Colleagues,
We are very pleased to share some outstanding achievements and news from a number of vocational technical & agricultural schools!!Please send us your good news so that we may share it with our friends in vocational technical education!
Bristol Aggie
The Bristol County Advisory Board approved a $103 Million Building Project. In the next step, the Bristol County Commissioners will petition theMassachusetts Legislature to raise its bonding cap for this project. According to Superintendent Adele Sands, “This vote of support helps to ensure that Bristol Aggie maintains its reputation as the exemplar in agricultural education”. Originally founded in 1912, Bristol County Agricultural High School has offered a progressive approach to agricultural and science education, allowing students to choose between seven majors, including Large & Small Animal Science, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Mechanics/Diesel Technology, Arboriculture, Floriculture, and Landscape Design and Contracting.
Greater New Bedford
Student Sarah-Yvonne Doyle was been nominated and received the $1,000 METTA Students Foundation Scholarship. The Metta Students Foundation is a 501(c) non-profit organization founded to promote acts of kindness by high school students. Sara has raised and distributed more than $20,000 in her efforts to promote the mission of the organization with her focus on helping veterans. Sarah has been named The Standard-Times 2017 South Coast Youth of the Year. She is one of the top juniors in the Diesel Service Technology program and has an amazingly bright future ahead of her. MAVA extends its congratulations to this outstanding voc-tech student!
Shawsheen Tech
Jessica Cook is the new Principal at Shawsheen Tech. She previously served as a history teacher and Assistant Principal. A graduate of the MAVALeadership Academy, she began her new administrative position on January 1st. Congratulations Jessica on this wonderful opportunity and best wishes for continued happiness and success.
Smith Vocational & Agricultural HS
Last month Michael Parks, began his administrative career as the new curriculum coordinator at Smith. Michael, a graduate of MAVA Leadership Academy I, had been a history teacher at Smith. We welcome Michael to MAVA and wish him success and happiness in his new position. Smith also has a new Business Manager Crystal Fairman. We extend our best wishes to Crystal as well.
Whittier Tech
Two Whittier Tech students achieved success at DECA on Jan. 11th at Merrimack College. In only their second year of competition with the international organization, Juniors Korin Griffin and Angela Spaulding placed 3rd in Hospitality Services Team Decision Making and will advance to the state competition at the Boston Copley Marriott Hotel, March 8-10.
DESE to Interview Commissioner Finalists
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will interview the finalists at a public meeting on Friday, January 26, in Boston. MAVA received an invitation for a reserved seat and MAVA Immediate Past President Robert Dutch will represent the association. He will have the opportunity in advance to provide suggested questions to pose to the candidates. In addition, he will be able to provide written feedback on the candidates following the interviews. We are proud to have Bob represent the vocational technical & agricultural community in this important process.
Leadership Academy I
Based on the Storm Warning forecast in the Devens area (5-7”) we are canceling the two day session for Leadership I (1/17&1/18). April 11, 2018 is the new kickoff date for this year’s Leadership Academy I. Any questions contact Kevin Farr at kfarr@smithtec.org.
Upcoming Meetings
Co-Op Coordinators January 19th Plymouth South HS 9:00am Questions: Richard Lavoierlavoie@shawsheen.tec.ma.us Agenda attached
MAVA Board of Directors January 26th Assabet Valley 10:00am Questions: Kevin Farrkfarr@smithtec.org
MAVA Officers/Commissioner February 1st DESE-Malden 12:00pm Questions: Kevin Farrkfarr@smithtec.org
& Senior Staff
Annual OSHA Alliance Meeting February 12thEssex Tech 10:30am Questions: Peter Dewardewar@tri-county.us
We encourage you to share this edition of theMAVA Update with your staff and colleagues.
Best wishes.
David
David J. Ferreira
Communications Coordinator