BCIT Brief
September 2016, Edition #21
Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
Thank you,
Laura Geltch
A letter from Dr. Christopher Nagy, Superintendent of Schools
September 2016
Welcome back to school BCIT!
We here at the Burlington County Institute of Technology have embraced a culture that supports a Core Four philosophy adopted from the Nokia Corporation that emphasizes:
- Customer satisfaction
- Respect for the individual
- Achievement
- Continuous learning
We believe:
A focus on data and literacy for life allows us to customize learning and improve achievement. Continuous learning entitles our students to develop themselves and find ways to improve their performance. And what’s true for the individual is just as true for our school district and staff. An emphasis on staff development assures that our students are positioned for success.
Our mission is focused on your children to be prepared adolescent and adult students ready to enter the workforce and/or continue their education. We embrace a vision of college and/or career readiness for all students.
BCIT offers a number of advantages compared to a comprehensive high school program. Parents, you have made a wise choice to send your children to BCIT. Here are some of the advantages of a Career and Technical Education (CTE):
- Career and Technical Education at the high school and post-secondary levels
- Training to support Department of Labor in demand career areas
- The ability to earn stackable industry credentials
- The pursuit of post-secondary academic goals while earning college credits
- The opportunity to participate in Career Academies, clubs and athletics
- Adult Education and Apprenticeship opportunities and college credit
- Immersion in a school culture that supports a focus on lifelong learning
- Engagement in a school culture that promotes flourishing, balance and wellbeing
- Upon completion, students’ earnings potential is significantly higher over a lifetime due to earned credentials, college partnerships and with little or no accumulated debt.
- High graduation success rate
- Ability to accelerate college education and decrease expense for college tuition
- Ability to take advantage of post-secondary options for apprenticeships in our adult division and earn college credit
In the coming year, our primary focus will be the critical work of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, that is teaching and learning. Our specific objectives are to:
- Improve the use of data to promote student achievement
- Improve students’ reading and literacy skills
- Promote the use of math in real-world contexts, specifically within career majors
- Enhance school culture
- Increase and refine communication with parents/guardians and other stakeholders
We look forward to a great year and thank you for the gift of your children and opportunity to change their lives and position them for success. I look forward to reporting on our progress throughout the year and encourage you to follow my blog postings which provide more up to date changes.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Nagy
Superintendent of Schools
Click HERE for Dr. Nagy's BCIT web page & blog
Check out our brand NEW BCIT informational video!
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:
A letter from Mr. Patrick Cruet, BCIT Adult Education Principal
September 2016
Welcome back to another exciting school year at BCIT Adult Education. Adult Education stands ready to assist you in achieving your academic and vocational goals. Our classes are developed to prepare students for employment, lifelong learning, and furthering their existing education. BCIT is a “Go To” solution for certification, licensing, instruction, customized business training, and apprenticeships.
This year enrollment is currently at 330 students, and it continues to rise. It may be because BCIT Adult Education offers more than 50 courses each semester in which students may complete a “Career in a Year” program! BCIT continues to expand course offerings in new and emergent fields that support the state’s targeted industry sectors, while promoting employment and skill development. In addition to courses that provide certification, there are skill building and introductory courses. These courses provide our students a leg up when searching for that perfect job; we believe in training students not just for jobs but also for life long careers.
BCIT Adult Education continues to enroll students who want to prepare themselves for the future with on-the-job training in a highly skilled career. Apprenticeships are paid jobs. Someone who is new to the field (the apprentice) learns the skills needed for a job. Master craftsmen, who are experts in their field, train apprentices. They share skills and knowledge to help the apprentice become an expert too. Apprenticeships include classroom lessons to make sure the apprentice masters all aspects of the job. BCIT Adult Education continues to assist apprenticeships and sponsors with their needs. This year, in addition to Electrical and Plumbing apprenticeship programs, we now offer Pipefitting and Sheet Metal apprenticeships.
The Adult Education department continues to refine the blue print to meet the needs of businesses and our students. We are creating opportunities for skill development assuring employability, the ability to stack credentials and to provide for sustainability of the value of a BCIT education. BCIT continues to make career dreams become a reality. Discover Your Potential at BCIT Adult Education.
Patrick Cruet
BCIT Adult Education Principal
First Day of School on our Medford Campus!
First Day of School on our Westampton Campus!
BCIT Student Spotlight
Student Spotlight: BCIT Medford Student, Anastasia Harmon
Anastasia is a BCIT Medford Entertainment Technologies Senior from Pemberton.
Anastasia chose BCIT because she felt it was an opportunity to grow, mature, and learn a new trade. "BCIT felt really good from the beginning. I did know some of my friends from home, but it wasn’t hard to make new friends from new towns."
When asked why she chose Entertainment Technologies, Anastasia explained, “I chose Entertainment Technologies because I immediately connected with Mr. Paiano and the current seniors. The classroom felt inviting and I was interested in working with the cameras–-particularly taking pictures. I plan to continue taking photos into my adulthood.”
Anastasia is passionate about Student Council. She has been a member all four years at BCIT. When asked what she loves about student council, Anastasia replied "we get to do fundraising for local families. As a student council member, I have participated in food drives, toy drives, and clothing drives during Pride week – all going towards local families in need. When you see the bags of clothes coming in from our students, it’s heartwarming knowing that I helped bring these items to families who need them."
Giving back is a legacy in Anastasia's family. "My Mom and Great-grandmom used to donate their time at food kitchens, soup kitchens, or even help families in need in the grocery line. That’s a wonderful karma. It’s a pay it forward mentality, good karma is something we do; we help those in need," remarked Anastasia.
Spanish class was notably her favorite class to date. "Mr. Gonzalez’s energy was infectious; we laughed while we learned. He inspired me to work harder in my class and learn the culture of Spanish, making me want to try harder. We were challenged and learned how to communicate and learn through his positive vibe and spirit," said Anastasia with a smile.
Anastasia is a certified volunteer EMT with the Pemberton Twp Fire Dept. Station 183. Anastasia began volunteering about one year ago, at the age of 16. "I applied to the fire house as volunteer, in an effort to learn more about behind the scenes of a firehouse. The firemen and EMTs are my second family." Anastasia is a certified EMT, beginning her three years of “ride-along training” as well as a first-responder. "I love the adrenalin rush and helping people. I will continue working as an EMT after I graduate. I want to become a Paramedic," explained Anastasia.
Anastasia shared her BCIT experience summed up below:
"Freshman year was challenging for me; I worried I wouldn’t make friends and I was worried I wouldn’t find a career major that truly inspired me. I soon realized this was exactly where I wanted to be. This place has a wonderful vibe and if I went back in time, I would choose BCIT all over again. High School challenges you – it’s four years of your life and you have classes for long periods and you need to find your support system. This school and my mom have gotten me through my high school years."
Anastasia is an inspiration to her generation. BCIT wishes her continued success in her spirit of paying it forward and selfless acts as a community volunteer.
Laura Geltch, Program & Community Coordinator
BCIT In The News! Burlington County Times
Student Activity Fair: Medford Gets Proactive!
The Medford campus asked all students and staff to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey for the One Book, One School summer reading program this year. Each habit in the book reminds students that they have the power to make their lives great. It empowers them to be their best selves and encourages them to become college and career ready for a successful future. The members of the National Honor Society, with the help of their adviser, Ms. Kaplan, volunteered to coordinate yearlong projects associated with each of the 7 habits presented in this book.
To kick-off the first habit, ‘Be Proactive!’ and encourage students to get involved in the school community, NHS members planned a number of student-centered activities. They presented morning announcements to highlight each of the student activities and clubs offered at the school, created a 'Habits Spotlight' in the hallway to highlight the habits throughout the year, and developed presentation slides to be viewed by students during lunch periods. They passed out '7 Habits' posters to teachers to post in their classrooms and on September 22 they held a student activities fair during lunch. They dedicated their lunch times to work the tables, share information about the activities, and encourage students to get involved. There was a record number of sign ups and students were grateful for this opportunity. As one upper classman said, “I wish they had this when I was a freshman!”
Kudos to all of the students who made the commitment to get involved and to all of the members of the National Honor Society who dedicated their time and energy to make this such a success!
Mrs. Jaqueline Brownell
Supervisor of Instruction-Humanities
BCIT 2016 Summer Camp
Click HERE to view the 2016 BCIT Brief Special Summer Camp Newsletter editions.
Registration for our 2017 BCIT Summer Camp opens February 1, 2017.
Register early! Our camps fill up fast.
Click HERE for the 2016-17 BCPDI Online Brochure. Register today!
Save the Date! BCIT Fall Discovery Night
October 20, 2016
6 - 8 p.m.*
Westampton & Medford Campuses
*Please Note: NEW Time
Congratulations to our Westampton Campus Engineering students!
Congratulations staff and students!
Teacher: Mrs. Dawn Morgan
Westampton Girls Varsity Soccer
Medford Girls Varsity Soccer - Medford vs. Westampton
Medford Boys Varsity Soccer
Westampton Boys Varsity Soccer
Westampton Boys J.V. Soccer
BCIT Medford Varsity Field Hockey
BCIT Medford Campus September 2016 Newsletter
The BCIT Foundation happily announces that South Jersey Industries has awarded the school a $2,230 grant. Our Medford campus will use this grant to buy equipment that HVAC/R students will use as they learn how to diagnose and repair components in the field.
Industry advisors to BCIT have suggested that the school add testing packages with wireless transmitters, like the kind that are regularly used in the field. Those units allow technicians to get data from an outdoor compressor, for example, while they are inside measuring air temperature output. While the BCIT classroom doesn’t face the same distance challenges as exist in the field, we want graduates to be familiar with the kind of technology they will see on the job. The package also stores pre- and post-work check lists and assists with in-depth system diagnostics.
South Jersey Industries is a collection of utilities that includes South Jersey Gas and South Jersey Energy. SJI names voc-tech education as one of its philanthropic priorities, and it has given the Foundation grants for the school in each of the past four years.
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.
Save the date: Designer Bag Bingo
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Reservations for this hot seller start in late August.
Our popular Designer Bag Bingo fundraisers are known for fun times, fabulous prizes, and a huge 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 and VISA door prizes! Our fifth sell-out event in March broke our previous record by handing more than $1,500 to the winner of the 50-50 Game!
“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., Oct. 13 in the Westampton Atrium
- 6 pm Doors Open, 7 pm Games Begin
- $25 per person until Sept. 13, then $30 per person
- Admission covers cards for 6 Regular games. Card packs for 10 Special games and a 50-50 game will be available for purchase.
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! Reservations open late August. Get all the details 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.
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BCIT Adult Education has a New Facebook Page!
Complimentary Info Session: BCAS Campus, Mt. Laurel
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. Contact person: Peggy Heller, pheller@bcsssd.k12.nj.us
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.