Bristol County Agricultural High School: Aggie Weekly-June 22nd

Aggie Weekly

Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members:

This week we were not going to send out another newsletter, however, we have so much positive news to share, we couldn’t resist! We have $500,000 reasons to send this week’s newsletter! See the press release below. Additionally, our freshman were placed in their majors and we heard some much positive feedback from both students, parents, and staff. Monday is a half day, and then it is time for the summer!

Bristol Aggie students can graduate from BA with a Certificate of Entrepreneurship and 29 credits towards an associates degree!

Bristol Aggie is teaming up with Old Colony Regional Vocational High School and Bristol Community College. Old Colony has opened seats into their new L.A.U.N.C.H. Program for Bristol Aggie students. This opportunity is open to any grade level. Click HERE for a full package of information. Please contact Mrs. VanRotz for more information and to enroll in the program. The LAUNCH program focuses on developing skills in finance, human resource management, management principles, marketing, purchasing, and sales that are needed for establishing and operating a new business. All courses are held at Old Colony in Rochester, MA.

In the Classroom:

Ag Mec: On Thursday, Mr. Howard (Agricultural Mechanics Department Chair), Ms. Peters (Director of Agriculture and Vocational Education), and Mr. Braga (Assistant Superintendent/Principal) were presented with $500,000 ($499,966 to be exact)from Governor Charlie Baker. That brings our total to $1,000,000 in grants this year alone. Agricultural Mechanics will be getting some much needed updated equipment.

Bristol County Agricultural High School: $499,966: Bristol County Agricultural High School will expand upon its Agricultural Mechanics program. The equipment will be used in the Ready-Set-Go welding center that will house a strong line of CNC equipment (plasma cutter, Mill, slant bed with lathe) and a mechanical CAD design lab. The equipment will allow the school to expand upon its evening school and specialty workshop offerings to include multiple levels of mechanical engineering, manufacturing, as well as the service technician industry. Students will be eligible to receive the 10-Hour OSHA General Industry Card/Credential, Outdoor Power Equipment Technician Certifications, CPR/First Aid, Two Stroke Engines, Four Stroke Engines, and Compact Diesel Engines.

Capital Skills Press Release:

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $10.9 Million in Skills Capital Grants
Administration has awarded more than $48 million to high schools and colleges in the Commonwealth
Governor Charlie Baker | Lt. Governor Karyn Polito
James Peyser, Education Secretary
Rosalin Acosta, LWD Secretary
Jay Ash, HED Secretary
Governor's Press Office
Governor Baker an Salem High School announcing Skills Capital Grants.

SALEM — The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $10.9 million in Skills Capital Grants to 33 high schools and educational institutions, enabling the schools to acquire the newest technologies to educate students and expand programs. The awards were announced as part of Governor Charlie Baker’s visit to Salem High School with Mayor Kim Driscoll. With today’s announcement, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $48 million to 157 different programs over the past three years.

Skills Capital Grants are designed to help high schools, colleges and other educational institutions invest in the most up-to-date training equipment to give their students an advantage when they continue in their chosen field or particular area of study. Skills Capital Grants cover a broad array of fields, from construction and engineering to healthcare and hospitality.

“The equipment purchased by high schools and colleges over the past three years through Skills Capital Grants has directly impacted the educational experience for thousands of Massachusetts students to better prepare them for the workforce,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “This program has had a positive impact on students in the Commonwealth and we look forward to working with the Legislature to include $75 million worth of funding for Skills Capital Grants as part of the Economic Development bill we filed in the spring.”

“By giving our students the opportunity to learn on the newest technologies, we are ensuring they will be better prepared to succeed when they graduate from high school,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “We look forward to continuing our work with these 33 high schools and previous awardees to enhance their programs and develop a skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of the Commonwealth.”

The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand, in order to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state.

“Schools that receive these competitive grants are giving their students a head start by creating relationships with local employers who provide input and expertise about the skills and knowledge they will need to be successful in the future,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

“Massachusetts’ continued low unemployment rates, coupled with job and labor force gains, has also created a tight labor market in which more and more employers are finding it difficult to recruit workers with the skills necessary to fuel their growth needs,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “The Workforce Skills Capital grant program has had great success in closing those skills gaps and ensuring that the next generation of workers in the Commonwealth has the training necessary to access our high demand job sectors.”

“Massachusetts is a national leader in life sciences, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “These grants will help ensure a strong pipeline of talented workers throughout the Commonwealth to support these key industries. A skilled workforce is essential for Massachusetts to have an edge in attracting employers in these sectors to locate and expand here, and for adding great jobs now, and in the future.”

“High schools and colleges within the 2nd Essex District have significantly benefitted from the Skills Capital Grant,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “These funds give students the opportunity to excel their educational experience by training and using the latest technologies and equipment in the classroom.”

“I am very pleased Salem High School has received its first Skills Capital Grant, and would like to congratulate the school. The Skills Grant program has been incredibly beneficial to schools in the 7th Essex District and across the North Shore, and is crucial to the success of our students,” Representative Paul Tucker (D-Salem) said.

The Skills Capital Grants are awarded by Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet. Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito created the Workforce Skills Cabinet in 2015, bringing together the Secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development in order to align education, economic development and workforce policies, and to strategize around how to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers in each region of the state.

Arbor: The Arboriculture Department had a week of team building with the newly placed freshmen and current sophomores. There was a little competition built in as well. Students also participated in arboriculture related obstacle courses and got to hang out in trees for the morning! As you can see, Mrs. VanRotz and Mr. Higgins teamed up with Mr. Cook and Ms. Duffy to create a dominant staff team for the GroundCrew Challenge. Great job Mr. Cook and Mrs. Duffy for building comradery in your department and making your new recruits feel welcome!

Small Animal Science: Newly placed freshmen were able to take part in a GooseChase scavenger hunt throughout the small animal science building. They had to complete challenges such as creating a rabbit jump course and demonstrating (looks like the new BA hurdles club), as well as finding and identify different species in our building. Students were encouraged to be creative in their pictures with the different species. We all know birds love dabbing.

Junior majors also performed their final practicums for their Veterinary Assisting course this week, demonstrating their skills on complete bovine and canine wellness exams.