Hello SSVT students,
As you may recall from an earlier post, I mentioned that SSVT belongs to a regional organization called the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Every 10 years, as a member of NEASC, we are required to host a team of visiting teachers and administrators for a few days. The team's job is to confirm that we are meeting rigorous standards and doing the best job we can to provide you with a high quality vocational technical education.
Your teachers, counselors and administrators have spent the last 18 months preparing reports for this visit.
This evening, October 7th, SSVT teachers and staff will be welcoming a 25-member NEASC visiting team of teachers from around New England. Our Culinary Arts Department will be providing a fantastic dinner to conclude the night.
The NEASC Team will spend Tuesday-Thursday this week visiting our classrooms and shops and talking with staff and students about how SSVT operates. It will appear a bit different for a few days but the visit will not disrupt your coursework.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Great School Bulletin Boards!
Hello SSVT Community,
Hallways function as efficient ways to get from one place to another. Throughout our hallways, we have many, many high quality, colorful bulletin boards that are being well-maintained by our teachers, administrators and students. They look fantastic and make us all very proud of what goes on at SSVT.
I encourage you to check out these bulletin boards in front of our shops and in our main hallways. Here a just a few brand new bulletin boards that I captured yesterday...there are so many more!
Hallways function as efficient ways to get from one place to another. Throughout our hallways, we have many, many high quality, colorful bulletin boards that are being well-maintained by our teachers, administrators and students. They look fantastic and make us all very proud of what goes on at SSVT.
I encourage you to check out these bulletin boards in front of our shops and in our main hallways. Here a just a few brand new bulletin boards that I captured yesterday...there are so many more!
 |
| Guidance Bulletin Board near gymnasium highlighting career guidance activities, military acceptances and SAT registration dates. For more information, please reach out to guidance counselors Mrs. Dow, Mr. Madera, Mr. Zahurak or Guidance Director Mr. Janicki. |
 |
| Also in the hallway across from the cafeteria is a bulletin board devoted to Skills USA, a national vocational technical organization that promotes technical skills competitions at the local, state and national level. For more information, please contact Skills Coordinator and Metal Fabrication instructor Mr. Mello |
 |
| On the wall near the back of the cafeteria, you'll find our first Data Wall, which highlights some important school information about MCAS and student attendance. Coming to school regularly is essential for high school and (of course) the workplace. There will be other Data Walls posted around the building as well, focusing on other important topics to SSVT. For more information on this wall, contact Assistant Principal Mr. Aubrey. |
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
September Updates
Hello SSVT Community,
As we approach the end of September, I hope students and families are getting settled into your September school routines. It has been a busy start to the school year, and so far...no snow days!.
Allow me to offer you a few updates:
MCAS
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently released the Spring 2013 scores for districts and schools. We have much to be proud of here at SSVT. We continue to make progress with students scoring Advanced and Proficient, and we continue to be designated as a Level 1 school. Our teachers continue to motivate our students to do their best work!
As with any test results, we will drill down to find areas for improvement and adjustment. However, MCAS tests are a snapshot of a student's performance over their four year high school experience. So when our teachers evaluate the whole student, our teachers utilize many "non-paper and pencil" ways to assess student progress that goes on in our classrooms and shops every day.
Individual student scores are being sent home to parents today, September 24th.
Power School
Parents should have received mailing about our new Student Information System called Power School. If you have any trouble setting up an account, please consider these options for help:
1. Contact us via email at iparenthelp@ssvotech.org , or you can call our Technology Office at 781.878.8822, extension 451.
2. If you would like some face to face support in our school library, please attend Meet Your Child's Teacher Night on Wednesday, September 25th. Our Technology Director Crystal Paluzzi can assist you using one of the computers in our library media center from 6:00-8:00 PM.
As it stands now we are pleased that 238 parents have logged in to create Power School accounts, which is a great start, but we hope to help increase that number as we raise awareness with families.
Meet Your Child's Teacher Night, Wednesday September 25:
The purpose of this evening is to allow parents to follow their child's academic schedule and hear from teachers in 10 minute group sessions about the expectations the teachers are setting for your child's classes.
If families know a teacher's expectations and routines, it empowers parents to assist children at home, while still preserving your child's path toward greater independence.
For parents this night also allows you to put a face with a name prior to the parent-teacher conferences later in the school year.
NEASC Visit
NEASC stands for New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is the accreditation organization that evaluates public schools. NEASC conducts full visits every 10 years, and our last visit was October 2003. A visiting team of educators from around New England will be visiting SSVT in action from October 7-10. The team will be observing all aspects of the school's operations and will be talking with students and teachers. From this visit we will be given recommendations for further growth and improvement.
Terrific Teacher Nominations
Mrs. Dutch is seeking parent and student input on nominating teachers for a new monthly award. If you would like to nominate a teacher, please contact our main office for a form and we can send it to you electronically.
SSVT Craft Fair, October 19, 2013 from 10:00-3:00
The SSVT Parents Association continues its fine tradition of sponsoring one of the best craft fairs in the region here at SSVT. I hope you will share this information with friends and stop by.
If you have any questions, please contact me. Best wishes for the rest of the week!
As we approach the end of September, I hope students and families are getting settled into your September school routines. It has been a busy start to the school year, and so far...no snow days!.
Allow me to offer you a few updates:
MCAS
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently released the Spring 2013 scores for districts and schools. We have much to be proud of here at SSVT. We continue to make progress with students scoring Advanced and Proficient, and we continue to be designated as a Level 1 school. Our teachers continue to motivate our students to do their best work!
As with any test results, we will drill down to find areas for improvement and adjustment. However, MCAS tests are a snapshot of a student's performance over their four year high school experience. So when our teachers evaluate the whole student, our teachers utilize many "non-paper and pencil" ways to assess student progress that goes on in our classrooms and shops every day.
Individual student scores are being sent home to parents today, September 24th.
Power School
Parents should have received mailing about our new Student Information System called Power School. If you have any trouble setting up an account, please consider these options for help:
1. Contact us via email at iparenthelp@ssvotech.org , or you can call our Technology Office at 781.878.8822, extension 451.
2. If you would like some face to face support in our school library, please attend Meet Your Child's Teacher Night on Wednesday, September 25th. Our Technology Director Crystal Paluzzi can assist you using one of the computers in our library media center from 6:00-8:00 PM.
As it stands now we are pleased that 238 parents have logged in to create Power School accounts, which is a great start, but we hope to help increase that number as we raise awareness with families.
Meet Your Child's Teacher Night, Wednesday September 25:
The purpose of this evening is to allow parents to follow their child's academic schedule and hear from teachers in 10 minute group sessions about the expectations the teachers are setting for your child's classes.
If families know a teacher's expectations and routines, it empowers parents to assist children at home, while still preserving your child's path toward greater independence.
For parents this night also allows you to put a face with a name prior to the parent-teacher conferences later in the school year.
NEASC Visit
NEASC stands for New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is the accreditation organization that evaluates public schools. NEASC conducts full visits every 10 years, and our last visit was October 2003. A visiting team of educators from around New England will be visiting SSVT in action from October 7-10. The team will be observing all aspects of the school's operations and will be talking with students and teachers. From this visit we will be given recommendations for further growth and improvement.
Terrific Teacher Nominations
Mrs. Dutch is seeking parent and student input on nominating teachers for a new monthly award. If you would like to nominate a teacher, please contact our main office for a form and we can send it to you electronically.
SSVT Craft Fair, October 19, 2013 from 10:00-3:00
The SSVT Parents Association continues its fine tradition of sponsoring one of the best craft fairs in the region here at SSVT. I hope you will share this information with friends and stop by.
If you have any questions, please contact me. Best wishes for the rest of the week!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
August School Update
Hello SSVT Community,
As we approach the end of August, one would typically expect an administrator to say that "the school is starting to wake up again", but truthfully, there has been a lot of activity here at SSVT all summer. Teachers and administrators have been meeting with their departments, meeting about the new teacher evaluation system, working on our NEASC accreditation visit preparation, and getting their shops and classrooms ready for their students.
Our fall sports teams are underway with practices (including our new JV Cross Country team!) and scrimmages.
Here are a few staffing and facilities updates:
Staffing
We have hired several new staff for this school year, including:
Mr. Michael Janicki, Director of Guidance and Admissions. Mr. Janicki is a member of the administrative team and oversees the admissions process and our guidance department.
Mr. Jerry Shaw, Engineering instructor. We are thrilled to be offering Engineering as an academic science department course. Engineering courses will help students with concepts similar to what they learn in their vocational techincal programs.
Ms. Peggy Caggiano, Cosmetology instructor. Ms. Caggiano previously served on our Cosmetology Advisory Board.
Mrs. Martha Paradis, Graphic Communications instructor. Mrs. Paradis was serving as our long-term substitute in the program and we are happy to have her on board.
Mrs. Patty Squires, Allied Health instructor, is not brand new to SSVT, but she came on board after the 2012-13 school year started, so now is good time to re-introduce Mrs. Squires as a member of the SSVT faculty!
We are also very happy to welcome Mr. Matt Doyle as an instructional aide, Mr. Norman Nee as a custodian, and Mr. Joe Foley as a bus driver.
Our new teachers will be meeting on Monday August 26th for a teacher orientation session. All staff will begin the school year officially on Tuesday September 3rd. September 3-4 will be devoted to professional development, including training on our new student information system, Power School. Parents, you will be hearing more about Power School and how you can access the system very soon! School starts on September 5th for students.
Facilities
Thanks to Facilities Director Bob Moorhead for overseeing so much activity this summer with a fantastic crew who accomplished so much! Our facility enhancements are fantastic, and the most important, but least noticeable upgrade is a new water heater system, replacing the original 1960 water heater.
However, other improvements around the school will be more noticeable. Here are a few more pictures and video clips
Parents, as we enter the last week of the summer, please do not hesitate to call us (or nudge your child to call us :) ) with any "start of the school year" questions that might help to ease anxiety or clarify areas of confusion. Best wishes for the rest of the summer!
As we approach the end of August, one would typically expect an administrator to say that "the school is starting to wake up again", but truthfully, there has been a lot of activity here at SSVT all summer. Teachers and administrators have been meeting with their departments, meeting about the new teacher evaluation system, working on our NEASC accreditation visit preparation, and getting their shops and classrooms ready for their students.
Our fall sports teams are underway with practices (including our new JV Cross Country team!) and scrimmages.
 |
| Vikings participating in a round-robin practice/scrimmage with Sharon and Martha's Vineyard. Saturday August 25, 2013 |
Here are a few staffing and facilities updates:
Staffing
We have hired several new staff for this school year, including:
Mr. Michael Janicki, Director of Guidance and Admissions. Mr. Janicki is a member of the administrative team and oversees the admissions process and our guidance department.
Mr. Jerry Shaw, Engineering instructor. We are thrilled to be offering Engineering as an academic science department course. Engineering courses will help students with concepts similar to what they learn in their vocational techincal programs.
Ms. Peggy Caggiano, Cosmetology instructor. Ms. Caggiano previously served on our Cosmetology Advisory Board.
Mrs. Martha Paradis, Graphic Communications instructor. Mrs. Paradis was serving as our long-term substitute in the program and we are happy to have her on board.
Mrs. Patty Squires, Allied Health instructor, is not brand new to SSVT, but she came on board after the 2012-13 school year started, so now is good time to re-introduce Mrs. Squires as a member of the SSVT faculty!
We are also very happy to welcome Mr. Matt Doyle as an instructional aide, Mr. Norman Nee as a custodian, and Mr. Joe Foley as a bus driver.
Our new teachers will be meeting on Monday August 26th for a teacher orientation session. All staff will begin the school year officially on Tuesday September 3rd. September 3-4 will be devoted to professional development, including training on our new student information system, Power School. Parents, you will be hearing more about Power School and how you can access the system very soon! School starts on September 5th for students.
Facilities
Thanks to Facilities Director Bob Moorhead for overseeing so much activity this summer with a fantastic crew who accomplished so much! Our facility enhancements are fantastic, and the most important, but least noticeable upgrade is a new water heater system, replacing the original 1960 water heater.
However, other improvements around the school will be more noticeable. Here are a few more pictures and video clips
A video clip for Mrs. Bourgea's classroom, Room 104
A video clip of the new media lab built in our Library Media Center
The new Trak Lathe delivered to our Precision Machine program (with refinished floors)
An almost finished floor in the Electrical shop
A repainted portion of the Graphic Communications shop where the paper storage area used to be
Our renovated Nurse's Office, with new a consultation room.
Parents, as we enter the last week of the summer, please do not hesitate to call us (or nudge your child to call us :) ) with any "start of the school year" questions that might help to ease anxiety or clarify areas of confusion. Best wishes for the rest of the summer!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Summer Facility Upgrades
Hello SSVT Community,
I hope you are enjoying the summer months and the time to recharge and refresh before the new school year. We have had a busy summer on campus with parent and student orientations for our new 9th graders.
Several tangible signs of progress can be found in our various facility projects and the folks who are doing such great work to make our building even better. Many thanks to our student helpers, custodial crew and instructors and support staff!
Here are some pictures
I hope you are enjoying the summer months and the time to recharge and refresh before the new school year. We have had a busy summer on campus with parent and student orientations for our new 9th graders.
Several tangible signs of progress can be found in our various facility projects and the folks who are doing such great work to make our building even better. Many thanks to our student helpers, custodial crew and instructors and support staff!
Here are some pictures
Room 103 Mrs. Keith's class (new lights, walls, cork boards)
We are also renovating Room 105
We are also renovating Room 105
Carpentry Canopy posts being prepared. CP students will be working under
the canopy on various tasks in preparation for outside crew.
the canopy on various tasks in preparation for outside crew.
Precision Machine Technology Shop floor being sanded.
New Trak Lathe being delivered soon
(Out of view) Walls painted and a new computer lab area is being built
New Trak Lathe being delivered soon
(Out of view) Walls painted and a new computer lab area is being built
Room 116: Mrs. Walsh's classroom renovated
HVAC Mezzanine being removed. More instructional space!
Graphic Communications paper storage area being relocated
More instructional space!
We are also in the process of ordering a new computer cart for social studies department, a new school bus, a new 14-passenger activity bus to be used by shops and for small group field trips, and we are upgrading the audio and technical capabilities of the lecture hall to make it a more modern media center.
Parents and students, if you have any summer questions please contact our main office or guidance office from 7-3, Monday to Friday, or via email anytime. I can be reached at thickey@ssvotech.org.
Students, I hope you are enjoying your summer reading (subtle hint :) ).
More updates later this month! Take care.
Students, I hope you are enjoying your summer reading (subtle hint :) ).
More updates later this month! Take care.
Friday, May 3, 2013
May Updates
Hello SSVT Community,
I have three updates to pass along:
1. The SSVT Hall of Fame Induction and Class Reunion, held on April 26 at Harmon Golf Course, was a great success! We will upload some pictures later on for review. Thank you to the Hall of Fame committee members and volunteers, as well as graduates who attended from the past five decades.
2. Additional congratulations are extended to our medalists from the State SkillsUSA competition held at Blackstone Valley VoTech in Upton:
Gold
I have three updates to pass along:
1. The SSVT Hall of Fame Induction and Class Reunion, held on April 26 at Harmon Golf Course, was a great success! We will upload some pictures later on for review. Thank you to the Hall of Fame committee members and volunteers, as well as graduates who attended from the past five decades.
2. Additional congratulations are extended to our medalists from the State SkillsUSA competition held at Blackstone Valley VoTech in Upton:
Bronze
Kelley Campanile- Graphic Communications
Silver
Alyssa McWilliams, Vanessa Saganetti, Mark Troup- Chapter
Display
Tyler Devlin- Power Equipment Technology
Meaghan Swist- Cosmetology (over 500)Gold
James Aiguier- Nurse Assisting
As a gold medalist, James is headed to the SkillsUSA National Competition in Kansas City in June!
I would also like to thank SkillsUSA Coordinator and MFW instructor Bob Mello for his leadership, along with Assistant Coordinator Minnie Doherty and all our SkillsUSA Advisors who prepared our students for the competitions. SkillsUSA is a student competition but it is a also celebration of the importance and critical role of vocational technical education!
3. Town Meeting Update & State Budget Update
Scituate and Cohasset held their town meetings in April and the SSVT budget was passed in both towns. On Monday, May 6th, town meetings are being held in Whitman, Hanson, Norwell, Rockland and Hanover.
The legislature is in the process of developing its own budget proposals, along with the Governor's budget from January. Currently the House of Representatives proposal provides less Chapter 70 state aid to SSVT. The Senate will develop its own budget proposal and it will likely end up in a conference committee later this spring. Please contact me if you have further questions.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Hall of Fame Update
Hello SSVT Community,
Here is the text of an article written by Mike Melanson of the Whitman-Hanson Express. It was published in the March 28, 2013 edition of the newspaper.
*****
SSVT celebrates hall of famers, fit students
By Mike Melanson
express correspondent
The South Shore Vocational Technical High School will hold a reunion and Hall of Fame induction, at 7 p.m., Friday, April 26, at Harmon Golf Club, 168 Concord St., Rockland. On March 20, Principal Margaret Dutch told School Committee members that the reunion and induction is an exciting way to let those who graduated from or worked or volunteered for SSVT to come back and celebrate the school, and to build up an alumni network.
“The idea behind it is to establish a tradition,” said Principal Margaret Dutch.
The evening will include a meet-and-greet, light buffet and program, and dancing to the music of the Boomers.
Dutch said Hall of Fame awards would go to 10 outstanding individuals who contributed to the high school and strengthened the school community and who exemplify craftsmanship, citizenship, character and professionalism. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are:
• Warren Anderson, school assistant superintendent and director from 1962 to 1992, who will be inducted posthumously
Here is the text of an article written by Mike Melanson of the Whitman-Hanson Express. It was published in the March 28, 2013 edition of the newspaper.
*****
SSVT celebrates hall of famers, fit students
By Mike Melanson
express correspondent
The South Shore Vocational Technical High School will hold a reunion and Hall of Fame induction, at 7 p.m., Friday, April 26, at Harmon Golf Club, 168 Concord St., Rockland. On March 20, Principal Margaret Dutch told School Committee members that the reunion and induction is an exciting way to let those who graduated from or worked or volunteered for SSVT to come back and celebrate the school, and to build up an alumni network.
“The idea behind it is to establish a tradition,” said Principal Margaret Dutch.
The evening will include a meet-and-greet, light buffet and program, and dancing to the music of the Boomers.
Dutch said Hall of Fame awards would go to 10 outstanding individuals who contributed to the high school and strengthened the school community and who exemplify craftsmanship, citizenship, character and professionalism. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are:
• Warren Anderson, school assistant superintendent and director from 1962 to 1992, who will be inducted posthumously
• Gayle Holmes Cronin, Class of 1999, Cosmetology
• Angela Mariani Greene, Class of 2000, Electronics
• Rosemarie Hahn, secretary to the superintendent from 1975 to 2005
• Eileen Hayes, English teacher and Drama coach from 1983 to 2003
• William Laidler, Class of 1967, Electrical, and Electrical teacher from 1976 to 2007
• John Llewellyn, Class of 1975, Carpentry
• Edward Schneider, aide, coach and bus coordinator from 1969 to 2011
• Frank Snow, Class of 1976, Carpentry, and School Committee member from 1978 to 1983
• Frederick Teed, first superintendent, from 1962 to 1981, who will be inducted posthumously
• Angela Mariani Greene, Class of 2000, Electronics
• Rosemarie Hahn, secretary to the superintendent from 1975 to 2005
• Eileen Hayes, English teacher and Drama coach from 1983 to 2003
• William Laidler, Class of 1967, Electrical, and Electrical teacher from 1976 to 2007
• John Llewellyn, Class of 1975, Carpentry
• Edward Schneider, aide, coach and bus coordinator from 1969 to 2011
• Frank Snow, Class of 1976, Carpentry, and School Committee member from 1978 to 1983
• Frederick Teed, first superintendent, from 1962 to 1981, who will be inducted posthumously
Dutch said tickets cost $25. There will be a cash bar and attendees must be at least 21 years old. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets are available by contacting South Shore Vocational Technical High School; Marie Mariani; 476 Webster St.; Hanover, MA 02339. Tickets are also available by calling Mariani at 781-878-8822, ext. 413, or by email at mmariani@ssvotech.org.
In other business Thursday, Superintendent-Director Thomas Hickey said SSVT students are the fittest in Massachusetts, at least according to a state Department of Public Health report issued last December, based on body mass index. According to the state health department, BMI measures a person’s body fat based on average height and weight measurements for children of the same age and gender. Hickey said DPH collected BMI data statewide and sampled students who were sophomores in the 2011-2012 school year.
“I’m pleased to report that the school district with the lowest BMI in the state is this one,” he said. “I don’t claim to have an explanation for that.”
Hickey said continued development of the school’s wellness program and policies and the restoration of the physical education teacher from a part-time to full-time position would let SSVT continue to field physically fit students.
Hickey said continued development of the school’s wellness program and policies and the restoration of the physical education teacher from a part-time to full-time position would let SSVT continue to field physically fit students.
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