2. Why Vocational High School? The primary objective of vocational education is for you to gain knowledge, practical skills, and attitudes for gainful employment in a particular trade or occupational area A vocational education allows you to have hands on experience

3. Ask Yourself… Do I like to work with my hands and figure out mechanical problems? Do I like to work with equipment? Do I like to work outdoors? Do I like to work with computers? Do I like to build and make things? Do I want to go on to college?

4. Ask Yourself… Do I take direction well? Do I enjoy working with others? Am I willing to accept responsibility?

5. Am I someone whose school profile includes… Good attendance in school? Average to above-average grades? Never or rarely sent to the office for discipline reasons? Special recognition and awards for achievements?

6. Area Vocational High Schools Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Dena Roy, Admissions Counselor 413-587-1414 royd@svahs.net Westfield Vocational/Technical High School 33 Smith Avenue, Westfield, MA 01085 Rob Ollari, Admissions Counselor 413-572-6533 r.ollari@schoolsofwestfield.org

7. Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Agriculture Auto Body Automotive Carpentry Cosmetology Culinary Arts Electrical Graphic Communications Health Technology Horticulture/Forestry Manufacturing Technology Plumbing OPEN-HOUSE 2010 Prospective students/parents and guardians When: Sunday, November 14th Where: Smith Vocational and Agricultural HS 80 Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Learn more about Career Technical Education and how to get career training, employment skills, your high school diploma and earn college credit during High School! http://smith.tec.ma.us/

8. Allied Health Collision Technology Automotive Technology Business Technology Construction Technology Computer Networking Technology Culinary Arts Electrical Wiring Graphic Arts Manufacturing Technology Ornamental Horticulture OPEN-HOUSE 2010 Prospective students/parents and guardians When: February 17th Where: Westfield Vocational Technical HS 33 Smith Avenue Westfield, MA 01085 Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm http://smith.tec.ma.us/ http://www.k12.westfield.ma.us/voke/index.htm

10. Applying to vocational high school includes… Attending the open house (s) Contacting the admissions counselor (s) Filing an application by March 1, 2011 Getting teacher and counselor recommendations Having an interview with an admissions counselor

11. What’s Next? Tell your parents/guardians about your interest. Tell your teachers about your interest. Take home the timeline handout. See Mr. White for more information.

12. Good Luck! Prepared by: Richard White, M.Ed. CAGS School Guidance Counselor Gateway Regional Jr. High School rwhite@grsd.org P: 413-685-1207 Maria Letasz, B.A. Guidance, Student Teacher Westfield State University mletasz@grsd.org P: 413-685-1209