By John Bennett, Director
Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center
HITT PLACES IN NATIONAL COMPETITION
Randy Hitt, our post-graduate student who had won the state SkillsUSA Olympics in building construction, traveled to Kansas City, Mo. and competed in the National Skills USA Olympics. Randy placed 20th in the competition. Randy's instructor for Building Construction was Julius Singleton. Zane Gherke, one of our Skills USA Olympics advisor, accompanied Randy to the National SkillsUSA Conference.
CARPER AND JONES NEW ADULT ED TEACHERS
New teachers employed at the Center this year, James "Matt" Carper - Criminal Justice and Linda Jones - Adult Basic Education.
NEW VENT SYSTEM COMPLETED
The new HVAC system has been completed at the center. This project included replacing one large air conditioning unit with four smaller units that can be controlled by each classroom. The new ABE building is nearing completion.
WELL TENDERS CLASS LAUNCHED
The Well Tender's class is ongoing at the Center. Gary Beall is the instructor. The adult students are earning credits through Fairmont State Community and Technical College. I am now pursuing the possibility of hosting a Truck Driving School in conjunction with the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center, Buckhannon, WV.
ATTENDANCE IS OBSTACLE
The faculty and staff at Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center are continuously trying to improve the education of our students. During one of our faculty meetings I asked our teachers what they thought was their biggest obstacle to our students learning. Their overwhelming response was poor attendance by several of our students. We also know that attendance is a key issue for employers when hiring.
The Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center is sponsoring a school store to reward students who have good attendance. If students have perfect attendance for a week they receive EDGE/Career Center bucks for that week. If they miss a day, they receive no money.
Once a student earns the EDGE/Career Center bucks he/she may purchase items in our school store. (The reason for the EDGE/Career Center bucks name is that $1,200 of the awards money is coming from the EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) program. The EDGE program gives college credit to high school students who take EDGE classes while still in high school. Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center offers several of these classes.
I would like to extend to anyone interested an invitation to participate in our attendance incentive program. You may participate by donating items, coupons or gift cards that you believe juniors and seniors in high school would like to have or by making a cash donation.
Some items that have already been donated include pens, pencils, notebooks, caps, coats, shirts, hunting vests, VHS tapes, DVD's, CD's, boom box, etc. Should you choose to participate you may drop off donations or mail them to Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, 5236 E. Little Kanawha Highway, Grantsville, WV 26147 or call and let us know if you need someone to stop by and pick up the items. Thank you for your support in this matter.
OUTDATED AUCTION PLANNED
On November 5 the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center will be having an auction to disperse old and outdated equipment and materials that are no longer used in our labs. Additional information will be forthcoming.
TEAM WILL VISIT SCHOOL
A State High School That Work team will be visiting our school October 12-14. The purpose of the technical assistance visits is to help school leaders and teachers identify changes needed to achieve the High Schools That Work (HSTW) program goal; improved achievement of all students through blending high-level academic and technical studies.
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