Category: News

Installation of Officers

Stafford FCCLA Officers for 2013-2014: L-R: Kaelin Reopell, Lexi Tittemore, Jessica Cota, Sarah Durkee, and Marie Whalen

The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Chapter at Stafford Technical Center recently installed new officers for the 2013 and 2014 school year.  The officers are Jessica Cota-President (RHS),  Lexi Tittemore-Vice President/Parliamentarian (RHS) ,Sarah Durkee-Secretary/Reporter (RHS), Maria Whalen-Treasurer (Mill River) and  Kaelin Reopell-Historian (West Rutland). They were installed in a special ceremony attended by family, friends, and Stafford Technical Center Staff. All of the officers are enrolled in Stafford’s Human Services.

The mission of FCCLA is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

Stafford Technical Center and Casella Resource Solutions partner in 3rd annual Leaf Raking Project for Rutland Seniors.

 

On October 23rd, over 250 students and staff from Stafford Technical Center were scattered throughout Rutland City neighborhoods raking lawns for local seniors.  This project involves groups of Stafford students and staff adopting senior citizens’ yards and raking them after the leaves have fallen. Twenty five lawns were identified to be cleaned up during this effort.

The annual leaf raking project fits with Stafford’s mission of “Unity in Our Community”.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., headquartered in Rutland,  donated the five hundred compostable yard waste bags being used. The bags of leaves will then be transported to the Rutland Solid Waste District on Gleason Road in Rutland.

The leaves and grass clippings will be used in a food waste compost program. Any brush will be chipped and sold to a biomass facility for the generation of electricity.

“We’re proud to sponsor this project which provides a valuable service to senior citizens in our local community,” said Marc Okrant, Director of Marketing for Casella.

Photos are in our gallery here.

Movers and Shakers

Stafford Regional Advisory Board Student Representatives
L-R: Dayna Hughes (Digital Arts), Joseph Fowler (Power Mechanics/Welding) and Samantha Lacz (Health Careers)

Democracy was at work once again.  On 9/18, Three Stafford Students were elected by their peers to serve as representatives to the Regional Advisory Board  (RAB) for the 2013-2014 academic year. These students will  play an important role by acting as liaisons between the RAB, Administration, and student body.  Historically these student RAB members have always provided keen insight into the current and future programming options available at Stafford.

This year’s newest representatives are Dayna Hughes (Digital Arts), Joseph Fowler (Power Mechanics/Welding), and Samantha Lacz (Health Careers)

 

Children’s Center Achieves 4 STARS!

Stafford Children’s Center  has been awarded 4 stars by Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System.(STARS) Participants receive recognition  for instituting practices that demonstrate quality of programming that exceeds the requirements for becoming licensed by the State of Vermont. This achievement represents effort and serious commitment on the part of Stafford Children’s Center.

Created and led by the Child Development Division of the Vermont Department for Children and Families, the STARS program is Vermont’s quality recognition system for registered home providers, licensed programs including children’s centers and school-based Pre-Kindergarten programs, and School Age programs.

At Stafford Children’s Center we believe that a young child, feeling secure and comfortable in his or her surroundings, should have the opportunity to grow, create, explore, and discover at their own rate of development. Thereby, the child, developing a positive self-concept, should have outlets in art, music, movement, self-expression, language, and problem solving.  Social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development  are vital for a happy, well-adjusted child. – Philosophy, Stafford Children’s Center

“I was very pleased with the Stafford Preschool. The teachers, classroom assistants, and “Big Friends” met my son every day with clear behavioral expectations in a nurturing environment that fostered developmental growth. My son looked forward to going to school every day, and to seeing his friends. He participated in varied activities that targeted different skills. The result being he possesses all of the prerequisite skills for entry into Kindergarten. I highly recommend the program. It is safe, academically appropriate and rigorous, fun, engaging, and extremely well run.”   Elizabeth Filskov, Preschool Parent

Stafford Children’s Center is located within Stafford Technical Center at 8 Stratton Road in Rutland, VT. They can be reached by calling 802-770-1033 or e-mailing [email protected] . Additional information is available on the Stafford Technical Center website: https://staffordonline.org/.

“This achievement confirms Stafford Children’s Center’s commitment to providing quality early childhood programming,” says Reeva Sullivan Murphy, Deputy Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families.

Programs are recognized for achievements in five areas:  compliance with licensing regulations, qualifications and training of program staff, the program’s connections with families and with the community, the practices of the program and its strategies for improvement, and the strength of the programs operating policies and business practices. Awards for achievements in these areas begin at one star and increase to 5 stars.

A statewide list of STARS rated providers and other stars information can be found on the STARS website:  starsstepahead.org

Additional Information can also be obtained by calling the STARS office at 802-398-2037.

STAR Students take Top Honors at National Leadership Conference

L-R: Jessica Cota –Stafford Human Services Program (RHS)-Silver Medal Winner, Letisha Gibbs-Stafford Human Services Program (Mill River)-Silver Medal Winner, and Morgan Ballard-Stafford Human Services Program (Mill River)-Gold Medal Winner

Nashville, TN. – Morgan Ballard, Jessica Cota and Letisha Gibbs recently participated in STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) 2013 National Leadership Conference, July 7-11 in Nashville, Tennessee.  All students are enrolled in the Human Services Program at Stafford Technical Center.

Morgan, a senior at Mill River Union High School, received a Gold medal in Illustrated Talk. Jessica, a senior at Rutland High School, and, Letisha, also a senior at Mill River Union High School, competed as a team and received a Silver medal in Applied Technology. Their medals were presented at a recognition session honoring all participants at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center on Thursday, July 11.  Thousands of members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the nation attended this meeting. Approximately 3,600 students advanced from the local, regional, and state level of STAR Events to the national meeting.

Illustrated Talk is an individual or team event which recognizes participants who make an oral presentation about issues concerning Family and Consumer Sciences and/or related occupations. Participants use visuals to illustrate content of the presentation. Morgan presented an Illustrated Talk about the effects of cyber bullying to 7th and 8th graders at Mill River and to a Mill River parent group. She plans to bring her information to more local schools in the upcoming school year.

Applied Technology is an individual or team event which recognizes participants who develop a project using technology that addresses a concern related to Family and Consumer Sciences and/or related occupations. The project integrates and applies content from academic subjects. Jessica and Letisha worked as a team to prepare a Prezi and video to help raise awareness of Child Abuse.

Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration, and much more. FCCLA programs and competitions enrich student learning, improve self-esteem, and serve students with a range of ability levels, economic situations, and cultural influences.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has over 200,000 members and over 6,500 chapters from 50 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.

 

Team Stafford Scores Big at National Skills USA Competition

L-R: Dianna Bassett (Stafford Health Careers Instructor, Tom Shannon (Stafford Automotive Refinishing and Collision Instructor), Courtney Patterson (Stafford Health Careers Student), Kobe Pinkham (Stafford Automotive Refinishing & Collision Student), John Bixby (Stafford Electrical/Plumbing Instructor and Co-Advisor for Stafford Skills USA Chapter), Andrew Fitzgerald (Stafford Electrical/Plumbing Student) and Tyler Bathalon (Forestry and Natural Resources Student)

Stafford Technical Center Students did not disappoint. Courtney Patterson (Health Careers Student)-Fair Haven Union High School, Andrew FitzGerald and Tyler Bathalon (Electrical/Plumbing Students)-West Rutland High School, and Kobe Pinkham (Auto Refinishing & Collision)-Otter Valley Union High School all had very impressive finishes at the recent Skills USA National Competition held June 24-28 in Kansas City.

Andrew FitzGerald and Tyler Bathalon placed sixth nationally in the Team Works Competition involving carpentry, masonry, electrical and plumbing skills for a specific project. Andrew and Tyler did the masonry and plumbing component. Two students from St. Johnsbury Academy completed the carpentry and electrical part.

Courtney Patterson finished ninth nationally in the Nurse Assistant Competition, and Kobe Pinkham finished respectably in the Automotive Refinishing Event.

The students were accompanied by John Bixby-Stafford Electrical/Plumbing Instructor and Co-Advisor for the Stafford Skills USA Chapter, Dianna Bassett-Health Careers Instructor, and Tom Shannon-Automotive Refinishing Instructor.

The group was treated to dinner at renowned rib joint, Jack’s Stack by Stafford Alumni Chris Ferarro. Chris was a former student in Stafford’s Engineering Academy and now is the Chief Financial Officer for a division of GE Air Filtration based in Kansas City.

It’s a Wrap

Mary Powell-President of GMP and Lyle Jepson, Director of Stafford Technical Center, and Mike Napolitano-Awesome Graphics with students and instructors from Stafford Technical Center’s Automotive Refinishing & Collision, Digital Arts, Electrical/Plumbing Programs.

Students from Stafford Technical Center have “wrapped” a Toyata Prius donated to the school by Green Mountain Power.  The students in Stafford’s Digital Arts Program created the design, and the “wrap” was installed by the students in their Automotive Refinishing & Collision Program with the assistance of Awesome Graphics of Rutland.

On Monday, June 10, at 10 AM, Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, visited Stafford to celebrate the completion of the project and participate in a photo session with the students and the Toyota Prius.

Green Mountain Power donated the 2007 Toyata Prius to the school in the fall of 2012 for the use of students in the Automotive and Electrical/Plumbing programs as they learn about renewable energy, hybrid vehicles and related industries and technologies.

GMP also donated a solar car charging station, which will be used by the students as they learn how to return energy to the grid and supply energy to local projects.    The students assembled the solar array, and electronic components at the school.  The Solar array generates enough electricity on average to  provide a full charge to the Plug-in Hybrid each day on average.

“The success of our local and regional economy is dependent upon a skilled and well educated workforce, one that is flexible to the changing technological needs of employers.  Green Mountain Power is modeling a relationship with Stafford Technical Center that proactively fosters mentoring opportunities for students and shares resources and talent with instructors.  We are fortunate to have a partnership with Green Mountain Power,” said Lyle Jepson, Director of Stafford Technical Center.

13 Inducted into National Technical Honor Society

Stafford National Technical Honor Society Inductees: L-R: Trisha Bush-Public Safety Services (Mill River), Courtney Marsh-Music Technology: Jazz & Contemporary (Mill River), Jackson Smith-Power Mechanics/Welding (Otter Valley)-2012 Inductee, Cassie Ciejko-Culinary Arts (Fair Haven)-2012 inductee, Teresa Isabelle-Recreation, Resort, & Small Business Management (RHS)-2012 Inductee, Josh Pendleton-Video & Multimedia Production(Rutland High School), Samantha Lacz-Health Careers (West Rutland), Brandi Heath-Public Safety Services (Otter Valley), Kristina Shaw-Recreation, Resort, & Small Businesss Management (Rutland High School), Courtney Patterson-Health Careers (Fair Haven), Greg Taran-Digital Arts (Poultney High School), Chelsea Senecal-Cosmetology 1 (Poultney), Megan Lanfear-Digital Arts (Rutland High School), Brenda Corbett-Public Safety Services (Poultney), and Brittany Urbani-Digital Arts (Rutland High School)

 

Stafford Technical Center inducted 13 students into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) on May 9th, 2013 during a candlelight ceremony in the Rutland High School Theater.  The mission of NTHS is to honor outstanding student achievement in career and technical education, promote educational excellence, and help to create strong partnerships with business and industry.  These students exemplify the core values of NTHS which are leadership, citizenship, service, honesty, responsibility, skill, and scholarship.  Stafford is very proud of these accomplished young people.

2013 Inductees

 Trisha Bush-Public Safety Services (Mill River Union High School)

Courtney Marsh-Music Technology: Jazz & Contemporary (Mill River Union High School)

Josh Pendleton-Video & Multimedia Production (Rutland High School)

Samantha Lacz-Health Careers (West Rutland),

Brandi Heath-Public Safety Services (Otter Valley)

Kristina Shaw-Recreation, Resort, & Small Businesss Management (Rutland High School)

Courtney Patterson-Health Careers (Fair Haven Union  High School)

Greg Taran-Digital Arts (Poultney High School)

Chelsea Senecal-Cosmetology 1 (Poultney High School)

Megan Lanfear-Digital Arts (Rutland High School)

Brenda Corbett-Public Safety Services (Poultney High School)

Brittany Urbani-Digital Arts (Rutland High School)

Limited Program Openings Available

Time is running out.  If you are entering your junior or senior year in the fall of 2013, and have a specific career interest, there is still an opportunity to enroll  in Stafford Technical Center.  There are limited openings in the following programs; Automotive Refinishing & Collision, Construction Technology,  Forestry, Natural Resources, & Horticulture, Music Technology: Jazz and Contemporary, Recreation, Resort, & Small Business Management. While enrolled at Stafford you can earn high school credits, college credits, and industry certifications giving you a competitive edge in today’s 21st century workforce.  For more information see your school guidance counselor or call Stafford at (802) 770-1050. You can also apply online.