2011-12 School Year Home Page Archive - Career & Tech
MARCH 2012
Middle States re-accreditation would affirm “A quality of education that the community has a right to expect and the education world endorses”
This week, March 20-23, BOCES' Career & Technical Education (CTE) division, which includes both campuses of the Career & Technical School, the Adult Health Careers Center at Rosewood Plaza and the off-campus New Visions programs, welcomes an accreditation evaluation team from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
CTE has been accredited since 2000, and is seeking reaccreditation. The Middle States process is an ongoing, strategic planning effort, rather than a short-term preparation for an accreditation evaluation visit. Our staff, community members and students all help move the division and school in a positive direction through their involvement in the steering committee and various subcommittees and by continuously contributing their input and feedback.
“Middle States Accreditation is the affirmation that a school provides a quality of education that the community has a right to expect and the education world endorses,” said Career and Technical Education Executive Principal Terry Swett. READ MORE
Albany campus fire alarm
On Friday, March 16, at 10 a.m., the fire alarm was activated in F building on Career & Tech's Albany campus, which immediately triggered the fire department to respond. Inspection of the pull stations and smoke detectors was completed. None of the detectors or pull stations were found in the trip mode, and the fire department cleared all to re-enter the building. The system re-set without issue. No students or staff were in any danger at the time. It's suspected that exhaust from an engine could have accidentally tripped a sensor. [3/16/12]
FEBRUARY 2012
Career & Tech students win big at SkillsUSA Regionals
Nearly four dozen Career & Tech students won awards at the March 14 SkillsUSA Regional Competitions at Schenectady County Community College, where they competed against their peers in career skills, knowledge and employment skill contests. Team Career & Tech brought home 13 first-place trophies, eight 2nds, ten 3rds,13 4ths and three 5th place awards. Several students will go on to the New York State SkillsUSA competition April 25-27 in Syracuse. Dallas Mesick of Duanesburg, a Criminal Justice student at Schoharie Career & Tech, is not only that campus’s SkillsUSA chapter president, but also serves as New York State SkillsUSA president. In that position, he leads more than 10,000 career and technical education students like himself in activities that build professional and personal skills. Participating in SkillsUSA, says Mesick, is a “life-changing experience.” READ THE NEWS RELEASE
SkillsUSA/Red Cross Blood Drive may save nearly 200 lives
A Feb. 3 Red Cross Blood Drive held by students active in SkillsUSA at Career & Tech's Albany campus may potentially save 192 lives. Nearly 80 people volunteered to donate, including students and staff, and a total of 64 units of blood were collected. Many were first-time donors. "That means our blood drive may save as many as 192 lives," said SkillsUSA Advisor Gretchen McDonough, pictured at left with SkillsUSA treasurer and Criminal Justice student Ravean Singleton. READ MORE
Lowe's grant will help students repair storm-damaged parks
Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $24,000 grant to Career & Tech for repairing three Lasell and Fox Creek parks in the Village of Schoharie, which were badly damaged by tropical storms Irene and Lee. Students will also build a storage shed for the Sloansville Valley Cemetery. READ MORE VIEW THE WNYT.COM NEWS STORY
Cooking collaboration lets students showcase skills, explore careers, make new friends
A fun-filled visit to Career & Tech's Albany campus Culinary Arts kitchens in February may have been just the thing the fourth and fifth graders in BOCES Special Education Teacher Joan Brucker’s deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) class needed to convince them that breakfast is the most important—and, when it’s made from scratch, delicious—meal of the day. During their visit to Chef Mark Brucker’s kitchen (yes, the Bruckers are both BOCES colleagues and husband and wife) the students learned the tools of the trade as they prepared a bounty of breakfast treats—French toast, waffles and pancakes were some of the items on the menu—alongside the teens who are studying culinary arts at Career & Tech. READ MORE
Regent Jackson tours Career & Tech, talks with students
Game development, orbital welding, the court system and solar energy were just some of the topics students and teachers talked about with New York State Board of Regents Member Dr. James O. Jackson during his Feb. 3 tour of Career & Tech's Albany campus. Regent Jackson was joined by Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Charles S. Dedrick, Questar III BOCES Assistant Superintendent Dr. Andrew DeFeo, and Career and Technical Education Executive Principal Terry Swett. READ MORE, SEE PHOTOS
NEW START DATE!
Career & Tech, SCCC team to train skilled manufacturing workers
A course offered at Career & Tech by BOCES Adult Education and endorsed by Schenectady County Community College will train local adults to become Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technicians.
Enrollment is currently underway in the class, which begins on Feb. 27. According to SCCC President Quinton B. Bullock, the college "consistently hears from manufacturing employers looking for ways to increase the talent pool of skilled technicians. . . This joint partnership with Capital Region BOCES is an excellent example of two dedicated groups working together to address a critical regional need." READ MORE
New Visions is the college advantage - Join us for February Open Houses
Do you know a college-bound high school junior interested in medicine, journalism or law who'd like to get jump on his or her studies and a proven advantage for college applications? Learn more at New Visions Open Houses at Career & Tech's Albany campus, room B4, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Feb. 13 for New Visions: Health Careers, Feb. 14 for New Visions: Journalism & Media Studies, Feb. 15 for New Visions: Law & Government.
Feb. 16 is a snow date for any postponed open houses. An evening Open House for all programs also will be held on March 7, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the same location. New Visions programs offer high school seniors unmatched, first-hand experiences for which most students have to wait until college, grad school or even med school. learn more! Download: New Visions flier & open house dates for 2012
This lunch was truly
international
Career & Tech students welcome their
peers from Tianjin, China
Career & Tech students and staff welcomed their peers from Tianjin High School, China, on Jan. 18, when they hosted a delegation of 29 students and faculty members for a special lunch at Career & Tech's Albany campus.
The delegation is visiting the U.S. as the guests of Tech Valley High School, which is run jointly by the Capital Region BOCES and Questar III. The Chinese students a lunch prepared by Culinary Arts students and featuring American fare including paella, St. Louis barbecue, chicken fried steak, mini cheesecakes and cupcakes.
Career & Tech's Floral Design students created floral centerpieces for each table which featured American and Chinese flags set in red, white, blue and gold flowers. Students in the school's SkillsUSA chapter served as ambassadors, making their visitors feel welcome while talking over lunch about school, pets, music and other topics of shared interest. Many took photos of each other. The international lunch coincided with a presentation on career and technical education in America. Full article and photos
middle states: strategic planning for student success
From March 20-23, 2012, Career & Tech is scheduled for an accreditation evaluation visit by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools. Our school is currently accredited and is seeking reaccreditation. Middle States accepts comments about our school's qualifications for accreditation and will consider them when making its accreditation decision. Read more or download the official Notice of Evaluation for Accreditation
january 2012
With dreams as unique as their cultures, these students are unified by a desire to learn English
John MacDonald teaches English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) to adult students through the BOCES Adult & Continuing Education program. He recently asked his students, who moved to the United States from a wide diversity of countries and cultures from around the world, to "write a little piece about why and how they came to America, and what their dreams for the future are.
We called it 'The Journey Project'," MacDonald said, noting, "When I started teaching ESL to a group of adults, I thought I was simply teaching the English language to people who were just learning it for the first time. I never realized how close I would get to them and the respect I gained from them from all they went through just to get here.
"They are all very good people with families either here or back in their home country, and they all have their unique dreams and things they want to accomplish here. I truly hope they get everything they wish for." Download a pdf of "The Journey Project" including photos of the authors.
Welding is a family thing for newest Evan M. Schwarz Helping Hand Scholarship recipient
When sparks fly in the LaPlante family, it's a good thing. And now, with a $500 award from the Evan M. Schwarz Helping Hand Memorial Scholarship, Amyjane LaPlante will be upgrading her gear as she continues to advance her career and earn additional national certifications through the Adult Welder Certification program at Career & Tech. READ MORE
School-day Open House for students & parents is Jan. 26
Career & Tech's Albany campus welcomes 10th & 11th grade students and their parents/guardians to our annual School-Day Open House, Thursday, Jan. 26, from 8:30 -10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Save the date, spread the word, and join us for tours, demos and fun. DOWNLOAD THE POSTCARD
Welding is a family thing for newest Evan M. Schwarz Helping Hand Scholarship recipient
When sparks fly in the LaPlante family, it's a good thing. And now, with a $500 award from the Evan M. Schwarz Helping Hand Memorial Scholarship, Amyjane LaPlante will be upgrading her gear as she continues to advance her career and earn additional national certifications through the Adult Welder Certification program at Career & Tech. READ MORE
December 2011
Military offers career options
Sgt. Andre Chao of the U.S. Marine Corps. talks with Criminal Justice student Skye Wilson (Guilderland HS) at Career & Tech's Military Career Fair on Dec. 14. Wilson is planning a career in law enforcement. Sgt. Chao is an alumnus of WSHWE BOCES' Culinary Arts program.
Getting creative at Bloomers: Floral Design students offer arrangements for holidays, special occasions
Make your holiday more festive. Bloomers, a flower shop run by students in Ms. Bugler's Floral Design class at Career & Tech's Albany campus, is taking orders for arrangements and flowers for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and other special occasions. Call (518) 862-4780.
november 2011
Culinary alum cooks up Colorado competition win
Practices were hard, but winning was sweet when Culinary Arts Tech Prep alumna Maggie O'Mara and her Culinary teammates at Johnson & Wales University in Denver scored first place in Colorado's American Culinary Federation Competition. Team J & W goes on to the ACF regionals this spring in Reno, NV, so practice remains on O'Mara's busy schedule of full-time school and full-time work out in the Rocky Mountains. MORE
Already working in their field: New Visions Journalism students cover elections, produce TU blog
Students in Ms. Sheehan's New Visions: Journalism & Media Studies class earned positive reviews of their photojournalist coverage of Election Day 2011. Check out their Times Union blog entry . The New Visions students are responsible for producing the high school blog on the timesunion.com website, including generating article ideas, covering newsworthy events, writing commentary and shooting still and video images.
Children's book masters inspire Early Childhood Ed class
They learn from Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss
Mrs. Jenning's Early Childhood
Education class recently spent a day learning about children’s
picture book authors/illustrators as a part of an Integrated English
assignment, and what better way to learn than from the masters? Their
unique lesson took them to Massachusetts to the Eric Carle Museum of
Picture Book Art in Amherst and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial
Sculpture Garden in Springfield. The students toured three galleries
at the museum, one which featured Eric Carle’s latest book,
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, and two featuring
illustrations and books by Jules Feiffer and Barbara McClintock. The
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden gave the students a
rare opportunity to view bronze sculptures of many of Dr. Seuss'
favorite characters from his nearly 46 books, which have sold more
than 200 million copies. The students even took a minute to pose
with a sculpture of Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Suess) and his most
famous character, The Cat in the Hat!
SEE MORE PHOTOS
WMHT-TV's American Graduate project explores why students drop out
It is not uncommon for students to tell us that their positive experiences at Career & Tech kept them in school and inspired them to move forward with their lives. Learning a career, working hands-on, having a fresh start, meeting students from other schools, sharing experiences with their peers, learning in smaller classes - all are factors cited by successful students in our Career & Technical Education and Alternative Education programs. With this in mind, Career & Tech participated in WMHT-TV's American GraduateTown Meeting the evening of Nov. 10 at the WMHT studios in Troy, which was taped for broadcast on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. watch the Town meeting LEARN MORE
Nurse Assistant, New Visions: Health Careers classes team up for unique learning in NYC
An exhibition showcasing the real, inner workings of the human body and a visit to the new 9/11 Memorial in New York City provided unique learning opportunities on Oct. 14 for students from Mr. Mainville's and Ms. Keifer's Nurse Assistant classes and from Mr. Paravella's and Mr. Slovic's New Visions: Health Careers classes. FULL STORY
Students repair equipment for Schoharie Valley storm victims
Students in the Power Sports Equipment Technician and Automotive Services/Small Engine Repair classes at Career & Tech's Schoharie campus are giving back to their community while putting career skills to the test by volunteering to repair power equipment damaged by tropical storms Irene and Lee. Lawnmowers, snowblowers, generators, rototillers, 4-wheelers and weed trimmers are just some of the small-engine items residents need help with. FULL STORY
Hair-raising for Locks of Love
Albany campus Cosmetology students will hold their annual holiday clinic Dec. 1, from 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., and besides offering services for a nominal fee, the class will present a hair-raising opportunity for those wishing to donate at least 8 -10 inches of hair to Locks of Love. "The students will provide free haircutting and styling services for those willing to donate their hair," said Cosmetology Teacher Pat Gollub. Locks of Love turns donated hair into wigs for individuals with cancer. Interested? Call 862-4716 for an appointment for either the Locks of Love hair raising or the holiday clinic.
Healthy living, disease & disasters - New Visions students learn from public health policy expert
Promoting healthy living, preventing disease, and responding to natural disasters - students in Mr. Slovic's and Mr. Paravella's New Visions: Health Careers classes recently learned about all of this through a lecture about public health policy by University at Albany Professor Dwight Williams. FULL STORY
Hundreds visit Career & Tech Open Houses at each campus
If it's October, it must be open house time at the Capital Region Career & Technical School. On October 12 at the Albany campus and October 19 in Schoharie, the school hosted hundreds of guests, from parents, grandparents and student guardians, to younger and older siblings, Career & Tech alumni, and BOCES and component school district leaders and staff. Student displays, demonstrations and campus tours were highlights, along with ever-popular edible creations by each campus's Culinary Arts classes. FULL STORY
CTE on the Innovation Trail
Executive Principal Terry Swett participated in a panel discussion at WMHT Television, for a Sept. 29 program, "Innovation Conversation: Transforming Tech Valley." Also on the panel were GlobalFoundries Director of Human Resources Emily Reilly, Ballston Spa Schools Superintendent Joe Dragone, and HVCC's Dean of Schools of Business, Engineering and Industrial Technologies Philip White. Career & Tech and BOCES got some great positive notice not only from Terry's being asked to be part of the panel, but also from the many connections that were made during the discussion between career education and our region's future success. Part of the Innovation Trail public broadcasting series, the program was also accessible online.
Students
installed as SkillsUSA officers; Dallas Mesick leads state
Just before Fall Open House at each campus, ceremonies were held to formally install Career & Tech's SkillsUSA officers for 2011-12. Career & Tech is also proud to have one of our own leading all of the state as New York State SkillsUSA President, Dallas Mesick, a Criminal Justice student at Schoharie campus who also attends Duanesburg H.S. Congrats to all of our new officers. MORE
Contagious learning - Mr.
Paravella's and Mr. Slovic's New Visions: Health Careers students
joined recently with their peers from Questar III BOCES' New
Visions: Scientific Research and World Health class to view the
moving Contagion at a local cineplex.
Cornucopia medalists
Congrats to Chef Paul Rother and Culinary Arts Tech Prep student Kaitlyn Vallee (Colonie HS) on winning a silver medal for Career & Tech at the 2011 Culinary Cornucopia chefs competition, held Oct. 30 at Albany campus. Chef Dolan, representing the State Room, scored a gold medal. The dinner that evening at the Marriott featured beautiful arrangements created by Floral Design students and teacher Meg Bugler. The annual events raise funds for Living Resources. READ TIMES UNION BLOG STORY BY NEW VISIONS: JOURNALISM & MEDIA STUDIES CLASS
American Graduate project explores why students drop out
It is not uncommon for students to tell us that their positive experiences at Career & Tech kept them in school and inspired them to move forward with their lives. Learning a career, working hands-on, having a fresh start, meeting students from other schools, sharing experiences with their peers, learning in smaller classes - all are factors cited by successful students in our Career & Technical Education and Alternative Education programs. With this in mind, Career & Tech is participating in WMHT-TV's American Graduate program, a grant-funded effort to bring together people from our region who care about students, want them to stay in school, and can offer ideas on how they can succeed. An American Graduate Town Meeting will be held on Nov. 10 at the WMHT studios in Troy, and it will be taped for broadcast on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. LEARN MORE
OCTOBER 2011
NY School Public Relations Association honors Career & Tech Communications
The New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA) has recognized the Capital Region Career & Technical School's communications efforts with the following awards:
Careers
Without Limits DVD/Video: Award of Honor
Careers
Without Limits Public Relations/Marketing Campaign: Award of Honor
Adult
Welder Certification Brochure: Award of Merit
Career & Tech Communications Coordinator Monique Jacobs, APR, received the following email from NYSPRA in early September: "Of more than 300 entries in a closely drawn judging by communications professionals around the country, about one-third received awards. You may be proud that your work has been so honored."
Career & Tech students jumpstart careers with 21st century skills
Hands-on, real-world learning + 21st century skills + integrated academics + well-equipped classrooms and labs = students who are prepared for college and career. In the photo at right, Schoharie Career & Tech Automotive Trades Technology and Schoharie Central High Senior Patrick Haroldson uses a jumper pack to verify a vehicle will start after the summer vacation.
A cornucopia of caring
Culinary Arts students and staff are once again lending a hand and a spoon to raise funds for Living Resources by volunteering for the Culinary Cornucopia chefs competition and dinner, to be held Sunday, Oct. 30 at Career & Tech's Albany campus and the Albany Marriott, respectively. Chef Paul Rother will compete for Career & Tech at 10 a.m. and Chef Dolan for The State Room at 9:30 a.m. Till then, they, Chefs Brucker and Cooper, and the many student volunteers will be planning, practicing and strategizing, all for a great cause. READ BUSINESS REVIEW STORY READ TIMES UNION BLOG POST
Business & Education Advisory Committees to meet & eat Oct. 26
Career & Tech's Business & Education Partnership Advisory Committees will meet on Oct. 26, followed by dinner prepared by Culinary students.
Join us for Open House on Oct. 19 in Schoharie
Be there or be square or bring your T-square. Career & Tech's annual fall Open House will be held from 6-8 p.m. at our Schoharie campus on Oct. 19. Join us for student demos, displays and light refreshments. SkillsUSA officer induction ceremonies will be held at each campus prior to Open House.
september 2011
What is it?
Career & Tech students work with
lots of interesting and unique projects as part of their learning
experience.
What's this?
9/11 anniversary inspires New Visions: Law & Government students
They may have been small children at the time, but the events of 9/11/2001 still had great impact upon the lives and thoughts of the high school seniors in Rich Bader’s New Visions: Law & Government class. With the State Museum’s "The World Trade Center: Rescue Recovery Response" exhibition as their backdrop, the students read essays they’ve written about 9/11 on Monday, Sept. 12 at the museum. see more photos read the news release (pdf) read the Daily Gazette article
Students starred in STEM Expo
Computer & Network Technician/IT students Joe Bentley and Garrett Plant were very popular at the Sept. 10 Kids Expo & STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Event at Crossgates Mall. Bentley also starred in a TV ad promoting the event, along with Career & Tech Gaming alumna Kayla Charles. full story & photos
Fashion Show strutted summer-long student effort
Colonie Center's expanded 2011 Back to School Fashion Show was a big hit on Sept. 10, thanks in great part to its producers: Career & Tech's own Global Fashion Studies class. The culmination of a summer's worth of work, the show was divided into two segments, featuring fashions for children ages 5-10 beginning at noon, and fashions for those age 11 and older at 2:30 p.m. full story & photos
Culinary students team up to help NE Regional Food Bank
Culinary Arts students are once again teaming up to help the Northeast Regional Food Bank by helping present a Sept. 22 dinner at the Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia. full story
Agreement gives heavy equipment students real-world opportunities
An ongoing agreement between Career & Tech and Schoharie Central Schools is providing learning experiences for Construction/Heavy Equipment Operation students while maintaining machinery, saving money for both schools, and helping the school district keep its property safe and serviceable. full story
Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair students featured in videos
Current Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair student Alexa Kilcher (Guilderland HS) and class of 2011 alumnus Josh Cooney (Schenectady HS) have starring roles in an instructional video series being produced by New York Network (NYN). Kilcher and Cooney recently wrapped up taping at their Career & Tech classroom, where Teaching Assistant Bruce Thornton provided guidance and content advice to NYN. full story
9/11 anniversary inspires reflections on life, government, liberty by New Visions: Law & Government students
They may have been small children at the time, but the events of 9/11/2001 still had great impact upon the lives and thoughts of the high school seniors in Rich Bader’s New Visions: Law & Government class. With the State Museum’s "The World Trade Center: Rescue Recovery Response" exhibition as their backdrop, the students will read essays they’ve written about 9/11 on Monday, Sept. 12, from 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. at the museum on Madison Avenue in Albany. read the news release (pdf)
Students to star in Kids Expo
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, will be among the topics Career & Tech students talk about as they engage area young people visiting their booth at a Kids Expo on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Crossgates Mall. Stop by our booth any time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The event is in the former Macy's, ground floor.
Expanded Fashion Show struts summer-long student effort
Be sure to stop by Colonie Center on Sept. 10 for the newly expanded 2011 Back to School Fashion Show, presented by Career & Tech's own Global Fashion Studies class. The show is the culmination of a summer's worth of work. Due to the large turnout at the students' casting call, the show's been divided into two segments, featuring fashions for children ages 5-10 beginning at noon, and fashions for those age 11 and older at 2:30 p.m. full story
Glenn Amell honored as Fire Fighter of the Month
Glenn Amell, custodian at Career & Tech's Albany campus, was recently honored as Fire Fighter of the Month (July 2011) by the Rotterdam Fire Co., where he has volunteered for 20 years. Thank you and congrats!
Schoharie campus is open
Our Schoharie Career & Tech campus is open today, Friday, Sept. 9, and welcoming students.
Schoharie campus closed today, Sept. 8
Due to heavy rain and its effects on area roads, the Schoharie Career & Tech campus is closed today, Sept. 8.
PM session at Schoharie Career & Tech cancelled today, 9/7; students are being released
To help ensure student and staff safety in light of heavy rains today, Sept. 7, the p.m. session of classes at Schoharie Career & Tech will not be held. In addition, students from Middleburgh, Ravena, Sharon Springs and Schoharie attending class at either Career & Tech campus or New Visions programs are also being released.
august 2011
Hot careers in HVAC await adults
Recent alumni work at GlobalFoundries, CA Albright, other local firms
Qualified Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration professionals are always in demand. Career & Tech is accepting students for its HVAC Certification for Adults course, a 10-month, 450-hour career training program that begins next month. Students learn hands-on and earn valuable certifications with a schedule suited to their needs. full story
Career & Tech names Outstanding Students, Fuchs Award winners
Career & Tech has named Outstanding Students and Joseph N. Fuchs Award winners for the 2010-11 school year. The students, who are from Cobleskill, Ravena, Schoharie, Watervliet and Westerlo, were presented with their awards at ceremonies in Albany on June 7 and Schoharie on June 8. full story
Wow! See which students achieved 2010-11 Yearlong Perfect Attendance
More than 200 model hopefuls answer the [casting] call
More than 200 potential models ages 5 - 20, and their parents, grandparents and other family members attended the Global Fashion Studies class' Aug. 2 casting call for Colonie Center's Back To School Fashion Show. Students Alyssa Vanderbilt and Morgan Castilla auditioned model hopefuls, working into the evening with Teacher Ms. Hicks and mall Marketing Assistant Lauren Baum. full story
July 2011
Build a Better Robot Camp, version 2011, rocked
When asked about his favorite part of Career & Tech's Build A Better Robot Camp, Scotia-Glenville ninth grader Joseph Scognamiglio replied, "The whole thing!" One of a group of area teens who spent a week at Union College learning about the fun parts of math, science, engineering and technology, Scognamiglio enjoyed creating Cyscorpion, a robot who obeyed his commands to write circles on large sheets of paper. "I got a scholarship," he noted, "and I chose this camp because I enjoy building things and robots." full story
SEMI High Tech U Camp was 100% cool
SEMI High Tech U Camp was a wrap on July 15 for nearly 40 area teens, and they found their SEMI experience to be 100% cool. Led by high-tech professionals, the campers teamed up to create products, solve problems, and explore college and career programs. One day found the campers becoming a human calculator, with each assigned to be a one or zero as in binary code and then arranging themselves in a particular order on a floor diagram reminiscent of the Twister game. full story
Meeting the need for healthcare professionals: 118 graduate from Practical Nursing program
The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School continued its tradition of educating our region's health care professionals with the June 28 graduation of 118 men and women from the Practical Nursing for Adult Students program. Eighty full-time-study students and 38 part-time-study students were honored at Proctors in Schenectady, including an impressive number of high achievers. full story
Region has more MSSC-Certified Production Technicians, thanks to BOCES
Thirty-two adults
have completed the Manufacturing Skill
Standards Council’s (MSSC) Certified Production Technician
certification program, offered jointly by the Capital Region BOCES
and Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES and
funded through the Greater Capital Region Workforce Investment
Boards (WIB). The students were honored at a June 22 ceremony and
networking event at Hudson Valley Community College's TEC-SMART
building in Malta, where the keynote speaker was Patrick Reuss,
Manager of Employment and Staffing at GlobalFoundries (pictured). A majority of
the students passed exams to become
MSSC-Certified Production Technicians, a nationally recognized
credential.
full story
Summer isn't down-time for this New Visions teacher
Summer is not a down-time for many Career & Tech teachers. Rich Bader, teacher of New Visions: Law & Government was a keynote speaker in Rabat, Morocco this July as part of the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative. Bader also became chair of a statewide initiative promoting civics education. full story
New Visions class aces U.S. Government & Politics AP exam
Ninety-two percent of the students in Mr. Bader’s New Visions: Law & Government class who took the May 2011 Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government & Politics exam received a score of “3/qualified or higher, with three of the six students earning the top score of 5/extremely well qualified, which is four times the rate of students taking the test worldwide. full story
So long SEMI, hello Robots!
SEMI High Tech U Camp was a wrap on July 15 for nearly 40 teens from our region, and a new group of soon-to-be-happy campers began Build a Better Robot Camp on July 25. full story
Scoop the TU mascot has a strong defense in New Visions: Journalism & Media Studies class
News gathering is a serious business, but journalists have a sense of humor, too, as evidenced by some good-natured rivalry between the Times Union and Daily Gazette regarding their mascots, Scoop and Newsie, respectively. Career & Tech's New Visions: Journalism & Media Studies class rushed to the defense of Scoop in their High School Blog in the Times Union, which hosts their program. See how they prove the pen -and the flipcam - are mightier than the sword: House of Scoop: Newsie Can't Touch This.
Adrienne Troia is awarded Evan Schwarz Helping Hand Scholarship
Adrienne Troia of Albany, a student in the Adult Welder Certification program at Career & Tech's Albany campus, is the newest recipient of the Evan M. Schwarz Memorial Scholarship. The award was established by the family in honor of an accomplished former Welding student to assist current learners in meeting their goals. A former psychiatric nurse who changed careers, Troia is pursuing an apprenticeship with the Boilermakers Union. full story
CNT/IT at USDA is where it's at
Information Technology - IT - is everywhere, as is the need for IT professionals, presenting a host of career opportunities for students in Career & Tech's Computer & Network Technician/Information Technology (CNT/IT) program, including internships. CNT/IT alum Richard Persaud interned as a Career & Tech student at an Albany office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a position he still holds, and now mentors Class of 2011 CNT/IT intern Adam Olendorf. read more
Clean, Green is the place to start for Tech Valley's hottest careers
Clean, Green & Advanced Technology is a new, college-credit bearing course that prepares high school students for our region's hottest high-tech careers. Students will explore emerging technologies and career paths in solar and wind energy, Smart Home and Smart Grid energy-saving solutions, and advanced automated production. They'll build, test and create, take part in cool work-based learning activities and field trips, and get a jump on college. read more
