CTE: Programming Students Practice Problem Solving In Constantly Changing Field
Students are gaining valuable hands-on experience at local businesses, thanks to a practicum offered through the programming and software development endorsement program at Sulphur Springs High School.
That experience helps them build resumes, which aid them when they enroll in college and join the workforce. For a few SSHS graduates, the program has reportedly assisted in providing job opportunities as well.
The Basics
Students following the programming and software development endorsement plan are taking Computer Programming I, AP Computer Science, Computer Programming II and Practicum in Information Technology, according to SSHS CTE Director Jenny Arledge.
The program is one of the smaller programs, enrollment wise. Upper level classes are even small, typically with eight or fewer students per class, the majority of which are male, according to SSHS teacher Matt Wilder.
“We don’t see a lot of females in computer science. That’s something I’d like to see change in the future. In terms of message I’d like to send: come one, come all. I’d like to see anyone who’s interested in computer programming, computer science and technology,” Wilder said.
“A lot of people are terrified of programming once they see it upfront. There’s the misunderstanding that it’s going to be like in the movies, you’re going to be going crazy like in the Matrix. Then, once they see what it actually is they get overwhelmed and quit,” said Harrison Allen, who is enrolled in the AP computer science class. “After you get the handle of basically what it actually is, it’s a lot more underwhelming than what the movies make it out to be.”
“In the beginning of the year, you’re thrown into the deep end a little. Once you get your bearings, you’re a pro-swimmer afterwards. It’s pretty nice,” Ruiz said. “For the people who do stay and have a passion for it, they can excel in it in this endorsement for a very long time,” junior Luis Ruiz said.
Class Work
The AP class, Allen noted, basically tasks students with figuring out solutions to programming problems.
“It can be challenging, and it can be fairly easy. It just depends on what problem you’re trying to solve. Usually, the earlier problems in a certain lab are pretty straight forward,” Allen acknowledged.
To be successful, students must become fluent in the language. Just as there are several verbal languages, programming has its own languages too. JAVA, C++ and Python are among them.
Effective communication in computer science courses requires an understanding of what certain words mean and how it works. There are different uses for letters and numbers inside programming, Ruiz said.
“It does take a little effort to learn, if you are willing to. If you take that small bit of effort, it goes by really quick,” Ruiz said.
As is the case in most languages, where the basics are the same but some terms and uses change along with the slang of the moment, Ruiz explained, computer programming and languages evolve over time, too.
“It’s not the same program all the time,” Ruiz said. “It’s constantly changing. Every generation has to learn from the previous people who have learned it.”
Today’s programmers will pass along the product they’ve made to the next generation, who will in turn make it their own, Ruiz said.
As seniors, students can apply for the practicum class, which allows them to shadow professionals in the community, where they are “getting some unbelievable experiences,” according to Arledge.
Seniors who successfully complete the requirements can also potentially earn Microsoft Technology Associate certification, a micro certification into programming using JAVA.
“It’s something they can us to pad their resume, which says they’ve achieved this very basic benchmark of programming, which gets them in the door with internship opportunities, which we do have in our program,” Wilder said.
Wilder said students from the class have interned at NetData and Fidelity Express in the past. He currently has six seniors who intern at one businesses.
“They are doing everything from software development, helping them set up their servers there. They have the big computer mainframes. They just went in and replaced the devices that house all their payment devices,” Wilder said.
The internship gives them hands-on experience they wouldn’t likely otherwise have, which can give them a leg up when applying for jobs in the field or college. A few SSHS graduates have been hired at Fidelity Express, Wilder noted.
“They saw value in those students. Those students were fortunate to stick locally and go to college at Commerce or something like that, and they ended up hiring them as full time workers,” the computer teacher said.
To further improve their skills and see how they stack up against peers from others schools, some SSHS students compete in UIL events. Ruiz said competition and similar conferences also provide opportunities for students.
Future Planning
Another class that will be taught in the future at SSHS is cyber security, which for many conjures a setting in which someone is hacking at a computer terminal to prevent someone from overcoming their security protocols.
“It’s not just how to stop people. It’s implementing secure systems, talking about computer systems structure and hardware, the three fundamentals. Everything starts with a physical device, then you get into the logical abstract designs of how to protect yourselves from intruders. It gives a pretty well-rounded picture when we get into it. It’s something brand new so it will be my first time teaching the course material. A lot of the foundations of that course as well as the computer programming course are based in programming, which is something I’m excited about,” Wilder said.
KSST Radio is helping SSHS celebrate Career and Technical Education by featuring interviews with students highlighting a few of the CTE programs offered at school. Check out KSSTRadio.com and our YouTube Channel for more CTE features.
Hopkins County Commissioner Court March 2, 2020 Work Session Agenda
NOTICE OF WORK SESSION(S)
DATE: Monday, March 2, 2020
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
PLACE: Meeting Room Located On The Third Floor Of The Hopkins County Courthouse Located At 118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- The Court To Meet With Chief Endsley To Discuss The County Fire Department Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
- The Court To Meet With Sheriff Lewis Tatum To Discuss The Sheriff Operations, Review Of Revenue & Expenditures, Proposed Improvements And Repairs.
- The Court To Discuss Solar.
- The Court To Discuss Subdivision Rules.
- The Court To Discuss Road Materials.
- The Court To Discuss Personnel Policy.
- Budget Work Session(s).
NETLA Reports Early Tabulations From Saturday’s Hopkins County Junior Livestock Sale Of Champions
NorthEast Texas Livestock Association reported: “Early tabulation for the Hopkins County Junior Livestock Sale of Champions, 133 kids from Hopkins County FFA/4H programs from 7 school districts in the county is $440,000. Thank you to all of the buyers and supporters.”
The sale got under way at 1 p.m. Saturday and continued into the afternoon.
Meal A Day Menu for March 2-6, 2020
The Meal A Day Menu for March 2-6, 2020 included:
Monday — Beef Patties and Roast Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, California Blend Vegetables and a Roll
Tuesday — Ham and Potato Casserole, Corn and Broccoli
Wednesday — Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Providence Vegetables and Pickled Beets
Thursday — Beef Stroganoff, English Peas and Garlic Sticks
Friday — Pork Loin, Corn Bread Stuffing, Apple Sauce, Green Beans and a Roll
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Rabid Cow at San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Prompts Warning
The Texas Department of State Health Services is notifying people who visited the cattle barn at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 11-14 that they may need to be assessed for a possible rabies exposure. A cow in the cattle barn developed rabies and was capable of spreading the virus that causes it during those dates. The solid black cow, a Brangus heifer, was being shown by a student from the Miller Grove ISD in Hopkins County.
The cow was only outside of the barn while being shown and loaded and unloaded for transport. Public health officials have been in contact with the people who were caring for the cow and the animals in nearby stalls, so their risk can be assessed.
Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Anyone who put their hand in the cow’s mouth or nose or had contact between the animal’s saliva and an open wound or mucous membrane like the eyes, nose or mouth should be evaluated for a rabies exposure. Someone in that situation should contact their health care provider as soon as possible and explain the situation. People who didn’t have that kind of contact with the cow are not at risk of contracting the disease.
Rabies can be prevented if treatment is started before symptoms begin, however, once symptoms start, it’s almost always fatal. It usually takes between three weeks and three months for someone exposed to rabies to get sick.
Bexar County residents who visited the cattle barn on those dates and have questions may contact the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District at 210-207-8876. People who live elsewhere may contact their DSHS regional Zoonosis Control office. Maps of the fairgrounds and the cattle barn with the location of the stall marked in red are available below.
Wildcats Use Strong Pitching To Win Their Final Games At Rose City Classic Saturday
The Wildcats Baseball Team won their last two games in the Rose City Classic in Tyler Saturday, February 29, as they got a pair of shutout pitching performances. Playing back to back at Mike Carter Field, the Wildcats eked by Waxahachie, 1-0 and, then, defeated Forney, 3-0.
The Wildcats got by Waxahachie despite getting only two hits. One of the hits was an RBI single by Aidan Walker that scored Aiken Owen in the bottom of the second inning.
Starter Jake Davis and reliever Austin Crouse combined to pitch the shutout. Davis went 6 1/3 innings allowing 6 hits and no runs while striking out 6 and walking 1. Crouse needed 4 pitches to retire the last two Indians batters. Crouse had 1 strikeout.
Kolson Hale was 1 for 3 for the Wildcats at the plate. Davis and Alex Medina drew walks for the Wildcats.
In the second game, Wildcats pitcher Jaxon Chaney threw a complete game 7 inning shutout allowing only 3 hits. Chaney struck out 9 and walked 2.
The Wildcats outhit the Jackrabbits, 7 to 3. Jake Davis was 2 for 3 for the Wildcats and he scored a run. Chaney also came up big with the bat going 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBIs. Chaney also scored a run in the Wildcats 3 run bottom of the third inning. Austin Crouse was 2 for 3 for the Wildcats. Will Sims was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Hayden Hurst was 1 for 1 with a walk. Matthew Singleton drew a walk and scored a run. Kolson Hale had a sacrifice.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 3-2. Next, weather permitting, the Wildcats will have their home opener at Wildcat Park Monday night at 7:30 p.m. against North Lamar.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Basketball Team Game With Lancaster Set Up For Tuesday Night
Saturday afternoon, Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta announced that the #10 ranked Wildcats Regional Quarterfinal game with #1 ranked Lancaster has been set for Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Rockwall Heath.
Ever since playoff brackets were released this season, people noticed a possible Wildcats and Lancaster match up in the third round. Lancaster defeated Cleburne in bi-district, 96-32 and Texas High in Area, 84-44. The Wildcats won over Lufkin in bi-district, 78-55 and then bested Red Oak in Area, 61-38.
The winner of the Regional Quarterfinal game will advance to the Regional Tournament at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland on March 6-7.
The two teams were expected to meet in the Regional Tournament final game one year ago. After the Wildcats defeated Highland Park to get into the finals, the Tigers were shocked by Frisco Lone Star in a semifinal game. The Wildcats defeated Lone Star to qualify for the State Tournament in San Antonio.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Softball’s Final Game In Allen Tournament Saturday Was Canceled
A planned Lady Cats’ softball game against Bishop Lynch in the Allen Varsity Softball Tournament Saturday was canceled. Lady Cats Coach David Carrillo said Lynch requested the cancellation after an injury to their starting pitcher.
As a result, the Lady Cats ended up winning two and losing two in the tough, softball tournament. Thursday the Lady Cats lost to Wylie East, 7-2 and to Hebron, 10-2. Friday the Lady Cats won two games by wide margins defeating Dallas W.T. White, 20-5 and topping Hurst L.D. Bell, 9-2.
The Lady Cats are now 4-6 for the season. The Lady Cats will resume play Thursday in a three-day Wylie tournament.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Miller Grove Lady Hornets Place Three Basketball Players On District 23-A All-District Team
The Miller Grove Lady Hornets had two players on the District 23-A All-District first team and another player on the second team.
Junior Harli Watson and junior Jorja Bessonett was selected first team All-District. Junior Lauren Bullard was chosen on the second team.
Among players that qualified for the Academic All-District list were Jorja Bessonett, Laurent Bullard, Lainy Burnett and Harli Watson of Miller Grove; and Yesinia Macias, Gabby Sandoval and Macie Starrett of Yantis.
The All-District lists were released Saturday.
Sulphur Springs Woman Jailed On Dallas County Warrants
February 29, 2020 – Officers reportedly responded Friday afternoon at an Alabama Street address, where concern had been expressed for a person’s welfare, according to arrest reports.
Upon arrival, they contacted Sophie Nicole Ghoshi. The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was found to be wanted in Dallas County for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and theft of property valued at $750 or more but less than $2,500, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
Ghoshi was arrested just before 3 p.m. Feb. 28 and transported to Hopkins County jail, where she remained Saturday morning, Feb. 29. Bond was set at $10,000 on the controlled substance charge and $1,000 on the theft charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
