The Regional Career and Technical Center
at Coventry High School
Regional Career & Technical Center Hosts 2 Open Houses
On Sunday, January 27th, and Wednesday, February 13th, The Regional Career & Technical Center hosted two Open Houses. The Director of the Career Center, Mr. John Canole, Vice Principal, Susan Chandler, teachers and students were on site to showcase their programs. Approximately 800 invitations were mailed to students and parents in Coventry, Exeter, West Greenwich, and North Kingstown. Ads were also printed in local area newspapers including Warwick, West Warwick, and East Greenwich to notify residents about the programs offered at the Career Center and about the opportunity to visit and see first-hand the teachers, students and programs offered. Mr. Canole and Mrs. Chandler also visited North Kingstown and Exeter-West Greenwich High Schools to speak to their teachers and students about the programs offered at the Regional Career & Technical Center.
Mr. Jason Murray, a Unified Arts teacher at Coventry High School, prepared an informational video about the programs offered at the Career Center.
A reporter from the Kent County Daily Times, Jessica Selby visited the Open House held in February, and wrote a wonderful article about the Career Center in the February 27th edition of the newspaper.
She started her article by saying that, “Coventry High School wants students in and out of town to know it has more to offer than typical high school classes…Classroom areas within the Regional Career and Technical Center were designed to accommodate hands-on learning in all the program areas offered.” Mr. John Canole was quoted as saying in the article, “Many of
the courses at the Regional Career and Technical are certificate programs, meaning that students who complete the programs can get industry-accepted certificates.
Those certificates are something many people attend technical school for after high school and pay top dollar to obtain. With this certificate, students are more likely to be hired, or accepted into a higher education program, right out of high school.”
Culinary Arts/ Baking
Congratulations to Chef John Rapoza for receiving the Rhode Island American Culinary Federation Chef of Year Award!
The staff and students at Coventry High School are very proud of our Chef.
Dunkin Donuts Corporate Offices
On February 5th, the Culinary students accompanied Chefs Rapoza and Dunn, and Mrs. Andrews to the Dunkin' Brands Corporate Offices in Canton, MA. The Culinary students and Chefs were invited to visit the Corporate Offices when they attended the Showcase of Stars in the fall. They we were welcomed with a large buffet of donuts, danish, bagels and hot chocolate for the students. Then greeted by the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Paul Leech and the Executive Chef, Director of Culinary Development, and Mr. Stan Frankenthaler. They then attended an orientation on the history of Dunkin' Brands, which includes Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins and ToGo's sandwiches. There they also told them about all the products of DD and Baskin and how they became part of their menus. They were next served samples of new products coming out soon, they were delicious. They went on a tour of
Dunkin' Brands where they were allowed to enter the most secret areas of the building, the research and development areas, where they came up with ideas for new menu items. We were not allowed to take pictures in there because it was top secret. At the end of our tour we were escorted down to the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop in the lobby and given a private tasting. The students thought it was the best fieldtrip they have ever been on.
Child Development
Students are developing lesson plans with their preschool and elementary cooperating teachers to be presented in their classroom. All the students must carry out their lesson plan at their sites. Each student must present at least one newly developed lesson plan a month at their site. Students are receiving positive feedback from their cooperating teachers.
On Monday March 31st, a team of students from URI came and spoke to the Child Development students about teaching preschool-aged children the importance of learning to live a healthy lifestyle.
The four students were Kelly LeBeau, Steven Moroso, Melissa Holmes,and Emily Rosenholm. The team was also made up of 7 observers from URI
Topics Covered
Manufacturing/Service Learning Project
Mr. Kiley, and several of the students from the Manufacturing Technology class participated in a Service Learning Project. The objective of the project was to design and manufacture a mount for an underwater camera for Mr. Brew’s Biology class. This mount design started with team brainstorming, a blueprint sketch, to a CAD
(Computer Aided Design) drawing, then to the actual prototype, featured on the camera.
This project originated from a visit to the 10th grade Mfg. Tech. class, by Mr. Brew, asking whether we could design a mount for his underwater camera on a mini sub. So the students, Mr. Brew and Mr.Kiley brain stormed and created a blue print sketch for the mount prototype. From that brainstorming blue print, came a working CAD (computer aided design) drawing, drawn by sophomore Jamison Shere. Then the actual piece was manufactured from Delrin plastic, actually used in marine assemblies.
A power point presentation was narrated and written by Jen Calaghen, a sophomore in the Manufacturing Program at the Service Learning Celebration, March 25h which took place in the Media Center at Coventry High School. These community based projects are sponsored by the KIDS Consortium, a non-profit organization dedicated to learning through community involvement.
Construction Technology
Mr. Leavitt’s students in Construction Technology class have been busy designing and constructing sheds for the school district’s physical plant.
The Construction students have also been working on a project for the Tomorrow Fund. The project involved designing and building a child’s playhouse to raise money to help support children with cancer. The event will take place on Sunday, April 13th, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.
The playhouse will be raffled during the event, which was organized and planned by
Linda Langlois’s daughter and 7 year old grandson, and sponsored by the Western Coventry School Good Deeds Program.
Graphic Communications
Students in Mrs. Violette’s Graphic Communications class have been very busy designing and printing products for several district and community organizations:
EMT and Health Careers
Students in Ms. St. Amand’s and Mrs. Farrell’s classes have been working on the following projects and lessons:
Health Careers 10 has been working on getting certified in adult/aed, infant, child, CPR and First Aid.
Health Careers 11 continues to go to the nursing home to get their practical experience and in class we are practicing procedures in anticipation of taking their CNA test in Late April or mid May.
Health Careers 12 are doing their senior internships at Kent Hospital and many are working in long term care facilities in the community. Ashley Doyle came in 1st in the state nursing assistant contest for Skills/USA, and will compete nationally in Kansas City in June.
EMTstudents are taking field trips for part of the day, to go to Central Coventry Fire station and ride with EMT's in rescues and firefighters in trucks, when there is a call. Next year, Chief Bob Seltzer, will be partnering with the instructors to teach EMT B. Seniors in Health Careers 12, when they graduate, will have their CNA license, EMT B license, and all their CPR certifications. How impressive is that?
Health Occupations students and instructors will also participate in Wellness Awareness Week, May 5th through May 9th during National Nursing Week. Senior students will be available to do blood pressure screenings in the Health Office, and Juniors students will be available in the cafeteria to take student’s blood pressure.
We're always looking for new students interested in the health care field. The 10th and 11th grade classes are still open. Seniors may enter the 11th grade class as well. Hope to see many of you next year.
Automotive
On March 28th, 40 students from the Automotive Technology class accompanied their instructors, Mr. Thomas Cook and Mr. Jay Starziano to an Auto Show in New York City. The event took place at the New York City Convention Center.
Electronics Technology
Mr. Arthur St. Jean’s students assisted Mr. Jim Murphy installing the network and setting up all the new computers in the PBGR Computer Lab, as well as the new computers that were acquired through the RITTI Grant.
Junior and Senior students are also preparing to take the test for A+ Certification.
There are currently 6 students in the Electronics’ class working on their Capstone Projects. Kyle Thatch is Job Shadowing at PC Trouble Shooters in Warwick.
A partnership with AstroMed allows Electronic Technology students to participate in Internships. This has been ongoing and is very helpful for the students to gain hands-on experience.
SkillsUSA
On March 27th, at the 32nd Annual SkillsUSA Awards Ceremony which took place at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, 32 of our Regional Career & Technical Students were celebrated for participating in a statewide competition that involved students from the 10 Regional Career Centers from around the State. Each of these students has a worked very hard and attempted their best in each of their competitions. The teachers and administration of the Regional Career & Technical Center @ Coventry are very proud of these students and all of the students at the Career Center.
The following students and their advisors, Mrs. Lynn Swain, and Mr. Jim Kiley represented the Regional Career & Technical Center @ Coventry High School at the SkillsUSA Rhode Island State Leadership and Contests.
Communications
Automotive Service Technology
Electronic Applications
Technical Drafting
Advertising Design
Nursing
Technical Math
Precision Machining
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Promotional Bulletin Board
Carpentry
Job Interview
Culinary Arts
Commercial Baking
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the competitions. The first place finishers will be competing at Kansas City Missouri during the last week of June!
Career Awareness & Applied Learning Activities
Over the past several months, Mrs. Hutson, School Based Coordinator has been involved in planning several career awareness and applied learning activities:
Aviation Expo
In October, 65 students from Corporal Buteau’s, Ms. Rush, Ms. Ricci, Mr. Szynkowicz, and Mr. Gagnon’s classes attended the 3rd Annual Aviation Education Expo at T. F. Green Airport. The students were able to board aircraft such as a FedEx Plane, fighter jets, and helicopters, and talk to the pilots about their careers. Other companies such as Horizon Aviation and Cape Cod Air were also there to discuss the various career opportunities with the students.
Students were also involved in flight simulations. Representatives from Emery Riddle and Daniel Webster Colleges were also available to talk explain their programs to the students.
Justice Rules
Students from Mrs. Larocque’s and Mr. Booker’s Law classes visited the RI Superior Court in November. Students were able to see actual court rooms and speak with Judges about the roles of defense attorneys and lawyers in the legal process.
Additional visits to RI Superior Court are scheduled for April and June.
Showcase of the Stars
In October, 47 students from the Culinary class accompanied by Chefs Rapoza and Dunn and Mrs. Andrews attended the Showcase of the Stars at Johnson & Wales University in Providence.
SCORE Program
The following classes have participated in the SCORE Program at the Medium Security section of the Adult Correctional Facility in Cranston:
Mr. Lukowicz – Forensics class
Mr. Booker – Street Law class
Mr. Blevins – English class
Ms. Haynes – English class
Additional presentations are scheduled in May.
Culinary Career Day
In November, the Culinary Students attended Culinary Career Day at Johnson & Wales Seekonk campus. They toured the entire facility of the Hearthstone Inn.
The day included presentations by the chefs and staff of the kitchens and front of the house. Topics such as inventory, purchasing, and careers as executive chefs and restaurateurs were presented to the students.
Dance Fusion
In November, dancers from the FusionWorks Dance Company performed a concert at Sapinsley Hall at R I College. 50 students from Mrs. Swains, Ms. Palumbo, and Ms. Ricci’s classes attended the performance. Students were able to speak with the performers and technical staff after the performance and learned about the various careers it takes to put this type of concert on. Beyond the dancers, the students learned that it also takes several other types of careers to produce such a concert. Some of the careers discussed were electricians, lighting, costume design, graphic design, and finance.
Beowulf
Ms. Rubin from the English Department requested assistance in arranging a field trip for her students to view the Beowulf movie. Her class had been reading the book Beowulf and their assignment was to identify a social injustice and make a video about it. Her students developed and presented great movies for this project.
Junior Achievement
Representatives from Junior Achievement, Ms. Karen Healy and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Mr. Ray Davis presented a series of sessions of the Junior Achievement Success Skill Program to Mrs. Rush’s Math of Finance Class.
Students from Mr. Blevin’s class participated in the Junior Achievement Careers with a Purpose Program presented by Mr. Dieffenbach a Board Member of Junior Achievement.
In mid April, representatives from Coventry Credit Union, Mrs. Miriam Plitt and Ms. Kelly Donahue will present the Junior Achievement, Business Ethics Program to Mrs. Auth’s Real Life Management Class
Capstone Projects
Mrs. Hutson served as an advisor to Janelle Boucher who is in the process of developing a Job Shadowing Web Page with the assistance of Mrs. Danho. This web site will be a resource to Career Capstone students who are in need of a site placement, as well as local businesses that wish to serve as mentors and hosts for Capstone students.
Mrs. Tobin and Mrs. Hutson attended a Pawtuxet Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting to request the assistance of the Chamber members in judging and scoring students Capstone Projects. Many area organizations, such as Hampton Inn, Coventry Credit Union, Coventry Police, Centreville Bank and members of the School Based Coordinator Network assisted in the judging of Capstone presentations in February and March.
Many Career Capstone Job Shadowing Placements have been arranged through the Infocus Room/Career Center. Placements include:
Coventry Police Department
West Warwick Police Department
Channel 12 News
Providence Journal
Astro Med
Johnson & Wales University
Simpson’s Garage
1149 Restaurant
Riverview Nursing Center
Kent County Daily Times
Chamber of Commerce Projects
Western RI Historical Society, Sister Cities International and the Pawtuxet Valley Chamber of Commerce approached Coventry High School about two new projects. Mr. Stetson and his students will be researching and designing historical flower and herb gardens at the Paine House Museum. Mr. Dufault and his carpentry students will design and build a Peace Pole. The theme of the Peace Pole Project is, “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. These projects will be presented at a Chamber of Commerce ceremony in May.
Federal Judge Presentation
Kristen Rodgers from the law firm of Blish & Cavanagh and Judge Almond will present to law classes of Mrs. Larocque and Mr. Booker in May about the Federal Jury Selection process.
Coventry Credit Union
Coventry Credit Union will soon make the ABC’s of Credit booklets available to students in Ms. Auth’s and Mrs. Danho’s business classes. This information will cover the ways for students to begin to establish good credit and also ways to avoid identity theft.
Career College Presentations
Lincoln Technical Institute
In November Kathleen Lindvall of Lincoln Technical Institute presented workshops on Life After High School.
New England Technical Institute
Ms. Elaine Marcus of New England Technical Institute has visited Coventry High School to speak to students about the various Career Programs offered at NEIT.
In May, students from Ms. Rubin’s class will tour New England Tech.
Gibbs College
Alana Iantuano from Gibbs College gave several presentations throughout the month of October to students.
Johnson & Wales
Ms. Barbara DiSaia from Johnson & Wales University is now in the process of scheduling a visit to CHS to discuss the numerous programs offered at JWU.