Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

September 2015

In This Issue

Student Success - SkillsUSA Officer Training

New Instructors

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,
Executive Director

- Joseph Greb,
Assistant Director

- Allison Larson,
CTE Supervisor

- Amy Shields,
Editor

-Katelyn Smink,

Summer Intern

Student Success - SkillsUSA Officer Training

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) held their annual SkillsUSA school-wide officer training session on July 29, 2015. Since there are different officers in the morning and afternoon sessions, this training session allowed the students to meet one another. During the meeting, EASTERN's SkillsUSA Advisors, Nicole Mohrey and Karon Crickmore talked about the students' roles and responsibilities, went over school events, finalized the schedule and enjoyed lunch together.

Every year, SkillsUSA selects a different initiative. The officers fundraise and plan events for a charity chosen by SkillsUSA District 2. The initiative for the 2015-2016 year is the Ronald McDonald House; a place that allows parents to stay at little or no cost and communicate with their child's medical team while their child receives medical treatment.

Newly elected officers are excited for this upcoming year. Some are nervous about their responsibilities, but they are confident that they will be able to do a great job. Hannah Collins, Vice President of the p.m. session, said, "I am excited to be a school-wide officer. It is a great opportunity and a great way to finish off my senior year." By taking on a lot of responsibility and getting great experience, officers leave this organization with leadership and teamwork skills.

The election process is simple; teachers nominate students. This seems to be working because teachers know the roles and responsibilities of each position. They will continue using this election process next year.

EASTERN Welcomes New Instructors

Deb Bergmann - Allied Health Instructor

Deb Bergmann joined EASTERN in September 2015 as the Allied Health Instructor. She has been working for EASTERN in the Practical Nursing Department for adult students for eight years. As a Practical Nursing Instructor, Bergmann presented a women's safety presentation to the Allied Health class, and enjoyed the interaction with students. In June 2015, the Allied Health Instructor position opened up and she thought that it would be a great opportunity for her to share her experiences and help mentor students who wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field. She brings a great deal of healthcare experience to EASTERN, including over 24 years in the field. She has worked as a supervisor and teacher of the Practical Nursing program. She received her Associates in Nursing from Frankford Hospital School of Nursing, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Immaculata University.

Tyrone Tate - Protective Services Instructor

Tyrone Tate joined EASTERN in September 2015 as the Protective Services Instructor. Tate brings a great deal of law enforcement experience to EASTERN, including over twenty years of investigative services. His most recent position was as the Chief Detective for the Montgomery County Public Defender's Office. His natural passion for teaching stems from his involvement with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. He taught effective peer resistance and refusal skills to adolescents so they could say no to drugs. He taught for the D.A.R.E. program for over six years. Tate graduated from Albright College with a Bachelors of Criminal Justice. He has an Associates of Applied Science of Criminal Justice at Montgomery County Community College. While in the field, he received three PA State Police certifications and three Federal Bureau of Investigation certifications.

Hayley Granacher - Culinary Arts Instructor

In September 2015, Hayley Granacher was selected as Culinary Arts Instructor for EASTERN. Granacher joined EASTERN in 2013, as a Culinary Arts Instructional Aide, in which she assisted the Culinary Arts instructors during lessons, taught baking and pastry arts, and worked with students who were in need of additional support. In her role as Culinary Arts Instructor, where she will co-teach and plan yearly curriculum with Chef Gary Albert. In addition to her teaching position at EASTERN, Granacher also works at Top of the Hill Cafe and Bredenbeck's Bakery, both located in Philadelphia. Granacher received her Associate of Applied Science at the Pennsylvania College of Technology School of Hospitality, majoring in Baking and Pastry Arts, and she received her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University's College of Education, majoring in Workforce Education and Development.

George Stahl - Automotive Technology Long-term Substitute Instructor

George Stahl started in 2006 as EASTERN's Instructional Aide in Automotive Technology. During the 2014-2015 school year, George Stahl became the long-term substitute Automotive Technology instructor at EASTERN. He is also the Automotive and Collision Repair Summer Fun teacher. As EASTERN's long-term substitute Automotive Technology instructor, Stahl is looking forward to teaching returning and new students. He plans to rework the curriculum to make it more technology-based. Stahl has a great deal of experience in the field. He has been an ASE Master Technician for 26 years and worked at Reed Chevrolet in Langhorne. Stahl has an Associate's Degree from Bucks County Community College and hopes to earn a Bachelor Degree in Education.

Inside EASTERN - Renovations Underway

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) is getting a face lift. Renovations began in June 2015. They are providing their students with a state-of-the-art Cosmetology department, a new Allied Health department, and are going to provide handicap accessible bathrooms to the student body. All projects will be completed by the end of August.

"Cosmetology was last renovated in 1986. We are now providing our students with a 2015 salon atmosphere," said Tom Allen, EASTERN's Executive Director.

Even though the Cosmetology program is very popular at EASTERN, once parents and students see the final project, Mr. Allen believes more people will be interested in the program because of the enhanced facility.

The renovations do not stop there. EASTERN is working on several projects to modernize their facility. They will continue offering high quality career and technical programs, but now with a more modern landscape. In September 2016, EASTERN will offer Veterinary Science. In order to introduce the program to the public at the Open House in late February, EASTERN will renovate the old Landscape Contracting building in the fall of 2015. They also plan to refurbish the entrance ramp at the rear of the building, repair the ventilation system in the Welding Technology program, install a welding gas manifold system, and install new HVAC controls throughout the building.

Photo: EASTERN's updated Cosmetology Program.

EASTERN Events - EASTERN Foundation Fundraiser

November 6, 2015 from 6 - 9 p.m., the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Foundation will hold their annual fundraiser at their facility at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. This year, a silent auction will be held along with an exciting and interactive murder mystery, The Golden Girls, presented by Without a Cue Productions - an extremely talented group of professional actors. There will also be fun-filled country fair games of skill. Admission to the event is $45 per person or $80 per couple, and includes the murder mystery, appetizers, dessert, items for auction, and live music.

We are also offering advertisement space within our program. If you would like to purchase space, a business card advertisement costs $45, a half-page advertisement costs $80 and a full page is $150. The advertisement deadline for submissions is October 16, 2015.

"We are extremely excited to hold another EASTERN Foundation fundraiser and Murder Mystery," said George Marin, Foundation President and EASTERN Alumni. "We are seeking assistance from the community to help our Foundation grow and flourish in order to provide EASTERN students with awards and scholarships that will help them enter into a career or the post-secondary school of their choice."

Appetizers and dessert will be provided by EASTERN's Culinary Arts students. Auction items will include autographed sports memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates, Bed and Breakfast certificates, framed photography and paintings from local artists, baskets of cheer, apparel from local colleges, services provided by EASTERN's career and technical programs and much more.

To purchase your ticket to the event, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or via email at ashields@eastech.org. For more information, please visit eastech.org/foundation.

	Facts About Career and Technical Education
Participation in skills-training programs increased wages and earnings, raised the probability and consistency of employment, and led to work in higher-quality jobs, according to Public/Private Ventures. (Maguire, Shiela, et al, Job Training That Works: Findings from the Sectoral Employment Impact Study, 2009)

Dates to Remember

- September 2, 2015 - In-Service
- September 3, 2015 - In-Service
- September 7, 2015 - District Closed
- September 8, 2015 - Act 80 In-Service
- September 9, 2015 - First Day for Students
- September 9, 2015 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8 p.m.
- September 14, 2015 - Student/Teacher Holiday
- September 15, 2015 - Student/Teacher Holiday
- September 17, 2015 - Parents Night; 7 p.m.
- September 23, 2015 - Student/Teacher Holiday
- February 28, 2016 - Open House; 1 p.m.
- May 18, 2016 - 50th Anniversary Rededication Ceremony; 5:30 p.m.
- May 25, 2016 - EASTERN Awards Night; 7 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.