The addition of Technical Endorsement on a Regents High School diploma is becoming increasingly valuable to those who receive it. Colleges and employers alike are recognizing the value this endorsement brings. It signifies that the holder not only completed a rigorous academic course of study, but that he or she also acquired additional skills and experiences by being part of a career and technical education. Employers know precisely the level of knowledge and ability our students possess that make them more valuable entry-level employees, often generating a higher starting salary. Colleges likewise perceive the value of a career related education and the Regents Technical Endorsement

To earn the endorsement the student must:

• Pass 5 marking periods
• Pass an industry trade proficiency exam
• Complete a career project
• Complete the School to Work requirement
• Interview a trade professional
• 1 day job shadowing of a trade professional
• Visit one college plus application
• Complete one college application

The purpose of your program at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center is to provide you with the training and skills you will need for useful and gainful employment and post-secondary education. Students with a desire to acquire marketable skills, technical academic skills, and technical knowledge will benefit from a curriculum tailored to the needs of industry and the school districts.

All students are subject to the rules and regulations of their home schools and are also required to adhere to the specific rules of the Career & Technical Center.

Amy Storenski, Principal

Robert Knuschke, Assistant Principal

Genesee Rochetti, Special Education Consultant Teacher

Margaret Short, School Nurse

Ron Bath & Kathryn Flanagan, Guidance Counselors

Alba Gonzalez, Crisis Intervention Specialist

September 3: Superintendent’s Conference Day
September 8: First Day of School for Students
September 17: New Student Orientation Night 
September 28: Yom Kippur
October 12: Columbus Day
November 11: Veterans’ Day
November 19: Parent Report Card Night  
November 25: Superintendent’s Conference Day
November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break
December 24-Jan.1: Winter Holiday
January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 
January 26-29: Regents Week
February 15: Presidents’ Day Observance
February 18: Information Night for Students (snow date 2/23)
March 5: High School Visitation Day/Snow Day 3/12      
March 29-April 2: Spring Holiday
April 16: 2nd High School Visitation Day
TBD: Skills USA Competition
May 6: Honor Society Induction Dinner
May 7: Superintendent’s Conference Day
May 14: 3rd High School Visitation Day
May 31: Memorial Day
TBD: Fashion Show
June 7: Senior Awards Day
June 14: Last Day of Classes 
June 15: C & T Center Graduation
June 16-24: Regents Week

Due to COVID-19, a hybrid schedule has been created to include distance learning and hands-on technology one day per week to allow for proper social distancing.

Transportation is provided from the home schools to the Center. All students are required to ride their assigned buses both ways between home and school and the Career & Technical Center. Driving to the Center is not permitted unless a student has an approved application on file. Students are required to follow all bus rules as set forth by their local school district.

In the event of severely inclement weather or mechanical breakdown, the Center may be closed or on a delay. School closings and delayed starting times will be posted on the Ulster BOCES Website (www.ulsterboces.org) and on Facebook @ Ulster BOCES.

If no report is given, it can be assumed that the Center will be in session.

All students have the opportunity to make-up no more than five (5) days of excused absences (or 2 days in an English class). After successfully completing an assignment given by the teacher, the students’ absences will be reduced by one day to reflect the work completed. 

We understand that unforeseen events can sometimes occur where a student cannot complete the assigned work; therefore, they are able to apply through their guidance counselor for an Incomplete for the marking period. Only one Incomplete per student per year is allowed. Students are responsible for meeting all the requirements of the Incomplete Agreement to change the Incomplete to a grade. 

Grades will be sent directly to the home school from the Guidance office. Teachers are not permitted to give students their grades in advance of the issuance of report cards. 

First Quarter: September 8 to November 13 

Second Quarter: November 16 to January 29

Third Quarter: February 1 to April 9 

Fourth Quarter: April 12 to June 14

Report cards are mailed home every quarter. In addition to a report card from your home school, you will receive a report card from the Career & Technical Center.

Progress reports are mailed directly home every five weeks between quarterly report cards mailings. 

Grading Policy

One of the most serious responsibilities that an instructor faces is evaluating your overall achievement in relationship to what you know and what is expected of you in your chosen occupation. Your instructor will evaluate:

1. PRODUCTIVITY: Quality and quantity of work, use of equipment, tools and materials, instructional application, and attendance.

2. ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES: Homework, assignment completion, notebook requirements, test results, related theory applied to productivity. 

3. PERFORMANCE: Safe practices and attitudes, follows instructions, cooperative behavior and actions.

Each instructor has percentage guidelines, which are proportioned to the curriculum. The instructor will explain the details to the students. All of these factors are considered in the marking system.

Assigning homework serves various educational needs. Homework develops student responsibility and links the school directly to the home. Assignments are most beneficial when they are carefully planned by the teacher and have direct meaning to the student. The homework policy replicates expectations that employers and managers have for employees in the workplace. As employers have the expectation that all work be completed by its due date, it is the Center’s school-wide policy that all homework assignments be submitted on time without exception.     

Employability Skills Competencies

Students can earn a maximum of one credit per quarter if you meet the requirements listed below:

• The student has the required attendance in a given marking period.
• The student receives a grade of 65 or higher.
• Failure in any given marking period results in no credits being issued for that quarter.
• Final averages for the year have no impact on the amount of credits being issued.
• Students who take an academic course at the Center can only earn 3 credits for their technical sequence or ¾ of a credit for each marking period.
• Students who take English at the Center will receive 1 English credit.

Students who enter into a program after the quarter mid-point are not eligible to earn credit for that quarter period.
Students who successfully earn credits are not issued those credits until the end of the school year.

The Career & Technical Center will work in partnership with parents to maintain learning and work environments that support the character development of its students. Character development will reflect and reinforce character and civic values such as honesty, integrity, responsibility, hard work, and respect for others.

Parents, students, and the school community will work together to teach, promote, and model ethical behavior reinforcing community values. The Career & Technical Center will reflect and reinforce positive character traits that embody community values and promote principles of fairness and justice.

The Career & Technical Center opposes harassment of employees and students. This form of misconduct will not be tolerated. Disciplinary actions will be enforced against any student engaging in harassment.

The Career and Tech Center is a PBIS School!

ESP: Get an EDUCATION, Practice SAFETY, Display PROFESSIONALISM

Get an Education

Practice Safety

In the Hallway: Walk, maintain personal space, follow staff requests
In the Classroom: Set up/clean up, use furniture appropriately, respect personal space, use sign-out sheets, follow classroom rules
In the Lab/Shop: Use equipment, tools and technology appropriately, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), be aware, set up/clean up, follow procedures and documentation  

Display Professionalism

In the Hallway: Have a pass, follow handbook dress code, follow cell phone/electronics policy
In the Classroom: Follow program dress code, be a team player, be respectful, maintain positive interactions, follow cell phone/electronics policy
In the Lab/Shop: Follow program dress code, cooperate and collaborate, ask for help, be creative, follow cell phone/electronics policy 

Many workplaces have requirements for appropriate attire that include the removal of hats or headgear. At the Career and Technical Center, we are dedicated to educating our students in developing desirable social and workplace skills; we feel strongly that the hat policy teaches professionalism, good work habits, discipline, and sense of purpose.

The wearing of HEAD GEAR of any kind is NOT allowed in the Center.  Hats can be worn only for safety reasons or as part of a prescribed uniform.

Headgear of any type is not allowed unless it is a requirement for lab as part of a student’s safety equipment.

Plagiarizing is the deliberate use of someone else’s words or ideas without crediting the source. Plagiarizing is unethical and could also be illegal under the author’s fair use terms. It is imperative to cite the source of any information you use in a bibliography. Even if permission to use the information is granted, the source or author should be cited. 

Ulster Career & Tech has a no tolerance policy when it comes to plagiarism. Any student caught plagiarizing will risk suspension and will receive a grade of zero for that assignment.

Students must carry a pass at all times when out of the classroom. The only exception is when going to an academic class. The procedure for using a hallway pass is as follows:

1. Students are not allowed in the hallways without a hallway pass.
2. Students are to use only the hallway pass provided by the instructor.
3. Only one student at a time will be allowed out of the classroom. 
4. The student must sign the Out by Permission sheet.
5. Upon returning, the student will fill in the return time on the Out by Permission sheet.

Any student caught out of class without a written pass is considered out of area and will receive an immediate 1 day out of school suspension. 

Post-secondary articulation is a partnership between colleges or technical schools. The purpose of this partnership is to provide students a career pathway from Ulster BOCES to a college degree, certificate, or apprenticeship. It is done with an articulation agreement between Ulster BOCES and the college that allows students to receive college level credit for completed coursework at Ulster BOCES. Students who successfully complete their coursework at Ulster BOCES with a “B” or better and meet college/technical school requirements can earn college credit. Students will receive the college credits upon admission to the articulated college or technical school.

Certificates are awarded to students who satisfactorily complete the minimum requirements of their course and upon receiving the approval of the staff at the Center. Certificates will specify all trade area competencies achieved. 
 

Students are eligible for the honor roll if they have passed all courses and are enrolled on a full-time basis. A student will be placed on the Honor Roll if they have a grade of 90 or higher, has no referrals and/or suspensions, and has met attendance requirements.

All students enrolled in the Career and Tech programs are encouraged to see their BOCES guidance counselor at least once during the first semester. Any student who is confronted with a problem, whether it concerns educational, personal, social, or career development, may utilize the services of a counselor at the Career and Technical Center.

The Career and Tech guidance counselor works very closely with the home school counselors to assist each student enrolled in a BOCES program and to ensure that each student receives the attention he/she deserves.

To confer with the Career and Tech counselor, students should:

• Make an appointment with the counselor by any of the following means:

  • Request your teacher make an appointment for you.

  • See the counselor before the session begins.

  • Send a request to the counselor via his/her secretary.

• Be patient. The counselor will have the conference with you as soon as possible.  

Guidance and Placement

Guidance and placement services are provided for each student who attends the Center. Students seeking assistance concerning educational, personal, social, or career development should contact the C&T Guidance Counselor. Students who wish to change programs at the Center must consult with the Guidance Counselor.

With the approval of the home school guidance counselor, a student may take academic classes at the Center if scheduling does not allow for the student to take the class at the home school or if a make-up credit is needed. The Career & Technical Center’s guidance counselors can register a student for an academic class here. If the student is registered for an academic class i.e., English, Math, Science, or Career & Financial Management, the amount of credit earned in the vocational course in any given marking period is reduced by ¼ credit for each course enrolled in Career and Technical Center.

Integrated Academic Courses and Credits

REQUIRED EXAMS: Trade Proficiency

As an existing requirement for receiving a Technical Diploma Endorsement, a student must take and pass an industry-based assessment. All students enrolled at the Center will take this trade-specific proficiency exam in May of their senior year.  

NOTE TO PARENTS

Parent Conferences:  At no time should you be in doubt of your child’s progress. You are notified of his/her progress through mid-term reports and the quarterly report card. If you still have questions or feel that there has been a misunderstanding, please call 331-6680 for an appointment with the teacher, counselor, or administrator.

Health: Parents can assure their child’s effectiveness in school by providing good nutrition, adequate rest and cleanliness, as well as medical and dental care. It is imperative that your child’s immunizations, especially tetanus, be kept up-to-date as recommended by your family physician.

If at any time a parent wants to meet with a teacher or the principal, they should call the school to arrange for a meeting. To contact an instructor, call the main office number (331-6680) and leave a message. 

1. If a parental conference is desired, an appointment should be made through the office.

2. Student visits should be arranged through your home school Guidance Office.

SKILLS USA

 Our Center has a local chapter of Skills USA. All students are encouraged to participate. Skills USA promotes the development of business skills and leadership abilities. The practical application of these skills enhances the student’s technical education. State and regional competitions, as well as conferences, are available to all participants. Student members are eligible to participate in conferences and competitions. 

NATIONAL TECHNICAL HONOR SOCIETY

The National Technical Honor Society is a non-profit honors organization for students enrolled in any occupational or technical program. Its purpose is to promote leadership, honesty, skilled workmanship, and career development, as well as provide a strong link between the local vocational institutions, and business and industry. It is a major proponent of promoting a positive image of technical education in America.  Students qualifying for membership must meet stringent requirements. The chapter searches out students who establish and maintain an average of 90% or higher, are in the top 10% of their trade class, and have an absentee rate of only two excused days for the year, and need the recommendation from a teacher. Every student is a potential candidate at any time during his or her enrollment.