November 1, 2013
CTE UPDATE
A newsletter from Career and Technical Education - Washington
Tom Lopp Achievement Award 

Dean Chittenden, 2013 graduate of Mount Tahoma High School, was awarded the prestigious Tom Lopp Achievement Award at the Jobs for Washington's Graduates (JWG) luncheon held on October 15 on the 76th floor of the Columbia Tower in Seattle.

 

The JWG Program focuses on providing extra support to at-risk students through the pairing of academics with work-based learning to ensure a relevant course of study leading to on-time graduation. The success of the program hinges on a highly engaged and inspiring teacher-leader. Micah Arneberg, CTE Worksite Learning Coordinator, started the JWG program at Mount Tahoma 2 years ago as one of 41 JWG pilot programs in Washington State. Dean currently is employed full-time at Milgard Manufacturing in Fife, Washington as a glass cutter. His work duties include handling and cutting of large pieces of glass to specific sizes to fill window orders. His dream is to eventually land a job with The Boeing Company as an aircraft painter, as did his father and uncle.

 

Pictured left to right in the photo is Mount Tahoma JWG Advisor Micah Arneberg, Dean Chittenden, and proud parents Mrs. and Mr. Chittenden.

 

Congratulations to the Mount Tahoma team!!!

Free IT Academy Training Workshops
Microsoft IT Academy has taken your feedback for more advanced training and would like to invite you to our upcoming workshops offering more hands-on working session options to fit varying levels of experience.

 

Please look over the schedule below and join us for a day of Microsoft IT Academy!

 

Kalama High School

Tuesday, November 5 | 9 am to 4 pm

Kalama High School

548 China Garden Rd.

Kalama, WA 98625

 

* Clock hours are available for this event

 

Click here to register

 Microsoft - Redmond Campus

 Tuesday, November 12 | 9 am to 4 pm

 Microsoft Campus

 15563 NE 31st Street

 Redmond, WA 98052 | Building 40

 

 * Clock hours are available for this event

 

 Click here to register

 

* There is no charges to attend these training events.

* Attendees ar responsible for lunch and accommodations.

 

Call CC Learning with questions at (800) 668-1669.

__________________

 

Peer To Peer Instruction: Meet Katherine Schmit, the Business & Technology Instructor/FBLA Advisor at Kalama High School.

  

During the 2012-13 school year, Kathy had tremendous success with the Microsoft IT Academy program and will be sharing her experience with you. Kathy's success starts with one student placing 2nd in the entire United States at the US Nationals event in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

 

Kathy built upon the success and got three students engaged into an FBLA initiative and all three students placed first in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, qualifying them to attend and partake in the MOS World Championship in Washington, DC.

 

Getting Started With Microsoft IT Academy -- What's In My toolbox?

The morning session is set up for teachers new to Microsoft IT Academy to help you get setup and familiar with the ITA resources available to you.

 

After completing this session you will be able to:

  • Access the Microsoft IT Academy Member site
  • Know where to find and access curriculum resources, lesson plans and downloadable content
  • Identify additional resources available to you

CCI Learning and Certification

Speak with a CCI Learning Deployment Specialist who will provide you with hands on training to get ready to begin accessing your FREE certification exam benefits.

  

  • Everything you need to run certification exams - IQ system software, MOS and MTA certification exams and Certiport Console
Microsoft IT Academy Program

Are you taking advantage of these benefits and credentials for your students, staff and teachers? IT Academy provides ready-to-go curriculum solutions that can be used in all programs of study and for school-wide professional development. Integrate technology into the learning experience to engage your students and equip them with fundamental skills that will help them to be more productive in school, work and life. Don't wait, get on board for fall!

  

Get Started Today:

There are many resources to help you get started with the IT Academy on our SkyDrive page: http://sdrv.ms/YAHHyM and you will find specific information for WA schools here.

 

Contact Us:

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need help! Email your Washington deployment managers at [email protected] or [email protected] at OSPI for ITA program questions. For Microsoft certification support, contact CCI Learning at 800- 668-1669 or email [email protected].

 

Lake Washington Engineering and Manufacturing Advisory
State Superintendent Randy Dorn visited the Lake Washington School District and had the opportunity to meet with Lake Washington School District's Engineering and Manufacturing Advisory.  What a caring, hard working group of people! 
 
The September 2013 enrollment in the district was 26,089 students, an increase in the previous year's enrollment of 25,309 students.
 
Click here to find out more about what is happening at Lake Washington School District.
Washington Educator A Finalist For Teacher Of The Year Award
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Tricia Littlefield of Bonney Lake, Washington is a finalist for the ACTE Teacher of the Year award. Littlefield is the family and consumer sciences (FACS) educator at Bonney Lake High School. As the Region V winner of ACTE's Teacher of the Year award, Littlefield is one of five finalists competing for the national title of 2014 Teacher of the Year, which recognizes educators who have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote Career and Technical Education (CTE).

 

The winner will be announced at the Awards Banquet, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country, which will take place on Wednesday evening, December 4, 2013 at CareerTech VISION 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Click here for the entire press release.  Click here for WA-ACTE website.
Washington State Business Education Association (WSBEA)

Congratulations to Keith Hannah who was recently presented the WSBEA Merit Award for Outstanding Junior High Teacher at the Business and Marketing Educators' State Conference held  in Wenatchee.

 

Keith now moves on as a regional and national nominee. Congratulations for being recognized for the outstanding work you do with students and for the contributions to Career & Technical Education at the local, state and national level!

 

Click here for the WSBEA website.

HOSA Affiliation
HOSA membership continues to grow and the affiliation process is online and it is easy! All chapters affiliate through the HOSA web site at www.hosa.org
 
The step by step affiliation instructions are below.
  1. The first step in using the internet affiliation system is to call your HOSA State Advisor (if you do not know your state advisor's number, go to State Affiliates or call National HOSA Headquarters to request the password for access to the affiliation system. If you used the internet to affiliate last year, your password will be the same this year.
  2. With your chapter's password and national charter number, go to the following link and enter your charter number and password in the Local Chapter Advisor blanksAffiliate.
  3. After successfully logging in, you should reach the main menu. To access instructions for online affiliation, please click on the first link in the main menu. It is recommended that you review the instructions if you are unfamiliar with the online affiliation system.

2013-2014 Chapter Affiliation Fees by State

Click here to view the document.  

Call (800) 321-4672 if you have any questions.

 
Washington Health Information Industry-Education Council 
The Health Care Authority convenes and facilitates the Washington Health Information Industry-Education Council (WHIIEC). WHIIEC is a forum for representatives of employers and Health Information Technology education/training programs to align educational opportunities with Health Information Technology staffing needs of health care providers, public health agencies, insurers and other employers and provide meaningful career opportunities for graduates.
  
WHIIEC is pleased to announce the launch of a tool you may be able to use when advising students about future career choices and education to get them there.
 
This online tool is the updated and revised Health Information Technology Educational Resource Inventory. It is searchable, sortable by column heading, and downloadable in Excel format. You and your students can access it directly from any online connection and it is free!
 
Click here to view the flyer.  Click here for the Health Care Authority website.
National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE)

NCHSE is the lead organization for the health science career cluster.  There are advantages to becoming a member.

  • Valuable networks and mutual stakeholders
  • Reduced pricing on instructional materials and assessment
  • Industry partnership guidelines
  • Informed interpretations of healthcare and education reform trends
  • Research on critical healthcare workforce issues
  • Involvement in field-test opportunities with grants and projects
  • Access to Instructional Supplements
VISION

NCHSE collaboratively defines and advances the framework of health science education.

 

MISSION

The mission of NCHSE is to provide leadership and professional development for Health Science Education through collaboration among education, healthcare industry, policy makers and professional organizations.

 

CORE VALUES

  • Networking and Collaboration
  • Career Development
  • Health Science Framework
  • Standards for Quality
  • Education for Future Healthcare Professionals  
Click here to view the website. Click here to find out more about becoming a member.
Puget Sound Engineering Council 
The Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC) is an organization comprised of the local chapters of national or international engineering and scientific societies in the Puget Sound area. PSEC exists to increase public awareness and appreciation of engineering, science and technology. This information can be very useful for high schools and middle schools (teachers, parents, and students).

 

The overall goals of PSEC are to:

  • Inform the public on technical matters
  • Advance the interests of the member societies it represents as well as those of the larger engineering and scientific community
  • Reflect the technical concerns of these societies and of this community

Please click here for flyer information. Click here to visit the website.

  
Project Lead the Way State Conference 
The PLTW State Conference is a professional development opportunity designed to inform school counselors, advisors, principals, school administrators, and teachers about the PLTW program and give them information they can use to begin or expand their own programs, and to encourage a full range of students to enroll in PLTW courses. PLTW schools are required to send one advisor/counselor to an annual conference.
  • Preregistration is required
  • Clock hours are available
  • There is no charge to attend
  • Lunch is included
The 2013 keynote speaker is Dr. Ellen Ebert, OSPI Science Director.   
  
Conference date informaton listed below.

 

November 7, 2013
8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Seattle University
901 12th Avenue
Casey Building, 5th Floor
Seatte, WA
  
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Nimmy Gnanapragasam, [email protected]

 

Interested?  Register here
 

Click here for additional details.

Lexus and Scholastic Launch Contest for Middle and High School Students
Lexus and Scholastic are accepting applications for its Lexus Eco Challenge.  This challenge is an educational program and contest designed to inspire and empower middle and high school students in the United States to learn about the environment and take action to improve it. 
  
Students in grades 6-12, who are either registered and home-schooled or enrolled in a public or accredited private school, and who are legal residents of the U.S. or the District of Columbia are eligible to apply.  Additionally, teams of students can enter if they are part of an afterschool science or environmental club; the challenge is not open to clubs outside of school.  Awardees will receive a total of $500,000 in grants and scholarships. 
  
To obtain additional information and an application, click here.
 
Deadlines: November 11; and January 17, 2014.
2013 FCCLA National Cluster Meeting | Exceeding Expectations
Attend a National Cluster Meeting this fall and discover new ways to put FCCLA's national program to work for you. National Cluster meetings provide an opportunity for student and advisers to come together for inspiration, to expand leadership skills, sharpen talents, and explore career pathways. 
  
Exceeding Expectations Date:
November 15-17, 2013
Spokane, WA
  
National Cluster Meetings:
  • Junior/Senior High Students 
  • New and Experienced Advisers
  • Teacher Educators
  • Collaborative Partners 

Click here for details.

Childcare Basics Training 

The childcare basics course, formerly known as STAR's, has moved from a 2 credit,  

20 hour class to a 3 credit, 30 hour class. Plan to have all child development instructors attend one of these trainings and receive the updated final childcare basics curriculum written by 3 of our instructors and 2 college instructors.

 

November 18, 2013

12-4 p.m.

Wenatchee Valley Community College

Wenatchee, WA

 

December 9, 2013

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Edmonds Community College

Edmonds, WA

 

To register, go to Events Manager. If you have questions, contact Jill Pilbro at (360) 725-0418 or email at [email protected].  

Texting and Driving

FCCLA is teaming up with Causes to spread the word about the many dangers of texting while driving. When you watch a preview of the powerful documentary about the impact of texting and driving or take the pledge, AT&T will donate $1 to FCCLA, up to $95,000, and you become part of a movement to make our roads safer. The money raised this fall will be used to support youth driver advocacy programs across the country run by FCCLA.

 

For more information, visit the Causes Campaign page or the It Can Wait page.

Need 9,167 more people to watch a 30 second preview clip of the AT&T video.

Mandated Education Requirements | Applied Math Council Workshops

The Federal Perkins Act has mandated education requirements as part of an accountability system that measures districts for academic attainment as part of the No Child Left Behind Act. Districts not meeting at least 90 percent of the performance indicators for three consecutive years are identified as a district in "Perkins Improvement." Districts receiving Federal Perkins funds placed into the "Perkins Improvement" category must comply with the requirements of the State. With this requirement, we highly encourage districts in need of "Perkins Improvement" to send their CTE instructors to one of the Washington Applied Math Council workshops offered throughout the year. In addition, we urge districts to continue providing additional professional development to CTE instructors at the district level in their specific pathway area.

 

Below is information about the Washington Applied Math Council Workshops. For additional information and registration, please visit www.wa-appliedmath.org or send an email to Ron Noble at [email protected] or call (509) 684-5541.

 

____________________

  
Have you ever taught a lesson then found that very few students actually connected? Is your district struggling to raise academic attainment in mathematics? Would you like to learn about various instructional strategies in math? The Washington Applied Math Council Workshops are just for you.

 

2014 Winter In-Service-8:30 a.m. Start

In-Service Registration Fee: $100 ($125 onsite)

 

Friday, February 21, 2014

Yakima Valley Technical Skill Center

1120 S. 18th StreetYakima, WA 98901

 

2014 Spring In-Service - Dates and Locations Coming Soon

 

WAMC Summer Conference Logo

2014 WAMC Summer Conference

In-Service Registration Fee: $525
($565 after May 23, 2014)
   

Monday, June 23-Friday, June 27, 2014

Red Lion Hotel, Kennewick, WA

Reservations (509) 783-0611

 

To register for any of the workshops, please click here.

 

Please contact Ron Noble, State Coordinator, if you have any questions at (509) 684-5541 or email at [email protected]

GRADS Mini-Grants Awarded
Congratulations to these school districts who were awarded GRADS form package 655, GRADS mini grants:
  • Aberdeen
  • Bellingham
  • Everett
  • Evergreen
  • Federal Way
  • Granite Falls
  • Highline
  • Kennewick
  • Lake Washington
  • Moses Lake
  • Peninsula
  • Seattle
  • Tacoma
  • Vancouver
  • Yakima

Schools eligible to apply for these funds are schools with current or transitioning GRADS programs. The grant funds can be used for curriculum development, purchase, procurement, dissemination, and evidence informed or evidence-based training.

 

For more information about the GRADS/Teen Parent Program please contact Heidi Schultz, (360) 725-0417, [email protected].

Agricultural Education

Washington utilizes the Three-Circle Model to Agricultural Education; an approach which results in higher graduation rates, increased post-secondary opportunities, and the development of leadership in students. 

 

Classroom Instruction: Students are given opportunities to practically apply theories of science, with a development of an understanding of how the theory can be applied in the agriculture field; the largest science industry within the nation.

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE): Students learn industry skills through a hands-on project supervised by the instructor. Projects can include research, production, placement at an existing business, or utilizing the entrepreneurial spirit to begin a new business.

FFA/Leadership: Membership in the National FFA Organization is the premiere delivery of leadership instruction within and outside of the classroom. Practical application of 21st Century Skills results in the development of community conscious, motivated citizens.

For further details about this model and what is happening in Agricultural Education, please click here for the AG Ed White Paper.

Click here for the November 2013 AG Ed Update. Please contact Rebecca Wallace, Agricultural Education Program Supervisor, with any questions or feedback you have at (360) 725-6244 or [email protected].

Washington is a State of Success

The 2013 National FFA Convention, "IGNITE" is set to kick off in Louisville, Kentucky on Wednesday October 30th, and will culminate on Saturday, November 2nd, with the election of the new National FFA Officer Team. Washington will be represented by many individuals and teams in the career development events, as well as 7 voting delegates; the 6 state officers, and Lizbeth Bumstead from Pullman High School. Keynote speakers for the convention include Rick Pitino, and Joe Torrillo, Josh Sundquist, and Katie Pratt.

 

The following chapters will be representing our state at National Convention in the Career Development Events:

  • Agricultural Communications: Mt. Baker High School
  • Agricultural Issues Form: Liberty High School
  • Agricultural Sales: Yelm High School
  • Agricultural Tech. and Mech. Systems: Ferndale High School
  • Agronomy: Lind-Ritzville High School
  • Creed Speaking: Colfax High School
  • Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management: Lynden Christian High School
  • Dairy Cattle Handlers' Activity: Lynden Christian High School
  • Environmental and Natural Resources: Stanwood High School
  • Extemporaneous Public Speaking: Elma High School
  • Farm Business Management: Lynden Christian High School
  • Floriculture: Sedro Woolley High School
  • Food Science and Technology: Cashmere High School
  • Forestry: Mt. Baker High School
  • Horse Evaluation: Reardan High School
  • Job Interview: White River High School
  • Livestock Evaluation: Lynden High School
  • Marketing Plan: Lind-Ritzville High School
  • Meats Evaluation: Cashmere High School
  • Milk Quality and Products: Toledo High School
  • Nursery/Landscape: Sedro Woolley High School
  • Parliamentary Procedure: Lynden High School
  • Poultry Evaluation: Elma High School
  • Prepared Public Speaking: Yelm High School
  • Veterinary Science: Lynden Christian High School

Good luck to all individuals and teams representing our state at the National FFA Convention. Best of luck, and safe travels!

 

Can't make it to Kentucky? Experience the Virtual FFA Convention and Expo for $100: Visit https://www.ffa.org/Events/conventionandexpo/planning/Pages/Virtual-Convention.aspx.

 
Verizon Foundation 2nd Annual Innovative App Challenge

Verizon and TSA are launching the mobile app design competition aimed to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and empower them to create STEM-related app concepts that solve real-world problems in their community or school.

  

Submissions are being accepted now through December 3rd, and teams can submit their app ideas, access tips and instructional videos on app design.

 

Washington students could have a chance to win Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablets, cash grants of up to $20,000 for their school, and the opportunity to team up with app development experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab to build and bring their apps to life. Verizon will help winning teams bring their app to the Google Play store, available for download. 

 

Click here to learn more about the Innovative App Challenge.

Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest
Registration is Open. Please click here for more information and to register.

 

Applications must be received by December 1, 2013.

Community College and High School Instructors Conference
  
Date:  Friday, November 22, 2013                              Cost: Free
Time: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm                                                 Contact: Dave at (509) 573-5543 to register
Place: Yakima Valley Technical College
            1120 S. 18 Street
            Yakima, WA 98901
 
Rhoady Hayes will provide an update on I-CAR for trends and styles of 2014 cars.
Mike Daniels, from PPG Industries, will teach on water base paint.
There will be hands-on training with Lincoln Welding equipment, PG, Akso Nobel Jet Metal Working equipment and Wesco Paint & Equipment.
Experience LabSim IT Courseware

Get students trained, certified and employed. Click here to get more information on comprehensive IT training tools and up-to-date content.

SkillsUSA Membership
To register for SkillsUSA memberships, please click here.
  • Student ($16.00, State & National dues)
  • Professional ($22.00, State & National dues)
First Semester Deadline:  December 13, 2013
Second Semester Deadline:  February 14, 2014.
 
Click here to register online. 

Advisor Membership Incentives

Advisors register at least 15 student members plus one or more professionals by November 15, 2013 and win prizes: a free copy of Leveraging Your Leadership with Effective Chapter Meetings, The Teacher's Guide, SkillsUSA brand-new for enhancing instruction. Instructors who submit a roster with 100% membership plus one or more professionals also will receive a SkillsUSA Program of Work Calendar.

 

Daily $50 Lowe's gift card drawings through November 15, 2013.

 

Register today!

SkillsUSA Membership Help Hotline 

Advisors can call or email the SkillsUSA Membership Hotline when they have questions about starting a SkillsUSA chapter or need assistance with ways to strengthen their existing chapter and engage more members.

Operators are ready to help at (800) 355-8422 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].
 

Get involved with SkillsUSA!

Educated and Skilled to Lead America's Video Competition 

SkillsUSA Members are encouraged to create a video that showcases how members are becoming educated (what are you learning, what facilities or equipment are you training on) and skilled (what skills have your learned). Tell their story.

 

Videos should be between 2-3 minutes in length and must be uploaded to YouTube at www.youtube.com by November 15, 2013.
  

For more information contact Kelly Horton at [email protected].

CTE Promotional Public Service Announcements Available

During the 2013 SkillsUSA Championships, SkillsUSA asked state gold medalists in their Television (Video) Production contests to submit a public service announcement with messages of encouraging teens to enroll in CTE courses. All of the submitted PSAs are now available to use at http://svntv.com/categoriesx/competitions/skillsusa-2013/tv-production?start=25.

The Washington State Board of Education 
The State Board of Education's (SBE) has launched a new webpage with information about the SBE's role (per SB 5491) in setting goals for statewide indicators of education system health. The site (www.sbe.wa.gov/edsystemhealth.php) describes the legislation, lists the indicators, includes a video, and asks for feedback.

 

Please take a few minutes to review the site, watch the video, and send your comments, concerns and questions regarding the indicators and goals to email: [email protected].

 

Thank you.

Clock Hour Requests 

For trainings that you would like to offer clock hours to participants, please remember to submit your requests to the respective career pathway program supervisors with a minimum of 30 days advanced notice of the training. 

 

This will allow ample time to review the requests, agendas, and ask questions as needed.

Thank you.

DECA Conferences 
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
  
DECA conferences are targeted, highly-focused learning experiences for students and advisors. DECA conferences bring our members into the larger DECA community while providing unique opportunities to extend classroom learning. Each of DECA's conferences connects with corporate professionals to engage students in learning industry-related trends and content.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES

These conferences focus on leadership development and college and career preparation through a variety of engaging workshops and speakers.

  

CAREER PATHWAYS CONFERENCES

These conferences each feature highly specialized content that aligns with specific career pathways and courses, providing an excellent opportunity to connect classroom instruction to the conferences.

Click here for the Washington DECA website. Click here for the National DECA website. 

FBLA National Conference
The National FBLA Conference will be held November 22-23, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Click here for FBLA National Conference details.

 

FBLA activities for the month of November are listed below.

  

 

November

Activity

Due To

1

Non-Stop November Membership Involvement

National FBLA Office

5

Capital Region Fall Conference - Little Creek Resort, Shelton

Capital Region

5

Peninsula Region Fall Conference - Little Creek Resort, Shelton

Peninsula Region

6

North Central Region Fall Conference - Wenatchee Valley College

North Central Region

8-9

National Fall Leadership Conference - Grapevine (Dallas), Texas

National FBLA Office

14

Brand Jordan Conference @ Nike World Headquarters

Sports Career Counseling

15

Virtual Business Fall Management Challenge Ends

Knowledge Matters

15

Virtual Business Fall Finance Challenge Ends

Knowledge Matters

15

American Enterprise Day

 

15-16

National Fall Leadership Conference - Cleveland, Ohio

National FBLA Office

16

WAFBLA BOD Meeting

WA FBLA

22-23

National Fall Leadership Conference - Salt Lake City, Utah

National FBLA Office

  
Please contact Judy Reynolds, FBLA Executive Director, or Dawne Schmidt, FBLA Program Specialist with questions or for information at (360) 753-5666. 
  
Click here for the Washington FBLA website.
CTE Learning that Works Logo
Tom Lopp Achievement Award
Tom Lopp Achievement Award
Free IT Academy Training Workshops
Microsoft IT Academy Program Renewed
Lake Washington Engineering and Manufacturing Advisory
Washington Educator A Finalist For Teacher Of The Year Award
Washington State Business Education Association (WSBEA)
HOSA Affiliation
Washington Health Information Industry-Education Council
National Consortium for Health Science Education
Puget Sound Engineering Council
PLTW State Conferences
Lexus and Scholastic Launch Contest
2013 FCCLA National Cluster Meeting
Childcare Basics Training
Texting and Driving
Mandated Education Requirements | Applied Math Council Workshops
GRADS Mini-Grants Awarded
Agricultural Education
Washington is a State of Success
New Student Leadership Organization
Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest
Community College and High School Instructors Conference
Experience LabSim IT Courseware
SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference
Advisor Membership Incentives
SkillsUSA Regional Advisor's Fall Meeting
Educated and Skilled to Lead America's Video Competition
CTE Promotional Public Service Announcements Available
The Washington State Board of Education
Clock Hour Requests
DECA Conferences
FBLA National Conference
Quick Links

Career and Technical Education - Washington does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, sex, religeion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual preference/orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.