P-TECH Watervliet Weekly Update
May 24, 2019
Quarter 3 Recognition
Personal Accountability - Stephen Franco
Empowerment - Diogenes George
Collaboration - Colin Foster
P-TECH learns about careers and technology from local experts
A pair of area executives talked about careers, technology and the high speed intersection of both during a Thursday presentation to students in the Capital Region BOCES Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program East Campus at Watervliet High School.
Nate Sims, operation manager of the Times Union Center and Charlene Maroni of the New York State Office of Information Technology Services, spoke with freshmen in the innovate, first-year program that is run by Capital Region BOCES in conjunction with the Capital Region Chamber, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College.
The duo spoke about their careers, their workplaces and how technology is utilized. They also fielded questions from the students.
“This interaction is important because we are looking to build the next generation of innovators,” said Maroni.
Sims seconded Maroni’s take on the presentation.
“It’s good to get out of my four walls and visit with kids and give them some inspiration for the future, while getting some inspiration myself,’ he said.
P-TECH Principal Kurt Redman said the presentation and discussions are just the latest from local business and industry experts who work with the Chamber and P-TECH to expose students to technology in the workplace and present them with various options for their professional futures.
“Through these interactions, we are trying to give students all of the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their future and future careers,” Redman said.
Offered to students throughout the region, P-TECH provides not only a high school education, but a pathway for students to earn free college degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity.
The P-TECH curriculum focuses on engaging students in hands-on, project-based learning to be successful in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and providing students with workplace skills that will ensure success, no matter the career path they are applied to. Through the program, business partners provide students access to cutting-edge technologies and innovations that allow them to see the real-world application of the knowledge they are gaining at P-TECH.
Student Profile
The soft-spoken freshman from Watervliet is one about three-dozen students in the innovative four- to six-year program (grades 9-14) offered to students throughout the region at two campuses - east campus is at Watervliet High School and west campus at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen.
“I used to be really shy but by going here and learning how to solve problems on our own and within a group and having to seek help when we need it, I have learned to be more outgoing,” said Rockenstire.
Rockenstire aspires to a career either in journalism or photography and sees the skills she is learning at P-TECH, such as being outgoing as well as the technological skills, as giving her a huge advantage to help her achieve her goals.
“I like writing and I also like art and taking photos. I enjoy creativity. … P-TECH is helping me learn the skills like editing photos online and creating webpages that I will need if I pursue those careers,” she said.
Offered to students throughout the region through a consortium that includes Capital Region BOCES, the Capital Region Chamber, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College, P-TECH provides not only a high school education, but a pathway for students to earn free college degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity.
“It’s really nice to be able to get a free college degree because I know how hard it is for families to pay for those degrees,” Rockenstire said. “If I had to pay for it, it would be really hard.”
The P-TECH curriculum focuses on engaging students in hands-on, project-based learning to be successful in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and providing students with workplace skills that will ensure success, no matter the career path they are applied to. Through the program, business partners provide students access to cutting-edge technologies and innovations that allow them to see the real-world application of the knowledge they are gaining at P-TECH.
“I chose P-TECH because it is something different. It allows me to explore things and give me a new perspective I wouldn’t have if I was staying in my old school and learning the same things,” Rockenstire said.
Extended Memorial Day Weekend
Watervliet schools and the P-TECH East Campus will not be in session on Tuesday, May, 28. This “give-back” day will extend the Memorial Day weekend holiday from Friday, May 24 through Tuesday, May 28. Classes will resume for teachers and students on Wednesday, May 29.
Important Dates
June 18 - Living Environment Regents Exam (12:00pm Start)
June 19 - Algebra 1 Regents Exam (12:00pm Start)
June 21 - Geometry Regents Exam (8:00am Start)