Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

November 2015

In This Issue

Student Success - Student of the Month

Alumni Spotlight - Victoria Penecale

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

Student Success - October Student of the Month

Nicole Peck is the October 2015 Student of the Month at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove. She is in EASTERN's Commercial Art program and a senior at Upper Dublin 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.

Prior to visiting EASTERN during her sophomore year through EASTERN's 10th Grade Career Expo, Nicole was already familiar with the school, as she attended the Summer Fun Cooking and Baking program for middle school students.

At EASTERN, Nicole focuses on building herself as a professional, and often asks to be given live jobs - the term used for artwork and graphics that will actually be used by EASTERN as promotional pieces. She is very involved in EASTERN's student leadership organization, SkillsUSA, and was on the team that received the silver medal for Chapter Display at the SkillsUSA State competition in April 2015. The Chapter Display competition is for an outstanding promotional exhibit designed and constructed by SkillsUSA student members. The display is built around and articulates a common theme established annually by SkillsUSA. The contest involves a team of no more than three students setting up the display and one student presenting information about the display in a presentation/interview with judges. During her junior year, she was the Commercial Art SkillsUSA class Secretary for the PM session.

While maintaining excellent grades in her Commercial Art class, Nicole also works part-time at Randazzo's Pizzeria. After graduation from Upper Dublin High School and EASTERN, Nicole would like to continue her education in commercial arts at Kutztown University, and eventually become an illustrator for children's books.

Alumni Spotlight - Victoria Penecale

EASTERN 2010 Collision Repair Technology/Cheltenham High School graduate, Victoria Penecale, was recently selected as EASTERN's Automotive Technology and Collision Repair Technology Instructional Aide. Victoria graduated from Ohio Technical College's Auto Body and Refinishing program in February of 2012. Within that program, she successfully completed a custom paint and graphics course. Prior to EASTERN, she worked at a custom graphics shop in Philadelphia called Brands Imaging - specializing in vehicle wraps.

When Victoria was in tenth grade, she became interested in television shows that transformed vehicles from junk to gems. It was at that time that she decided she wanted to be that person that brought new life to these vehicles and was determined to make it her career. She first heard about EASTERN through a presentation at her high school, and then she came over to visit. She immediately chose the Collision Repair Technology program, and proved to be a leader in her class - even achieving Student of the Month status in November 2010.

Victoria valued her time at EASTERN, and felt as though education held a place in her future. In her new role at EASTERN, she will be assisting students who need additional help in the Automotive Technology and Collision Repair Technology programs. Victoria plans to continue her own education and teach these trade areas indefinitely.

"From my time as a student at EASTERN, I learned not only the technical skills I needed to succeed in college and a career, but I also learned the professionalism that goes along with being successful in these industries," said Victoria. "EASTERN offered me hands-on work experiences while still in high school that I could not obtain elsewhere. I am thrilled to come back as an Instructional Aide and help students develop and enhance their career goals as my EASTERN instructors did for me."

Students enrolled in EASTERN's Collision Repair Technology program benefit from a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience needed to carry out repairs on motor vehicles. Students benefit from the use of I-Car (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) enhanced curriculum. The Automotive Technology program is designed for the student who is serious about working in the automotive industry.

EASTERN Events - A Year-Long Celebration

The 2015 - 2016 school year marks EASTERN's 50th anniversary. The Eastern Montgomery County Area Vocational Technical High School, as it was initially named in 1966, began as a joint effort with many Eastern Montgomery County school districts to provide vocational-technical education to broaden and enrich the secondary school curriculum to include technical and skilled programs for all students.

On November 17, 1997 the Eastern Montgomery County Area Vocational Technical School changed its name to Eastern Center for Arts and Technology based on focus groups designed to determine what name best positioned the school to meet the objectives of its Strategic Plan, mission and vision for student success.

Over the past 50 years EASTERN has continued to press forward and progress to better serve its students, constantly updating and restructuring its programs, implementing new initiatives, renovating its facilities to be conducive to students' education and bringing in faculty and administration who are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals. EASTERN programs offerings have changed and evolved to meet industry standards and local workforce needs. Current program offerings include Allied Health, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair Technology, Commercial Art, Computer Network Administration, Construction Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electrical Technology, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning, Office Management, Protective Services, Veterinary Science, and Welding Technology.

EASTERN graduated approximately 35,000 students since its first graduating class in 1967. Commemorating its 50th year, EASTERN has kicked off a yearlong celebration culminating with a rededication in which a time capsule containing historical photos and important dates and activities spanning EASTERN's 50 years will be assembled and placed inside a designated part of the wall in EASTERN's main lobby.

Thank you for being part of our community and supporting our mission for the past five decades.

Inside EASTERN - Gearing up for Renovations to Future Veterinary Science Building

Bids are currently being accepted for renovations to the Veterinary Science building. Bids will be accepted until December 3, 2015 at 3:15 p.m. The renovation will include demolition of the greenhouse, the addition of 13 new parking spaces, construction of a reception area and theory room, and installation of kennels and grooming stations. The construction project will also include other main building renovations. Construction is slated to begin January 4, 2016 and continue until the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year. The Joint Operating Committee will evaluate and approve bids at the December 9, 2015 meeting.

	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
- November 18 - 20, 2015 - SkillsUSA Leadership Conference - November 26 - 27, 2015 - Thanksgiving Holiday - February 28, 2016 - Open House; 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - May 18, 2016 - 50th Anniversary Rededication; 5:30 p.m. - May 25, 2016 - Awards Night; 7:00 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.