Pittsfield Public Schools Career and Technical

Education Program Offerings:

Your Pathway to Career and College Readiness Awaits…

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians: Students leaving high school both career and college ready are better prepared for the demands of our technical economy then those who aren’t. The Career and Technical Education programs of Pittsfield Public Schools help students prepare for both a career and college through our thirteen educational programs. Our CTE programs are Chapter 74 approved. Chapter 74 is a designation the Department of Education awards to programs that meet the rigorous standards for career and technical education of our state education department. Massachusetts CTE programs are widely recognized as the nation’s best.

CTE students take the all core academic courses required of a student by the Department of Education and state college system to be considered college ready.

During their 9th grade year, students have the opportunity to explore the various technical programs at the high school he or she attends by applying for and being accepted into the Career Exploratory program. Their 10th grade year marks the beginning of a three year technical certificate that will prepare students for the work place while also providing the necessary academic preparation for both two and four year college degree programs. Qualifying students can also take advantage of our cooperative education work experience. It is available for students in all programs and represents a direct connection to business and industry as well as future job opportunities. Students may elect to go out on Coop as early as half way through their 11th grade year or at the start of their 12th grade year. In order to participate in the Coop experience, students must have a C in all of their academic classes and a B in their shop. They must have good attendance and be a good citizen of the school community. Coop is a privilege for the students that must be earned. Coop is also optional. If a student does not choose to go out on Coop he or she can stay in their program.

If you have any questions please contact the Career Technical Education office at 413-448-9601. Sincerely, Richard Brady

Assistant SuperintendentFor Career and Technical Education

Table of Contents

Career Technical Education Admissions Policy Q & A

Pittsfield High School Career Technical Education Programs Career Exploratory (freshmen only)Business TechnologyCosmetology Culinary Arts Building and Grounds Maintenance Horticulture (Landscaping)Power Equipment Technology Taconic High School Career Technical Education Programs Career Exploratory (freshmen only)Auto Body Technology Auto Mechanics Technology CarpentryCulinary ArtsHealth Assisting Manufacturing Technology Metal Fabrication and Welding Technology

Career and Technical Education Programs Admissions Policy Q &A

In October of 2015 the School Committee approved an Admissions Policy for the Career and Technical Education programs which sets the rules for admission to the CTE programs at both high schools. This section provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the policy. Q: Why is this policy necessary? A: In Pittsfield our Career and Technical Education programs are highly competitive and an admissions process is necessary because we have a limited number of seats available for each of our programs. Each year we have more applicants than slots, therefore all students in grades 9-12 that seek to be enrolled in a Career and Technical Education program will be evaluated using the selection criteria in the Admissions Policy. Q: Who can apply for the Career Technical Programs? A: The Pittsfield Public Schools admits students and makes available to them its advantages, privileges and courses of study without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, disability or homelessness status. Any 8 th grade student from the City of Pittsfield or the Town of Richmond who expects to be promoted to the 9th grade by their current school, is eligible to apply for fall admission to Pittsfield’s Career and Technical Education programs. Transfer students from other career vocational technical programs may also apply. Grade 8 non-resident students will be considered for any remaining openings. Students that are admitted into the CTE programs for their 10th grade year are predominantly students who have taken the Career Exploratory course in their 9th grade year. Sophomores and juniors who have not taken Career Exploratory can apply for a program and granted admission dependent upon the availability seats in the program the student is applying for and subject the criteria of the admission policy. Q: What criteria will be used to evaluate my student?

A: Criteria will include:

1. The grade average of Grade 7 and the 1st and 2nd quarter of Grade 8 2. Number of unexcused absences from Grade 7 and 1st and 2nd quarter of Grade 8 3. Grade 7 and 1st and 2nd quarter of Grade 8 behavior assessments 4. A recommendation from the guidance counselors of their sending school.

Students will be assessed by an admissions committee using a point system outlined in the district admission policy. The points awarded a student depends on the criteria cited above. Students will be ranked according to the points awarded the student. The students with higher number of points will have preference when being admitted to the Career Exploratory program or a CTE program.

Q: How does my student get a Career and Technical Education program Application? A: You can get applications for the Career and Technical Education programs through the Guidance Office at your student’s school or from Mercer Administration Building at 269 First St. in Pittsfield. The application is also online and can be accessed by a link on the Career & Technical Education option located in a drop down menu under the District Info button on the home page of the district’s website. For 8th grade Pittsfield residents, the application date for Career and Technical Education is February 1st . Applications must be complete or they will be returned. If you have other questions regarding the Admissions Policy you can contact your student’s guidance counselor or the CTE office located at the Mercer Administration building. There will be informational material sent home on the Career and Technical Education programs, Open Houses at both high schools and other informational sessions.

Pittsfield High School Career Technical Education Programs Building and Grounds Maintenance The Building and Grounds Maintenance program is designed to offer students in Pittsfield a three-year opportunity to explore a range of construction and maintenance related industries as part of their high

school experience. With the support of local labor unions, this program will offer students orientation, instruction and experience in various building trades including: roofing, carpentry, painting, masonry, and green technologies and outdoor landscape maintenance. The first two years of this three-year program will involve a survey of each trade area coupled with job readiness training, safety, and OSHA-10 certification, and elements required as part of the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan. As part of the second year experience students will be matched with internship opportunities to experience on the job immersion. In year three students can focus their attention on one trade

through a cooperative work experience that will match them with a focused trade field. Through this

experience students can begin the apprentice sequence as guided by the certification requirements unique to each field and can continue in the experience after graduation.

Business Technology

Business technology prepares students for a wide range of business and office career paths by combining the business, computer, and business technology fields into one course of study. Students graduating from business technology are ready to enter different sectors of the business world with very marketable skills. Through the three year program, students gain a thorough knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation. In addition, students explore related business topics such as marketing, business management, customer service, entrepreneurship, communications, accounting, and finance. Students leave ready to be effective team members in a business organization or develop their skills further in college. Students also earn an OSHA card.

Cosmetology The three-year program is designed to develop the student's skills necessary to become a licensed cosmetologist. The facility is a modern, complete, operating salon with demonstration areas and practice workstations. Students are exposed to every day experiences as in the world of work. Upon successful completion of the program students are fully prepared and eligible to take the Massachusetts State Board exam for licensure to pursue their career. This program also accepts post-graduates by application.

Students will begin to log lab hours (towards a 1,000 hour requirement) at the age of sixteen. Students receive OSHA 10 certification. Upon completion of the 1,000 hours required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure Board of Cosmetology and successful completion of all graduation requirements, the student is eligible to take an exam that consists of a written and practical test of technical skills based on established performance criteria. With a passing grade of 75% or higher the student is issued as Cosmetology license.

Culinary Arts Technology The culinary programs are designed to equip students with skills necessary to be successful in Culinary Arts. Training can lead to employment in restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and other food service opportunities. Upon completion of the Culinary Arts program students have the options of entering the industry or of going on to a culinary arts college. Berkshire Community College has Culinary Arts tech prep agreements with both PHS and THS. Culinary Arts students have the opportunity to earn both an OSHA certification and Pro Start certification while enrolled in the program. Horticulture (Landscaping) The Landscape Program is diverse- intended to meet the needs of all students. Upon completion, students will be prepared to enter the work force in a wide variety of jobs such as lawn care, landscaping, or landscape construction. Other students may choose to continue their education at a two or four year

college and major in such programs as landscaping, turf and grass management, arboriculture, or sustainable agriculture. Some of the topics covered in class are landscape design, construction, maintenance, entomology, integrated pest management, plant identification, greenhouse management, health and safety regulations, employability skills, and entrepreneurship. Students will learn to safely operate a variety of power tools and equipment used in the field. Students will gain hands-on experience doing projects on school property and also in the community. Projects may include planting a variety of material from trees to annuals or perennials. Other projects may use a variety of landscape construction materials that may include brick, stone or landscape timbers. Students also maintain property doing fall and spring clean-up and pruning trees and shrubs. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Skills USA Program.  Horticulture Students will graduate with their OSHA 10 certification. They will also be prepared to take the Mass. Pesticide Applicators Licensing Exam.

Power Equipment Technology This three-year program is designed to provide male and female students with entry-level skills in the field of engine repair. Students will be given a thorough understanding of the theory of combustion and small engines and will become very familiar with troubleshooting procedures for both single cylinder and multi-cylinder engines. Every phase of small engine repair will be covered including fuel systems, electrical systems, transmission systems and complete engine overhaul. Students will be taught to repair

lawn mowers, snow blowers, string trimmers, chain saws, ATV, snowmobiles, motorcycles, tractors, outboard, and inboard engines. Safety instruction, and OSHA 10 certification will be an integral part of the program. Upon successful completion off the Power Technology program students will be given the opportunity to apply to take a test for certification in two cycles and/or four-cycle engine repair. If they are successful in achieving the competencies required by the EETC, they will receive a nationally recognized certification in

the field.

Taconic High School Career Technical Education Programs

Auto Body Technology This program is designed to train students in complete body and fender repair, refinishing, and the

rebuilding of damaged vehicles. It involves frame straightening, glasswork, upholstering, welding, and complete spray-painting in

our state-of-the-art De Vilbiss downdrafts spray booth. The proper use of hand tools, grinders, sanders, hydraulic jacks, spray guns, mig, and gas welding, and the skills of using plastic and fiberglass fillers is taught. An appealing aspect of the Auto Body Technology Program is the opportunity for successful students eventually to operate their own business. Students are provided the opportunity to earn an OSHA card. Auto Mechanics Technology This is a three-year program designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for diagnosing and servicing automobiles. The program includes the following areas of instruction: preventive maintenance, engine overhaul, electrical systems, fuel systems, transmission repair, brakes, and suspension. Students receive instruction in the use of computerized test equipment that is used to test and repair on-board computers and sensors. A computerized four-wheel alignment center provides the most modern method of front-end maintenance and repair. Students are provided the opportunity to earn an OSHA card.

Carpentry This program provides students an opportunity to gain experience in using hand and machine tools, equipment and materials commonly found in the building trade. Training is given in a variety of work,

ranging from millwork and cabinet-making to outside construction. Blueprint reading, floor, wall and roof framing, roofing, siding, stair building, renovation and computer work, and interior and exterior carpentry are covered in yearlong on-site building projects. The program prepares one for entrance into building trades and also apprenticeship programs and technical schools if so desired.

Culinary Arts Technology

The Culinary programs are designed to equip students with skills necessary to be successful in Culinary Arts. Training can lead to careers employment in restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and other food service opportunities. Upon completion of the Culinary Arts programs students have the options of entering the industry or of going on to a culinary arts college. Berkshire Community College has a tech prep agreement with both high schools. OSHA certification and Pro Start certification are available to the students. Health Technology

The Health Technology Program within the Allied Health cluster will provide the student with a fundamental process in the study of health careers. It will provide reliable and realistic information about health occupations. A variety of learning experiences will assist the student to make tentative career choices. The health technologies program presents both theory and practice within the school and in the larger community. The multi-competency based instruction and practice allows the student to develop competencies for entry-level employment in the health industry, as well as being a basis for making informed career decisions. With mastery of basic competencies, students are prepared for such entry-level employment as CNA, Dietary Aide, Home Health Aide, as well as many other community based direct care opportunities. Many students completing the program wish to continue their studies beyond high school. Clinical experiences included in the program at various community and health care facility sites give students the opportunity to work side by side with industry professionals, allowing the student to make a decision about a career path based on firsthand experience. The related course of study includes theory in the maintenance of health, body structure and function, control of infectious microorganisms, growth and development from birth to old age, nutrition, common health problems, medical terminology, computer awareness and communication skills. Health occupation credentials include CPR, First Aid, Alzheimer’s Caregiver training, MA Medication Administration Program, Home Health Aide, and OSHA 10hr certification. Clinical experiences, guest speakers, field trips, and audiovisual aides relating to the health care field will be utilized. The program will provide a basic foundation of knowledge and will build upon this as the student progresses to the next step in developing skills in a particular health career.

Manufacturing Technology This program provides instruction in all basic machine principles, allowing the student to pursue any of the various occupations in the machine trade. These occupations range from machine operators to tool, die and mold makers, and inspectors. In addition to the basic machine lab instruction, computer numerical control programming of lathes and milling machines is offered. Multiple tool programs are heavily

emphasized. An electrical discharge machine and an injection mold press have recently upgraded the program. A related drawing course consisting of drafting and blueprint reading provides experience in this highly technical area of machining. This program prepares students for entrance into college, industry, or apprentice programs.

Metal Fabrication & Joining Technology This program involves the use of both the machines and techniques of the sheet metal and welding trades. Instruction is given in the properties of metals and their reaction to heat, including fusibility, contraction, and expansion. The student is exposed to all phases of welding, such as arc MIG and TIG welding, structural steel fabrication, mechanical pipe welding, and acetylene cutting operations. In addition, the student is trained in many phases of sheet metal including ductwork for furnace recirculation, air conditioning, fireproofing, cornice, skylight and ornamental work. The student is taught developmental drafting layout and blueprint reading. A related drawing course consisting of drafting and blueprint

reading provides experience in this highly technical area of metal fabrication. The training given could open doors to other vocations, such as aerospace industry, air conditioning, heating and plumbing, refrigeration, technical metallurgy, or entrance into a formal apprentice program.