Editor's note: This is the first in a series on local schools preparing for the new year.
COAL TOWNSHIP - After celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC) will begin the 2013-14 school year Monday, Aug. 26, with a total of 118 students, including 48 who will attend classes year round.
Ten vocational education programs will be offered to students who also assist at various community events and apply their talents to several special projects throughout the year.
"The administration, faculty and staff are excited to begin this new era and remain focused on the students, industry, community customers and partners, and are dedicated to offering quality programs," said administrative director James F. Monaghan.
In addition to the students who will attend full-day classes, 70 are enrolled on a three-year, half-day basis.
The 48 full-time students include nine from Line Mountain, one from Mount Carmel Area, 37 from Shamokin Area and one from Southern Columbia Area who is enrolled in auto mechanics. The 70 part-time students include five from Line Mountain, 45 from Mount Carmel Area and 20 from Shamokin Area.
Community focus
Monaghan said the school is planning on building on the success of last year's establishment of a student council organization and student-coordinated yearbook, and participation in many community events.
"The public can expect to see the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center represented at open houses, local parades and displays at the Gratz Fair," Monaghan said.
The school at 1700 W. Montgomery St. hosted a "Welcome to NCCTC Night" on Aug. 13 to provide incoming students and parents an opportunity to tour the facility and meet the instructors.
Throughout the school year, students will be provided an opportunity to join one of the two national career and technical student organizations that are part of the curriculum. Those organizations are the Skills USA Club and the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club. Students will hear guests speakers from various trades and technical careers and representatives from higher education who will discuss the advantages available to students who pursue a career in a non-traditional field.
Monaghan said the school also will sponsor "exciting assemblies" to help promote social and personal development and careers.
An open house will be held at the center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The school will be advertising evening courses in early September for adults interested in learning a new trade, personal development or expanding their personal interests. That information can be found at www.ncavts.org.
Programs, instructors
The following is a list of programs and instructors at the school:
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, Andrew Bartholomew; welding, William Bradley; protective services, Matthew Dunn; cosmetology, Mary Heim; health occupations, Ruth Ann Helfrick; collision repair, Jeremy Johnson; electrical construction, Richard Roughton; culinary arts, James Schiavoni; auto mechanics, Daniel Shuman, and occupational child care, Gwen Spurr.
The school's courses are registered as training providers with the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board data base for eligible funding for adults who qualify through the Pennsylvania CareerLink.
Monaghan said the school is finalizing approval to educate eligible veterans through the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Veterans Administration Division.