Candidate Calls Tech Ed the “Anchor” to a Strong 21st Century Economy

Senator Lindsey Graham visited the Concord Regional Technical Center office on Friday telling students and staff that high school technical education is important to helping to fuel the economic recovery and widen the manufacturing base in the United States, today and into the future.

“The anchor tenet of the 21st Century is technical education,” said Graham, who is in the state campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Republican from South Carolina was invited to speak at Concord High School by the CHS Presidential Candidates Club, and he signed a club banner in the CRTC conference room that says: “The Road to the White House Goes Through Concord HS”.

The CRTC is one of the most advanced high school technical education facility in the state. Opened in 1980, the CRTC serves more than 530 students from nine regional school districts. The eleven targeted programs use state-of-the-art equipment and are guided by the latest industry standards that provide students with hands-on experience in a realistic environment designed to prepare them for both college and the workplace.

Save the date for our January Chef to School Event!

Crimson Creations Open Salon Nights

Dear Friends & Family:

Our Future Professionals would like to invite you to an evening of glamour and holiday cheer on:

Wednesday, December 2nd and 16th from 5:00 – 7:00pm

at the Crimson Creations Salon

located in the student center

at Concord High School

During this time,  students will be providing hair salon services to demonstrate the technical skill they have learned this year.  There will be a $7.00 charge for each salon service.

Our salon services continue to grow.  This month we have added long-layered haircuts and clipper cuts.

New Service

Cuccio Veneer

(Gel Nails)

$10.00

 

Scalp Massage

Shampoo & Condition

Braiding

Blow-dry

Curl/Flat Iron

Manicure, Polish Change & Nail Art

Paraffin Hand Dip

Basic Blunt Cut

All Services are $7.00 each

Shampoo $3.00 with a Service

We look forward to seeing you!

Ms. Kimberly & The Cosmetology Class

Directors Spotlight Series

Considering New Programming for CRTC’s Future

by CRTC Director Steve Rothenberg

We will survey students this winter, as well as do extensive research, to explore potential new programs for the CRTC.  As part of the process, we look at economic value, current and projected employment levels (and wages), interest level, feasibility and more.   As most know, we will be starting (based on requested enrollment) a Stagecraft Program in 2016/2017.  We will also be completing our implementation of our Fire Science Program (started in 2013/14) by offering an EMT program next year.  Programs discussed for the future include:

· Advanced Manufacturing (Certificate Program taking place at NHTI)

· Video Production (with or without Broadcasting - task force will start this winter)

· Vet Tech

· Agriculture (the Capital Region has a remarkable network of specialty farms)

· Hospitality

· A core business program aligned to the Community College System (students would earn 12 college credits)

· Increasing our commitment to Baking to make it a more formal strand paralleling Culinary Arts

· Increasing our commitment to Barbering to make it a more formal strand paralleling Cosmetology

· Solar/Electrical Energy

· Trades:  Electrical, Plumbing, and Welding

Of note, whatever we consider must be designed to not just meet the needs of Concord High School, but also our eight sending schools (Merrimack Valley, Pembroke Academy, Bow, Hillsboro-Deering, Hopkinton, John Stark Regional, Pittsfield. Kearsarge Regional).   We seek any and all feedback on the ideas listed, as well as anything else you may suggest.  Thanks.

Directors Spotlight Series

Career Communication Class - Authentic Exemplars

by CRTC Director Steve Rothenberg

We are pleased to announce that we have hired Rebecca Gaul as a consultant to help develop our new Career Communication class.  Rebecca is a certified English teacher who, for the past decade, has worked in a comprehensive CTE high school in Las Vegas.  Her focus for the next few months is to capture actual examples of workplace writings and presentations, and then break their elements down into two realms - workplace and English.  Through her work she will analyze these examples to help us best capture the techniques and voices used to make these particular communication strategies effective.  All-in-all, her work will help our English teacher provide the most authentic experiences.

There will be examples that are specific to particular industries, as well as some that are generic.  For example: a letter to a customer dealing with a complaint (workplace - negative communication; English - argumentative); a report on a particular industry trend (workplace - informational; English - informative/explanatory texts), a particular personnel concern. Specific industry examples could include: a proposal to gain a contract to develop a corporate logo; a summary of dealership repair work done to a vehicle (3 C’s - Concern, Cause, Correction); a police report that is void of vagueness and emotion to eventually be used in court.  Rebecca is working to find examples in our community, and in doing so, needs any help you can provide.  Feel free to contact us and we will send it along to her.

Directors Spotlight Series

The CRTC Hosts Workforce Roundtable Discussion with US Representative Kuster,

U.S. Representative Hoyer, distinguished NH leaders, and our students By: Director Steve Rothenberg

Wednesday, October 14, 2:30 pm - Auto Tech Classroom

The CRTC is hosting a roundtable discussion on workforce development with a number of distinguished guests, including U.S. Representative Ann McLane Kuster (CHS Graduate) and U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer, this Wednesday at 2:30 PM.   Rep. Hoyer (D, MD) is the House Whip (2nd ranking Democrat) and has a long history in supporting a “Made in America” approach.  He was also a leader in the 1990 adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Representative Kuster, from our district, is similarly focused on workforce development, and this is an opportunity to talk about this issue from a federal to state to CRTC level.  The roundtable will  include leaders from business and post-secondary, as well as five CRTC students: Nate Cushman (Concord) from Auto Tech, Madison Frederick (Kearsarge) from Cosmetology, Nick Suarez (Concord) from Culinary Arts, as well as Abbey Rancourt (John Stark) and Kaitlyn Roukey (Pembroke Academy) from Health Science. Audience members are welcome.  Please contact our office for more information.

Directors Spotlight Series

How to Maximize Student Learning in the CRTC? Customer Driven Experiences

By: Director Steve Rothenberg

We are very pleased to announce that teacher Craig Emerson has taken on an additional grant-funded role with our Automotive Program.  Craig will be working to explore, initiate, and implement new customer-driven experiences for our Automotive Tech students.  This includes having students assume major roles in our shop, including acting as a service manager with customers.  In addition, Craig is also developing a similarly focused after-school club/business which will include such activities as going to an auto auction to experience the dealer side of the business. Our plan is to purchase a vehicle or two so students can experience that process from purchase to wholesale purchase to sale (a few of our students successfully “flip” cars already).  These customer-driven experiences provide the most authentic environment to maximize learning.  Our goal is to engage in these experiences off-site with our industry partners (the gross majority of them are done this way through internship and job shadows), but at times we supplement them with these on-campus models where the logistics are more manageable.

Directors Spotlight Series

CRTC Happenings—Construction Trades - Focus for the Future

Submitted by Director Steve Rothenberg

The CRTC’s mission is to prepare students for success in their careers and college.  Over the past stretch, we have been doing some deep thinking about potential changes to our Construction Technology Program curriculum to prepare students for the most progressive and economically worthwhile careers in this industry.  This is a particular priority given that the construction/building trades employment sector has a wealth of opportunities available now, and per economic predictions, will continue to do so for the next decade.

The program, which is fully enrolled, is primarily focused on major aspects of residential construction.  Over the past few years, we’ve added some mini-units on commercial framing, plumbing and electrical to supplement the curriculum.   

Opportunities in the trades - plumbing, electrical, welding, HVAC - are particularly strong right now.  Well-paying career jobs are available to entry level workers who have earned an associate's degree and certificates at school like Manchester Community College.  In addition, students who have an affinity for use of tools can also consider pursuing certificates and/or degrees in areas like advanced manufacturing or composites.  Of particular note is Great Bay Community College’s site in Rochester, NH, where they are focused on preparing students for work in the high-tech composite plastics industry, with partnerships with major employers like Albany International and Safron.  How these opportunities can impact our program design is the big question.  

We continue to explore - last week our teacher John Hubbard toured the New England Carpenter’s Union training site in Millbury, MA.  It is impressive.  They are aggressively recruiting and training, including apprenticeships.  Support for the apprenticeship model seems to be coming back given the lack of quality tradespeople (and an aging workforce).  The Portsmouth Shipyard also has an extensive model.

We continue to learn and listen.  If you have ideas, please get in touch with John Hubbard or myself.

Directors Spotlight Series

Articulation Agreements

CRTC Director Steve Rothenberg

These two words have little to no traction with students right now, but the concept of an articulation agreement represents a critical understanding for many Concord High and CRTC students considering starting their post-secondary education at a community college.  In essence, an articulation agreement is a contract between two education institutions (community college - university, high school - community college) that clearly establishes seamless pathways for matriculating students between the two institutions.  For example, NHTI has articulation agreements with universities like SNHU and UNH in such areas as accounting, engineering, health care, and more.  These agreements ensure that a student will receive full credit for their previous accomplishments when they transfer to earn their baccalaureate degree.  The worst scenario involves a transfer school not accepting credits. Students who thought they would be juniors find themselves back as sophomores.

 Knowledge of articulation agreements can prevent this and provide HUGE financial savings for students as they work to meet their college and career goals.  If I had my way, I would drop the name articulation agreement and rebrand it to something more concrete like transfer pathways (which seems to be sprouting up).

Evening of Glamour & Glitz

Dear Friends & Family:

Our future professionals would like to offer you an evening of Glamour and Glitz:

Wednesday, October 14th 5:00-7:00

at the Crimson Creations Salon

located in the Student Center

at Concord High School

During this time, the seniors will be providing the following hair and nail salon services.  

New Service

Cuccio Veneer

(Gel Nails)

$10.00

 

Scalp Massage

Shampoo & Condition

Braiding

Blow-dry

Curl/Flat Iron

Manicure, Polish Change & Nail Art

Paraffin Hand Dip

Basic Blunt Cut

All Services are $7.00 each

Shampoo $3.00 with a Service

We look forward to seeing you!

If you have any questions please email us at khannon@concordnhschools.net

Ms. Kimberly & Cosmetology Class

First Open Salon Night & We Are Cutting For A Cure!

Dear Friends & Family:

Our future professionals have their own Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Team. The team is called Crimson Creations Cuts 4 A Cure. We would like to invite you and a friend or family member to an evening of fun and glamour on:

Thursday, September 17th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
at the Crimson Creations Salon
located in the Student Center
at Concord High School

During this time, the seniors will be providing the following hair and nail salon services. All proceeds will be donated to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Scalp Massage

Shampoo & Condition

Braiding

Blow-dry

Curl/Flat Iron

Manicure, Polish Change & Nail Art

Paraffin Hand Dip

Add pink to your style

A minimum of a $10 donation is appreciated

We look forward to seeing you!

Ms. Kimberly & the Cosmetology Class

CRTC Happenings by: Director Steve Rothenberg

This summer I attended a training seminar by teacher Marty Sugerik of Wilmington, North Carolina. Marty’s specialty is project-based learning with a particular focus on CTE (Career and Technical Education). Marty shared some sample projects, top 10 PBL lists, and rubrics. These projects are exciting and demanding, pushing students to maximize their out-of-the-box thinking, while leveraging previous knowledge and experiences.

Students make particularly strong growth in core academics like math, literacy, and science when they are correctly integrated in CTE’s applied environment. The concept of a project that has “no single easy answer, meets our competencies, is “real”, and incorporates core academics -- is our ideal world. One challenge of this process is for our CTE teachers to become teachers of math, reading, and science, for example in the context of Cosmetology (biology - bacteria), Construction Tech (geometry - roofs), Criminal Justice (chemistry - forensics, U.S. History - criminal laws), Automotive Tech (algebra - wheels and tires, physics - hydraulics, Ohm’s Law) and more. Much work has been already done in this area at the CRTC and our students have gained because of it.

Oftentimes we get caught up in students only demonstrating a checklist of understandings and skills, and not fully engaging in an environment where they solve complex real-life problems. Basically we get stuck in a world of too many competencies and not enough time. Our center is working towards using more PBL strategies (tied to core academics) including dedicated time this spring to do a simultaneous implementation across all programs.

March, April, May Students of the Month

Month: March

Student Name: Joshua Saturley

Program: Info Tech

Grade: Junior

School: PA

Why was this student nominated?
Joshua Shows great ambition, and drive in class, the work he produces is excellent, he is always prepared for class meets all his assignment dates and always has a positive attitude.

Excellence in academics.

Motivated class participant

Strong Work Ethic

positive “Can Do “ attitude.

Where is the student thinking of going to school:

Joshua aspires to attend MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology.)

Month:  March
Student Name:  Corrine Lebell

Program:  Health Science

Grade: 12

School: Concord

Why was this student nominated?
Corrine is being nominated for student of the month because of her perseverance.  Corrine, who is a senior graduating in just a couple of months, is still working full steam ahead.  She has been a dedicated State Officer for New Hampshire HOSA this year and just finished assisting with our annual State HOSA Conference.  It was a terrific conference that was held at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. There were 260 students in attendance.   Students were able to participate in several educational workshops, and compete in health science related competitions.  Corrine played a valuable role in making this event a success.  

Corrine also continues to work on her academics and again was on High Honors this past quarter.

Corrine is a hard worker whose dedication is commendable.  She consistently represents herself, Concord High and Health Science in a professional manner.  It is a pleasure to have had Corrine as a student in Health Science these past two years.

Month: April

Student Name:  Leonard Galvin III

Program: Info Tech

Grade: Senior

School: CHS

Why was this student nominated?

Leonard; who prefers to be addressed as Brian,  loves IT and the sees that the possibilities are limitless when you leverage IT as a tool.

Excellence in academics.

Motivated class participant

Exhibits strong Leadership skills

Participates in extracurricular activities

Class leader

Fun Fact: Prefers to be addressed as Brian. Has his own 3D Printer

Month: April

Student Name: Mariah Golec

Program:Cosmetology I

Grade:11

School:CHS

Why was this student nominated?
(This must tie back to SPUR and use examples like this student demonstrated GRIT while working on…. This is also going to be shared with the public so be sure to explain it in a way that people outside our program would understand. There should be at least a paragraph no more than two.)

Mariah demonstrates great integrity in the classroom.  She is always on time and ready work.  Whether we are  in theory room or in the lab Mariah gives 110% effort all time.  In addition she takes pride in her work and is always seeking  feedback to improve her technical skills.  Mariah very respectful toward her peers and is always willing to extend an extra hand when needed.  In addition Mariah has shown leadership by assisting in the junior classes and taking charge as the manager in her own class.  Mariah  has a wonderful way of speaking to the junior students and helping them when they are struggling with a new skill.  As a manager she took her responsibility seriously and stepped in when needed to ensure  the classroom and salon was ready for the next class

Month: May

Student Name: Justin Maihot

Program: Info Tech

Grade: Senior

School: CHS

Why was this student nominated?

Just stepped up his game during CRTC Tours, and has been exhibiting great resilience and grit in his final programming project. He is an active He shows great enthusiasm and grit, and works through the toughest problems with a smile and positive attitude.

Excellence in academics.

Motivated class participant

Participates in extracurricular activities

Class leader.

CRTC Community Partners

CRTC staff members, along with coordinator Kaleena Guzman, have been going out in the field to meet with industry and community partners over the past month.  The organizations are recognized for their willingness to volunteer by such acts as mentoring our students (internships, job shadows) and/or  advising our programs (advisory boards).  The recognition comes in the form of a plaque called a “CRTC Workforce in Education Award.”  We come unannounced and  once our purpose is established, the excitement level jumps considerably.  They accept the plaque and the confirmation it provides graciously, oftentimes inviting various staff members who have been directly involved (as mentors for example), to also share the pride.  Our staff return from these meetings extremely pleased.  The energy is contagious.  In your travels around the Capital Region, please look for these CRTC framed plaques; those are the businesses particularly worthy of your dollars.  Here is the language from our tribute to Grappone Ford:

The CRTC Workforce Education Leadership Award honors Grappone Ford for their voluntary participation in a successful school-to-career educational partnership with the Concord Regional Technical Center. The success of the partnership is largely based on the willingness of Grappone Ford’s expert service technicians to mentor our automotive students in the field.  By providing these authentic learning opportunities, Grappone Ford demonstrates its long-term commitment to our community's economic, social and civic vitality.  The entire CRTC population - students, parents/guardians and staff - extend their deepest appreciation.  We look forward to many more years of working together.

Teacher Scott Mayotte, Craig Emerson and Service Manager Adam Memmolo