9th Grade Cluster Program Orientation WMCTC July 16th, 2015

Welcome Parents and Students! Discussion Topics: Benefits of attending a CTC? Safety/Uniforms Schedule Transportation Grades/Credits Curriculum Lunch CTSO’s Misc.

Why attend WMCTC? Gain valuable academic and technical skills! Gain valuable “real-world” experience through student enterprises. Earn industry-recognized certifications. Become more employable. Become more promotable. Reduce the time, money, and energy needed to attend college. Increase the likelihood of running your own successful business. Earn money while in high school through School-to-Work programs. Earn scholarships and tools-of-the-trade awards.

Safety/Uniforms Safety is of paramount concern here at WMCTC!! Safety equipment (glasses, hearing protection, shoes, etc.) 9th grade uniforms Additional uniform/safety concerns

Schedule Students are enrolled in two semester-long technical courses. Fall semester ends in late January. PE/Health once a week (1hr class) for the entire school year. Bell Schedule: Arrive at WMCTC, approximately 8:00 AM Technical program, 8:00 – 9:55 Lunch, 10:00 – 10:25 Dismissal to sending district, 10:30

Transportation All students will be bused to and from WMCTC. Parents may drop off students. Students will be considered tardy if they enter the building without an excuse-note after 8:00 AM. Discipline issues that arise on the bus will be handled by sending- district administration.

Grades and Credits Students wishing to move through their technical programs must pass their class with respect to WMCTC’s grading scale! 69.5% or higher = passing grade. Students who fail will be given the following options: Return to sending district Change technical programs Repeat the course (provided space is available) WMCTC does not issue credits! This matter is handled by the sending districts. Graduation Project requirements

Curriculum WMCTC’s technical programs are aligned to the Department of Education’s Programs of Study. Curriculum is updated every three years and overseen locally by Occupational Advisory Committee’s (OAC’s). Each program is competency-based and designed to prepare students for academic and occupational success. The majority of the programs offer opportunities to earn industry- recognized certifications such as: OSHA, CPR, First Aid, etc. Career/Education/Work standards are built into the programs.

Curriculum/S.O.A.R. All of our programs offer articulated credit through numerous colleges around the state of Pennsylvania through the SOAR program. Credits earned range from 2 -18. Must exercise this option within three years of completing the program. See WMCTC counselor for details.

Lunch Spring-Ford and Pottsgrove students eat lunch at WMCTC everyday. Students can establish an online lunch account. (information about this topic will be sent to your home in mid-August). Students may also pay with personal checks (payable to UPSD) and/or cash. Sending districts will notify us of students receiving free/reduced lunch benefit.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO’s) Students have the opportunity to join one of the following 5 student organizations: SkillsUSA – serves all programs FFA – For the Future of Agriculture (Environmental Design) FCCLA - Family Career and Community Leaders of America (Early Childhood Education) HOSA – Health Occupations Students of America (Health Science Technology, Dental Occupations, and Biomedical Sciences). National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) – Open to any student meeting the criteria described in the student handbook.

Misc. Attendance is important!! Missing a class at WMCTC is the equivalent of missing 3 to 4 classes at your home-school. OSS – suspended from WMCTC means you are suspended from your home-school as well. (The reverse holds true School Closings/Delayed openings – information posted on WMCTC’s webpage, Facebook page, and local radio stations. Social Media Old fashioned webpage: www.westerncenter.org Facebook us at: Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center Twitter handle: @WesternMontcoCTC

Important/Helpful Webpages WMCTC = www.westerncenter.org BCTE = http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/career___technical_education/7335 SOAR = www.collegetransfer.net FFA = https://www.ffa.org/home HOSA = http://hosa.org/ FCCLA = http://www.fccla.com/ SkillsUSA = http://skillsusa.org/ National Technical Honor Society = https://www.nths.org/