Safety Taken Seriously

In addition to the traditional fire drill, Old Colony’s Crisis Team has implemented other practices to better prepare persons in the building in the event of an unplanned situation.

The Rochester Police and dogs trained to identify drugs made a visit to the school this past autumn. Along with administrators, the police and dogs randomly searched lockers, classrooms, and shops for the possibility of drugs.

Often we, as a small school in a country setting, think we are immune from the vicious attacks of the world. Columbine High School, the attack on the students and teachers at the Amish school, the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, and the tragic event at the Ford Middle School in the past decade remind us that we must be prepared.

To ensure the safety of persons in the building, Old Colony has established a strategic plan in the event there is an intruder on school premises. Faculty and students have been instructed what to do during such an event. For the first rehearsal of the plan, faculty and staff were notified of the date. The intent of the rehearsal was to determine what parts of the plan were solid and what parts needed adjustment. A second intruder drill took place with only the administrators knowing in advance.

The safety of persons in our building is one of our priorities, so when two students pulled what they deemed a harmless prank in late March 2007, the school took the event seriously. The Rochester Police were called in for a school search. All parents, faculty, and staff were notified there would be a bag search upon entering the next school day. All bags were searched. Later that day the students confessed their actions, explained their prank, and received their consequences.

Taking safety seriously is part of Old Colony’s philosophy and goals. The goal/objective reads: “To continue to update, monitor, and practice all building safety protocol and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for its faculty, staff, and visitors, as well as a safe learning environment for students.

 

 

Remembering the Past – Looking Forward to the Future

A simple song with a powerful meaning states, Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold. New friends May 17, 2007, the School Committee appointed Mr. Gary Brown to be the new Superintendent/ Director of Old Colony upon the resignation of Mr. David J. Ferreira. As Mr. Brown assumes the duties of Superintendent/Director on July 1, Mr. Ferreira will begin his position as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA).

Taking on this task will be an extension of what Mr. Ferreira has done for Old Colony over the years. Dedicated to vocational education he will continue make the voice of vocational education heard not only in the Old Colony area but throughout the state.

Mr. Ferreira will always be a part of the Old Colony family. We wish him joy as he leaves us to grow through this new opportunity. May he know that when he returns for a visit, we’ll be here to say, “Welcome home.”

 

Third annual golf tournament benefits worthy cause

The third annual Old Colony Golf Tournament, held at the Acushnet River Valley Golf Course in Acushnet, MA, on May 19, 2007, was once again a huge success. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, the golf tournament was enjoyed by families, friends, alumni, and guests of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School. All of the proceeds from the event benefited the Old Colony Scholarship Fund, with over $14,000. going into the fund.

There were 136 competing golfers in the tournament. The winning team consisted of Steve Bernat, David Bernat, Marc Bernat, and Marc Francis. Following the event, everyone enjoyed the dinner and raffle at the Century House in Acushnet. Old Colony thanks John Abaray, Gary Brown, and all of the people who helped to make the golf tournament a fun family event and an extremely profitable fundraiser for the Old Colony Scholarship Fund.

 

Three faculty members to retire

The entire Old Colony community offers its thanks and best wishes to three retiring faculty members: Diniz Brum (CAD Drafting), Robert Francis (House & Mill Carpentry), & Donald Mosher (Automotive Tech).

 

Around the Colony

* The Old Colony Chapter of SkillsUSA was very successful at the State Skill and Leadership Conference, held on April 26-28, 2007, in Marlborough, MA. Competing against state vocational students, Old Colony had 16 participants in 8 contests and captured 4 medals. The results were as follows:

• Michael Cormier (Mattapoisett) – Bronze Medal – Computer Programming
• Richard Pemberton (Freetown) – Bronze Medal – Carpentry
• Perry Wood (Rochester) – Gold Medal – Electronics Applications
• Jade Worthington (Acushnet) – Silver Medal – Office Comp. Applications

As a gold medal winner and state champion, Perry will now represent Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Skills and Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, from June 25-29, 2007.

* Four members of the Old Colony Chapter of the National Honor Society were recently elected to serve as officers for the 2007-2008 school year. Elected president was Corey E. Beecher (Lakeville), vice-president Alex R. Buckley (Rochester), treasurer Ryan C. Rodrigues(Acushnet), and secretary Matthew P. Pacheco (Acushnet).

* The Old Colony Math Club performed well at a local math competition held at Tri-County RVTHS on April 5, 2007. Old Colony sent five juniors and five sophomores to the jeopardy-style Math Meet. Under the supervision of math instructors Kevin Gonsalves and Nancy Francis, the two teams of Old Colony students finished the event in 10th and 12th place out of a field of 20 teams from area vocational high schools. The students were:

• Corey Beecher – (Lakeville)
• Alex Buckley – (Rochester)
• Zachary Card – (Carver)
• Chad Crumley – (Acushnet)
• Nicholas Rice – (Carver)
• Nicholas Abaray – (Acushnet)
• Eli Reznekervitz – (Freetown)
• Alexander Tironati – (Lakeville)
• Lane Tobiason – (Acushnet)
• Jade Worthington – (Acushnet)

 

* Four student-athletes at Old Colony received Citizenship Awards on April 12, 2007, at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. This ceremony, created in conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day, is designed to recognize Massachusetts high school student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in three disciplines: academics, athletics, and citizenship. Old Colony award recipients were:

• Brittany Fagan – (Lakeville)
• Christopher Faustino – (Rochester)
• John Romanelli – (Acushnet)
• Jade Worthington – (Acushnet)

* Two Old Colony juniors have been selected to participate in the 2007 Boys State Program in June at Stonehill College. Zachary Card(Carver) will be sponsored by the OC National Honor Society, and Michael Nunes (Rochester) will be sponsored by the Mattapoisett American Legion. Selected as an alternate was Chad Crumley (Acushnet).

* The Old Colony Chapter of the National Honor Society has been selected as a recipient of an Outstanding Chapter Award for the sixth year in a row. The Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association State NHS Committee presents this award to local chapters for “exemplifying the true spirit of National Honor Society ideals through demonstration of outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, and service.”

This is the eighth Outstanding Chapter Award for the Old Colony chapter in the last ten years. The chapter has also received seven National Service Awards.

The Chapter received the award at the NHS State Leadership Conference held at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts on April 10, 2007. The conference was held for advisors and students of local chapters.

Four members of the Old Colony NHS Chapter represented Old Colony at the State Leadership Conference:

• Samantha Clarke – (Freetown)
• Neil Andre – (Freetown)
• Alex Buckley – (Rochester)
• Michael Poland – (Lakeville)

 

* The Old Colony Peer Leadership Group recently concluded this year’s holiday service project. The One Warm Coat project involved the collection of new and gently used coats, hats, mittens, and boots for distribution by local homeless shelters. More than 40 coats were collected, along with many sets of scarves, hats, and mittens that were generously donated.

* State Senator Joan M. Menard (D-Fall River) recently visited Old Colony for her annual drive to register high school seniors to vote. The Senator spoke to the students and stressed the importance of voting and participation in the democratic process.

* Old Colony is pleased to announce the election results for the State Student Advisory Council. Kelsey Pereira and Steven Verronneauwere elected to represent Old Colony in the Southeast Region. Both students are from Acushnet and members of the Class of 2008.

* The Carpentry Department at Old Colony recently constructed twelve wooden golf ball trays as a community service for the Acushnet River Valley Golf Course. The course paid for the materials. Two students, Nick Abaray (Acushnet) and Nick Weigel (Rochester), completed the project.