SEPTEMBER 2011
UNITED TECHNICAL CENTER
NEWSLETTER
Welcome Back to the 2011-2012 School Year
The new school year at United Technical Center began on August 16, 2011. UTC faculty have been busy preparing for a new school year and students have passed the required safety tests in each of their respective areas. Many courses at UTC are at maximum numbers and along with other courses show a strong demand for career technical education in our attendance area. Good luck to all students and faculty as we progress throughout the year. WELCOME BACK!
Welcome
United Technical Center would like to officially welcome our new instructors: Jon Cottrill in Collision Repair Technology, Keith Goodwin in Machine Tool Technology, and Bennett Rolfes in Computer Systems and Hardware Support. All three of these instructors attended United Technical Center to begin their careers in career and technical education and have been working in their specific fields to gain job experience and expertise. We welcome all three of them back to UTC!
UTC Selected as School of Excellence
United Technical Center was selected as a 2011 School of Excellence by the West Virginia Department of Education. UTC was evaluated on proficiency standards on the WorkKeys testing program in reading and mathematics and locating information; Global 21 Performance Assessments; and placement rates for UTC students for eligibility to apply for the School of Excellence Award. An extensive application process was completed by members of the school and community to showcase the many aspects of United Technical Center. UTC was only one of four schools in the state to achieve this award this year. UTC also was awarded this designation in 1996. Congratulations- students, teachers, and administration for a job well done!
UTC Director Inducted into Career & Technical Education Hall of Fame
Mrs. Joan Smith, Director of United Technical Center was inducted as a charter member of the West Virginia Career & Technical Education Hall of Fame on July 25, 2011 during the Celebrating the Stars Awards Program at the 2011 West Virginia Technical, Adult and Institutional Education Conference at the Charleston Civic Center. Mrs. Smith was recognized for her dedication and devotion to career & technical education throughout her career at UTC. The CTE Hall of Fame also includes: Mr. Gus Douglas – WV Agriculture Commissioner; Mr. William Proudfoot – Legislator from Upshur County who was a true CTE supporter until his recent, untimely passing; Dr. Kena Seal – Retired OEPA Director for the state of West Virginia; and Dr. Stanley Hopkins – Retired Assistant Superintendent of Schools in West Virginia. Congratulations Mrs. Smith!
Back to School Cookout Held at UTC
United Technical Center held its annual fall cookout on Friday, September 2, 2011 during the morning and afternoon sessions. Students were provided with hot dogs and drinks with the assistance of the ProStart class, UTC faculty and staff, and SkillsUSA to encourage enrollment in SkillsUSA. All students enjoyed social time with friends and staff.
UTC Student Competes in National Competition
The national SkillsUSA competition was held in Kansas City, Missouri in June of 2011. United Technical Center was represented by Roger Hern who was a first year student in Drafting (CAD) last year. Roger competed in the Architectural Drafting Competition with students from throughout the United States. He traveled with competitors from multiple career and technical areas from West Virginia to Kansas City. Expenses for the trip were provided by United Technical Center’s SkillsUSA Program.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Scholarship applications and financial aid information become available at various times throughout the school year for high school seniors. Senior students are encouraged to check regularly at their home high schools for scholarship and financial aid information. Scholarship applications have specific deadlines and must be complete when submitted. Financial Aid Applications (FAFSA) will be available online after January 1, 2012. The deadline for submitting the FAFSA is March 1, 2012. Students and parents should check with local organizations, employment sites, fraternal organizations, church affiliations, local banks, etc. for possible post-secondary funding sources.
UTC Faculty Participate in Professional Learning Community and Continuing Education Activities
United Technical Center faculty participated in Professional Learning Community activities during the summer break established by the PLC and CE Committees at UTC. Committee members Paula Altman, Dan Glover, Tom Scott, Eric Younkins, Vanessa Haymond, and Larry Couch organized the activities with funding from federal programs and Harrison County Schools. Instructors attended learning sessions on Mathematically Improving School Culture; Trade Secrets: R/ELA Strategies for the Technical Classroom; Turning Technologies Using Student Response Systems; and UTC and Business and Industry Working Together to Improve Student Skills. In addition, continuing education sessions were held to start the 2011-2012 school year in the following areas: UTC and Business and Industry Working Together to Improve Student Skills; Faculty Follow-Up; What Does 21st Century Education Look Like? (Thinkfinity, SAS Curriculum Pathways, Web Top, Google, Intel, etc.); and CPR. UTC faculty will continue with training in First Aid Certifification throughout the new school year.
Parking Permits Required at UTC
All students who drive to United Technical Center must purchase a parking permit. Parking permits may be purchased in the main office from Connie Kovach for a nonrefundable $20.00 with a completed parking permit application including the home principal’s signature for high school students and proof of the student’s driver’s license, car registration, and car insurance. Students and parents should be aware that student drivers can not transport other students away from the technical center. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the loss of parking privileges at UTC. Excessive absences and tardies may also cause a loss in parking privileges.
New Policies in Effect at UTC
Students and parents should review the newest policies governing attendance, cell phone usage, and bullying and harassment that were given in writing to all students at UTC at orientation. Parents of students who miss five unexcused days will be notified by the attendance officer to attend a meeting to determine if a case of truancy has occurred. If truancy is determined at the meeting, appropriate actions will be taken by the attendance officer in magistrate court to meet the latest state attendance policies. In addition to the attendance policy revisions, a new cell phone policy has been enacted. Students and staff are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day. Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight. Infractions of this policy will be handled by the building administrators. 1st Offense – School personnel will retain device and a parent/guardian must meet with the administration of UTC to retrieve the device; 2nd Offense: Same as 1st Offense with a minimum of one day suspension; and Continued Offenses – One to ten day suspension with a parent/guardian also meeting with the administration of UTC to retrieve the device. Disciplinary actions for bullying and harassment have been updated to include the new state policies on electronic bullying and harassment. All of these changes should be reviewed and discussed by parents and students. Questions should be addressed to the administration of UTC.
Success Lab
Mr. Tom Scott, Support Services Instructor at United Technical Center, is currently testing all UTC students with the TABE testing that is used to evaluate student competencies annually. The results for all students will be evaluated and the programs administered through the Success Lab will begin soon. Mr. Scott along with mathematics instructor, Mrs. Cheryl Snyder will be working with students from all career technical areas on preparation for the WorkKeys testing program (Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information) by the using the KeyTrain program and the Kaplan program to improve reading and mathematics skills. These programs were a true asset in improving student scores at United Technical Center last year. UTC students who complete two years or more in career technical areas improve their general skills and become more marketable in the workplace.
Tech Prep is for Everybody - EDGE
Career technical students at United Technical Center can earn college credits during the time that they attend UTC in the majority of our programs. The state EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) program is providing students with the pathway to earn college credits and save money as they complete a two year associate degree and then continue in a four year program. Interested students should see Mrs. Paula Altman at UTC or Linda Cronin at UTC or Pierpont University for EDGE credit information. Once students have passed their End of Program Assessments, the registration process to assign college credit can be completed. You can learn more about the program by going to www.wvtechprep.wvnet.edu on the internet.
SkillsUSA Membership Drive
Students at United Technical Center are currently enrolling in the SkillsUSA organization at United Technical Center. SkillsUSA hosts school events, provides the venue for skills competitions, and promotes student achievement, skills, and leadership. UTC students can join this organization by seeing Mr. Glover, SkillsUSA Coordinator, and paying the $10.00 required fee. Sign-up today and participate in UTC activities. The local SkillsUSA competition will be held in February of 2012 with the state skills competition following in March of 2012 at James Rumsey Technical Center in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. National competition for SkillsUSA is held annually in Kansas City, Missouri.
Parent - Teacher Conference to be Held at UTC
United Technical Center will host its first Parent – Teacher Conference of the new school year on October 26, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. Parents will be able to visit UTC to discuss student progress and any concerns about the career technical programs of their respective students. A second Parent – Teacher Conference will be held during second semester of this school year.
College/Career Event to be Held
United Technical Center will host the Harrison County College/Career Night Program on October 10, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Harrison County counselors and the North Central Tech Prep Consortium will sponsor this opportunity for students to visit with representatives from post secondary institutions, UTC personnel, military personnel, scholarship programs, and various other organizations . Financial Aid presentations will be provided by Fairmont State University; Promise Scholarship presentations will be provided by the West Virginia Higher Policy Commission; and the College Foundation of West Virginia will demonstrate the newest website to assist parents and students in planning post secondary opportunities. Senior students who attend this event will be able to sign-up for a scholarship drawing sponsored by the Harrison County Counselors Association
Technical Advisory Committee Meetings and Dinner to be Held
United Technical Center will host its first of two annual Technical Advisory Committee meetings on October 26, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Business and industry representatives will meet with UTC faculty in each career technical area to discuss employment trends, industry requirements, and various other topics. The ProStart class, under the tutelage of Mr. Scott Hineman, will provide dinner for this event. Thanks ProStart!
Car Raffle to be Held
United Technical Center will once again be raffling a car during the 2011-2012 school year as a fundraiser for SkillsUSA and HOSA. Tickets are being sold at area events and at UTC on a 1998 Z-28 Camaro that has been reconditioned and modernized. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. Please see UTC staff members for more information.
SAFE SCHOOLS HOTLINE
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1-866-SAFEWVA
It is the policy of United Technical Center not to discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, or national origin in its educational and vocational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI.
2011-2012 UTC Calendar
September 21, 2011 -Harrison County College/Career Night at UTC
September 21, 2011 - 2 Hour early dismissal/CE Session for teachers
September 30, 2011 - 1st six weeks ends
October 7, 2010 -Report Cards to Students for 1st six weeks
October 4, 2011 - Special Election – No School
October 10, 2011 - Report Cards
October 10, 2011 - College/Career Night at UTC
October 18, 2011 - Red Cross Blood Drive
October 26, 2011 - Instructional Support Day(IS) Students not in attendance
October 26, 2011 - UTC Parent/Teacher Conference
October 26, 2011 - UTC Technical Advisory Committee Dinner Meeting
November 1, 2011 - Report Cards
November 4, 2011 -Food drive begins
November 11, 2011 - Veteran’s Day, no school
November 15,2011 -2nd six weeks grading period ends
November 16, 2011 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal/CE session for teachers
November 21 - 25, 2011 – Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
November 28, 2011 - School Resumes
December 5, 2011 - Food drive ends
December 16, 2011 -Christmas student activity
December 22, 2011 - Instructional Support Day(IS) Students not in attendance
December 23, 2011 - January 2, 2012 – Christmas/ New Year’s Day holidays
January 3, 2012 - School Resumes
January 13, 2012 - First Day of Second Semester
January 16, 2012 - Martin Luther King Day, No School
January 20, 2012 - Report Cards
February 2012 - Local SkillsUSA Competitions
March 31, 2012 - State SkillsUSA Competitions
May 13, 2012 - UTC Annual Car Show
June 23-27, 2012 -National SkillsUSA and Leadership Conference
