Congratulations 2009 Outstanding Students of the Year!
Career & Tech named the 2009 Outstanding Students of the Year at the annual June Awards and Recognition Ceremonies held on June 3 for Albany campus and June 15 for Schoharie. Congratulations to Michael D'Agostino (Duanesburg HS), a Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair student and New York State SkillsUSA Diesel Technology champion on receiving the award for the Albany campus.

For Schoharie, top honors went to two students - a tie for the award of Outstanding Student of the Year: Cosmetology student Crystal Collins (Cobleskill-Richmondville HS) and Commercial Construction/Heavy Equipment student Andrew Cortese (Berne-Knox-Westerlo HS). Outstanding Students are honored for demonstrating growth in achievement, citizenship and pride in their chosen occupations. They are active in Career & Tech activities and are leaders among their peers.

The Joseph N. Fuchs Award for Uniquely Challenged Students is bestowed at each year's Awards and Recognition Ceremonies upon a student who has overcome significant challenges to excel at Career & Tech and who is a role model for others. Congratulations to Hospitality & Culinary Technology senior Sarah Terry (Duanesburg HS) on being named 2009 Fuchs Award winner for Schoharie campus. She was presented with the honor by retired Career & Tech Principal Dave Terry, who is also her uncle.

For Career & Tech's Albany campus, congratulations to Jose Galvez (Schenectady HS) for winning the Joseph N. Fuchs Award for Uniquely Challenged Students. Galvez studied Food Services and was also named outstanding student for his class, taught by Career & Tech alumnus Chef Scott Cooper.   Read the news release about the awards.

Medical school, nursing, speech therapy:
New Visions: Health Careers alumni take many paths

New Visions: Health Careers Class of 2001 alumnus MaryBre Mackenzie was awarded an M.D. degree at Albany Medical College's graduation ceremony on May 21, 2009. Dr. MacKenzie, who was a New Visions: Health Careers student while a senior at Shenendehowa High School, attended Union College and earned her B.S. in 2005 and M.S. in 2006. At Union, she was awarded Phi Beta Kappa for outstanding academic achievement. Read more!

Excellence times two:
Students had to do doubly well to qualify for National Technical Honor Society
Seventeen students enrolled in courses offered through Career & Tech were honored for excellence in their studies at both Career & Tech and their home high schools by being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society on May 28. The students had to earn a 92 average or higher at Career & Tech, an overall average of 85 or higher at their high schools, and have five or fewer absences. In the photo from left: Kristina White (Nurse Assistant/Guilderland HS), Mark deRoziere (New Visions: Health Careers/Schoharie HS), Cassandra Diamond (Early Childhood Education/BKW HS), Amanda Caswell (Floral Design/RCS HS), Katlyn Prescott (Early Childhood Education/BKW HS), and Denise Willsey (Early Childhood Education/BKW HS). Read more


 

New Visions: Law & Gov't students meet top national leaders; alumni are a strong presence in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Bader's New Visions: Law & Government class returned from their annual trip to Washington, D.C. with exciting reports of meetings with top national leaders. Bader reports, "Among the highlights of the trip, we met U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and spoke with her general counsel; met and spoke with U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko and Scott Murphy together on the steps of the Capitol; and met and spoke with two of Supreme Court Justice Alito's law clerks and with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Maj. General William Suter (former Judge Advocate General of the Army) at the Supreme Court." read more

Children & Education Career Academy seniors show portfolios, are awarded college credit
They are your children’s and grandchildren’s future teachers, coaches, school officials, and children and family professionals. On May 27, five Children & Education Career Academy seniors presented their portfolios, marked the completion of their studies and were awarded up to 15 college credits in a ceremony at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, where the unique program is based. The students included Academy and Cobleskill-Richmondville seniors Keegan Griffith, Sarah Wayman, Ashley Weingarten and Lindsey Westerveld, and Academy and Sharon Springs High School senior Adrieanna Diamond. Also at the May 27 ceremony, Westerveld was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society in recognition of academic and individual excellence. Read more

Attention parents and students:
Career & Tech offers great summer camps!

Enlist now for Theatre Tech Boot Camp at Proctors
Explore the jobs, learn the skills and experience the magic behind the scenes in theatre at Theatre Tech Boot Camp! Proctors has partnered with the Capital Region Career and Technical School’s Theatre Technology class to provide incoming 9th through 12th grade students a week of intense career exploration. Through working on a real production with theatre professionals, students will learn about the technical elements of scenery, lights, sound, props and wardrobe all while tackling life skills of teamwork, safety and creative problem solving! Led by Career & Tech Theatre Technology teacher and performing arts professional Jeff Knorr, Theatre Tech Boot Camp will run from August 3 -7, from 12-4 p.m., at the Hearst Education Center at Proctors on State Street, Schenectady. Theatre Tech Boot Camp is designed for ages 15-18 (grades 9-12), and tuition is $125. For registration information, download the Proctors Summer Adventures 09 catalog, or contact Proctors at (518) 382-3884, ext. 139.
 

Pathways to fun . . . and cool green technologies:
Free Summer Institute camps offered at both campuses
This summer, Career & Tech and the Greater Capital Region Career Pathways Consortium are giving teens an opportunity to explore emerging career opportunities right in our own backyard –Tech Valley! Tuition for the camps is free but space is limited. Meal expenses and transportation are not provided. Career Pathways Summer Institute camps being offered by Career & Tech include:

At Career & Tech's Albany campus:
Future Green: An Exploration of Green Energy Technologies
July 13-17, 2009
Learn how solar power, wind turbines and fuel cells have not only sparked new sources of energy, but also environmentally friendly, fun and rewarding careers. This institute is for students entering 9th and 10th grades this fall who are interested in learning about a future career in green technology. Students will be exposed to a blend of new and emerging technologies through creative field trips and fun, hands-on activities including constructing and racing a solar-powered car, creating a wind turbine and testing its power output, experimenting with fuel cells, and taking a field trip to a local power facility. (Limit: 16 students) Contact Tracy Gyoerkoe. Read the news release about Capital Region Career & Tech's camps.

At Career & Tech's Schoharie campus:
Girls Going Green!
July 13-17, 2009
Who says a career in heavy equipment and building trades is just for guys? Construction is cool – it can be green, too! This institute is for girls entering 9th grade in the fall who are interested in exploring a non-traditional career in heavy equipment and building trades using green technologies.(Limit: 20 female students). Contact Denise Capece. Read the news release about Capital Region Career & Tech's camps..

Green Power!
July 20-24, 2009
A career in heavy equipment and building trades can be cool and green too! Learn how construction and heavy equipment can be environmentally friendly, fun and rewarding. This institute is for students entering 10th grade in the fall who are interested in exploring a career in heavy equipment and building trades using green technologies. (Limit: 10 male and 10 female students). Contact Denise Capece. Read the news release about Capital Region Career & Tech's camps..

The Greater Capital Region Career Pathways Consortium, a partnership of several area colleges and BOCES, is offering a total of eight different Career Pathways Summer Institutes that explore emerging careers in our region for students entering 9th grade or older, tuition-free, in July and August. Except where noted, the Summer Institutes are daytime programs which run for one week each, are offered tuition-free and enroll an average of 15-20 students. Read the news release about all 8 camps or visit the Web page: https://www.questar.org/summer09.

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Why study here? Read our students' Top 10!
Why do high school students choose to spend half their school day at the Capital Region Career & Technical School? Our anonymous survey gave us the Top Ten Reasons Students Choose Career & Tech!

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In the media
New Visions: Journalism & Media Studies students cited as "Exceptions to the Rule" after WAMC appearance
Former TV news anchor and Times Union blogger Lydia Kulbida recently wrote of the supposed death of print newspapers and of being "hopeful for the future because today, I met the exceptions to the rule." Kulbida applauded Ann-Marie Sheehan's New Visions: Journalism & Media Studies class for being "bright, eloquent and passionate about the future need for . . . mainstream media" and an informed citizenry during the students' appearance on public radio station WAMC's Youth Media Project. Kulbida, Fox23 News' Diane Lee and the Times Union's Mike Spain were panelists on the WAMC show, which explored the roles of traditional and newer forms of media in current and future society.

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BOCES Adult Education: Training Tech Valley Today

Test day surprise was no match for Melissa
For some, knowledge is power. For Melissa Chiarini, knowledge is the power to heal. Seriously injured in a sledding accident 10 years ago, the now 25-year-old Schenectady resident cites learning about her traumatic brain injury and subsequent stroke as giving her "new tools to solve my problems." Coupled with a can-do attitude and a "drive to do stuff," Chiarini's pursuit of knowledge equipped her to pass the exam for her New York State General Equivalency Diploma (GED) on the very first try - despite a surprise on test day. Read more

Tomorrow's nurses are learning here today
Did you know the Capital Region BOCES offers part- and full-day study programs in Practical Nursing for adult students? Our students come from near and far, from the Capital Region, New York City and around the globe. Many are career changers, some are advancing from the Nurse Assistant level, others are beginning an exciting new career. While they study hard on campus and at clinical locations throughout the area, they also form lasting friendships and professional connections on their way to becoming NYS Licensed Practical Nurses. Some benefit from financial aid. Want to learn more? Visit our Practical Nursing page or contact the Health Careers office today.
 

GED, ELL, 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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Special services programs launch self-esteem, career skills, success in life
Being treated as an equal among peers is important to all of us, and can particularly challenging for students with special educational needs. Kids can be cruel, and school can be frustrating. Learning disabilities can heighten the turbulence of the high school years, when students are called upon to define their future paths. Career & Tech’s courses for special needs students, or services programs as they are known, provide a safe place for individuals to learn, grow and mature while building marketable career and life skills. Services programs also can be a foundation for further Career & Tech education, with students progressing to a higher level program after mastering basic skills. Read more

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CAREER & TECH CAN BE A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Alumni profile
From likely dropout to health care professional:
Alt Ed turns a life around
When Laura's family moved south in 2002, she chose to remain in the Capital Region with friends to finish her junior and senior years of high school. Not too far into the academic year, her difficulties at the large suburban school had escalated to the point where it was suggested that she consider dropping out.

“I said, ‘No, I am going to graduate.’ I didn’t want them to defeat me,” Laura recalled. She was “two weeks away from dropping out of high school” when she applied, wrote an essay and was accepted into Career & Tech's Alternative Education (Alt. Ed.) program. "Without Alt. Ed., I would probably be a dropout and [living] on the streets.” Read more

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This is your school: Keep it safe and clean
Silence your cells please . . .
A reminder: Cell phones should not be used during school. Parents/guardians needing to reach students should call the school office - 862-4800 for Albany, 295-3000 for Schoharie. Students' cell phones (and other electronic devices) should be silenced during class time.
And no smoking
New York State law prohibits smoking - by anyone - in schools and on school property.
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Staying healthy and preventing disease
While our school has not experienced a flu outbreak, the New York State Department of Health makes the following general recommendations to help  protect yourself and your family from the flu:

 - Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, for about 20 seconds, as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
 - Avoid people who are ill.
 - Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
 - Use tissue when you cough, sneeze or spit, and dispose of the tissue in a covered trash bin. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Don't spit on the ground.
 - Keep hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
 - Clean shared space more often such as phone receivers, keyboards, steering wheels and office equipment.
 -  Refrain from sharing personal items such as forks, spoons, toothbrushes and towels.

Information on swine flu is available from the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

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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 on our Middle States accreditation and strategic planning page.

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:

Food Bank harvests help of New Visions: Human Services & Special/Elementary Education students

Students from Ms. Scherer's New Visions: Human Services & Special/Elementary Education program recently helped out at the Regional Food Bank, lending a much-needed hand to an increasingly busy agency. Pictured from left: Chrissy Shepard (RCS), Erin Montrello (Niskayuna), Christina Baker (Maple Hill), Christine Cary (RCS) Katie McCarthy (Heatly), and Michelle Frasier (Scotia-Glenville).

Scherer reports that her class of 14, who have spent the year interning at the Wildwood School, Center for Disability Services, St. Catherine's Center for Children, Pine Bush Elementary School, BOCES classes for the deaf and hard of hearing at Westmere School, and many other locations, will attend college in the fall to study occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, psychology, and elementary, secondary and special education.
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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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Downloads

Download the 2008-2009 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
2008-09 School Year Home Page Archive
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