Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

December 2014

In This Issue

Student Success - Student of the Month

Alumni Spotlight - Matthew Kubachka

EASTERN Events

Inside EASTERN

Facts about CTE

Dates to Remember

Mission Statement

The mission of EASTERN, a leader in technology and in developing innovative, responsive programs, is to equip all students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to select, enter and succeed in a career, and to anticipate and adapt to change by providing high-quality technical instruction and specialized services.

- Thomas Allen,
Administrative Director

- Joseph Greb,
Assistant Director

- Allison Larson,
CTE Supervisor

- Amy Shields,
Editor

Student Success - November Student of the Month

Anthony Davis is the November 2014 Student of the Month at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove. He is in EASTERN's Collision Repair Technology program and a senior at Cheltenham High School. The Student of the Month Award is sponsored by EASTERN's faculty, Joint Committee and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success and service. Ten students each year are selected for this honor.

Anthony learned about the program offerings at EASTERN at the 10th Grade Career Expo presentation held at Cheltenham High School. He found that the Collision Repair Technology program was of particular interest to him, since he has always had a passion for painting. Since enrolling in the program, Anthony has obtained certification for Safety and Pollution Prevention (S/P2) in both the Collision Safety and Collision Pollution areas. During the summer of 2014, Anthony was a volunteer student teacher in EASTERN's Automotive and Collision Repair program for the middle school students.

At EASTERN, Anthony was presented with the Director's Award at EASTERN's Awards Night in May 2014. This prestigious award is given to only two juniors each year who demonstrate leadership potential. In June 2014, Anthony attended the SkillsUSA National Competition in Kansas City, MO, where he was part of the EASTERN team that won third-place for Chapter Display. The display is built around and articulates a common theme established annually by SkillsUSA. The contest involves a team of students setting up the display and one student presenting information about the display in a presentation/interview with judges. At Cheltenham High School, Anthony plays basketball, football, and is a former trumpet player in the Cedarbrook Jazz Band.

After graduation from Cheltenham High School and EASTERN, Anthony will be attending Ohio Technical College with scholarship money he earned through SkillsUSA competitions. He plans to obtain his Associate degree in Collision Repair and Custom Paint.

Alumni Spotlight - Matthew Kubachka

EASTERN 2014 Electrical Technology/Upper Moreland High School graduate, Matthew Kubachka, is the first EASTERN graduate selected for the Aramark Maintenance Trainee Mentoring Program. This program will provide Matthew one-year of maintenance trainee experience, and upon successful completion, a permanent job with Aramark.

This new mentoring program was designed through EASTERN's partnership with Aramark - the organization that provides direct management of EASTERN's facility functions, including operations and maintenance, engineering, custodial, housekeeping, energy management, and other related facility services. The intent of the program is to serve as a comprehensive feeder system providing highly trained, well-rounded employees with leadership potential to other Aramark locations.

Near the end of last school year, instructors in EASTERN's Electrical Technology, Construction Technology, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) programs identified potential candidates for this program. Jason Knox, the Aramark Facility Manager at EASTERN, performed the interviews and selected Matthew as a full-time Aramark employee in the role of Maintenance Trainee.

Although Matthew is a graduate of EASTERN's Electrical Technology program, he is now undergoing intensive hands-on and theory-based interactive training in carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, business communications, professional employment, facilities management equipment, and environmental and occupational safety.

At the end of Matthew's training in June 2015, he will receive a certificate of completion and will be contacted by Aramark's District Manager concerning where he will be transferred within the region.

"This is an exciting opportunity for me to expand upon what I learned at EASTERN and begin a career with a great company in an environment in which I am familiar," said Matthew. "EASTERN provided me with a great head start on my career."

EASTERN Events

Strategic Planning Retreat Summary

On October 30, 2014, 35 stakeholders prepared a map for the future developing the framework for EASTERN's new Strategic Plan. A final report has been developed, and can be viewed here - http://tinyurl.com/km6996u

The group reached consensus on four goals and several corresponding initiatives. This work was achieved through small and whole group discussion, reflection, and thoughtful consideration. The goals and corresponding initiatives developed at the planning retreat are:

GOAL 1 - Student Success

Develop industry-driven programs with robust offerings while expanding support systems for diverse learners culminating in student success.

GOAL 2 - Student Recruitment

Maximize enrollment, with attention to fiscal resources and building capacity.

GOAL 3 - External Partnerships

Promote the benefits of the school to external partners and increase partner involvement.

GOAL 4 - Operational Sustainability

Create efficiencies to maintain highly effective operational support services.

With clearly stated goals and initiatives in place, EASTERN's administrative team will develop the necessary action steps and metrics needed to ensure progress; anticipated completion is March 2015. The action steps will be integrated into a comprehensive Strategic Plan and presented to EASTERN's Joint Operating Committee by August 2015. While ongoing reflection will take place throughout the six-year plan, a focused mid-point review of accomplishments and challenges will be conducted in the plan's third year.

Kiwanis Holiday Breakfast

Join us this Sunday, December 8, for a holiday buffet breakfast from 8 - 11:30 a.m. The cost is $8 per person and proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Old York Road Foundation Scholarship Fund. The Kiwanis Club is one of EASTERN's generous student award sponsors.

Inside EASTERN

EASTERN's 2013 - 2014 Annual Report

The EASTERN 2013 - 2014 Annual Report is now completed and posted on our website. Please visit www.eastech.org.

The EASTERN Foundation has several events occurring in which you can assist them in their fundraising for EASTERN student awards:

1. You can help support EASTERN student awards by registering your Giant Bonus Card for the A+ Rewards program. Log on to www.giantfoodstores.com/aplus to designate our school online using your Giant Bonus Card under the "Customer Zone" section. Please be sure to register your card to benefit EASTERN studnets by using our school ID #03870.

2. We have extended our deadline for the Open House Ad Book submission to Monday, December 8, 2014. EASTERN's Open House will be held Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 1 - 3:30 p.m. and typically hosts from 500 - 600 community members throughout the day. This year, for the first time, the EASTERN Foundation will be distributing Ad Books at this popular event. Ad costs and specifications are:

-Full page ad (5 1/2" X 8 1/2") $150

-Half page ad (5 1/2" X 4 1/4") $80

-Business card ad (3 1/2" X 2") $45

The Ad Book submission form can be found here - http://tinyurl.com/mrqgxdu

	Facts About Career and Technical Education
According to ACTE online, skilled trades are the hardest jobs to fill in the United States, with recent data citing 806,000 jobs open in the trade, transportation and utilities sector and 293,000 jobs open in manufacturing.

	Dates to Remember
- December 10, 2014 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8 p.m. - December 24, 2014 - School Closed - December 25, 2014 - School Closed - December 26, 2014 - School Closed - December 29, 2014 - Student/Teacher Holiday - December 30, 2014 - Student/Teacher Holiday - December 31, 2014 - Student/Teacher Holiday - March 1, 2015 - Open House; 1 - 3:30 p.m.

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Eastern Center for Arts and Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Equity Coordinator, 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. 215-784-4800.