BCIT Brief
January 2017, Edition #25
Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
Thank you,
Laura Geltch
A letter from Dr. Christopher Nagy, Superintendent of Schools
January 2017
Dear BCIT Community,
A Note of Recognition
I would like to take this time to congratulate all of those recognized over the past two weeks across the District and selected among their colleagues as Teacher of the Year, Teacher Assistant of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the Year. Honorees received a visit from the administration, were presented flowers and were recognized among students and staff. One from each category will move forward in the process to be considered in that same category on the State level. On behalf of the Board, administration, staff and students, we salute all of our honorees for the 2016-2017 year. Please see my blog for details for each honoree.
Dr. Christopher Nagy
Superintendent of Schools
Click HERE for Dr. Nagy's BCIT web page & blog
BCIT Board of Education Policies & Regulations
Click HERE for the 2016-17 Board of Education Meeting Notes. Please review and reference pertinent policies as applicable.
Board of Education policies and regulations online link:
BCIT Adult Education
Upcoming Career Exploration dates:
Mr. Bruce Garganio presents to Adult Ed. Welders
Welding is an in demand career field supported by the Department of Labor.
Last night, Mr. Bruce Garganio, Burlington County Chosen Freeholder Deputy Director and Council Representative of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters addressed 35 adult students providing the value of joining the carpenter’s union and the benefits afforded welders including earning additional stackable credentials including apprenticeships. He also talked about other career paths that need welders.
APPLY NOW for the 2017-2018 School Year at BCIT!
Click HERE for the 2016-17 BCPDI Online Brochure. Register today!
BCPDI Training - January 11, 2017
Presenter: Elizabeth Janowiak
Save the Date! BCIT Winter Discovery Night
February 21, 2017
6 - 8 p.m.*
Westampton & Medford Campuses
Snow Date: Feb. 23, 2017
*Please Note: NEW Time
Summer Camp Registration goes LIVE February 1st!
BCIT 2017 Summer Camp
BCIT 2017 Summer Camp Brochure
Registration for our 2017 BCIT Summer Camp opens February 1, 2017.
Register early! Our camps fill up fast.
Archives: Click HERE to view the 2016 BCIT Brief Special Summer Camp Newsletter editions.
BCIT Students/Staff of the Month - December
9th – Zachary Knapp
10th – Maura Slocum
11th – Amanda Wells
12th – Kylie O'Hara
Staff Member of the Month: Ms. Bartello
Support Staff Member of the Month: Mr. Cimoch
Westampton Campus
9th – Maison Lincoln
10th – Rachel Dubell
11th – Nathaniel Rowe
12th – Quintin Cartwright-
Most Improved - Joaniel (Alex) Delgado Colon
Student Athlete - Ayana London
Congratulations to the 2016-17 BCIT Teachers of the Year!
Medford Campus:
Teacher of the Year: Mr. Terence Ward
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Ms. Ellen Dragish
Educational Services Professional of the Year: Lori Ilconich
Westampton Campus:
Teacher of the Year: Joseph Rivera
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Lydia Lopez
Educational Services Professional of the Year: Kyle Lawrence
Congratulations letter from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Nagy
Literacy - Begin with the end in mind
In December, students at Medford campus continued celebrating the one book, one school summer read, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. Students submitted vision boards to showcase their future goals in honor of the second habit, ‘Begin with the end in mind’. The vision boards were judged and three winners were chosen.
Congratulations to Ben Huddell, Gabriela Berdugo-Hernandez, and Diamond Harris! Thank you to members of NHS, Ms. Kaplan, Ms. Forline, and Ms. Jurkowitsch for all of their time and effort. Gratitude is extended to all of the students who submitted such fine examples of their future aspirations. In his book, Sean Covey states, “You’re at a critical crossroads in life and the paths you choose now can affect you forever.” Setting and visualizing goals can ensure that you control your own destiny. Beginning with the end in mind reminds us to do just that.
Mrs. Jackie Brownell
Supervisor of Instruction-Humanities
Advanced Manufacturing in high demand!
Advanced Manufacturing business professionals from across Burlington County and around New Jersey attended a meeting this morning with BCIT Medford and RCBC staff. Our program offers state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing training to high school and adult learners. The demand is high for skilled manufacturing workers.
Mr. Staff (BCIT) and Mr. Evangelista (RCBC) proudly presented our curriculum and workshop's high-tech machines.
Save the Date: Designer Bag Bingo on Thursday, March 16
Our popular Designer Bag Bingo fundraisers are known for fun times, fabulous prizes, and an enviable 50-50 cash pot! Sell-out crowds bring snacks, enthusiasm and luck to the Atrium at Westampton campus for friendly games with Coach and Kors rewards -- plus more than 20 Coach door prizes!
“Party of 8” reservations are guaranteed to a table by themselves; players who reserve 7 or fewer spots will find seats on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Thu., March 16 in the Westampton Atrium
- 6 p.m. Doors Open, 7 p.m. Games Begin
- $30 per person for Admission Plus 10 games
Proceeds benefit the Foundation’s mission to support the school’s students and staff with education-based technology and post-secondary scholarships. Get in on the games! All the details are at www.bcit.cc/foundation; click on “Designer Bag Bingo.”
Does your company want 300 pairs of eyes on its logo? Sponsorships range from $100 to $1,000 and include event signage, website recognition and player seats.
Questions? Call the Foundation at 609-267-4226, ext. 8335 or send an email to foundation@bcit.cc.
This event is not affiliated with Coach Inc. or Michael Kors. BCIT Foundation will operate this event under state ID #329-5-34741 and municipal permit BA3-2017.
Renee Janowicz
Director, BCIT Foundation
609-267-4226, ext. 8335
BCIT Foundation supports students and staff with education-based technology and post-secondary scholarships. Join the cause at www.bcit.cc/foundation.
Medford Arts students win big! NJ Thespian Festival
Congratulations to our Academy of Performing Arts students!
"Good Morning!"
Performed by our Academy for Performing Arts students
Great job, Zaire Carter, D'Ionna West & Jahmar Ortiz
Congratulations to the Members of International Thespian Society Troupe 7891 for their outstanding NJ Thespian Festival performances! Congratulations to our medal winners -
For Monologue Performance - Molly Gruberg, Jake Zeff, Danielle Stefanick, & Shanice Brown
Qualifying for Nationals are:
Contrasting Monologues – Diamond Harris, Zaire Carter, & Amos Koffa
Musical Theatre Solo - Molly Gruberg, Ay'Onna Bloodworth, D’Ionna West & Jake Zeff
Musical Theatre Duet - Jahmar Ortiz and D'Ionna West
Group Musical Theatre - "Good Morning" - Zaire Carter, D'Ionna West and Jahmar Ortiz
"Cell Block Tango" - Diamond Harris. Maura Slocum. Courtney Tuck, Desiree Smith, Lauren Quattrocchi and Imani Davis
Our school took Third place in the Advanced Tech Challenge Competition - with a team of Olivia Grant, Danielle Stefanick, Alanna DelGaldo, Jesenia Sosa-Sanchez, D'Ionna West and Jayden Jefferson
And Best Actor in the Chapter Select plays went to Jahmar Ortiz for his performance in "Flowers for Algernon."
BCIT Medford's Academy for Performing Arts Dance students were featured by Rick Decker Photography.
January Art on Display
BCIT Westampton Campus
"Fundamentals of Art"
On display January 2017 District Central Office Lobby
Congratulations to our DECA students!
SkillsUSA
These students from our Westampton Campus have advanced to the next round at Harrah’s in Atlantic City on February 21st.
Alexander Xie, Gabriel Casado, Diahann McRoy, and Austin Dasher
Tag us on Twitter! We love hearing from our students and families! @BCITTweets
In the News!
Burlington County Expands Job Program
BCIT Press Releases
Catawba inducts two into Athletic Training Hall of Fame
Congratulations Medford Campus Sports Medicine teacher, Mrs. JoAnn Sienkiewicz!
Westampton's History class connects with Germany's past in Ms. Breisacher's class
Ms. Breisacher writes,
I wanted to update you with my latest letter project. I worked with a teacher in Germany who challenged his students to interview their families to find out what their stories were during WWII. They then wrote to each of my students individually to tell them these stories. When I received the letters and began to read them, I completely changed my intent for this project. I expected a lot of letters would have information purposely omitted and would voice a very proud, strong message of German strength. We have such a vision of what the war was like in Germany from an American perspective, but from their point of view, it was more about surviving the war with the Russians. The stories were all about loved ones lost on the frontlines, their villages being taken over, and other personal atrocities that happened to their families. As Americans, we have family stories of our loved ones and neighbors that fought overseas that they brought back with them, but the Germans have stories of what happened literally in their backyards. It was eye opening, even for me. I was especially floored that none of them mentioned the Holocaust, which we generally think of as the number one issue with the Nazis and WWII. It is not forgotten in Germany by any means, and they are very ashamed of that part of their history, but the actual genocide is viewed “separately” from the actual combat war. When I asked the teacher about this, he explained this phenomenon as follows:
“I must confess that myself I was surprised that Hitler and the genocide did not occure more in the letters. My instruction to the students was to talk about the experiences of their families during the war, so the content of the letters really shows the mental approach of the older generation towards the war.
Concerning the students, we will talk about the Hitler Regime and the genocide next year for the first time in school. I am sure that they are aware of the Genocide, but I made no introduction before, nore [sic] did I directly advise them to ask their grandparents about their attitude towards the Hitler Regime.
I think that in the memories of the families, the genocide often is not seen in such a closed relation with the war. The war - this is for many of them the history of being forced in the army, fighting against the Russians, suffering bombardements, escape from and occupation by the Russians after the war.
And, I think, there is another point: Delitzsch [city in Germany] is in the former GDR, which had a strong antifascist history doctrine. I remember that in my school manuals before 1989 (I went to school from 1897 on) we read about the "fascists" that committed atrocities during the war, and I questioned myself all time who was these men. It was only later that I understood, that my grandpa was one of the soldiers of Hitler. The GDR identity was to say: "we eliminated all the fascists", so that the normal citizen could say: it was not my family! and did not reflected so deeply about it.
I think that in letters from western Germany you would perhaps read more reflections about the relation between Hitler dictature and personal history... between the 70s, there is a deeper tradition of commemorating and reflecting public and personal responsibility...”
So my original intention of just passing back and forth stories about the war with another major player turned itself around to a lesson in analyzing different perspectives of the same event. The students really enjoyed this and, as an side, were also very excited that many of the German students shared their personal social media names, so they were able to start interacting with them instantly. I have attached some pictures as well. Some are from my classroom, some are pictures that the German students sent of family heirlooms, and some are modern day pictures of their town that they either emailed me directly or sent their pen pals on Snapchat and Instagram.
If anyone has any further interest in this, I have all the letters from them scanned. I would be happy to share them.
Congratulations BCIT Westampton Basketball player, Isaiah Harris
The senior is a forward for the 2017 Panthers boys basketball team. We spent some time getting to know him better.
Why do you wear No. 14?
When I came in this year I decided I needed a new number for a new year. It's going to stay with me no matter what I do. It has started off well for me this year.
When did you start playing basketball?
I really started in the last year of middle school. Until I got to high school I didn't really know what it was like. I just started at first because everyone said, "you're tall, you should play."
Is there another sport you would like to try?
No. Only basketball. That's all there is.
Who is your biggest role model?
I have to say my mom and and my grandma. They've always been there for me. Through thick and thin, whenever I have needed anybody, it's been them.
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
I want to take basketball as far as it will take me. Maybe to play overseas. If not that, then maybe I can be a marketing manager, an accountant or something involving business. I want to be a successful businessman.
New member of the 1000 Point Club!
Congratulations Medford Senior Varsity Basketball player, Aziz Parker and Coach Powell.
Aziz is now a member of the 1000 Point Club!
Boys Varsity Basketball - West. vs. Medford
Squam Barred Owl visits Medford Campus
2016-17 BCIT Upcoming Events
National CTE Month
February
National Honor Society Induction - Westampton Campus
Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.
Discovery Night - both campuses
Feb. 21, 2017 6 - 8 p.m. (snow date: 2/23/17)
Spring Program Advisory Board Meeting - Westampton Campus
Apr. 6, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
BCIT Medford Spring Musical: Singing in the Rain - Medford Campus
Mar. 31, April 1, 7 & 8, 7 p.m.
Vocal & Instrumental Music Concert - Medford Campus
May 11, 7 p.m.
Dance Concert - Medford Campus
May 24 & 25, 7 p.m.
BCIT Accepted Student Day - Westampton
Jun. 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
BCIT Accepted Student Day - Medford
Jun. 8, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Check out our updated BCIT informational video!
BCIT Adult Education has a New Facebook Page!
Like us on Facebook!
2ndFloor.org Youth Helpline
In NJ, youth have an anonymous and confidential helpline to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-888-222-2228 to speak with someone who will listen attentively and compassionately to any issues you are facing.
ANY CALL, ANY TIME - we are always here and ready to help.
Emergency Closing/Delayed Opening Procedures:
In the event of a campus emergency or inclement weather, staff members will be contacted via email, phone message, and text message. In addition, we will post a Special Alert Message on our website.
Staff Members, Help us Contact You.
Have you moved? Have you changed your phone number or email address? Please make sure to update your information with BCIT Personnel.
Employee Data Change Form: EMPLOYEE DATA CHANGE FORM 12.2.14 EDCF.pdf
Note: Staff are required to submit a signed EDCF when requesting changes to their personnel profile.
EDCF should be sent to personnel: bcsssdpersonnel@bcsssd.k12.nj.us or BCITPersonnel@bcit.cc
Students will be contacted using information stored in Genesis, our electronic student database. Parents should be reminded to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. Any changes should be reported to the main office of the student's school.