Non-Traditional Speakers Wanted

Just what is a non-traditional speaker? This is a male who is in a predominately female occupational field or a female who is in a predominately male occupational field. A person in one of these occupations could help a student considering a non-traditional trade to think seriously about choosing that career. The speaker would come to Old Colony and share his or her experiences as a person in a non-traditional occupation.

This is not a push to put males in female careers or vice versa, but to provide students opportunities for further exploration. To this end, all freshmen are assigned one non-traditional shop as a part of their six exploratory experiences.

Another reason non-traditional speakers are sought is to fulfill one of the guidelines for Perkins Grant funding. The guideline requires the promotion of students in non-traditional occupations. A brochure for parents and students has been produced to explain non-traditional occupations, but to have workers in the field speak to students is an even stronger means of sharing opportunities available to students.

Perkins Grant funding is important to our school. Perkins funding mandates 15% of the money received is used for professional development for teachers across all learning areas in the school to help the entire student population. In some cases, a portion of the monies can be used to provide staff salaries.

Perkins monies have helped various shops gain national certification by providing funding. This funding has enabled the school to purchase equipment needed to meet those certifications. Old Colony has received recognition from the American Welding Society (AWS) and National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS). This past year, Health Careers purchased new beds for the shop. Updates are being made in the Culinary Arts shop as a part of their moving forward to receive their national certification from the American Culinary Federation.

If you are willing to share your experiences with students in a formal or non-formal manner, please contact Mrs. Rita Bretto at 508-763-8011, ext. 119.

 

Visit OC Threads – Old Colony’s Online Store !

Four Computer Information Technology (CIT) seniors recently completed work on OC Threads – Old Colony’s new online store. OC Threads allows online visitors to purchase over 20 products – Old Colony tee shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, hats, mugs, decals, and more – right from the website. Products are purchased with credit cards through the PayPal system and delivered to the customer.

Students worked with Mrs. Jean Mitchell and Mrs. Donna Amaral of the Old Colony Gridiron Club. All proceeds benefit the Gridiron Club, which supports the school’s football team and cheerleading squad. Special thanks to Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Amaral for their efforts.

Seniors Alexander Amaral (Acushnet), Stephen Bernat (Acushnet), Timothy Blanchard (Carver), and Heather Cardinal (Rochester) designed and developed the 5-page online store. The website project was a tremendous learning experience for the students, as they increased their knowledge of e-commerce while helping the school raise funds for its athletic programs.

Visit OC Threads on the Web at www.oldcolony.us/store/mainstore.htm … An Old Colony product makes a great holiday gift and supports the school as well!

 

New Attendance Policy Figures Show Positive Results

The absence policy instituted last year has made a positive difference in improved student attendance. The policy, which can be found in the student handbook, addresses missing full days of school, missing individual classes, and being tardy.

The figures compiled from the 20042005 school year speak for themselves. In 20032004 the annual percentage attendance was 93.56%. In 20042005 the annual attendance percentage was 95.28%. Every month shows an increased attendance with the greatest difference being the June comparison. In 2004 the attendance was at 91% and in 2005 the attendance was at 95.3%.

There is extra work in maintaining the attendance policy, but the numbers show it is worthwhile. Students are taking the policy seriously and are not missing valuable learning time.

 

Around the Colony

* Congratulations to the team of Jeffrey Golenski (Class of 2005) and Jeffrey Cormier (Class of 2007), both of Acushnet, for placing third in the nation in Web Design. The CIT students made the entire Old Colony community proud as they won the Bronze Medal at the annual SkillsUSA National Championships, held in Kansas City, Missouri, from June 21-24, 2005.

 

* Erin Mello, a top-ranking senior class member at Old Colony, has been selected to receive the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ Certificate of Academic Excellence. Erin, an Acushnet resident, has excelled in both her academic and vocational studies. She is president of the school’s National Honor Society Chapter and is also secretary of SkillsUSA. A student-athlete, Erin is co-captain of the varsity volleyball team. Last June, Erin received the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Student Achievement Award. Erin plans to attend Johnson & Wales University upon graduation, where she will major in Culinary Arts.

Superintendent-Director, David J. Ferreira presented the award to Erin at the Old Colony Advisory Board Dinner on October 12, 2005.

 

* Old Colony senior Timothy Blanchard recently began his term as the student member of the District School Committee. A Carver resident, Blanchard was elected as Chairperson of the Student Advisory Committee to the School Committee. The chairperson also serves as an ex-officio member of the District School Committee.

 

* Four members of the Old Colony Chapter of the National Honor Society were recently elected to serve as officers for the 2005-2006 school year. The officers will assume responsibility for leading the Society to achieve its varied service goals.

Elected officers were: Erin Mello (President), Andre J. Arsenault (Vice-President), Amanda L. Murdoch (Treasurer), and Brandon Duarte (Secretary). All of the new officers are residents of Acushnet.

 

* Old Colony is pleased to announce its class officers for the 2005-2006 school year:

Senior Officers (Class of 2006)

• President: Hannah Savaria (Acushnet)
• Vice-President: Chace Ashley (Freetown)
• Secretary: Carlos Alvarado (Acushnet)
• Treasurer: Victoria Fagan (East Freetown)

Junior Officers (Class of 2007)

• President: Natalie Hazen (Carver)
• Vice-President: Baylee Ricci (Carver)
• Secretary: Jennifer Lewis (Lakeville)
• Treasurer: Maria DelSignore (Lakeville)

 

* The Cosmetology Department is selling Holiday Gift Baskets filled with Paul Mitchell products. Call 508-763-8011, ext. 137, for info.

 

* Andre Aresenault, a senior at Old Colony, has been selected to receive a 2005-2006 Prudential Spirit of Community Service Award. This national award program is jointly sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Prudential Insurance Company. Andre is now eligible for state and national recognition. An Acushnet resident, Andre was nominated for the award for his work in both the community and school. He was elected by his peers to serve as president of Old Colony’s SkillsUSA Chapter and vice-president of the National Honor Society Chapter. A member of the Old Colony Student Council, he is also involved with Boy Scout Troop 37. Upon graduation from the Old Colony Culinary Arts Program in June, Andre will pursue a degree in the culinary field. Andre will receive a cash award and a framed certificate. Four other Old Colony students will also receive a Certificate of Merit in this award program. They are: Amanda Murdoch (Acushnet), Stephen Bernat (Acushnet), Don Collasius (Rochester), and Christopher Cordeiro (Acushnet).

 

* The Old Colony administration is pleased to announce the appointment of two students to the 2005-2006 School Council. They are: senior Timothy Blanchard CIT (Carver) and senior Kerrie Rousseau Health Careers (Acushnet). The School Council meets monthly under the chairmanship of Old Colony’s Assistant Superintendent/Principal, Gary Brown.

 

* Nine juniors from the Computer Information Technology (CIT) shop have met with two representatives from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office to discuss the redesign of the Plymouth County DA website and the construction of two other related websites. Barbara A. Faherty, Director of Community Relations, and Lucia M. Gavigan, I.T. Network Administrator, have visited Old Colony on three occasions and worked with the students on the projects.

Jeffrey Cormier (Acushnet), Janelle Gifford (Acushnet), and Nicholas DeBrum (Lakeville) are working on the Plymouth County DA website re-design. Nathan Cabral (Acushnet), Naomi Sylvia (Mattapoisett), and Michael Harrison (Carver) are designing the Child Advocacy Center website. Cam Charroux, Eric Furtado, and Derek Valentim (all from Acushnet), are building the Violence-Free Education Training & Outreach website. The three website projects should be completed in December 2005.