Mid-Winter Updates

Hello SSVT Community:

I hope that  the beginning of  2014 has been enjoyable and productive despite the cold weather!  No more snow!  Once again, thank you for all the aspiring student meteorologists who keep me informed on weather-related updates and share their opinions on the value of school cancellation :) .

Our last day of school as of today is Friday, June 20th.

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In this update I want to bring several items to your attention:

1. Precision Machine Technology Program Secures State Grant for New Equipment.  I am thrilled to announce that our PMT program will receive almost $80,000 from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center for supplies and equipment, most notably in the form of a new Haas VF-2 vertical milling machine.

The strength of this competitive grant application had a lot to do with our area employers and advisors.   and I would like thank the following local companies for their continued support of SSVT and our students by providing matching donations for this grant:

• F.H. Peterson, Stoughton, MA
• AutoCam Medical, Plymouth, MA
• North Easton Machine Company, North Easton, MA
• AccuRounds, Avon, MA

Also, we thanks area employers who have been supporting SSVT's by hiring our graduates and providing co-op opportunities:

• Bendon Gear, Rockland, MA
• Custom Machine Co, Hanover, MA
• Draper Labs, Cambridge, MA
• Evans Machine, Brockton, MA
• L.F. O'Leary, Weymouth, MA
• Nova Machine, Halifax, MA
• Stoneridge Inc., Canton, MA

2. FY15 Budget Update:  The school committee will be discussing FY15 budget certification at its February 19th meeting.  The proposed budget presented to the committee for consideration is a 4.67% increase over last year's budget (which saw a 2.36% increase).  The Governor's proposed budget, which was released on January 22nd, included a nearly level funded amount of chapter 70 state aid.  There is a FY15 budget presentation on our website.

3. Traffic Study:  We are looking in the process of studying changes to our traffic flow patterns for next school year.

A top priority is alleviating the front of the building congestion in the morning and also the volume of vehicles on Webster Street waiting for students after dismissal.  We are looking at the possibility of moving the bus drop off and pick up to the library side of the school, and move parent traffic for pick up and drop off to  the front of the school.

Again, this is still being studied for next school year---I would appreciate any feedback or ideas!

4. SSVT planning to host Board of Education's Vocational Advisory Council and Senate Ways & Means Committee Hearing.  I am pleased to report that SSVT has been asked to host meetings from these two committees.  The Vocational Advisory Council meeting is February 6th and the Senate Ways & Means Committee hearing is March 3rd.

5. Communication:  We are looking for ways to stay in touch with students and parents.  Please follow us on Twitter and also follow our Facebook page.  We are also looking into eventually developing a school app and also are working on how to have students volunteer to sign up for text alerts.

I'm sure they would love a daily text that reads:  Do Hmwk :)  

Stay warm!