Honors, awards & competitions
Virtual Business, real success
ShaQuayah Graham, a senior in the International Virtual Business program and at Guilderland High School, has been named a Capital Region Outstanding Business Student, Capital Region Scholar and 40 Under 40 Future Business Leader. The awards are presented by the Business & Marketing Educators' Association of the Capital District; the the Capital Area School Development Association, SUNY Albany and the Times Union; and the Capital District Business Review, respectively.

Nontraditional career choice nets student state Vanguard Award
Serena Bardwell of Rotterdam, a Construction Technology student at Career & Tech's Schoharie campus and Schalmont H.S. junior, was named a 2008 New York State Vanguard Award winner in recognition of her successful study of a career nontraditional to her gender. The award is presented by the New York State Center for Innovation in Career Development and the New York State Education Department. Bardwell has a career goal of working in construction as a heavy equipment operator. Read more

Culinary team can take the heat
Team Schoharie headed to the 2008 National ProStart Competition in San Diego, CA, this April after winning the New York State ProStart Competition in February. Competing on a national scale after cooking their way to first place in N.Y. were Schoharie campus Hospitality Technology & Culinary Arts students Katrina Gannon and Matthew Hudson, (Middleburgh H.S.), Aaron Giebitz (Berne-Knox-Westerlo H.S.), and Kayla Williams (Duanesburg H.S.). Supporting the team were alternate member Michael Cushman (Schoharie H.S.) and second alternate Michael Fullford. Their teacher, Chef Nancy Iannacone, is the 2007-08 ProStart Teacher of the Year.

Computer Apps student is #1 in state; Career & Tech also brings home two 2nds, one 3rd prize trophy from SkillsUSA states
Career & Tech Computer Applications student and Shenendehowa senior Kyle Meyers won first place in the Office Technology event at the New York State SkillsUSA Competition in Syracuse in April. AYES Automotive Technician and Mohonasen senior Tim Vander Wouden took 2nd place in the state SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technician event and HVAC/R and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk junior Travis Richardson brought home a 2nd in Hydronic Heating. Nurse Assistant and Schenectady High School junior Esther Singh scored third in Nurse Assisting. Read more

IVB students' Web site honored at Virtual Enterprise Trade Fair
Career & Tech's International Virtual Business (IVB) students were awarded an honorable mention for their Kustom Kickz Web site at the 2008 International Virtual Enterprise Trade Show in New York City in April. A total of 159 schools from around the world participated in the event, which featured competitions, guest speakers including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and real-life, business-building networking. The IVB students operate their own virtual company, Kustom Kickz athletic shoes, and are learning through an internally recognized curriculum known as Virtual Enterprise.

A bouquet of floral winners
Career & Tech's Floral Design & Botanical Services team brought home a bouquet of awards from a competition at the annual Capital District Garden & Flower Show, held March 28-30 at Hudson Valley Community College. Read the news release.

New Visions: Health Careers students HOSA the competition
Students in Mr. Paravella's New Visions: Health Careers class brought home top awards from the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Conference in March in Syracuse. They competed against more than 175 students from 20 HOSA chapters from across the state and brought home first place in Medical Math, second in Medical Spelling, second in Extemporaneous Medical Poster, and third in the HOSA Bowl. Read more.

Chef, student conjure Cuisine Magic to help Eddy Visiting Nurse Association
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology teacher Chef Paul Rother and Culinary Arts Tech Prep student Maggie O'Mara (Guilderland) cooked up some magic, earning a bronze medal, while raising money for a good cause on March 9 at the American Culinary Federation's Cuisine Magic competition at the Crowne Plaza, Albany. A number of Career & Tech students volunteered as servers at the event. Read more

Lodging Management team takes 3rd
Congratulations to Lodging Management students Jeneza Ramnarine and Rebecca Imfeld (Schenectady H.S.), Heidi Bendick (Voorheesville H.S.) and Justin Puvogel (Guilderland H.S.) and teacher Steve Stofelano on their third-place finish in the February 27 N.Y. S. Lodging Management Program Competition in Albany. Our team practiced with business partner Albany Marriott and Lodging Management alumni and competed in night audit, knowledge bowl, case study and room inspection.

New Visions: Law & Government student wins SU Maxwell Scholarship
Andy Swab of Glenville, a senior in the New Visions: Law & Government program and at Scotia-Glenville High School, has won Syracuse University’s $20,000 Maxwell Citizenship Scholarship. Competing against more than 100 students from across the country, Swab’s first-prize-winning entry was a public policy proposal he wrote about installing solar panels on his high school’s roof. Read more

Career & Tech rules at SkillsUSA Regionals
Career & Tech students rocked the '08 SkillsUSA Regional Competition March 19, taking home a busload of trophies and awards from Schenectady County Community College. They won several firsts, seconds, thirds, fourths and fifth place awards. Read more
 

Partnership spotlight: New Visions Health Careers
Learning from medical experts
With classrooms at Ellis and St. Peter's hospitals and a curriculum that explores a wide range of medical specialties, students in Career & Tech's New Visions: Health Careers programs learn from top professionals. In late 2007, Mr. Paravella's New Visions class attended a lecture by internationally recognized cancer expert Dr. Azra Raza. According to New Visions student and Shenendehowa senior Maya Christie,
"During her Grand Rounds presentation, [Dr. Raza] captivated the audience with a brief summary of her cancer research, and stressed the importance of healing the 'whole" patient, not just the physical aspect. She is currently researching and experimenting with ways in which to reverse the harmful side effects of chemotherapy radiation. 'Amazing', 'phenomenal', 'by far one of the best speakers Ellis has ever had': These were just a few of the positive comments from Dr. Raza's lecture, and we, as New Visions students were given the once in a lifetime time opportunity to experience this life changing event." Read Christie's whole article.

Helping others while learning
Community service sprouts in Floral, Botanical classes
Students in Meg Bugler's Botanical Services and Floral Design classes witnessed evidence of their community service, times several thousand, recently when they traveled to Albany's Washington Park to view blooms from the 8,000 tulip bulbs they planted last fall. They also visited the Ten Broeck Mansion to plan decorations they'll create for the '08 holiday season, created boutonnieres for a luncheon to be held by Governor Paterson for persons with disabilities, and produced centerpieces for the Albany Tulip Queen Luncheon.

Theatre Arts Tech students cited for work at New Plays Festival
Students in Jeff Knorr's Theatre Arts Technology program, which is based at Proctors Theatre, were cited recently by the Daily Gazette for their creative lighting design and execution for the theatre's New Plays Festival in April. The festival featured three original, locally written plays that were wholly produced by Proctors Theatre. The students began working on the project in January, designing lighting, costumes and props; building and dressing sets; and working as running crew and lighting and sound technicians during rehearsals and performances. Read more
 

Participation in government, plus
New Visions: Law & Government students lobbied for education funding and programs on March 4 at the State Capitol with the Legislative Forum Consortium. Members of the consortium include: The College Board, the N.Y.S. Association for College Admission Counseling, New York Counseling Association, N.Y.S. School Counselors Association, SUNY College Admission Professionals, City University of New York, N.Y.S. Financial Aid Administrators Association, SUNY Financial Aid Professionals, Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, and Liberty Partnerships. The class also took part in a Youth Media Project Town Meeting in February with public radio station WAMC.
 

Back to school
Early Childhood Ed alumna brings her  first graders to Career & Tech for science lessons
Career & Tech Early Childhood Education alumna and Van Corlaer Elementary School First Grade Teacher Kim Bushey brought her class to campus in March to work on science units. The children learned about the interaction of solids, liquids and gases from current Early Childhood Education students in Ms. Jennings' room and through baking with Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology students. See the photo story

New for Fall 2008
Pre-Tech Studies an exciting, new option for 9th graders
A new, half-day, Regents-based Pre-Technical Studies program will be offered to incoming 9th graders at the Albany campus of the Capital Region Career & Technical School (Career & Tech) in Fall 2008. It will combine hands-on career education and exploration with team-taught, integrated academics and support from guidance, social workers and student management staff. Students will earn one credit each in English, Social Studies, Design and Drawing for Production (art or technology credit), and in a CTE elective. Students will develop a 10-year plan, be engaged in community-based experience and be exposed to career and technical education and work-based learning opportunities. Read more!

Also new: Full-day Senior Career Academy Alliance in Hospitality & Automotive
A full-day Senior Career Academy Alliance in Hospitality & Automotive, to be piloted at the Albany campus next Fall, will unite the best qualities of career and technical education and academic study with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. The new program will offer high school seniors a full day of study, including a half day of academics and a half day of career and technical education in one of the following programs: Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology, Lodging Management, Automotive Trades Technology, AYES Automotive Technician, Auto Body Collision or Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair.

A team-teaching, contextual learning approach will relate academics and career & tech education, promote development of 21st Century skills, and offer work-based learning and college-credit-bearing coursework. Learn more

21st Century Skills a national  and Career & Tech effort
According to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, "Americans increasingly recognize that the U.S. education system can and should do more to prepare our young people to succeed in the rapidly evolving 21st century. Skills such as global literacy, problem solving, innovation and creativity have become critical in today’s increasingly interconnected workforce and society."

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is an advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st Century skills into education by working with business, education leaders and policymakers. To learn more, visit http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php

Business partners are invaluable
More than 300 representatives of local business, industry and higher education partner with Career & Tech as members of our Advisory Committees. They provide our students with opportunities to intern, job shadow, secure employment and explore many pathways to success. Business and educational partners also guide Career & Tech in designing and revising programs to meet the changing demands of a global economy.

Is there a nurse in the house?
The Practical Nursing program for Adult Students is one of our school's most popular offerings. Want to learn more? Download our one-sheet flier featuring the latest info, fees and class calendars for full- and part-time programs or call 862-4709.

Survey says . . .
Career & Tech completed its first comprehensive, online senior survey in June 2007. We found that overall, our students are happy with their educational experience. Follow-up surveys with these now alumni students were also conducted and a report will soon be issued. Currently, the Communications Office is busily surveying the soon-to-be-grads of 2008. Want to learn what our students said? Download the Class of 2007Senior survey report.

Accreditation process promotes student success, school planning
The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. To earn this nationally recognized accreditation, our school takes a close look at itself and how we can better serve our students, using Middle States as a strategic planning tool. Learn more on our Accreditation page, which features a link to a very informative slide show.
 

C T E-Notes mission statement
C T E-Notes is a Web-based e-newsletter for Career & Tech School parents, guardians, students, families, school board members and component school staff.
C T E-Notes celebrates the accomplishments of Capital Region Career & Technical School students and uses the power and convenience of the Web to keep readers informed of the good things happening at our Albany and Schoharie campuses.