Stafford Students on Learning Lounge PEGTV
Stafford students on Learning Lounge
Game of Logging Success
Our 9 1st-year Natural Resources & Forestry students have completed Game of Logging Training 1 & 2 (out of 4) with Northeast Woodland after becoming competent sawyers with Mr. Stannard in September. The first step to becoming an arborist, homesteader, disaster relief worker, wildlife habitat manager, farmer, wildfire fighter, trail worker, landscaper, logger, and so…
Auto Body Repair gets into Details….
Our Auto Body Repair students have been practicing customer vehicle details as they prepare to launch their student-run business. They’re learning the ins and outs of interior cleaning, exterior washing, and waxing—and getting hands-on experience with the care and attention each job takes. The program offers very limited openings for this service. The students…
Vermont State Inspection
New this year! Our Automotive Technology students are learning to do vehicle inspections. They learn under the guidance of our instructor and eventually will earn a certification. Certifications related to industry are one of the benefits of attending Stafford. The vehicle inspected was for one of our previous students, who is now a district employee.
Cosmetology One students are styling!
Cosmetology year one students are already styling, using hot tools, cutting, and polishing. They spent the first few days getting their certifications, such as Barbicide Certification and Infection Prevention Certification. At the beginning of next week they will complete their safety and sanitation assessment and will be on to more fun topics. They are all…
Controlling the Controls
2nd-year students are working through the basics of electrical controls on our new electrical control board. This will give them an introduction to common industrial electrical controls and complement their work on motors in the 2nd year apprenticeship course.
Digital Arts Students Create!
First-year Digital Arts students have been developing fine arts and Photoshop skills. This great group is now in the beginning stages of writing comic book scripts and designing characters. Throughout the year students will explore many aspects of digital art.
Let’s Go on a Field Trip
The Education & Human Services program and preschool students had a great first field trip of the year. Apple picking! High school students recently finished their first unit on guiding field trip experiences in early childhood; this was a great way for them to apply what they learned. A huge thank you to Apple Hill…
Painting Faces and Building Skills
Students volunteered to face paint at the summer field days at Rutland’s primary schools, enjoying the little ones in action! This activity gave our Cosmetology students the opportunity to practice customer interactions. This also builds their confidence. At some point in their future they may have a younger client sitting in their chair, and being…
Mock Trial Event
Public Safety & Criminal Justice students Caelyn LaMere, Alana Munukka, and Elliot Rosenberg participated in the Vermont Mock Trial Competition at Vermont Law School in Chelsea, Vermont, on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Our team was responsible for providing defense, and we paired with Rutland High School to provide a full defense team and witnesses, totaling…
From a snapshot to a style
This week, students really challenged their skills! Each student was assigned a photo to replicate. This cosmetology haircut and hair-coloring project is designed to help students develop the practical skills and confidence needed in a professional salon environment. Through hands-on practice, students learn proper sectioning, cutting techniques, and color application while also focusing on client…
A job well done
Some of the students worked on this project, which required 2 new fenders due to rust. Part of the refinishing process is blending adjacent panels, which includes both front doors and the hood. This particular color is a white pearl, which adds another layer of paint that provides the pearl effect. Many of today’s exotic…
Cosmetology Alumni visit
Paige Carrara and Ella French, from Blush Salon, came to demonstrate some techniques to our students. They are both alums of the Cosmetology program. Paige showed our students how to apply hair extensions. She also discussed building clientele, how to treat clients, and answered questions about what it is like to work at her salon.…
Winter is snow much fun!
Our preschoolers, assisted by Education and Human Services students, took advantage of the snow, spending time outdoors this week before the colder temperatures arrive. Outdoor play promotes physical development while strengthening cognitive abilities, encouraging creativity, and building social skills that foster independence and contribute to lifelong learning and overall well-being. ❄️Stay warm!❄️
A truck older than the students
Students are working on a 1988 F-150, where they will fix all the dings and ensure all the panels are flat and straight. After that, the truck will be getting a full re-spray in a dark grey. Work on a customer vehicle brings out the student’s best efforts. Running our student shop as close to…
Hot Wing Challenge
After a very busy week with service in The Dollhouse, the students were treated to a hot wing challenge from the IT department. There were 10 different wing toppings, ranging from buffalo sauce to homemade dry rubs and a mustard-based option. Each student’s job was to see how far they could get in the challenge,…
Community Connections in Cosmetology
It’s been a crazy, busy month in Cosmetology Career. Besides spending time leaf raking for our community service project and visiting Hathaways Farm & Corn Maze, we have had some amazing guest speakers, visitors and professionals. We attended a student focused hairshow in Nashua, NH where the students had the opportunity to choose 30 min…
Our Preschoolers are Exploring our Community
On November 14th, our preschoolers, along with their “big friends” in the Education & Human Services program, enjoyed an exciting field trip! They visited the Rutland City Fire Department to wrap up their unit on Fire Safety, where they learned about firefighters’ gear, equipment, and how to stay safe in an emergency. Afterward, the group…
Students Help Police Officers in Training
On November 13, 2025, the Public Safety & Criminal Justice students helped with the final scenarios week at the Vermont Police Academy. They participated as role players in the juvenile scenarios and learned about juvenile law in the process. Students checked out what a room inspection involves and what it takes to attend the Vermont…
Health Careers and a Powerful Start
The 2025–2026 school year is off to a powerful start for our Health Careers 1 students! From day one, this group has demonstrated dedication, curiosity, and a genuine passion for entering the world of healthcare. In just a few short months, these future healthcare professionals have already earned certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and…
Hand Tools and Skill Building
On shop days, students have the opportunity to develop some skills that they’ll need on the job and as responsible homeowners. At the start of a project like mortising hinges, we sharpen our chisel and knives and get frustrated as we make mistakes repeatedly. After many failures comes repetitive success and finally real competence. The…
Casting and impression evidence
PS-CJ students practice their team building and CSI skills at casting impressions. The students compared their shoe size, foot size, and height through informational charts, and then plotted on a graph to see what the data shows of estimating a person’s height from their shoe/foot impressions.
Fall Fun in a Field, on a Field Trip
Our preschoolers have been busy learning all about pumpkins! Over the past few weeks, they’ve read pumpkin-themed books, completed fun projects, and even observed a pumpkin decompose in a jar — a hands-on science lesson that sparked lots of curiosity.🎃 Today, with the help of their “big friends” from the Education and Human Services program,…
Face Painting
Cosmetology students visited Northeast Primary School to paint faces for students celebrating their Fall Festival. Activities like this help our students with their professional skills. Learning to speak to the client, a younger student, is all part of becoming a better cosmetologist. The students (both age groups) had a wonderful time.
Scaling our learning using models and more
Recently, the Education & Human Services program, accompanied by academic teachers from English, Mathematics, and History, took a field trip to The Shelburne Museum. The academic team has been working hard to integrate academics into program areas and found that this museum offers multiple opportunities to discuss all of these subjects. Mrs. Berman led an…
Real world problems need real world solutions
A real-world problem popped up in the plumbing classroom. Luckily, second-year student Keegan Ryan, who has been doing his Work-Based Learning with A-1 Sewer and Drain, was here to save the day. Using the tools provided by the maintenance staff and their blessing, Keegan jumped right in and cleared the blockage. He had to wear…
Just another busy week in Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts had a busy week. We made a special lunch/dinner for our janitorial crew, to celebrate Custodian Appreciation Day. We also had a fabulous bake sale with over 50 baked goods, and we had a demo on sourdough. We will end the week with some nice relaxation with apple picking.
School Counselor Gets Involved
This week the students have been learning and practicing collision-specific welding. We had an unexpected visitor and, with a little motivation from a couple students, the school counselor participated in our welding practices. Ms. Ramey is always such a good sport.
Program Collaboration
You might not think that Public Safety & Criminal Justice has much in common with Cosmetology. Students in Cosmetology joined the Public Safety program to study an in-depth lesson on the structure of hair. The students from both programs analyzed hair strands under microscopes and collaborated to share their findings. One set of students seeking…
Program Advisory Boards
Every year all Program advisory members are invited to a breakfast. We meet in the theater, where we review the importance of our advisory boards. We have a board for every program area made up of industry professionals, former students, people representing higher education and more. This year the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September…
Student Representatives
Piper Newman, Colin Beaty and Taylor Murphy are this year’s student representatives to our Regional Advisory Board (RAB). They were elected by the student body of Stafford to bring the student voice and perspective to the RAB. Piper is a second-year Health Careers student from RHS. Colin is a first year Health Careers student from…
Salon at Stafford Opening September 15, 2025
Cosmetology year two students are spending their days practicing for the opening of our salon in just two short weeks. Our Salon at Stafford will reopen on Monday, September 15th, for the 25/26 school year. Please call the salon for an appointment. 770 1055. Our students need to practice their customer service and booking skills.
Public Safety Alumni Returns to Visit
Public Safety & Criminal Justice students have been awesome, acclimating to STC, and within a day had their own class guidelines done. We had a guest visit from a former graduate of the program who completed their EMT Certification and is working full-time at Regional Ambulance. STC Alum Lauren Palmer shared her excitement with new…
First Days of School
The first few days of school have been busy. Students are getting to know their classmates, building classroom norms and expectations, and starting safety training. Building bikes, designing and building Rube Goldberg type machines that will flip a switch, and drawing without looking! I asked some students to name one good thing that happened this…
Back to School Information
The first day of school will be August 27, 2025. All students are expected to be in attendance. Students will be in their program class for the full day. Starting on Thursday, students with academic classes at Rutland High School will start attending those classes as shown on their schedule. Stafford academics will begin on…
Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts Golden Wrench
Ernie Clerihew stopped by the Automotive Technology Program with an announcement. Luke Sunderland was awarded the Golden Wrench Award. Luke was commended for his positive attitude toward learning and drive to succeed. He received $700 in tools, a $500 scholarship, a one-year membership in the Vemront Automobile Enthusiasts, and tickets to their car show in…
Students Role Play at the Vermont Police Academy
Students participated in the final practicals week at the Vermont Police Academy, helping with juvenile role-player scenarios and touring the Vermont Fire Academy. This experience allowed students to support the Academy and learn while they did it.
Final Art Show
Read the Rutland Herald coverage of the Art Show (This will deduct one free story from your allotment from the Rutland Herald) Join us for the final art show, featuring the work of the Digital Arts students. Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Chaffee Art Center. The show starts at 6:00 pm. Light refreshments…
Construction Collaboration on the Sugar House
There is so much going on in and out of the Construction lab this spring. Starting with NRF collaborations, to help maple operations expand we did another post and beam, mortise and tenon project, with lumber originally from the city forest, expanding a clear roof off the shack. You’re missing out if you haven’t been…
CTE Collaboration Leads to Industry-Recognized Credential
The Education & Human Services program visited the Human Services program at Patricia A Hannaford Career Center over the last two weeks where they completed a training covering caregiving together with families; child abuse, neglect, and trauma; understanding differences in development/brain development; and understanding children’s behavior.
When tree meets car roof
A common occurrence in the collision industry is roof damage. One of our students brought in his car for an extensive repair this year. A fallen tree from a storm damaged the roof, rear liftgate and both roof rails. The student replaced the liftgate with a used one, repaired both roof rails and replaced the…
Alum Visit to Natural Resources
Caleb Steves, a 2-year NRF student who won awards, events, and was chosen to compete in the G.O.L completion for Stafford, returned to visit and discuss his last two years with our full crew. Caleb has successfully completed 3 semesters of Paul Smith’s College’s esteemed Forestry major. He has risen from a “walk-on” to the…
Completed Project!
The auto Body Repair students officially completed their first major project. This truck got full body and paint in it’s original color. Each student had their own panel, so everyone had a hand in this one, including paint. The customer was extremely pleased with the results and provided a special lunch to the program as…
Weekly Update Feb 28, 2025
Parent Teacher Conferences: We will be hosting Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 13th from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM and on Friday from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Program Instructors will be reaching out to you to schedule but you can always contact them as well. Conferences may be conducted in person, over the phone,…
Weekly Update Feb 7, 2025
SNOW DAYS: I wanted to quickly provide a reminder about Snow Days. If your partner high school is CLOSED due to weather you are NOT expected to attend Stafford that day if Rutland City Schools is OPEN. Your absence will be waived and will not count against you. We love having students show up on days that…
Paint Project for Auto Body Repair
The Auto Body Repair students officially completed their first major project. This truck got full body and paint in its original color. Each student had their own panel, so everyone had a hand in this one, including paint. The customer was extremely pleased with the results and provided a special lunch to the program as…
Color Theory and Color Practice
This month Cosmetology year one has been studying color theory. Students worked on a project creating a color wheel, complimentary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and how to neutralize them. In Cosmetology, every color should begin with a white base. Milk and food coloring was the perfect visual for them to create every color with only…
Fancy Facelifts
The Digital Arts second years were recently approached by Cosmetology and Culinary Arts about redesigning some of their business branding. Under the supervision of David Townsend, the class was divided into two groups. The group consisting of Lucas Johnson, Charlie Souza, Alexis Howland, and Carmen Decato tackled making a new logo and rack card for…
What is Femelschlag?
Natural Resources students have worked with Timothy Smith, Rutland City Forester and Arborist, and Joseph Epler, Assistant Forester and Arborist this semester. STC NRF and the foresters decided last spring to foster more wildlife, different age classes, and species of trees at the Norway Spruce plantation where we did our timber harvest last year. Like…
Practical Experience
On November 13, 2024, the STC PS&CJ Program went on a field trip to the Vermont Police Academy to assist and be role players during Practicals week. Students participated in scenarios, got a tour of the facilities, and guest speaker Det/Sgt Notte of the Vermont State Police discussed careers in law enforcement, his role for…
VT Supreme Court
STC Public Safety and Criminal Justice Program attended live VT Supreme Court Hearings at the RHS Theatre with RHS students and the RHS Mock Trail Student Club. We listened to three actual cases pending before the Justices. It was an opportunity to learn about our Vermont Court System and see and hear it live. After…
Exploring Pathways
Helen Papeika, the Co-chair of the Department of Nursing, Assistant Professor of Nursing visited Health Careers. She was accompanied by 4 current BSN nursing students. Each student spoke about why they wanted to be a nurse and what brought them to choose Castleton. Professor Papeika spoke about the different pathways in Bachelor, Associate, and LPN…
Meet Dave Gillam, our incredible Food Service Consultant from MacCauley’s Food Service and proud #STCVT alumnus! Flashback to the 1970s: Dave was a star in the Quantity Foods program at the Rutland Area Vocational Center (or VoTech, as it was known back then). He was part of the “middle class,” making and serving hot lunches…
Pythagorean and Plumbing
Students working in the plumbing lab with Mr. Tooley are learning about the Pythagorean Theorem and how it relates to 45-45-90 triangles. Bringing math into the lab makes sense! Mrs. Berman, our math instructor spends time in the lab working on math skills with the students. Copper is expensive and getting cuts right the first…
Education & Human Services
Earlier this week the Education & Human Services program attended the Education Pathways Conference at VTSU Lyndon. Highlights from the day included meeting educators from diverse backgrounds in education, exploring careers in education, meeting peers in other CTE and Education programs from across the state, looking at the qualities of what makes an exceptional teacher,…
Pretty in a Minute
On Tuesday, students participated in a class with a guest artist from Pretty in a Minute! They learned new styling techniques and tried out new hot tools to use in the salon. Make your appointment today and try out some new styles. Call us at 802-770-1055
Special Visitor in Auto Body
Part of the Auto body program is an included welding curriculum. This week our students started to learn the various types of welds used in the Auto Body Industry. We even had a special guest in the shop who we convinced to try her hand at welding (good job Mrs.Bosnich)! Being a part of the…
Final touches in Vinyl
Community Service is one of the hallmarks of STC’s culture. In Construction 1, many of our field opportunities are exactly that. Throughout the first three weeks of school, the Construction team has been down on Hickory St. putting the finishing touches on the last house on the block. Here we are learning exterior finish with…
Here’s to Shears!
Scott Wilson, owner and founder of Shear Fanatic Scissor Company out of Maine, talked to first-year Cosmetology students about shear handling, do’s and don’ts, and care of the student shear sets we purchased from his company. He spent approximately two hours with students. Before he left Scott spent individual time with each student fitting them…
Program Collaboration
Students in Public Safety Criminal Justice were quite surprised in class. The instructor had planned a non-violent disruption of class which had Taylor (Welding & Metal Fab) barging in and causing a commotion. Taylor was being loud and “stole” a fish from the classroom. The purpose was for the Public Safety students to recall what…
50 Years of US!
This year marks the beginning of our 50th year as an educational center in Rutland County, from the beginning as Rutland Area Vocational Center to the Stafford Technical Center. We have been providing education to the youth and adults of Rutland County and beyond. The beautiful banner hanging on our building was designed by our…
CEDRR Receives Work-Based Learning Grant
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is excited to announce it has received a grant in collaboration with Stafford Technical Center (STC) in Rutland, Vermont. This $66,524 Work-Based Learning and Training Program Grant is provided by the Vermont Department of Labor. This grant allows funding to focus on retaining our local…
Another Award Winner
Charlie Souza (RHS) Digital Arts won first place for Rutland County in the Congressional Art Competition. Charlie’s work will be on display in the state house. Each year, participating Members of Congress sponsor a high school arts competition in their district to recognize and encourage young developing artists. This annual “Congressional Arts Competition” was first…
2024 Envirothon Results
These five first-year Natural Resources and Forestry students represented Stafford and their program well at the Envirothon on May 14, 2024! They won the Aquatics, Wildlife, and Forestry events; closing out in third place overall! Congratulate them if you see them!
Program Collaboration
A program collaboration of the best kind! Emma Cosgrove, an accomplished engineering student wrote: “My college of choice is Clarkson University and I saw that they were having a video essay contest for a full-ride scholarship. I was ecstatic. However, I am absolutely terrible when it comes to anything that has to do with video.…
Sap Stand Work
Working with big hardwood Timbers! It’s not every day a carpenter gets to build a structure with all large milled hardwoods like 8×8 maple, yellow birch, red oak, and ash. For this project, we are learning to use the tools and practice the techniques of timber building. Big saws and carefully laying out and shaping…
Frame Off Restoration
Auto Body Repair students have begun a year-long project this week. They are restoring this old farm truck. This will be a frame-off restoration, taking care of all the rust and other body work as needed. Stay tuned for updates.
Guest speaker event
– Rutland Regional Medical Center Security Officer Kendra Mitchell visited the PS & CJ Program on January 4, 2024, to share about her career as a security officer. She also shared how she is balancing her Criminal Justice college studies at Southern New Hampshire University. Kendra is a former student of this program currently working…
Construction Visits Vermont Frames
With the Forestry class that we work closely with, we visited Vermont Frames in Starksboro. Specializing in timber frame custom homes and SIPs, they showed us how they manufacture timber structures and Structural Insulated Panels for their homes. We also got to practice with tools like chain mortisers, 16″ beam saws, and plunge routers that…
Engineering Field Trip
The Engineering program embarked on two informative field trips recently. On November 29, the class visited VELCO and gained insight into the challenges faced by the power generation industry in generating and distributing electricity throughout the region. They also learned about VELCO’s 500 KW solar array and battery storage facility and the urgent need for…
Public Safety Field Trip
Recently the Public Safety/Criminal Justice students went on a field trip to the Vermont Police Academy, Vermont Fire Academy, and the Vermont State Police Office of Professional Development & Recruiting. Students acted as volunteers in scenarios with officers in training. Field trips like this also give our students a chance to become comfortable in the…
Community Service with Cosmetology
Every few weeks our Cosmetology students visit a senior living center and provide hand massages and manicures to the residents. The residents look forward to this pampering and interaction with our students. Our students gain valuable skills in communication, customer service, and nail care. Everyone wins.
Habitat for Humanity Shed
Students learned as part of their unit on Construction Math how to calculate, layout, and cut a roof rafter for a 4-pitch roof with a building span of 6 feet as they built the H4H shed. Special thanks to former Construction Tech teacher Jeff Fowler for continuing to work with STC on our advisory board…
Culinary Arts gets ServSafe Certification
ServSafe Certification is a Tier 2 IRC. 13 students took and passed the ServSafe Manager Certification making all of the culinary 23-24 first, second, and third years class of 19, all Certified students!
Digital Arts to create signs for Justin Thomas Park
The Digital Arts second-year class is working with Roy Thomas to create plaques for the updated park design. One will tell the history of the park and the other the story of Justin and the new design. We are excited to be working in the community!
The “Stafford Show” is back!
After 5 years The Stafford Show has returned. The Video program’s classroom and studio have been updated and and ready for production! The studio’s audio was recently renovated with the help of Calvin Herrick and friends from engineering. New in-ear monitors, lav mics and cables were purchased to make everything run smoothly and sound great.…
Natural Resources and Forestry win at Envirothon
On May 16th, seven Stafford Natural Resources and Forestry students traveled to Shelburne Farms to compete with other Vermont and NH programs in the Envirothon.
LNA Certified
Excited to share that all of our 2023 first year Health Careers students passed their Vermont State Board LNA Exam!! We are so proud of this group of students and their instructors! Congratulations to all!