610 Wistar Road, Fairless Hills, PA 19030 215-949-1700 www.bcths.com February 2017 Edition

Leon Poeske, Ed.D. Administrative Director STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Henry DeGeorge Assistant Director Congratulations to our January Students of the Month! Sharon Rendeiro Business Administrator SENIORS JUNIORS Joseph Fullerton Madeline Bobst Jonathan Everly Principal Louis Yacullo Kendell Lewis

Robert Azar Assistant Principal SOPHOMORES FRESHMEN Kevin Gentilcore Zachary Scheele Zachary Foster Pupil Services Supervisor Marisa-Jade Hannon Diya Putthan Pegeen Kopera Special Education Supervisor SKILLS FOR LIFE ACADEMY Giani Napoli

BENSALEM Kathleen Lesnevec Wayne Lewis David Rizzo

BRISTOL BOROUGH Kelly Cochran DRAMA CLUB

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP Kellie Buchanan Stacy Gerlach Gallus Obert th th th th March 17 , 18 , 24 & 25

MORRISVILLE Joseph Gilleo Get your tickets now

before they’re gone! NESHAMINY Mike Morris Ron Rudy Marty Sullivan

PENNSBURY Join Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey as they set off Kim Hilty on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona. Gary Sanderson Christian Schwartz

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FEBRUARY CELEBRATIONS

Americans see the human heart as the symbol of February 27, 2017 love. February is American Heart Month, a Joint Board Committee Meeting time to show yourself the love. Learn about your March 7, 2017 risks for heart disease and stroke and stay "heart Appeals Day healthy" for yourself and for your loved ones. Authority Meeting Black History Month was created in 1926 by March 10, 2017 Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American Designer Bag Bingo & historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It Basket Auction became a month-long celebration in 1976. The March 17 & 18, 2017 month of February was chosen to coincide with Spring Musical the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. March 22, 2017 In-Service/Act 80 Day National Career & Technical Education No School for Students Month is an annual celebration of career &

technical education community members’ March 23, 2017 Senator-for-a-Day achievements and accomplishments. Career & Technical Education (CTE) is crucial in providing March 24 & 25, 2017 the strong workforce training needed to fill the Spring Musical good-paying jobs vital to restoring the economic health of our nation. This year’s theme is March 27, 2017 “Celebrate Today: Own Tomorrow!” Joint Board Committee Meeting April 4, 2017 Challenge Day

April 13-17, 2017 ROTARY STUDENT Easter Break

April 19-21, 2017 OF THE MONTH SkillsUSA State Competitions

April 24, 2017 Congratulations to

Joint Board Committee Meeting

Riley was recently named Langhorne Rotary’s February Student of the Month. A senior in Multimedia Digital Design & Programming, Riley resides in the Neshaminy School District.

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JOINT BOARD COMMITTEE

Every year in January we salute a special group of individuals who help run the schools in our community – our school board members. These dedicated men and women are knowledgeable, hard-working volunteers who care deeply about public education. We thank them for the long hours spent at meetings, making difficult decisions on our behalf, and for listening to our concerns.

Meet the members of our Joint Board Committee.

(L-R Back) Gary Sanderson (Pennsbury); Mike Kopakowski, Superintendent (Morrisville); Joe Gilleo (Morrisville); Gallus Obert (Bristol Twp.); David Rizzo (Bensalem); Wayne Lewis (Bensalem); Ron Rudy (Neshaminy); Marty Sullivan (Neshaminy); Christian Schwartz (Pennsbury). (L-R Seated) Kelly Cochran (Bristol Borough); Kathleen Lesnevec (Bensalem); Kim Hilty (Pennsbury); Stacy Gerlach (Bristol Twp.); Kellie Buchanan (Bristol Twp.) Missing from the picture: Mike Morris (Neshaminy)

At Bucks County Technical High School, our mission is to prepare all students for careers, post-secondary education, and life-long learning, by providing knowledge and practical skills through high quality, integrated, standards-driven curriculum, access to current technologies, work-related experiences, and partnerships within the community.

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DESIGNER BAG BINGO AND BASKET AUCTION

HERE IT IS…The event we’ve all been waiting for...

and BASKET AUCTION with a TWIST!

Tickets are now on sale in the Main Office for the 6th Annual Designer Bag Bingo and Basket Auction on Friday, March 10th at 7:00pm, sponsored by the BCTHS Parent Boosters. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door (if available). 8 or more tickets will reserve a table. We are also accepting any basket donations or items that can be used in baskets.

This fundraiser is extremely popular with the community and tickets sell out fast. Don’t wait to purchase yours.

For more information, contact Mrs. Hawke 215-949-1700 ext. 2918 or [email protected]

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NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK

National School Breakfast Week is March 6-10. Surveys show that breakfast does more than provide energy and satisfy a growling stomach. This year’s theme, “Take the School Breakfast Challenge” encourages students, staff and school officials to increase their participation in school breakfast. Breakfast week highlights how eating a nutritious breakfast helps students fuel up for success in the classroom and beyond. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, students who eat breakfast are more likely to behave better in school than those who do not eat breakfast; eating breakfast can help improve standardized test scores, as well as memory and attention span; and eating a nutritious breakfast helps students achieve success in the classroom and beyond. We know we can count on our Cafeteria Manager, Mr. Tony Mazzocchi, to provide our students with a nutritious breakfast every day.

Helping us celebrate National School Breakfast Week are two members of our cafeteria staff, (L-R) Mrs. Jane Nowakowski and Mrs. Irene Cartolaro, who remind us to eat our fruits & vegetables and to live a healthy lifestyle.

In our December 2016 newsletter, we mentioned that Mr. Bill Bacon’s Collision Repair Technology students were in the process of painting the storage cabinets in our cafeteria. To say they were in bad shape was an understatement. We are happy to report that the cabinets are done and looking great. Check out the teal and white cabinets in this picture, you can see that the students did an excellent job repainting our cabinets. Page 5 of 24

VALENTINE’S DAY TRIVIA

Since Valentine’s Day is held in February, let’s see what you know about this flower sending, candy eating day!

 Every Valentine’s Day, postal offices in the Italian city of Verona where Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet lived, receive around 1,000 love letters addressed to Juliet.

 The Greeting Card Association estimates that almost 200 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year. Throw in online cards and handmade ones exchanged among children and that number probably exceeds 1 billion.

 It is thought that the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss during medieval times. Those who were unable to read or write signed official documents with an X in front of a witness and then kissed the X to demonstrate their sincerity.

 More diamond rings are purchased in February than in any other month.

 Approximately 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s cards to their pets.

 In the 1800’s, Doctors would advise their patients to eat chocolate to ease the pain of a broken heart.

 During the 1700’s it was traditional for girls to write the names of local men on pieces of paper and then wrap the paper in clay which would then be dropped in water. When the clay dissolved, the pieces of paper would float to the surface and the first name that floated to the top would predict who the girl would marry.

 The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was manufactured and distributed by Richard Cadbury in 1868.

 Before WW1, sweetheart, or conversation, candies came in a variety of shapes, including baseballs, horseshoes, and watches.

 To make enough sweetheart candies for Valentine’s Day, production for the next year starts right after the holiday, in late February, and continues until mid-January.

 More than 8 billion of the candies are manufactured each year – that’s right folks, that’s about 100,000 pounds per day!

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POETRY OUT LOUD

Back in December, BCTHS students, accompanied by English teacher, Dr. Mike Breece, competed in the National Poetry Out Loud Competition. We are pleased to announce that Landscaping senior Josh Reiling won second place and HVAC senior Dimitriuz Leupold, won first place. As a first place winner, Dimitriuz then represented our school at the regional competition in on January 28th where he successfully recited three poems: “Personal”, by Tony Hoagland; “Peligro”, by Stuart Dybeck; and “A Birthday”, by Christine Rossetti. Josh and Dimitriuz both reside in the Bristol Township School District.

(L-R) Dr. Breece proudly presented Josh & Dimitriuz with their awards.

SCHOOL-TO-CAREER NEWS

Every month, we try to highlight a school-to-career student in our newsletter. This month we recognize Austin Squillace who is a senior in Mr. Bennet’s Civil Engineering Technology program. Austin is a cooperative education student at SAS Geospatial in Doylestown, is #1 in his senior class, and is a two-sport athlete at Bensalem High School. Here he is with BCTHS School- to-Career Coordinator, Mr. Ron Martino, at his last high school basketball game.

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CUPCAKE WARS

Seniors in Chef Kelly Laba’s Baking & Pastry Arts class recently competed in the

BCTHS CUPCAKE WARS!

Each group of students was responsible for the creation of three different types of cupcakes as well as a display for the cupcakes. The theme was LOVE and the secret ingredient was CHOCOLATE! Staff members were invited to sample the students’ creations, judge their creativity, and then cast their vote for their favorite group.

That’s our Principal, Mr. Fullerton, in the back

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KEY CLUB

January 27th was KEY CLUB MINI-THON HAT DAY! For a $2 donation to the BCTHS Mini-Thon, students and staff were permitted to wear an appropriate hat for the entire day. It’s time to kick cancer in the butt – and we intend to do our part!

Math teacher, Mr. Ken Daubert, is shown here modeling his rather unique hat. Can you guess what it is?

Here’s one of our Special Education teachers, Mrs. Amanda Bucantis, sporting her Philly Phanatic hat. Isn’t she cute?

And speaking of cute…you don’t get any cuter than facilitators, Mrs. Michelle Epperson and Mrs. Ro Franz.

Special Education teacher, Mr. Mike Alexander is wearing something green on his head. I don’t have a clue what it is.

F T K For The Kids! Page 9 of 24

SKILLSUSA DISTRICT WINNERS

We never get tired of announcing that BCTHS students, once again, brought home the gold, silver & bronze from the Skills USA District Competitions where over 400 students from 10 technical schools in Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware counties competed. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure that America has a skilled workforce. This national, nonprofit organization, serves teachers, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, health occupations, technical, and skilled service occupations. Gold medal winners will head to the State competitions in Hershey in the spring. Congratulations to everyone who competed.

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Christina Brambilla – Job Skill Demo Open William Brown – Power Equipment Technology

Dylan Caputo – Plumbing Dominic Carbone – Auto Service Specialization

Devin Furlow - Pin Design/State Eric Gennaro – Firefighting Manny Jones – Extemporaneous Speaking Sabrina Krispel – Web Design Samantha Mizerek – Criminal Justice Tim Mousley – CNC Technician (Precision Machining Technology) John Perrone – Diesel Equipment Technology Tyler Ross – Auto Service Technology Madelyn Shuler – Commercial Baking Riley Smith – Web Design

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Christian Brady – Related Technical Math Dayne Capaldi - Opening & Closing Ceremonies Tyler Convery – Carpentry Brandon Doughty - Opening & Closing Ceremonies Devin Furlow - Pin Design/State Robert Hughes – Architectural Drafting Connor Johnson – First Aid/CPR WAIT…THERE’S MORE!

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Brandon Klein - Opening & Closing Ceremonies Jada Mendoza - Opening & Closing Ceremonies Andrew Miller – Early Childhood Jackie Neuber - Opening & Closing Ceremonies Andrea Rodriguez – Opening & Closing Ceremonies Jenna Rusnak – Dental Makayla Smith - Opening & Closing Ceremonies Andrew Windland – Information Technology Services

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Morium Akter – Technical Drafting Alyssa Baran – Crime Scene Investigation Lauralea Capate - Crime Scene Investigation Francis Clark – Team Works Dominique Cooper – Medical Assisting Allison Devlin – Customer Service Jamie Dougherty – Cosmetology Jeff Garvie – Team Works James “Doug” Gavigan – Technical Computer Applications Jamie Grey – Nurse Assisting Jason Husar – Team Works Kyle Keifer – Industrial Motor Control Justin Klein – Team Works Chris Rivera – Employment Application Process Tom Schneider – Electrical Construction Kyle Sosnoski – Automotive Refinishing Teresa Yeager - Crime Scene Investigation

Here’s a little info on a student who won a gold AND silver medal MORE SKILLSUSA NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS TO

DEVIN FURLOW

Devin is the winner of the SkillsUSA 50th Anniversary State Pin Competition. His award winning pin (shown here) will be distributed to approximately 15,000 participants attending the SkillsUSA State Conference in April. In addition, the pin will also be used as the “Trading Pin” at the 2017 SkillsUSA National Conference in June - which is a HUGE honor. Devin submitted four different pin designs. Not only did he submit the pin that won the gold medal, but one of his other three designs was the second place winner as well. HOW ABOUT THAT! Devon is a senior enrolled in Mr. Blake Alderfer’s Multimedia Digital Design & Programming class and resides in the Bensalem School District.

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CULINARY ARTS

Chef Colin Marsh and his Culinary Arts seniors took a field trip to Whole Foods in Philadelphia on February 6th. Chef Marsh explained that this field trip is an exercise in understanding the different options available for your food dollars, sustainability, healthy choices, the Whole Foods philosophy, vegetarianism, veganism, GMO’s and gluten free choices. He asked the students to think about the difference between Whole Foods and their local supermarket where their parents buy groceries.

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AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Our Automotive Technology teachers, Mr. Byron Cesari and Mr. Allan Young, and their students, were excited to attend the 2017 Greater Philadelphia Auto Show on Sunday, January 29th – which was Scouts Day at the auto show. Dragging tables and chairs, pamphlets and tools to their designated spot, our students worked hard to set up an amazing display and create awareness of automotive career opportunities in the retail automotive industry and help boy scouts meet certain requirements for the automotive maintenance merit badge. Of course, having a chance to see the largest automotive event in the tri-state region was a GREAT way to spend a Sunday! A big THANK YOU to students: Dominic Carbone, Cameron Gray, Eric Harlan and Tyler Ross.

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WINTER BALL

The 2017 BCTHS Winter Ball, sponsored by student council, was held on February 3rd with over 290 students attending! The cafeteria was decorated in blue, silver and white with lots of twinkling lights. Our students looked terrific and everyone had a great time. Of course, this event would never have happened without our faculty, who is always supportive, our amazing chaperones, and the hard work of advisors, Mrs. Kelly Woehr and Mrs. Jen Henry!

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CULINARY ARTS

Culinary students in Mr. Scott Saunders’ class are gaining “real world” experience by participating in events both in school and within the community. Students recently participated in the annual School Board Recognition Dinner, BCTHS Student of the Month breakfast, the Bristol Borough Senior Citizens luncheon and the grand opening of the BCTHS restaurant. In addition, our students participate in our on-going “Food for Thought” club which assists in-bound senior citizens with meals. This is a lot of work, especially since all these events were all held during one rotation!

Bristol Borough Senior Citizens “Food For Thought” program

Student of the Month Breakfast School Board Recognition Dinner

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DENTAL HEALTH CAREERS

Students in Mrs. Ellen Wolf’s Dental Health Careers program presented dental health books to pre-school children at the Bucks County Head Start program on Friday, February 10th at the Emilie Methodist Center on New Falls Road in Levittown.

Look at all these happy, smiling faces!

(L-R Back) second from the left (seated) is Dental Health Careers teacher Mrs. Ellen Wolf, third from the left (seated) is BCTHS instructional facilitator, Mrs. Diane Bach

The book presentation is a partnership with the pre-school center whereby the senior class dental students promote the importance of good dental hygiene. The dental students developed and will deliver lessons about proper dental hygiene through demonstrations, songs, and other activities that are age-appropriate for pre-school children. The Dental Health Careers teacher, Mrs. Ellen Wolf, feels that “This partnership has been terrific! Reaching out to the Head Start program aligns with our curriculum and gives our students a chance to practice what they learn in the classroom.” In addition to the alignment with the curriculum, three Dental Health Career seniors will be competing in an upcoming competition that requires incorporating their technical skills with a community service project. “This is what great education is all about” stated Dr. Leon Poeske, administrative director at the technical school. “I am proud of our Dental Health Careers program and how they have partnered and integrated their skills into the community. This is a win-win for everyone involved.”

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CINDERELLA’S CLOSET

Whether you’re BIG and TALL SHORT and SMALL or SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN, Cinderella’s Closet has SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Hosted by the BCTHS Parent Booster Organization, Cinderella’s Closet was held during the months of January and February, during the evenings and on Saturdays. This concept began as a way to help all teenage girls have a magical prom night regardless of their background or family’s income. There were lots of “ooohs” and “aaahs” as the girls, moms, and even some dads, looked through hundreds of gently used long gowns, short dresses and evening bags that were just waiting for someone to say, “YES to the PROM DRESS”! Oh…and did I mention that the first dress was FREE! How’s that for a bargain!

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Bucks Local News January 24, 2017

BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH TECH SCHOOLS, BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP >> Bucks County Community College, which has been the bridge to a bachelor’s degree for more than 50 years, has inked partnerships to make it easier for career and technical high school students to get on the fast track to a bachelor’s degree. The Technical Entrepreneurship Degree Program allows students at Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Jamison, and Upper Bucks County Technical School in Perkasie to earn up to 29 college credits from Bucks while in high school. They can then earn a 60-credit associate degree in technical entrepreneurship from Bucks in just one year. Students are then guaranteed admission to Bloomsburg University to finish the final two years of a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Leadership. The program is designed to parlay technical skills into management training to better prepare future business leaders, according to Marlene Barlow, director of admissions at Bucks. “This program recognizes the value of the marketable skills learned at career and technical high schools, and complements them with the critical thinking and broad-based learning of a degree program,” said Barlow. Barlow added that the program was designed with the needs of students in mind. While still enrolled in technical school, students can earn college credits from Bucks through a combination of taking college courses at the high school (known as dual enrollment), scoring advanced on a vocational skills test recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, earning industry credentials, and completing co-op education hours. Students can then enroll at Bucks and earn another 31 to 33 credits to graduate with an associate of arts degree, then transfer to Bloomsburg, which will offer upper-level university classes through a combination of online courses and face-to- face courses held in Philadelphia. The agreements were signed in a Tuesday, January 24 ceremony at Bucks’ Newtown campus by Bucks President Stephanie Shanblatt; Bloomsburg President David Soltz; Leon Poeske, administrative director at Bucks County Technical High School; Kathryn Strouse, administrative director at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology; and Bernard Wagenseller, executive director at Upper Bucks County Technical School. To learn more about the Technical Entrepreneurship Degree Program, high school students at the three career and technical schools in Bucks County should contact their counselor. Page 18 of 24

Bucks County Courier Times February 1, 2017

BUCKS SCHOOL OFFICIALS QUESTION STATE’S ABILITY TO DICTATE SPENDING

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Bucks County Herald February 2, 2017

Partnership will help tech students pursue four-year degree

JOE FERRY A partnership four years in the making came to fruition on Jan. 24 and, as a result, vocational students in Bucks County now have a clear, convenient pathway to a four-year college degree. “What we have put together is special,” said Stephanie Shanblatt, president of Bucks County Community College, where the signing ceremony took place. “I hope this can serve as a template so other secondary schools take notice.” The Technical Entrepreneurship Degree Program allows students at Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Jamison and Upper Bucks County Technical School in Bedminster to earn up to 29 college credits from Bucks while still in high school. They can then earn a 60-credit associate degree in technical entrepreneurship from BCCC in just one year. Students are then guaranteed admission to Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg to finish the final two years of a bachelor of applied science in technical leadership. In all, it could take as little as three years after graduation from high school to earn the degree.

(L-R) Dr. Leon Poeske, Administrative Director, Bucks County Technical High School, Kathryn Strouse, Administrative Director, Middle Bucks School of Technology, Bernard Waggenseller, Executive Director, Upper Bucks County Technical School

While still enrolled in technical school, students can earn college credits from Bucks through a combination of taking college courses at the high school (known as dual enrollment), scoring advanced on a vocational skills test recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, earning industry credentials and completing co-op education hours. Students can then enroll at Bucks and earn another 31 to 33 credits to graduate with an associate of arts degree, then transfer to Bloomsburg, which will offer upper-level university classes through a combination of online courses and face-to-face courses held in Philadelphia. Already, a total of 60 students in the county’s three technical schools have signed up for the program. At UBCTS, for example, 22 students started classes just a few hours after the agreement was signed. The agreements were signed in a Jan. 24 ceremony at Bucks’ Newtown campus by Shanblatt; Bloomsburg President David Soltz; Leon Poeske, administrative director at Bucks County Technical High School; Kathryn Strouse, administrative director at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology; and Bernard Wagenseller, executive director at Upper Bucks County Technical School. The program is designed to parlay technical skills into management training to better prepare future business leaders, according to Marlene Barlow, director of admissions at Bucks. “This program recognizes the value of the marketable skills learned at career and technical high schools, and complements them with the critical thinking and broad-based learning of a degree program,” said Barlow. For Wagenseller, making sure the partnership came together took on a personal appeal. A BCCC grad, he spent 20 years learning to build an HVAC business. Had the program been around then “it would have been a game- changer,” he said. Page 21 of 24

Lower Bucks County

Chamber of Commerce Outlook Magazine – January 2017 Edition

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Lower Bucks County

Chamber of Commerce Outlook Magazine – January 2017 Edition

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Bucks County Courier Times

February 15, 2017

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