International Virtual Business student honored as Outstanding Business Ed Student, Capital Region Scholar, 40 Under 40 Future Business Leader
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.

New plays, new experiences, great skills: Theatre Arts Tech students cited for work at 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.

The students had the opportunity to work with professional producers, directors and actors, including members of Actors Equity, the nation's major actors union. Three high school seniors and seven juniors are enrolled in Theatre Arts Technology, which is offered through a partnership between Career & Tech and the program's host location, Proctors Theatre.

Lodging Management students are G.R.E.A.T. - and have papers to prove it!
Eight students from Mr. Stofelano's Lodging Management classes, including Haley Hernandez (Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake H.S.) and Krystal Florek (Mohonasen H.S.) (from left with their teacher), recently completed a seminar for hospitality professionals titled G.R.E.A.T.: Guest Room Exceptional Attendant Training, building their skills and resumes. The seminar was hosted by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, which sponsored their participation, under the auspices of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. "The workshop taught us about working together and making the hotel run smoothly," related Hernandez. "It's not just about making beds; it's about who's making them." Florek added that G.R.E.A.T. "meant a lot to me and provided me with some very great benefits!"
 

Can you dig it?


Building Maintenance student Josh Jones of Menands works the controls of an excavator under the guidance of a volunteer instructor at the annual Capital Region Construction Career Days at the Joint Training Center in Glenmont. Several classes from both Career & Tech campuses participated in the April event, learning new skills and testing their knowledge, talking to potential employers and colleges and exploring a wide range of construction-related careers. Career & Tech also hosted a booth at the event.
 

New Visions: Law & Government student Andy Swab wins $20K Syracuse University’s Maxwell Citizenship 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. The scholarship competition was open to students who have been accepted into Syracuse University (SU), where Swab received his award on April 19. Upon winning the scholarship, Swab told his New Visions teacher, Richard Bader, Esq., “I was extremely surprised I won; my face was like Macauley Culkin’s in ‘Home Alone!’”  Read more
 

Career & Tech students (from left) Kyle Meyers of Ballston Lake, Tim Vander Wouden of Rotterdam, Esther Singh of Schenectady and Travis Richardson of Selkirk brought home trophies from the New York State SkillsUSA Competition held April 9-11 in Syracuse. They earned a 1st, two 2nds and a 3rd place award. See more photos!

Computer Applications student is #1 in state in Office Technology; Team 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, April 9-11. Meyers outscored students from across New York to win the state title.

Team Career & Tech also brought home two 2nd place and a 3rd place state award. AYES Automotive Technician and Mohonasen senior Tim Vander Wouden, took 2nd place in the state SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technician event.  HVAC/R and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk junior Travis Richardson brought home a 2nd place SkillsUSA state award in Hydronics. Nurse Assistant and Schenectady High School junior Esther Singh scored third in New York State in Nurse Assisting at the SkillsUSA event.

State champ Kyle Meyers initially thought he was out of the running. “They announced the 3rd and then the 2nd place winners,” he said, “and I thought ‘that was it’. Then I saw my name appear on the awards PowerPoint and it was announced, and I sat there just stunned for a minute. Then I went up to accept my trophy.” Read more
 

IVB students' Kustom Kickz Web site honored at Virtual Enterprise Trade Fair
Congratulations to Career & Tech's International Virtual Business (IVB) students and their teacher, Ms. Ferlazzo, for being awarded an honorable mention for their Kustom Kickz Web site at the 2008 International Virtual Enterprise Trade Show in New York City on April 4. 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. Learn more about International Virtual Business.
Pictured in photo above, from left: James Sawyer (Berne-Knox-Westerlo), Quentin Boyer (Schenectady), Samantha Powers (Watervliet), Natalya Ivashina (Niskayuna), Crystal Mosier (Mohonasen), Greg Weaver (Voorheesville), Victoria Taylor (Voorheesville), Danielle Rudolph (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk), ShaQuayah Graham (Guilderland), Matthew Persaud (Schenectady), Stephanie Pane (Mohonasen).

Nontraditional career choice nets Schoharie Career & Tech's Serena Bardwell statewide Vanguard Award
Serena Bardwell of Rotterdam, a Construction Technology student at Career & Tech's Schoharie campus, has been 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 each year by the New York State Center for Innovation in Career Development and the New York State Education Department. Bardwell, who is also a junior at Schalmont High School, was honored at a ceremony in Albany on March 28. She was selected as one of two winners (one female, one male) from 28 finalists statewide and has a career goal of working in construction as a heavy equipment operator. Read more

New Visions students learn from renowned medical experts
With a classroom located in a hospital and a curriculum centered on exploring a wide range of medical specialties, students in Career & Tech's New Visions: Health Careers programs at St. Peter's and Ellis Hospitals learn from top professionals in the field. 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.

Move to Wildwood to expand New Visions opportunities in '08-'09
Career & Tech’s New Visions: Human Services & Special/Elementary Education program will relocate to Wildwood School on Curry Road Extension, Schenectady, for the 2008-09 school year, pending final approval by the Capital Region BOCES Board of Education. St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany, where the class is currently located, will remain an active and valued partner in providing internships and experiences for students in the program.

Wildwood School will offer enhanced opportunities for New Visions students. In addition to educational staff, Wildwood employs speech, occupational and physical therapists, art and music therapists, school, clinical and behavioral psychologists and more. Working with children on the autistic spectrum is one of the most rapidly growing career opportunities, and Wildwood will provide our students with a significant advantage as they pursue human services and/or educational careers.

Wildwood School is a private, not-for-profit day program for students between the ages of 3 to 21 with neurological impairments, complex learning disabilities, autism and other neurologically based developmental disorders. Established in 1967, Wildwood enrolls more than 187 students from 54 school districts in 13 counties.

Accreditation process promotes student success
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 successfully completed an intensive stakeholder survey, which includes self-study by staff, students, parents, component school district representatives. Such self-assessments are comprehensive and provide data to be used as a tool for continuous improvement and positive change. Indeed, to maintain our accreditation and prepare for a visit by a Middle States team in the spring of 2012, Career and Technical Education (CTE) staff, students, business partners and other stakeholders are involved in ongoing accreditation activities. Read more

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 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 for Fall '08: 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 in 2008-09, 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

Cooking up experience at Cafe Anders
Students in Career & Tech's Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Food Services and Culinary Arts & Hospitality Tech Prep programs gain valuable experience while creating and serving delicious fare at Cafe Anders on the Albany campus. Lunch is offered each Thursday from noon to 1, with reservations suggested.

Business & Education Partners are invaluable
Strong business and education partnerships enable Career & Tech to keep apprised of employment needs and trends. Hundreds of representatives of business, industry and secondary and higher education serve on our school's Advisory Committees, work closely with our faculty and staff and provide students and alumni with valuable opportunities for job exploration, shadowing, internship, apprenticeship and part- and full-time employment.

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Career & Tech Education by the numbers
The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School serves students from 25 school districts, which include 22 public high schools, private and parochial schools and home-schooled students. We also serve students from neighboring BOCES through cross-contracted enrollment and adult students both individually and through local employers. How many students are enrolled at our school? At each campus? What about adult vs. high school enrollment? Learn more at our Enrollment page.
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Helping out in our community
Community service is a big part of the Career & Tech experience, with students and staff supporting many worthy causes throughout the year. Some good deeds:
- Vocational Training & Transition students are Walking for St. Jude's, a special fund-raiser for a special hospital.
- Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Tracy Gyoerkoe is walking to benefit the American Cancer Society.
- Linda Martin of Career & Tech's Health Careers & Services office and her relay teammates from "The Warriors" raised $2,589 by walking in the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society on April 5-6. The 24-hour event at SUNY Albany raised $96,000. Linda reports, " We had three survivors on out team, and probably 90% of the [Relay participants] were SUNY Albany students. It was an incredible display of support and compassion." 
- Culinary Arts & Hospitality teacher Chef Rother, assisted by Culinary Arts Tech Prep and Guilderland senior Maggie O'Mara, participated in and won a bronze medal at Cuisine Magic, which benefits The Eddy Visiting Nurse Association.
- Welding & Metal Fabrication teacher Mike Todd is raising funds for the American Diabetes Association through the annual Tour de Cure bicycle ride, to be held in June.

Lodging Management students join with Marriott staff to donate time, energy to Earth Day
Mr. Stofelano's Lodging Management class celebrated Earth Day April 23 by volunteering at Bower Park in Colonie. Working alongside staff from the Albany Marriott, their sponsoring business advisor and internship site, the students cleaned the park's fitness trail, planted flowers and worked on carpentry projects. "In partnership with the Albany Marriott, this was a perfect opportunity to teach the students about volunteering in their communities as well as helping out the Village of Colonie," said Mr. Stofelano.

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 and are busy producing boutonnieres for a luncheon to be held by Governor Paterson for persons with disabilities. In addition, the students are creating centerpieces for the upcoming Albany Tulip Queen Luncheon.

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Career & Tech on the road
Career & Tech students and staff promote career and technical education through numerous community events and working with our school and business partners. Our students also provide fun demos for younger students at middle school career days and fairs throughout the year. Staff are available all year round. Contact Monique Jacobs, Communications Coordinator, for details.

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GET AHEAD THROUGH ADULT ED

Forming friendships along with sentences: ESOL class has many cultures, common goal
Naim Memetaj is a veterinarian from Albania who speaks three languages. Maria Ntongono-Azumu, fluent in Spanish and French, is working toward a career in international business. Civil engineer Alfonso Palacios, originally from Peru, managed a company in Paraguay and co-owns a commercial farm. Despite their linguistic savvy and professional accomplishments, weekday mornings find these individuals in a downtown Albany classroom focusing intently on one very key subject: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Read more

GED, ESOL, CTE, GRASP, PN, CNA:
An alphabet of learning for today's adults
Our Adult Education program offers many learning opportunities for adult students. Visit the Adult Ed Web page to learn more.

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Downloads

Download the 2007-2008 Career & Tech Student & Parent Handbook

View our Career & Tech Video

Read our Vision, Mission & Values Statement

Download our Course Guide course catalog for '08-'09

Download our New Visions Guide/The College Advantage

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Job Opportunities for students, alumni & staff
Visit our new Employment Opportunities page.

Interested in employment with the Capital Region BOCES, including the Capital Region Career & Technical School? Visit: Jobs at BOCES (www.capregboces.org/jobopenings/jobs.htm)

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It's a fact
More education and training mean higher earnings and greater job satisfaction. Where are you going? If your destination is success in career and in life, Career & Tech can help you get a great start!

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Archives & News Releases
Past home page items other than full news stories may be found on the 2007-08 school year home page archive, 2006-07 school year home page archive or the 2005-06 school year home page archive.

For current news releases, see Latest News