stiepleman, medical teacher at West Boca Raton Community High School was a finalist for the Health Care Educator Hero Award.

For the first time, Choice & Career Options recognized our Outstanding Partners in Education who have contributed to the continued success of the academies. The following received the “2012 Award” at the District’s 2nd Annual “Wellness Celebration” on December 6, 2012:

• default_titlePeter Lamelas, M.D., M.B.A. - MD Now Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers
• default_titleCarolina Medrano - MD Now Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers
• default_titleJulie Servoss, M.D., M.P.H. - Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine
• default_titleGloria Zimmerman McAllister, Ph.D. - Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine
• default_titleTracy Rudnick - Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc.
• default_titleMary Kay Murray - Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc.
• default_titleAdana Montgomery - Walgreen’s Pharmacies
• default_titleErica Whitfield, M.P.H. - Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Initiative
• default_titleSteve Bonino - School Food Service Department
  
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• default_titleDistrict's Wellness Promotion - Chair
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• default_titlePaula Triana, R.D, L.D./N. - School Food Service Department
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• default_titleDistrict's Wellness Promotion - Co-Chair
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The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc. in partnership with Choice and Career Options, along with the generous support of the Quantum Foundation awarded Lake Worth Middle School Medical Academy, Congress Middle School Medical Academy, Lake Shore Middle School Engineering Academy and Roosevelt Middle School Medical Academy with funding to reach out to students in schools with low socio-economic situations, minority students and students not traditionally exposed to engineering or medical professions. Funds were used to update technology, equipment and supplies in order to meet curriculum standards. The 2012-2013 school year was the last year of this grant funding.

Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is the only student organization with the family as its central focus. Functioning as an integral part of the Family and Consumer Sciences education curriculum, FCCLA addresses important personal, work and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education. FCCLA provides opportunities for active student participation at the local, state and national levels.

Eight students at Omni Middle School in Boca Raton brought home the gold medal from the State FCCLA Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida in March 2013. This was a great honor leading to the National Competition in Nashville, Tennessee.