Vol. 2 November 16, 2018 No. 2

TECH TIMEST

T

elcome to the start of the 2018-2019 school year. I am pleased to be guiding the Van Buren Technology

Center as its Principal/Director through the school’s 42nd year.

Nearly 1,000 high school juniors and seniors are currently enrolled in over 25 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. In these programs, students are learning how to become working professionals within industry settings. They use the tools and equipment found inside the workplace. They can earn certifications and college credit and students take with them skills needed to become employed, to enroll in a trade school, or to pursue a college degree.

hen the Van Buren Skills Center opened its doors in 1976, the exclusive focus of vocational education was

to prepare students to immediately enter the workforce upon graduation. Over the past 42 years, the building and the learning opportunities have changed significantly. No longer an alternative to college, today’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs emphasize Rigor, Relevance and Relationships as they utilize high-tech equipment and training to prepare students for high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers through a variety of post-secondary training options.

In line with the fresh, renewed focus that’s taking place within the classrooms, the Van Buren Technology Center is also moving forward with a new name, Van Buren Tech, and a new logo following nearly ten years under the same logo and branding.

p.2

p.2

p.2

p.2

p.3

p.3

p.3

Back to School Night

Library Design

Polymer Partnerships

Livestock Judging

Technology Showcase

Lifesaving SkillsPut to Use

BPA Election Results

read more: www.vbisd.org/techcenter

A New Logo, A New Look, A New FocusHow it Came to BeW

W

The decision to move forward with an upgraded identity came to be after lengthy discussions, results from a stakeholder survey, a recommendation from Van Buren Tech’s marketing committee members and approval for the Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD) Board of Directors.

The new logo is a more all-encompassing image. It is printable in a variety of formats and usable in many mediums. It was intended to be memorable, clean and connected with Van Buren Tech.

Van Buren Tech has developed a comprehensive marketing strategy and schedule for the 2018-19 school

We work closely with business professionals and industry leaders to tailor curriculum to meet the needs of the workforce and match the interests and goals of our students.

We are pleased to have so many wonderful young people joining us on this learning journey through the 2018 to 2019 school year.

Robert Smith, Director

year. The plan showcases the many benefits of Career and Technical Education (CTE) by promoting current programs, events and successes through advertising. The advertising schedule includes updates to the current website, as well as daily social media posts, three Tech Times publications, radio and billboard advertisements, and news releases submitted to local media outlets.

Keep up with all things Van Buren Tech on social media or at our website at https://www.vbisd.org/Page/286.

Inside this issue:

TECHVAN BUREN

your careeryour futureyour life

Advertising

November 16, 2018 TECH TIMES 2

Monday, September 24, 2018

Partnering with Polymer Technologies

ack to School Night was held on Monday, September 24. Hundreds of students, parents, guardians, and siblings visited Van Buren

Tech to check out the classrooms and see what fantastic projects students have developed in the first few weeks of class.

Back to School Night was an

tudents from the Polymer Technology Program recently had an opportunity to work with a company in the plastics

industry, giving students the opportunity to experience a real-world job.

Students assisted Lawrence-based Lanphear Tool Works in designing and creating a plastic part that was

B

S needed to produce mobile stands. The part was an end cap being used to finish the stands.

Lanphear Tool Works frequently partners with programs at Van Buren Tech. The manufacturing company also currently employs some of the school’s recent program graduates. Partnerships like this help to connect students with the industries they are pursuing, allowing students to better understand the potential for work in the careers they are studying.

Partnerships like this connect students

with industry leaders

and real-world work

experiences

September 20, 2018

Students Judge Livestock Competitiontudents from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program were invited to participate in the Michigan

FFA Livestock Judging Contest at Michigan State University in Lansing. Using the knowledge gained at Van Buren Tech, the students were able to judge several categories of livestock.

SJuly 19, 2018

opportunity for parents to meet the instructors and ask questions about the programs. Parents explored the classrooms and some even tried out the technologies that are available to students.

Visitors also had the chance to check out other programs and to learn about the many opportunities for students outside the classroom.

Back to School Night

Students Design LibraryMay 1, 2018he Engineering and

Architectural Design Program students were able to submit a design proposal for a project

bid for construction and remodeling of the Hartford Public Library. Recently, AJ Lehnert, an Engineering and Architectural Design student,

T has collaborated with the Library Director to create an architectural design proposal that meets the current needs of the library.

The proposal is currently under review as part of the library’s bid approval process.

November 16, 2018 TECH TIMES 3

International Manufacturing Technology ShowcaseSeptember 12, 2018

akenna Keller, a current second year student at Van Buren Tech recently got to put the skills she learned at

the school to a profound test.

Makenna, who is from Decatur, Mich., is enrolled in the Law Enforcement Program for the 2018-19 school year. She was enrolled in the Allied Health Program last year and has learned some life-saving skills as part of her studies and training in these classes. Some of the skills she learned include CPR and First Aid before realizing she

September 18, 2018

S

M

manufacturing industries. The event provided insight about careers in the manufacturing and engineering industries that are in high demand and often lead to high paying positions working with state-of-the-art technology.Students also met the owner of Titan Academy, a CNC machining education program that is extensively utilized by the Advanced Manufacturing class.

would be able to put her knowledge to use sooner than expected.

In mid-September, Makenna was traveling and came upon the scene of an accident that had happened moments before she arrived. She was able to assist the people involved by calmly assessing the situation. She provided the immediate care needed at the scene until further medical

“I came across an accident and got to use my

skills today!”

Lifesaving Skills Put Into Actionassistance could arrive.

In a recent letter to Van Buren Tech, Makenna wrote:

“Hello, I’m a student at the Technology Center. I’m currently in Law Enforcement. Last year, I was in Allied Health where I was certified in First Aid and CPR. I came across an accident and got to use my skills today! Just wanted to thank you for giving all of the students such an awesome opportunity!”

BPA Annual Elections Resultsongratulations to those students who were recently elected to serve on the student board of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter at Van Buren Tech. These students will help drive the participation in BPA events with Van Buren Tech students throughout the school year.

C

2018 to 2019 AM Officers (from left)President - Kody Presher (Bangor)Vice President - Elizabeth Armstrong (Lawton)Secretary/Treasurer-Dillon Maynard (Lawton)Historian - Evan Raviolo (Paw Paw)

2018 to 2019 PM Officers (from left)Secretary/Treasurer - Chance Getty (Mattawan)President - Dylan Hill (Dowagiac)Historian - Rayvon Pitts (Cassopolis)Vice President - Madison Hasse (Paw Paw)

StudentSuccess StoryAnthony Connor, from the Software Engineering Program, wrote to us, “Because of you and your class I’ve barely been out of high school for two months and I’ve already got what I consider to be my ‘dream job’.”

Anthony reached out to Lyons Industries, Inc. after learning of an opening in the company. He was invited to visit the company to learn more, was hired, and credits his experiences at Van Buren Tech with giving him the knowledge and skills needed to gain a position.

tudents from the Advanced Manufacturing, Polymer Technologies, and Engineering and Architectural Design

programs traveled to Chicago, Ill, to participate in the world-renowned International Manufacturing Technology Showcase.

The Technology Showcase is the largest trade show of its kind in the world with more than 2 million square feet of displays from the manufacturing industry.

Students explored the latest developments in technology for the

Non Discrimination Policy: It is the policy of the Van Buren Intermediate School District that no discriminatory practices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, disability, genetic information or any other status covered by federal, state, or local law be allowed during any program, activity, service, or in employment. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies should be directed to Barbara Matthews, Director of Finance & Operations or Dave Manson, Assistant Superintendent.

Van Buren Technology Center VanBurenTechCen vanburentechcenter

February 11-15

TBA

Bring Your Parent/Guardian to School Week This annual event offers families a glimpse of their student’sexperiences at Van Buren Tech through the opportunity to visit specific programs.

National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony Students that embody the attributes of leadership, scholarship,technical skills, honesty, citizenship, service and responsibility and have been accepted into the NTHS will be recognized and honored at a student-organized induction ceremony.

LOOKING FORWARD.......

VAN BUREN TECH

For more information on Van Buren Tech and events, call us at 269.539.5328, visitwww.vbisd.org/tech center, and follow us on social media!

250 South StreetLawrence, MI 49064

www.vbisd.org/techcenter

Back-to-School Night, 2018

TECHVAN BUREN

your careeryour futureyour life

TECHVAN BUREN

your careeryour futureyour life