SSVT FY14 Budget Update

Hello SSVT Community,

At the school committee's January 16th meeting, a public hearing was held on the school budget.  There were representatives from three towns finance committees in attendance.  The current budget proposal stands at a 4.92% increase.  The Whitman-Hanson Express covered the meeting if you would like further information.

Over the next few months, the state legislature will begin its deliberations on the state budget, which has a direct impact on how much state aid schools get (referred to as  "Chapter 70" aid).  Also in the next few months, we will begin to meet with town finance committees to discuss the individual town costs ("assessments") that pay for a portion of the overall school budget.

The budget process concludes in May/June when our individual towns hold their respective town meetings and ultimately vote on their assessment.

Please contact me if you have any questions!

Press and Event Updates

Hello SSVT Community,

Here are a few updates and repeats from previous posts:

SSVT recently received some press coverage from the Mariner newspapers for receiving a $120,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Council! Congratulations to grant author Vincent Barba for securing the funds which will go toward purchasing equipment and supplies to support engineering instruction in several vocational programs!

Nominate someone for the SSVT Hall of Fame!  The HOF nomination form is now on the website.  We'd especially like alumni and staff to consider nominating retired employees and volunteers who have made a lasting impact over the past 50 years.

The SSVT Parents Association is hosting a February 7 Fundraiser, Dining for a Cause, at the 99 Restaurant in Rockland from 5:00-10:00 PM.  15% of the guest check will be donated to the PA if you eat in the restaurant during this time and identify to the server that you are participating in the fundraiser.

Have a great weekend.

Congratulations Alison Gurney, January Student of the Month

Hello SSVT Community,

At the January School Committee meeting, we recognized Alison Gurney as January's Student of the Month.  Below is the recognition that was read by Ms. Titus at the meeting.

Alison is pictured with grandmother June Gurney, father Brian Gurney, and
Hanson School Committee Representative Chris Amico (R)

Allison Gurney has been nominated for Student of the Month by the staff of South Shore Vocational Technical High School.  Allison is a 12^th grade Graphic Communications student from the town of Hanson. 

 Why do we become educators?  The answer for many us has to do with that special student whom we have had the opportunity to watch grow into a very special adult.  Allison Gurney is one of those special SSVT students.  When Allison walked into her freshman year, she was a shy, somewhat introverted fourteen year old, who did not seem to have much motivation for school.  Now we a watching a motivated, confident and self assured young woman walking out of her high school and into the receptive arms of the world.  Allison Gurney will become whomever she desires.

Allison is a leader, a critical thinker, an advocate and role model in our school community.  She is a young adult who wants more to life.  She wants to learn, she wants to succeed and she wants to be challenged.  Allison is confident and willing to be herself.  She also focuses her attention on those around her to help make life better for them.   Allison is a creative student who has been instrumental in our creative writing club this year, with the production of a very powerful collections of stories concerning bullying.  She is producing several videos of life at SSVT that will be presented to her senior class and will be a part of her senior portfolio.  Allison is continuing her education at Gordon College majoring in Communication Arts.

We are all very PROUD of Allison Gurney and who she has become.  We are thrilled that she chose to be a student at South Shore Vocational High School.

Abington Mariner Spotlights Nick Lascuola

Hello SSVT Community,

Abington sophomore Nick Lascuola was featured in this week's Abington Mariner.  Check out how Nick combines his passion for cars with charitable activites!

http://www.wickedlocal.com/abington/features/x1631904751/Abington-teen-lives-in-the-wheel-world?zc_p=0#axzz2IkWxFWNd

Long Range Facilities Plan

Hello SSVT Community,

Yesterday I sent along a link to a FY14 budget presentation made this month to the school committee.  Viewers might be interested in a more detailed narrated presentation on facilities I provided to the school committee in December.   With a 50 year old building to take care of, we will continue to prioritize maintenance in our budgets, and it is important to name the areas we need to address.

The audio may be very low on the presentation, but the slides should provide sufficient information.  Please let me know if you have questions.

Save the Date: February 7th Fundraiser

The SSVT Parents Association has planned a "Dining for a Cause" fundraiser for Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 5:00-10:00 P.M. at the 99 Restaurant in Rockland.

Anyone who eats at the 99 Restaurant between 5:00-10:00 and identifies themselves as being part of the SSVT fundraiser will be able to have the value of 15% of the guest check donated to SSVT!

Thank you in advance for your support of SSVT!

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Presentation

Hello SSVT Families, Friends  and Staff,

During the winter months, SSVT is in the middle of its budget building process. This process begins in the fall with department heads submitting proposals for the next fiscal year, which will run from July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014.

At the January 16 school committee meeting I am providing this FY14 Budget Proposal handout. I made a similar budget presentation at a January 9th budget meeting, which was covered by the Whitman-Hanson Express.

A budget should reflect a school's priorities in both the short term and the long term, and this budget attempts to meet these priorities through investments in facilities, instructional technology, personnel and capital equipment.

If you have any questions on the presentation, please let me know!

A Few Updates for the New Year

Hello SSVT Community and Happy New Year!

I hope your December vacation was enjoyable and relaxing.

Last week, the Whitman-Hanson Express published an article covering our December School Committee meeting. Congratulations to Christina Brennan for being named Student of the Month!  Christina was recognized during the school committee meeting.

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Over the December break, we had two windows installed in rooms 203 and 204 in our science wing.  I want to thank our custodial crew and buildings and Grounds Director Bob Moorhead for having everything ready in time for classes to resume today.

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I'll be posting very soon with information on our 50th anniversary multi-class reunion on April 25, 2013, and on the establishment of a SSVT Hall of Fame. Stay tuned!