Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School is proud to announce Matthew J. Trahan, Athletic Director, as the recipient of the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association’s (MSSADA) Athletic Director of the Year Award, District D.

Recipients of the District Athletic Director of the Year Award are selected from persons nominated by their respective district athletic directors associations. This award recognizes athletic administrators from across the state that have excelled in their profession. In addition, the Executive Board, at the recommendation of the Athletic Director of the Year Selection Committee, selects one individual to receive the MSSADA Athletic Director of the Year Award. The recipient of this award will have made significant contributions within the field of athletic administration at the local, state and national levels and will represent the association at regional and national competitions.

The Mission of the Old Colony’s Athletic Department is to support and supplement the mission of the Old Colony School System by providing interscholastic sports programs. We are committed to the personal development and well being of our student-athletes and staff. Through our offerings, the Athletic Department plays an integral part in preparing our student-athletes for citizenship, service, and leadership by emphasizing teamwork, self-discipline, personal responsibility and the setting of high standards and achievement.

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School (OCRVTHS) is pleased to be the recipient of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Equipment and Supply Grant in the amount of $99,479.00.

The funding will aid in developing biotechnology curriculum and to purchase equipment to support experimentation in the life sciences. Old Colony is teaming with Greater New Bedford Regional Vocation Technical High School (GNBRVTHS) to build a consortium for the teaching of life sciences in Grades 9-12 in the southcoast region. Together they are sharing in the development and integration of curriculum modules that can be integrated within existing biology classes, creation of new upper level classes in the life sciences, and an online professional development network for biology/life science educators in the southcoast region.

Together, the schools are working with local institutions of higher and industry to make sure the school’s curriculum and programming are aligned with industry needs and are committed to constructing a life sciences professional development and curriculum network across southeastern MA.

The school’s roles are defined as follows: Old Colony is uniquely posed to develop and lead an online professional development network encompassing new curriculum, new pedagogy, sharing, and support for biology/life science educators, while GNBRVTHS is leading the program’s efforts in workforce development and industry relations. Knod Both schools will work to continue developing new and expanded relationships with southcoast biotechnology industries and institutions of higher education.

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is a quasi-public agency tasked with implementing the state’s ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. This grant program seeks the further development of the state’s life sciences workforce by providing funding for equipment and supplies. Old Colony was one of thirty-two applicants that received funding. A special thanks to OC’s Library/Media Specialist, Marcia Kessler for her effort and skill in securing this grant.