Technology Intergration Project is underway

Old Colony has taken advantage of grant funds offered by the Massachusetts Department of Education to expand vocational programs to align to the new state frameworks. The focus of the new program designed by Jacqueline Machamer, a Computer Information Technology Department instructor, is to use technology integrated projects as a method to address common content areas and provide technical instruction. The project incorporates lessons that have a common structure to be customized to each technical area’s specific content. This format aligns with the state-required “strands” in all vocational curricula. The specific areas are:

• Strand 4 – the introduction or enhancement of employability
• Strand 5 – management/entrepreneurship
• Strand 6 – development of computer technology skills

The students are instructed in the computer lab by Mrs. Guenette or Mrs. Pothier, Computer Information Technology Department instructors. The CIT teachers provide students with technical training, while each shop’s related instructors provide input in the content area.

The pilot program began with juniors and seniors in 2005-2006. In the 2006-2007 academic year, the program has expanded to include all grade levels. Freshmen focus on using Microsoft Word, manipulating pictures, and creating a professional appearance for their portfolio documents. Sophomores explore the use of PowerPoint and give a presentation that explores a career in their field of study. Juniors and seniors use Excel as they plan and present a business plan as partial completion of the entrepreneurship standard. Next year, seniors will add to the skills previously learned through the use of Desktop Publishing as they create a marketing plan.

A hope for the future is to include lesson components for all courses in an effort to increase technical proficiency for all students.

To aid in the commitment to move forward in the area of technology issues and to carefully determine the best way to move toward that goal, a Technology Subcommittee has been established. This is just another demonstration of Old Colony’s dedication to its students and Old Colony’s resolve to have graduates prepared to use various communication applications effectively.

 

Old Colony attendance rate tops area high schools

Old Colony had the highest attendance rate among area regional high schools according to statistics recently released by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Part of the reason for this high ranking is attributed to the school’s attendance policy, which penalizes a student’s grades if he or she has excessive absences.

Another recognition Old Colony received which is related to attendance is the school’s graduation rate. The Massachusetts Department of Education announced that Old Colony has the highest 2006 rate of graduation of all area high schools. Old Colony ranked first among 19 southeastern Massachusetts schools, including the high schools of all of Old Colony’s sending towns. Of the 38 state vocational high schools, Old Colony placed third, with 98.8% being the best. Old Colony’s graduation rate of 94.9% for 2006 far exceeds the state average of 79.9%.

 

Thrid annual golf tournament slated for May 19th

The Third Annual Old Colony Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2007, at the Acushnet River Valley Golf Course in Acushnet, MA. The golf tournament is great event for family, friends, and alumni of the school. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Old Colony Scholarship Fund. Interested individuals or parties can contact Mr. Gary Brown via email at gbrown@oldcolony.us.

 

Around the Colony

* Culinary Arts Department senior, Samantha Clarke (Freetown), has been selected as Old Colony’s nominee for the 2006-2007 Walter J. Markham Award. The award program is sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators. Samantha is now eligible for state-wide comsideration, based upon her leadership potential, as well as academic and vocational excellence. She is president of the National Honor Society and is ranked in the top 5% of the senior class.

* Computer Information Technology Department senior Janelle L. Gifford (Acushnet) has been selected as Old Colony’s Outstanding Vocational Student Award nominee for 2007. This statewide award program recognizes the outstanding vocational education students from the Commonwealth. Janelle has excelled in her academic studies, as well as in the Computer Office Technology field. She will receive her award on April 12, 2007, at a statewide ceremony to be held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.

* Last November, six Old Colony students participated in the SkillsUSA Fall State Leadership Conference in Marlborough, MA, and achieved their leadership awards with the highest possible score. Community service and leadership development were the focus of the conference. The students who attended were:

• Mari Mitchell (Lakeville)
• Danielle Mahoney (Carver)
• Samantha Lucas (Lakeville)
• Jessica DeMilio (Acushnet)
• Amber Rand (Lakeville)
• Kendra Cameron (Lakeville)

* Computer Information Technology Department senior Jeffrey Cormier has been selected as a nominee for the National Honor Society Scholarship Program. The scholarship program is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Jeffrey has been a member of Old Colony’s NHS chapter for three years and has demonstrated excellent achievement in his academic studies, shop work, and his service to school and community.

* Six members of the Old Colony’s Chapter of the National Honor Society attended the 5th Annual Massachusetts Fall NHS State Conference in October 2006. The conference was held at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. The students attended various workshops which focused on college admissions, student athletics, service projects, community involvement, and other topics. The attending students were:

• Neil Andre (Freetown)
• Corey Beecher (Lakeville)
• Alex Buckley (Rochester)
• Garrett Dunham (Lakeville
• Daniel Hurd (Carver)
• Kerri Kauranen (Lakeville)

 

* Old Colony is pleased to announce its annual Excellence In Effort Award winners for 2007. Winners were chosen by shop and related instructors on the basis of effort and motivation. Award winners will receive a specially designed jacket with an Excellence In Effort logo and a framed certificate at the Spring Advisory Board Meeting on April 11, 2007. A second award ceremony and school barbeque will be held for the entire student body on June 4, 2007. This year’s Excellence In Effort Award winners are:

• Automotive – Shaun White (Acushnet)
• CAD Drafting – Justin Peckham (Acushnet)
• Computer Info Tech – Zachary Card (Carver)
• Cosmetology – Alicia Sullivan (Mattapoisett)
• Culinary Arts – Robert Cost (Carver)
• Electrical – Tomas O’Brien (Carver)
• Electronic Tech – Michael Carberry (Rochester)
• Health Careers – Erin Oliveira (Mattapoisett)
• House Mill Carpentry – Jacob Haskins (Freetown)
• Machine & Tool – Kevin O’Reilly (Lakeville)
• Metal Fabrication – Chris Faustino (Rochester)

* Two members of the Class of 2007 will be the participants in the state’s annual Student Government Day, which will take place in April at the State House in Boston, MA. Sarah Roberts (Freetown) and Joseph Sargo (Lakeville) will represent Old Colony at this educational, civic event. Sarah is a member of the Health Careers Department and Joseph is a member of the CAD Department.

* Four sophomore members of the Computer Information Technology Program recently completed work on a website re-design and development project for Community Nurse & Hospice Care, a non-profit organization in Fairhaven, MA. The students worked with Ms. Jennifer Fagan, the organization’s Director of Marketing & Development. The students who re-designed the website (www.communitynurse.com) were:

• Kendra Murray (Acushnet
• Jade Worthington (Acushnet)
• Eli Reznekervitz (Freetown)
• Alexander Tironati (Lakeville)

* The following Old Colony student-athletes have been recognized by the Massachusetts Interschoastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Old Colony Athletic Department for outstanding sportsmanship:

• Nicholas Abaray (Acushnet)
• Matthew Arruda (Freetown)
• Garrett Dunham (Lakeville)
• Melissa Jones (Freetown)
• Bridget LaValley (Mattapoisett)
• Nicole Thomas (Lakeville)

* Two students from Acushnet represented Old Colony at the Massachusetts Celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Madeleine LaFleur (Acushnet) and Melissa Jones (Freetown) attended the event at Faneuil Hall in Boston, MA, on Feb. 3, 2007.