South Shore Vocational Technical High School

Great News! SSVT Wins $231,419 Vocational Equipment Grant

2016-02-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

At a ceremony at the State House on February 25, Governor Charlie Baker announced recipients of the $9.2 million Mass Skills Capital grant program.

South Shore Vocational Technical High School was one of 35 school districts to receive funds out of 68 grant applicants. The $231,419 grant award will be used to upgrade equipment and improve student access to curriculum in the Electronics, Precision Machine, Graphic Communications, Computer Information Technology, Electrical and HVAC programs. The grant funds will also assist the school as it pursues Design/Visual Communications and Engineering Technology program approvals.

I am grateful to the Baker Administration and the legislature for recognizing the need to maintain current equipment in the Commonwealth’s vocational technical programs. Grant funding helps South Shore Vo-Tech fulfill its mission, eases the cost burden on our district communities, and assists local employers in their search for qualified candidates to fill job vacancies. With theses funds we can expand our instructional reach, offering more learning opportunities to more students. I am also very proud of our teachers in our vocational technical programs who provided essential information for the grant application, showing how these purchases will benefit our students and make them more marketable to area employers.

Grant funds will allow us to purchase Cyber Security training equipment for Computer Information Technology , a new surface grinder for Precision Machine Technology, student work stations and collaboration tables for Graphic Communications/Design Visual Communications program, Industrial Motor Control training stations for Electrical and HVAC programs, and student stations, test equipment, injection molding safety equipment, and fume hoods for Electronics.

Governor Charlie Baker (L) and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito (R)
presented each school with the grant awards.

Carpentry Students Continue Great Work on Hanover Bandstand

2016-02-26T13:06:00.001-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

The Carpentry and Electrical students have been working very hard on a bandstand in Hanover on Route 139 near the Sylvester School. Here are some recent pictures of our Carpentry students.

Great job!

---Mr. Hickey

Alumni Day Recap

2016-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

On January 12th, we were fortunate to have over 30 alumni from the classes of 2008-2014 return to speak in small groups with the Class of 2016. This is the first time that we have held such an event and it was a great success.

Alumni Day was organized by our administrators and guidance staff and I want to thank them and send a special thank you to Guidance Counselor Amy Dow for taking the lead on the event.

When I consider the special programming provided for our seniors, including a Career Fair in October, the Alumni Day in January, and the Credit for Life Fair in April, it is clear to me that our faculty care deeply for our students and seek to give them the best possible real world experiences to carry them into adulthood.

Here are two pictures of our alumni before the event.

Alumni Day provided our seniors with a chance to hear about the real world from their peer group. I must admit, I was gratified to hear our graduates say that SSVT prepared them well for the real world. Many graduates went on to tell the seniors to get the most out of high school, listen to their teachers, work hard and not cut corners! Such wisdom after only a few years out of high school.

Regardless of whether our alumni were still working in their vocational major or thriving in another field, they ALL think that SSVT gave them the environment to learn transferable skills and to gain confidence to handle whatever comes their way.

I would like to thank the following graduates for donating their time, and I hope they will consider coming again next year to speak with the class of 2017

Name	Shop
Alana Oksanan	Cosmetology
Alex Thompson	Graphic Communications
Alison Donovan	Allied Health
Amy Turini	Culinary Arts
Brad Carlson	Computer Information Tech
Brandon Mulkern	Computer Information Tech
Brianna Picariello	Computer Information Tech
Brian Belleville	HVAC-R
Cam Barron	Electronics
CJ Furey	HVAC-R
Dan Hutchins	HVAC-R
Dan Krahe	HVAC-R
Danielle Gugliemi	Culinary Arts
Dave Munn	Carpentry
Dave Wadyszewski	Graphic Communications
Frank DiFazio	Metal Fabrication/Welding
Giovanni Gentile	Electrical
Jake Reily	Electrical
James Curley	HVAC-R
Jamie Gauthier	Cosmetology
Jesse Ferland	Computer Information Tech
John Wilder	Precision Machine Tech
Josh Riley	Electrical
Kenny Burns	Metal Fabrication/Welding
Kyle Keegan	Electronics
Matt Terenzi	HVAC-R
Olivia O'Connell	Graphic Communications
Pat Daly	Electrical
Renee Burnett	Cosmetology
Rob Lowry	Electrical
Ryan Lowry	Electrical
Scott Lowe	Culinary Arts
Taylor Eastman	Computer Information Tech
TJ Petruzzelli	Computer Information Tech
Todd Eastman	Automotive

Seniors, I know that you appreciated hearing from our alumni, and I hope we can call upon you in a few years to grow our extended SSVT family and participate in alumni events.

Let's finish strong...on to graduation!

---Mr. Hickey

FY17 Budget Process Underway

2015-12-19T10:40:00.001-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

As we approach a well-deserved vacation and end of 2015 I want to inform you that SSVT is beginning to build its budget for the 2016-2017 school year. Our department heads have submitted requests for supplies and equipment and this past Wednesday night I presented a FY17 budget proposal to our school committee. The entire budget process will take several months and involves our school committee and our eight district towns.

This budget increase includes the funds needed to maintain current curriculum and technology in our academic and vocational technical areas, as well as funds facilities projects to help keep our school modern and responsive to student and staff needs.

In addition to the budget presentation for 2016-2017, there is also a narrated Long Range Facilities Plan that highlights the many projects that have been completed since the summer and the many projects planned for the future.

Both items are posted to our school website: www.ssvotech.org.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

---Mr. Hickey

Vocational Education is the Focus on Radio Boston

2015-11-12T13:53:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

On Wednesday, Upper Cape Tech Superintendent Bob Dutch and Northeastern University Economist Barry Bluestone appeared on Radio Boston (WBUR, 90.9 FM) to discuss how there is a great demand for vocational education statewide and how a recent study commissioned by the Massachusetts School Building Authority points out how a majority of jobs needed in Massachusetts through 2022 will not require a college degree. Listen to the 15 minute interview here. It is an excellent discussion of this topic.

I hope this conversation and the release of this report will lead to further discussions about how to increase student access to high quality vocational technical education.

For me, "access" starts with giving middle school students (in grades 6-8) and their parents time to learn more about careers (You can't pigeonhole an 11 year old into choosing a specific trade area, but you can get them thinking about the ways they like to learn the the things they like to do!). This will require even more collaboration with our sending schools and direct support from the state department of education. Maybe with less testing time, there would be more time to fit this in?

Access also includes having modern vocational technical school buildings for our students. While we work hard to keep our 53 year old school in tip top shape, it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain a building and ensure that we have current instructional technology and equipment. To support our school, we have applied to the MSBA to fund a building expansion and renovation project. It is a lengthy process but I will keep you posted

---Mr. Hickey

Important Information for Our Students: What Employers Look For When Hiring

2015-11-11T15:48:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Recently a local employer who is a member of one of our vocational advisory committees answered this question:

"What does an employer look for in a candidate?"

Here is his answer:

Positive attitude
Always taking care of the customer- no excuses not to follow up with customers and find answer in a timely manner. Being solution driven will allow sales to follow because customers are happy.
Respect for co-workers and management. Know that if you do not do your job, a fellow employee will have to pick up your slack. Feel empathy know how your actions can negatively and positively affect the work environment daily.
Willingness to learn and be humble. If unsure ask questions.
Look beyond the immediate situation to see issues/answers in future
Not being satisfied with just doing the minimum to not get in trouble at work. Go above and beyond each time. [P]eople do notice.
Be professional and arrive on time.

There are SO MANY skills beyond your technical knowledge that are important to employers. If you can fulfill all of these characteristics and bring a solid technical foundation to each job you have, I know you will be successful!

---Mr. Hickey

Well Attended November Program Advisory Meeting

2015-11-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Last night on November 5th we hosted program advisors for our annual Fall Meeting. Culinary Arts students provided us with a wonderful meal! The lecture hall was filled with students, parents, industry and post-secondary advisors. Many of those in attendance were graduates who have continued to work in their trade area.

I want to thank all those in attendance for their commitment to SSVT and a commitment to long range planning for future curriculum and equipment needs. It helps to keep our school's programs on the cutting edge. We now enter the budget building phase for the 2016-2017 school year and the advisory committee input on vocational technical budget requests is very important.

We are always looking for new industry advisors so if you know anyone who is working in a field related to any of our 14 vocational technical programs who might be interested in volunteering to be part of one of our committees, please contact me. Meetings are held twice per school year.

---Mr. Hickey

Newspaper Article on School Committee Representative Kenny Thayer of Cohasset

2015-10-05T11:37:00.000-04:00

Hello SSVT Community,

In this week's Mariner newspapers, there is a great article spotlighting our School Committee Representative from Cohasset, Mr. Kenny Thayer.

Mr. Thayer graduated from SSVT and also sent his son to SSVT. He previously served on our Advisory Board before becoming a school committee representative.

The article does a great job explaining the special mission that our students and staff members fulfill every day at SSVT!

---Mr. Hickey

Article on SSVT Students and Grads in Mariner Newspaper

2015-09-28T21:00:00.000-04:00

Hello SSVT Community,

I'm so proud of our students and graduates who are making great strides in the workforce. Check out this article in the Norwell Mariner.

Cooperative education (Co-op) can be a powerful part of your SSVT experience. Students, please talk to your teachers, counselors, Mr. Carll or Mrs. Collins about the benefits of co-op and the process you would need to follow to get on co-op. While it is mostly a 12th grade experience, you can start setting goals now!

Also, to parents of 11th and 12th graders, there will be a co-op informational session at Meet Your Child's Teacher Night if you would like more information.

Thank you,

Mr. Hickey

Opening Year Welcome to Parents

2015-09-08T11:11:00.001-04:00

September 8, 2015

Hello SSVT Parents ,

I hope you and your families have enjoyed the delights of the summer season! I’d like to offer an early welcome to the 2015-16 school year. For the past 22 years as a teacher and administrator I’ve been fortunate to start my school years at South Shore Vo-Tech, and I am looking forward to all that our students are going to experience and accomplish this year.

Our staff members have been working hard to prepare the school so it will provide your children with the best learning environment possible. This preparation includes maintaining a safe, clean building with shops and classrooms that are modern, spacious and focused on giving students the resources they need to actively engage with their subject matter.

Our custodial crew and summer staff have done an excellent job! For our returning students you will find new flooring in our school restaurant and in our science wing, along with significant renovations in our Electronics, Cosmetology and Graphic Communications programs. Click here to see a video presentation of our summer work.

Our instructional and administrative staff are excited to meet (and get reacquainted with) our new 9th graders. We hope that we have provided valuable orientation sessions for new students and families so that their start of the school year is as smooth as possible.

As a parent of a 9th grader and a 6th grader, this is a big transition year in my home as both of my sons are moving up to new schools. As a parent I look forward to being informed about upcoming events and helping my kids get ready for their new routines and school expectations. I know you want the same for your children.

At SSVT, we know that regional vocational schools must maintain excellent customer service and responsiveness to families needs. In many cases our school is not just “right down the street” from your homes. Rest assured, we will use all of the tools we have available to stay connected with you. A school community thrives with we are there for each other, and that relationship is built through every phone call, conversation, email, text, school event and meeting.

Whether your child in is grade 9, 10, 11 or 12. I hope you will take a few simple steps to stay connected with SSVT:

Access Power School so you can access your child’s progress in their courses.
Download our School App
Explore our school website, www.ssvotech.org to see what resources we have available.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. My Twitter account is @SSVTSuper.

If you have any questions or concerns that I can address, feel free to contact me at school, 781-878-8822, x 417 or via email at thickey@ssvotech.org

Best wishes for the start of the school year on Thursday!

Cosmetology Students Participate in Employer Table Talk Event

2015-05-14T09:32:00.000-04:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Recently our Cosmetology instructors hosted employers for a Table Talk event, where students could speak with professionals and learn more about the diverse fields they could pursue with their background in Cosmetology. It was the second time our instructors have coordinated this event, and it is a wonderful experience for our students!

Students AnneMarie Marcellino and Brynda Whitman work with

Mariolga, a licensed esthetician and make-up artist.

Students Caroline Perry, Isabella Pagnozzi and Christina O'Brien speak with Delgiza Barros,

board certified colorist and owner of Hair Color Group in Pembroke

Students Emma McGlone, Stephanie McCarthy and Olivia McGlone speak with Tuan Nguyen,

owner of Tuan Design Studio is Action, MA

Herb Chambers Lexus Representative Visits Automotive Shop

2015-05-11T12:05:00.001-04:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Having strong connections with our local employers is absolutely essential. When local employers know about SSVT and the high quality programs we run here, they become very interested in partnering with us because we can supply them with strong candidates for employment.

Mr. Ricky Medeiros, Herb Chambers Lexus Representative toured the Automotive shop to get a sense of what our students are working on. Herb Chambers Lexus is a new auto dealership located near the intersection of Routes 53 and 228 in Norwell. Our region has seen an increase in dealerships in the past few years and I hope we can call upon local industry in the future to help us as we pursue plans to expand the Automotive shop space in the future.

Here are some pictures from the visit with instructors Mr. Scott Kessell, Mr. Shaun Hennessy, and Mr. Ronnie Michaud, and students Michaela Johnson and Dylan Peebles.

NECN Features Culinary Arts Students & Brass Lantern Restaurant

2015-03-25T15:50:00.003-04:00

Hello SSVT Community,

On Tuesday March 24th,, New England Cable News (NECN) featured SSVT on its Making the Grade segment of its 9:00 news broadcast. Click here for that video clip.

What a wonderful showcase for all the awesome students in Culinary Arts and the value of a vocational technical education! Viewers can clearly see how passionate and motivated students can be when engaged with their hands-on work. We are all very proud of you.

---Mr. Hickey

Time to Download the new SSVT App!

2015-03-10T11:33:00.004-04:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Many of you have probably heard by now that SSVT has its own app. I want to encourage staff, students and parents to download the app at your earliest convenience. We have received great feedback from those who have already downloaded it.

The app helps you access all of our school information in one place from any mobile device. It gives you access to the school bulletin, news, sports information, important notifications, links to log into PowerSchool and much more.

To download the app visit the app store on your Apple device or the Google Play store on your Android device and search for “South Shore Vocational Tech HS”.

If you have any questions feel free to contact the tech department via email iParenthelp@ssvotech.org or via phone at 781-878-8822 x451. Thanks for staying connected with SSVT!

---Mr. Hickey

Below are a few tips to help you get started with the app:

Directory: Provides a listing of all teachers and staff, giving you an easy way to contact teachers or other staff members.

PowerSchool: Provides a link for you to log into PowerSchool. If you do not already have the PowerSchool app installed you will be prompted to do so. If prompted for the district code, you will need to enter: CLGC

Notifications: This is where you'll find important notifications from the school - like snow days, Delayed starts, or a notification that your bus is going to be running late.

If you swipe left, you'll go to page 2 of the app. Below is a list and description of each of the icons available on this page:

Stream: Is a running stream of all social media and calendar posts related to SSVT.

Calendar: A calendar of day and evening activities at SSVT.

News: See news articles related to SSVT.

Tip Line: The tip line provides the community with a way to notify Administration of events they consider important. There are several categories available, including Bullying, Drugs, Kudos/Praise, Threats, Vandalism, and Weapons. You can choose whether your tip is anonymous or not, you can provide a picture to go alone with your tip, and provide any information you feel will help make your school a better place!

Photos: Pulls pictures from any social media post made by SSVT and puts them all into one place.

Sports: Provides information about SSVT Sports.

Superintendent: Choose this option to access my blog.

Facebook: See SSVT's facebook page.

Twitter: See SSVT's twitter account.

YouTube: See SSVT's Youtube channel.

Resources: This section is broken up into 5 categories. You will most often be using the "Parents" link inside of the resources folder. Some of the links can be accessed elsewhere in the app, but the attempt was to provide a one-stop-shop for you to access anything you might need. For instance, there's another link to log into PowerSchool, as well as a link to our uniform policy and the "My School Bucks" site where you can add money to your child's lunch account.

One more swipe left will bring you to the third page.

My School Bucks: A link to log into "My School Bucks" to add money to your school lunch account.

Settings: Use the settings icon configure the schools you're following, how you want your alerts to behave, select your language, and rate the app.

Engineering Academy Students to Benefit from $133,000 Grant

2015-01-21T10:31:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Running vocational programs requires current technology and equipment and adequate supplies to give students the best experiences possible for the short time they are in high school.

Due to budget limitations, SSVT often looks for grant opportunities. Grants provide funds from outside sources, allowing schools to grow and modernize. It is not easy to get grant money because there are typically many schools and organizations who compete for this money.

I think this is important to share because it underscores our excitement when we learned that SSVT was awarded a $133,000 Massachusetts Life Sciences Award from the Mass Life Sciences Center. Here is a full copy of a press release issued from SSVT on the grant award.

The students who will benefit from the grant are our Engineering Academy students. The Engineering Academy includes students in Precision Machine Technology, Drafting and Electronics.

Congratulations to Electronics instructor Mr. Barba for writing the grant. It was a lot of work!

Below is the write-up and picture from the January 18, 2015 issue of the Boston Globe South section.

"The South Shore Vocational Technical High School in Hanover has received a $133,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, an organization dedicated to supporting innovation in the life sciences in Massachusetts. Administrators at the school announced that they plan to use the money to jump-start the school’s 11th- and 12th-grade engineering curriculums and to introduce students to real-world prototype manufacturing processes. “It’s going to allow us to expand our shop and to buy equipment to teach students premanufacturing processes,” Vincent Barba, the school’s electronics department head, said of the grant. He said he also hopes to expand the school’s relationship with electronics companies, which provide excess and obsolete components for the students to work with.

Electronics students Brittany Ceurvels, Nathan Tavares, Richie Lobo, and Madeline Long,
with instructor Mr. Johnson

This extra effort helps to keep our technical programs on the cutting edge!

---Mr. Hickey

Congratulations to Cosmetology Students Passing Their State Board Tests

2015-01-20T12:34:00.001-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

One of the career activities that makes SSVT unique is that our students can earn third party industry credentials during their high school years, thus making them more marketable when searching for jobs, and accelerating their path up the career ladder of their choice. Our Cosmetology students are allowed to take the State Cosmetology Board Exam once they have accrued enough hours of practice and theory.

We are thrilled to congratulate Alicia St. Amour, Taylor McCarthy, Samantha Swanson, Alison Wamness, Alysia Caparotta, Nick Bunker, Morgan Reardon and Michelle Long for achieving this goal!

Our Cosmetology instructors did a great job celebrating their students' accomplishments by putting together a display on the bulletin board outside the CM shop. Check it out!

Congratulations!

--Mr. Hickey

Concession Stand Update

2015-01-19T07:11:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Last week, on Tuesday, the thermometer read 18 degrees and our Carpentry seniors were out in the elements making steady progress on the concession stand. Here are a few photos. The posts you see in front of the concession stand will support the overhang of the concession stand roof.

CP Seniors Brandon Teixeira and Anthony Spicuzza
with CP instructor Mr. Burke (Back Left)

CP Senior Dominic Varrasso is up on staging
working to cover the plywood seams

The CP students learn how to work in these weather conditions and continue to make great strides for this on campus project. Great work!

---Mr. Hickey

HVAC-R Program Earns Department of Public Safety Approval

2015-01-12T08:28:00.004-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Earlier this year, our HVAC-R program was visited by officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety (DPS), the agency that oversees oil burner and refrigeration licensure.

As a result of the DPS visit and review of our HVAC-R program curriculum, the DPS has approved our HVAC-R program. This means that students who complete the rigorous course of student and who wish to pursue further training can earn hours toward their oil burner and refrigeration license, which is a logical next step for our HVAC-R graduates.

The specific components of the program approval are:

Shop/Work Experience
Practical Piping Work	140 hours
Practical Electrical Work	140 hours
Practical Sheet Metal Work	100 hours
Practical Refrigeration & A/C Work	700 hours
Practical Heating (Gas & Oil) Work	270 hours
Classroom/Educational Theory Experience
Massachusetts Electrical Code Training	100 hours
ASHRAE Refrigeration Code	180 hours
Sheet Metal Calculation & Design	30 hours
ASHRAE Air Conditioning & Heating	140 hours

During these hours of instruction, our HVAC students get considerable hands on practice and related theory. It goes without saying that, in order to earn these hours, students need to maintain excellent attendance and demonstrate achievement in the program curriculum!

For HVAC-R graduates, this is just another opportunity that awaits them when they enter the workforce and seek to advance themselves in their chosen field.

---Mr. Hickey

Community College Articulation Agreements Offer SSVT Students College Credit for High School Work!

2014-12-29T11:28:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

For several years, vocational students have been allowed to use their high school vocational credits at Massachusetts community colleges to count for college credit as well. It only makes sense for a vocational high school graduate to skip over the introductory courses that have been mastered in high school, and allow the student to save some money and continue to be challenged in post-secondary studies.

A few years back, the state community colleges made this process much more efficient by establishing statewide articulation agreements for students who graduate from particular vocational programs.

So for instance, an agreement that applies to HVAC-R would cover our HVAC-R students who wish to attend Massasoit and any other community college in MA that offers a HVAC-R program.

In November 2014, the state community colleges agreed to a new slate of articulation agreements in Hospitality Management; Business Technology; Health Assisting; Medical Assisting, Carpentry, HVAC-R and Machine Tool Technology.

At SSVT these new agreements would apply to students in Allied Health, Carpentry, HVAC and PMT.

When coupled with the previously existing articulation agreements from a few years back, it means SSVT graduates will have an opportunity to access articulated community college credits if they are majoring in:

Allied Health

Automotive

Carpentry

CIT

Culinary

Drafting

HVAC-R

PMT

I would urge students to evaluate their options with their parents and their guidance counselors. This might be a worthwhile option and a part of your career plan.

For more information, take a look at the links below:

Here is the link to the Mass Community College website:

On this page there is a checklist showing what our students would need to do if they wanted to pursue this option.

Good luck!

---Mr. Hickey

Metal Fabrication & Welding Juniors Learn About Apprenticeship Opportunities

2014-12-18T07:48:00.003-05:00

Hello SSVT Community.

Students in many of our programs are being trained in skills that make them excellent candidates for apprenticeship opportunities after graduation. Apprenticeships are paid working and learning opportunities that can lead to industry credentials and excellent wages and benefits.

Last week, our Metal Fabrication & Welding instructor Mr. Mello took his 11th graders to Local 17 in Dorchester to learn more about its apprenticeship program. This is a competitive process where the Local accepts about 50 people per year (ages 18-45). Apprentices learn advanced trade skills in the classroom and then go to work in an alternating week schedule. It is clear that our graduates would be strong candidates for these types of opportunities, but it requires a serious commitment!

Mr. Mello filled me in on the different apprenticeship options and opportunities for our students (and this is not necessarily limited to MFW students). Here is what Mr. Mello told me:

Ultimately for a student to decide which union they would like to join really depends on what type of work that student enjoys. With the MFW shop, students can also join Local 7 Ironworkers Union, Local 537 Pipefitters union, Local 4 Elevator Union, and also Local 104 Linemen's Union. All of these unions need welders and fabricators. Some of the above unions will also allow the students to learn other trades as well. (For example, Local 104 works with high tension lines (electricity over 500 volts). In situations like this they generally have weld aluminum pipes that carry the current because the copper wire cannot handle the resistance running through it.)

What benefits students from a vocational school versus a traditional high school is that they have already gained 3.5 years of experience. Unions like this because the students tend to catch on quicker and retain more making it easier for them to produce quality workers.

Vocational students also know what is expected of them on day one: Showing up on time, not calling in sick because you have the sniffles, knowing how to read a ruler, knowing how dangerous machinery is and what to look for on the safety side. All of these little things stick out during the interview/selection process.

Our MFW Junior class sporting Local 17 T-shirts

Students tour the facility

SSVT Graduate Ryan Lofgren (MFW Class of 2011) is in the
Local 17 Apprenticeship Program. Good luck Ryan!

Apprenticeships are an excellent example of post-high school learning and working that does not involve college enrollment. Not everyone needs to enroll in college, but we all need to get additional training in some form to advance our skills!

I urge students to ask your vocational teachers and guidance counselors about apprenticeship opportunities!

---Mr. Hickey

Culinary Arts Students Appear on Local Cable Show

2014-12-18T06:24:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Congratulations and thanks to Marylouise Jepsen and James Andrasy for appearing a couple of weeks ago on Whitman and Hanson Local Cable show "Cross Talk" with host Kevin Tocci.

Marylouise and James discussed their experience with choosing Culinary and how much they have learned over the past few years. We even touched upon the Culinary Arts Pie Day tradition and how much works goes into offering pies to the community just before Thanksgiving.

Marylouise and James also talked about their interests and school activities and their future plans for college and work. They are great ambassadors for our school!

Suggestion: If you have trouble sleeping, then be sure to watch the segments where I am talking...

The show can be found at http://ssvotech.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to Marylouise and James and our Culinary teachers and students!

---Mr. Hickey

Carpentry Students Concession Stand Work is Underway

2014-12-17T15:15:00.004-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

What does one day of hard work produce? Take a look at what the Carpentry Seniors accomplished!

Here are some pictures from Tuesday morning, December 16th.

Here is where they finished up at the end of the day!

What contributed to the Seniors' efficiency was the great prep work that the Carpentry Juniors completed in the previous shops week. Mr. Burke tells me that the Juniors hand picked the stock and laid out and constructed all of the door and window openings.

Carpentry Juniors William McGarry, Bret Underwood, Adrienne Wood,
Tom Horan, Zach Meehan, and Andrew Onessimo get the concession stand
construction started!

Keep up the great work!

---Mr. Hickey

Culinary Arts Represents SSVT at Rockland Holiday Stroll

2014-12-09T07:56:00.003-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

With great energy and enthusiasm, Culinary Arts students participated in the Rockland Holiday Stroll this year. The stroll is an annual event held over Thanksgiving weekend where the town shuts down its main street and allows citizens to mingle with holiday music and various booths.

We had many SSVT alumni and students stop by to sample Culinary's hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies.

The students had enough energy to yell well into the evening that we were giving out hot cocoa and cookies with lids on the cups. Those lids, while seemingly unimportant, were much appreciated by families with young children!

Students Mariah Mazzilli, Britnee Newell, Brooklyn Speed,
Kelly O'Sullivan and Carissa Rountry set up for the event.

The cookies and cocoa lasted until dark!

A very special thank you to Culinary instructor Mrs. Cunniff for overseeing this entire operation from beginning to end. Mrs. Cunniff and the students have a great working relationship and it was another proud moment for us. It was also an opportunity to give back to Rockland, a great town that continues to support SSVT and its students.

An additional special thank you to SSVT School Council member Bob Mahoney for helping us arrange our participation in the event!

---Mr. Hickey

Carpentry Students Finish Residential Garage

2014-11-17T09:16:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

There has been a huge SSVT presence on Center Street in Hanover recently. On one side of the street our Electrical students are wiring a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity project, and further down the street, our Carpentry students have finished work on a garage. This is another example of excellent work by our students!

Pictured from L to R: Paul Dawson, Glenn McMorrow, Justin Robertson,
Domenic Varrasso, Josh Holmes Weaver, Ben Davey, Fergus Wilkinson
(Anthony Spicuzza, not pictured, was also part of the crew.)

Another Positive Report on Vocational Technical Education

2014-11-14T10:33:00.000-05:00

Hello SSVT Community,

Yesterday the Pioneer Institute released a report entitled

Vocational-Technical Schools and Businesses Strengthening the State’s Economy

This report focuses on the positive impact of vocational technical schools on our students and on the Massachusetts economy, and the need to support our model of educating students. It also focuses on a critical piece of our success, which is our connection to local businesses and employers.

I encourage you to take a look at a sample of the great things going on in our vocational technical and agricultural schools around the state!

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I was also at a meeting yesterday where a researcher mentioned a staggering statistic about manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years in Massachusetts. Even if we do not add a single new manufacturing job between now and 2024, there will be 100,000 new manufacturing jobs open to skilled employees, due to an aging workforce.

Many of our students are poised to fill that gap!

Good luck to everyone participating in Open House on Saturday from 10-1!

---Mr. Hickey