P-TECH East Campus @ Watervliet
Update - October 18, 2019
WNYT Meteorologist Visit
10th grade students recently completed their first project on weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. As part of their learning, WNYT 13 Meteorologist Reid Kisselback came to P-TECH on October 8 to talk to students about the science and technology behind predicting the weather and creating a weather report for TV. Mr. Kisselback is a graduate of Cohoes High School and UAlbany and he shared information about his career path that led to the job with WNYT.
Thank you for the visit, Mr. Kisselback!
October is Cybersecurity Month!
P-TECH Course Updates
Global Studies:
Students in Global Studies have been engaging in a number of artistic mini projects to help them understand what feudalism looked like in Western Europe after the fall of Rome and Japan during the time of the Samurai. They have also been learning about the achievements of the Islamic scholars during the Islamic Empire as it spread during the middle ages.
Math:
The Algebra students are working on solving various types of multi-step equations. The Geometry students just finished a unit on parallel and perpendicular lines and will be starting work with triangles.
Science:
In 9th grade, students explored teenage psychology by learning brain structure, researching the effects of stress on the brain, and holding class discussions about different methods of learning.
In 10th grade, students practiced their use of scales and proportions while turning the science room into a model of the solar system!
ELA:
Last week in English 9, students wrapped up the first novel, Speak, with a creative project which focused on symbolism. Throughout the text, the protagonist, Melinda, had to create a tree which symbolized her. Similar to Melinda, the students each got their own object and had to find a way to creatively make it represent them.
This week, we started the next unit, Romeo and Juliet. With their knowledge of Shakespeare, evidence from the text, and the content they will learn in living environment, students will debate "Were Romeo and Juliet's deaths a result of fate or free will?"
Last week in English 11, the 10th grade students wrapped up their Creation Myth unit with a creative pottery project. Using their knowledge of the different Creation Myths, students chose one and depicted a significant scene from the text on either a plate or a bowl. They then presented their pottery to their peers.
This week, English 11 also started their Shakespeare unit with Macbeth. Using their close reading strategies, students analyzed the characters in the text and made predictions as to which role each character will play moving forward, based on the prophecy the witches gave Macbeth in the opening scenes.
Business 101 and Career Exploration
On Friday, October 25, 9th grade students will have an opportunity to learn about careers in technology from a local company.
This same day, 10th grade students will participate in a session focused on Networking and Effective Communication.
Representatives from Allaant, MVP, Adnet, and NYS Department of Information Technology will be on site to work with students on these topics.
Standards Based Grading
*Remember that the 1st Marking Period ends on November 8.
Future Ready Skills
In standards-based systems, teachers separate academic performance from classroom behaviors. Behaviors are reported on a separate section of the report card.
The curriculum and structure has been designed to support student development in Future-Ready Skills. This means they will be given opportunities to develop skills in:
Active learning
Collaboration
Being a productive member of the community
Do you know an 8th grade student who might be interested in P-TECH?
Important Dates
Friday, October 25 - Business 101 and Career Exploration Sessions
Tuesday, November 5 - No School for Students - Professional Development Day
Friday, November 8 - End of Marking Period 1
Monday, November 11 - No School - Veterans' Day
Thursday, November 14 - 10th Grade Trip to UAlbany Drone Lab (More information to follow)
P-TECH Contact Information
To contact P-TECH staff, please use the email addresses below, or call (518)629-3331. Please note that this line is not always accessible to our staff. If it is an emergency, or you need immediate assistance, please call the Watervliet Jr./Sr. HS main line at (518)629-3300.
Kurt Redman kurt.redman@neric.org - P-TECH Principal
Tim Honsinger tim.honsinger@neric.org – School Counselor
Katherine Burke katherine.burke@neric.org – Social Studies Teacher
Kirsten Dunn kirsten.dunn@neric.org – English Teacher
Genevieve Balunis Genevieve.Balunis@neric.org – Science Teacher
Chelsea Abady Chelsea.Abady@neric.org – Math Teacher