The Western Area Career Systems (WACS) offers a variety of courses for students in the entire McDonough/Hancock County area.  Several of these courses are offered at Macomb Jr/Sr High School.  A few courses are available to Macomb High students at another location.  Enrollment in these courses may require students to leave prior to the start of the regular school day or may require the student to have a shortened lunch hour.  Students must ride district provided transportation to and from these locations.  Enrollment in WACS courses outside of Macomb are subject to availability of District transportation.

WACS offers the following programs to students in member schools in addition to their local career and technical courses.  These classes provide students with the opportunity to explore additional areas of interest and develop employable skills.  Many of our classes provide college credit at Spoon River College or Carl Sandburg College in addition to high school credit (dual credit).  Advanced placement is awarded to students enrolling in a continuing program for taking many of the other classes not awarding dual credit.  See your counselor for details.

COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEMS CONCEPTS

Location:  SRC, Macomb

Prerequisite: COMPASS test at SRC
This course is devoted to theory of operation, component recognition, installation, and troubleshooting of computer equipment.  Students enrolled in this program will be given the opportunity to take apart and build a computer, work with a variety of operating systems and typical software programs.  Skills will include program troubleshooting, upgrading computer hardware, operating systems and other troubleshooting related to computer technology.  This course is a complete preparation for the A+ certification, should the student wish to take this test.

CHILD CARE

Location:  WIU, Macomb

If you're interested in a career where you will be working with young children, this course is for you!  You'll work in a well-equipped child care facility and participate in all aspects of a childcare program with children.  Learn how to ensure the safety of children, identify both positive and negative emotions, and apply your knowledge to encourage healthy living.  By exploring these areas, you'll learn if you have the interest and desire to enter the child care field or elementary education.

This course provides an overview of the fields of Civil Engineering and Architecture, while emphasizing the interrelationship and dependence of both fields on each other.  Students use state of the art software to solve real world problems and communicate solutions to hands-on projects and activities.  This course covers topics such as:

        The Roles of Civil Engineers and Architects

        Project Planning

        Site Planning

        Building Design

        Project Documentation and Presentation

 

COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING

Location:  WIU, Macomb

This course applies principles of robotics and automation.  The course builds on computer solid modeling skills developed in Drafting and Design/Introduction to Engineering.  Students use CNC equipment to produce actual models of their three-dimensional designs.  Fundamental concepts of robotics used in automated manufacturing, and design analysis are included.

This course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain and perform successfully in entry level Food service positions of various types. The work based learning portion of the class includes operating a catering business. After completion of two years of LVES Food service the student will demonstrate proficiency in all of the State of Illinois Food Service Occupational Skill Standards. In addition, students will learn cost of recipes, as purchased /edible portion ratios, expanding and reducing recipes, food cost percentages, resume writing, and job seeking skills.

The EAST initiative is a project-based program which features advanced technology applications. Students will gain problem-solving and teamwork skills while learning a variety of computer applications such as computer aided drafting, animation, and global positioning. Students apply their technology skills through a community service project.  EAST empowers students through self-directed learning and real-world projects which help build employability skills, as well as computer technology skills.
 

Businesses have to advertise locally, in newspapers and around the world on the Internet. Internet publishing, digital photography and copy preparation and layout all come together in this exciting course on graphic communications. You'll be working with state-of-the-art computers and programs to gain experience that a graphic designer or printing manager will need. Animation, multimedia, and project planning are essential skills in preparing you for a career in many fields - from advertising to web page authoring.

Prerequisite: COMPASS test at SRC
This course will introduce students to the variety of career opportunities available in the health area. Students will become aware of occupations in the five strands of health care and learn about the educational requirements, duties, and responsibilities of various health care providers. Students will become aware of a variety of health care careers through field trips, and classroom speakers. Once students have an understanding of the variety of health care careers available, they will gain an understanding of vocabulary and terminology used in medical professions. Students will learn the basic structures of medical words including prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining words and plurals. Pronunciation, spelling and definitions of medical terms will also be a part of the class.
 

MECHANICS (AUTO)

Location:  Macomb High School

There's a lot more to modern mechanics than there used to be! If you're considering a career as an aeronautical engineer, agriculture mechanic, or as automotive technician ... or if you just want to understand how to fix equipment, this is the class for you. You'll be doing a lot of hands-on experience trouble shooting, engine overhaul, tool use, electrical systems, drive train, virtually everything between the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. So hook up the computer analyzer and check it out!
 

RETAIL/FASHION MERCHANDISING

Location:  WIU, Macomb

This course is designed to provide students interested in a career in retail with information and practical experiences needed for employment in a variety of clothing and retail related occupations. Students will develop skills in owning and operating a small business, customer service techniques, preparing visual displays, performing sales related activities, fabric and textile knowledge, performing merchandising duties, fashion/fabric coordination, merchandising techniques, management, and skills for improving positive interaction with others. Students will be involved in an extended work-base learning program which will provide training in an actual retail store where they will gain first hand experience working in the retail industry.  Written training agreements and individual student training plans are developed and agreed upon by the instructor, student and employer.

Whether you want to build farm buildings, houses, or retail buildings or own them, you need to know what is involved in the building trades. You'll learn about mechanical, electrical and structural work in many types of construction. Build an understanding of heating and cooling systems, fuel sources and their effect on the environment, measuring property, and much more. There are plenty of laboratory projects, field trips and resource speakers in this exciting class.

This page was last updated February 21,  2007.
Page design by Nancy Bell.
Copyright 2000.  Macomb High School.