BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

North Montco Technical Career Center will be holding a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 10th from 9:30-11:30 AM. The price is $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Price includes breakfast buffet and a special treat from Santa.

Bring your own camera for photos with Santa! Seating is limited. Call 215-368-1177 x163 for a reservation.

Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Manna on Main Street.

CULINARY ARTS STUDENT AWARD

Congratulations are in order for Culinary Arts student, Amber Neilson (12th grade, Methacton) who recently received a $1,000 scholarship from the Methacton Rotary Club. The Rotary Youth Achievement Award recognizes students with Outstanding Academic Performance who also adhere to the Rotary’s Guiding Principles which include truth, fairness, goodwill and concern for others.

We are proud of Amber’s accomplishment and wish her all the best as she continues to explore career options in the Culinary Arts field.

PREPARING FOR RESTAURANT OPENING

Culinary Arts students are preparing for the opening of the new restaurant at North Montco. Students were recently assigned the task of preparing a dinner party. From the number of guests to the table set up, the students used their knowledge and creativity to prepare wonderful presentations. The Culinary Arts students worked with Floral Design students to create centerpieces for the table presentation, and also worked with Graphic Arts students to create invitations for their event.

The students will continue practicing the proper techniques for “front of the house” operations. You will soon have the opportunity to see their work when the restaurant opens to the public in the new year.

STOP TEXTING AND DRIVING

Biotechnology student, Justin Gorton (Souderton), brought an important message to NMTCC by having Johnny Mac and Jeanne Brown, along with their daughter Katrina, speak to the 11th grade students about the dangers of texting and driving. The Browns have been traveling around the country, speaking to high school students, since their 17 year old daughter, Alex, was killed in a single-vehicle accident as she was replying to a text message while she was driving.

The Browns spoke of Alex making a series of choices that kept her from being alive. They told the students that they may either "reap the benefits or suffer the consequences" from the choices they make.

WPVI-Channell 6 ABC news featured this presentation on their broadcast because it occurred the same week PA passed the law making texting behind the wheel a primary offense. Copy this link into your browser to view the broadcast.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=8416600

For more information about the dangers of texting and driving, visit the website dedicated to Alex Brown.
http://rememberalexbrownfoundation.org/

SkillsUSA National Competition

Over the summer, two NMTCC students had the opportunity to compete at the national level SkillsUSA competition held in Kansas City, Missouri. More than 5,600 outstanding career and technical education students - all state contest winners - competed hands-on in 94 different trade, technical and leadership fields. During the competition students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in various occupations including: computer-aided drafting, computer maintenance, electronics and medical assisting.

Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations, and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by industry.

After winning first place in the state level competition, Robert Greisemer competed against students from across the country in the Computer Maintenance Technology competition. Robert is currently completing his 12th grade in the Internet Technologies program at NMTCC.

Brendon Miller competed against students from across the country in the Technical Drafting competition. Brendon's hard work was rewarded when he earned 4th place in the nation! He is continuing to pursue his interest in the drafting field and is currently working at Aerotech Inc., a company that designs helicopter parts.

Graphic Arts Student Wins Contest

North Montco Technical Career Center Graphic Arts students had the opportunity to participate in the Third Annual "DatingViolence Awareness/Prevention" High School student poster contest sponsored by the Dating Violence Prevention Program of Laurel House. This contest was open to all high school students in Montgomery County, PA. The theme for this year's competition was "Dating Violence and the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline." Judging was based on originality, creativity, development and reflection of the theme.

NMTCC Graphic Arts student, Theresa Miller (11th grade, Methacton) received the first place award for her design. She was recently recognized for her poster design at an unveiling ceremony held at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. Theresa is in her third year of Graphic Arts at NMTCC and plans to become a graphic artist after high schoo.

Cosmetology students in the community

Recently, several Cosmetology students and their instructor, Mrs. Lucas, provided manicures and facials to the mothers of the students who attend Easter Seals. The mothers appreciate this day of pampering and request that NMTCC Cosmetology students visit them each year.

Easter Seals holds annual family visiting days throughout the year (Mother's day, Father's day, Grand Parent's day). The Mother's day event was a day to celebrate the mothers of these very special children. They provide a "spa experience" to help mothers unwind and relax from their daily stresses. The NMTCC cosmetology students provided wonderful manicures and facials and local massage therapists pampered the moms with soothing massages.

NMTCC’s Cosmetology students have been performing this service for over nine years.

Automotive program accreditation

NMTCC’s Automotive Technology program has achieved renewal of accreditation by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in the areas of:

Automatic Transmission & Transaxle
Brakes
Electrical/Electronic Systems
Engine Performance
Engine Repair
Heating & Air Conditioning
Manual Drive Train & Axles
Suspension & Steering

NMTCC’s Automotive Technology program was evaluated according to strict standards set by the automotive industry. The program was evaluated by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) in all areas from the facilities to the number of instructional hours. The results of the evaluation indicate that NMTCC’s Automotive Technology program continues to meet the requirements for NATEF Master Accreditation – the highest level of achievement recognized by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation. NMTCC’s Automotive Technology program has skilled instructors and the latest tools and equipment. Now, more than ever, NMTCC graduates will be prepared to enter productive entry-level positions and are assured a competitive edge when seeking employment.

NMTCC is proud of this coveted recognition and the ability to produce competent technicians and employable students so desperately needed by the automotive industry.

Renovations almost complete

This summer we continued with our $12 million dollar renovation project. Most of the renovations are complete and we are now working on the final touches. We look forward to sharing the completed building with the community during our annual Open House which will be held on January 19, 2012.

Class of 2011 Graduation Plans

The North Montco Technical Career Center Class of 2011 post-graduations plans include:

51% will further their education in a field related to the program they studied while at NMTCC.

22% will further their education in a field unrelated to the program they studied while at NMTCC.

15% found employment in a field related to the program they studied while at NMTCC.

4% will be joining the military.

6% found employment in a field unrelated to the program they studied while at NMTCC.

2% have not decided what they plan to do.

We wish all the graduates great success!

FESTO MOBILE MECHATRONICS LABORATORY

Recently, North Montco Technical Career Center hosted a visit by the Festo Mobile Mechatronics Laboratory. This Mobile Mechatronics Laboratory is an 80-foot self contained tractor-trailer. The purpose of the visit was to encourage students to increase their awareness of the high technologies used in today's manufacturing and encourage students to pursue careers in these vital industries. Students had the opportunity to tour this Mobile Mechatronics Laboratory and explore the various pneumatic and electromechanical displays.

Students in the Robotics & Automation (Mechatronics) program were particularly interested in touring this “laboratory.” The students had the opportunity to see various applications of the curriculum they are learning in their program.
Staffed with experts in the field of automation, the Festo Mobile Mechatronics Lab is part of a mission to educate companies and schools about energy efficient automation technology and services and the latest advancements that can improve equipment and operational performance.

For more information about the Festo Mobile Mechatronics lab visit this website:

http://www.festo.com/cms/en-us_us/10387_10416.htm#id_10416


For more information about North Montco Technical Career Center’s Robotics & Automation (Mechatronics) program, contact a counselor at 215-368-1177.

Class of 2011

North Montco Technical Career Center held their annual Senior Recognition night on Monday, June 6th. Over $8,000 was awarded to the graduating seniors during the awards ceremony. The seniors also received their certificates of completion or participation and will receive their high school diplomas from their sending schools. In addition, the Class of 2011 was offered over $5,000,000 in scholarship and merit grants!

Nick Judge (Precision Machining, Souderton) provided a student address and referred to his fellow graduates as “techies.” Nick pointed out that while although sometimes being called a “techie” can have negative connotations, it is important to remember to take pride in being called a “techie.” “When you are called ‘techies’ take pride in that moment knowing that you made a decision to better yourself as a student and as a person,” said Judge.

Myranda Lewis (Floral Design and Landscaping, Souderton) another student speaker highlighted the accomplishments of the Class of 2011. Lewis reminded the graduates that “success is not a matter of the things you do right; success is about the choices you make in order to get you where you want to go.”

Katlin (Health Occupations, Souderton) and Emily Hash (Graphic Arts, Souderton) spoke about the need to recognize our heroes and become heroes to others while reflecting upon their mother who passed away earlier this year after battling cancer.

The Administration, Faculty and Staff of North Montco Technical Career Center are proud of the Class of 2011 and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

ENTER OUR NAMING CONTEST

Renovations are still taking place at NMTCC but our new salon is now open. In addition, our new restaurant is expected to open this Fall. We need your help to name the restaurant and salon!

We are taking suggestions from the community for names for our salon and restaurant. Please e-mail your suggestions to northmontco@nmtcc.org by June 1st.

The winner for the selected salon name will receive a day of pampering at the salon. The restaurant name winner will enjoy a dinner for four, including dessert.

OPEN HOUSE

North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC)will be holding the Seventh Annual Senior Project Expo/Open House on Tuesday, May 17th from 6-8 PM. This event is a chance for our seniors to display the knowledge and skills obtained at NMTCC through a graduation projected related to the program they are participating in while attending NMTCC.

The students’ displays will be throughout the building. All are welcome to see the great accomplishments of our students. You will also have the opportunity to view the renovations that have been completed to date. Baked goods and spring flowers will be available for purchase.

Mark your calendar! We look forward to seeing you on May 17th.

“COOKIES FOR COPS”

Last week, Culinary Arts students baked cookies for a program called “Cookies for Cops”.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) developed this volunteer program in which cookies are baked, assembled into trays, and delivered to local police departments in the five county area. This initiative is to honor local police departments for the life-saving work that is done every day for all of us.
 
The mission of MADD is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent drunk driving.  Because police are the first line of defense in the war against drunk driving, “Cookies for Cops” was developed to honor those officers and their departments whose DUI enforcement is exemplary. 

Automotive Competition

Two NMTCC Automotive Technology students recently participated in the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia Student Troubleshooting Competition. This competition has three components. First, each automotive technology program from Career and Technical Centers located in SE Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware were invited to send five students to participate in the written portion of the competition. This competition consisted of 180 questions to gauge the students’ automotive knowledge.

Two students from the top 12 scoring Career and Technical Centers, with the highest combined scores on the exam, were invited to participate in the troubleshooting/hands-on portion of the competition. Joe Josko (Souderton) and Chris Kinner (North Penn) earned the opportunity to compete during the troubleshooting competition by earning the highest two scores for NMTCC students. During the troubleshooting competition, the students had to troubleshoot (diagnose) and repair several electrical and mechanical “bugs” inserted into a vehicle. Additionally, students competed at various workstations, demonstrating their tire and wheel service, vehicle information management system, electrical diagnosis, and brake, engine and emission/performance repair skills. Joe and Chris earned fourth place for this competition, missing third place by one point.

The final component of the competition was a mandatory essay for all students who participated in the troubleshooting competition. The owners of dealerships believe that qualified technicians must also have strong written and verbal communication skills. Joe Josko earned first place for his essay which required him to “explain how and why the Service Department is important to a dealership’s business.”For his efforts, Joe received a trophy, a $200 VISA gift card and a Fluke Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) which is a meter used by automotive technicians to successfully diagnose and repair electrical faults in today’s complicated computer controlled vehicles and has a value of $300.

Congratulations to Chris and Joe for their great success!

Students win state level awards

Last week, North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) students competed at the state level SkillsUSA competition held in Hershey, PA. Using the skills they have learned in their classrooms, NMTCC students competed in various technical competitions against their peers from across the state. NMTCC students earned two first place medals, two second place medals and one third place medal.



First place winners have the opportunity to represent the state at the National SkillsUSA Championships held in Kansas City, Missouri during the last week of June.



Congratulations to the following medal winners:



FIRST PLACE:

Brendon Miller (12th grade, North Penn) - Technical Drafting Competition

Robert Greisemer (11th grade, Cyber) - Computer Maintenance Technology Competition



SECOND PLACE:

James Windfelder (12th grade, North Penn) - Architectural Drafting Competition

Trevor Mountain (12th grade, Perkiomen Valley) - State Pin Design Competition



THIRD PLACE:

Emily Hash (12th grade, Souderton) - Photography Competition

NMTCC CONTINUES TO EARN AWARDS

North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) was recognized in Harrisburg during the annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Celebration Week as one of nine Outstanding Career and Technical Centers in the Commonwealth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Bureau of Career and Technical Education. The award was given to Career and Technical Centers that met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and increased their technical achievement during the 2009-10 school year. This is the third time in the past five years that NMTCC has met AYP. NMTCC is one of the only technical schools in the state to earn this achievement.

Mr. Robert Lacivita, NMTCC Curriculum Specialist accepted the award from Dr. Lee Burket, PDE director of the Bureau of Career and Technical Education, during the annual CTE Week Celebration recognition breakfast held in Harrisburg on February 9, 2011.

In addition, NMTCC’s Welding program was one of 26 technical schools to display and demonstrate their program at the Capitol for a two-day event.  Welding instructor, Mr. Richard Schmidt and two of his students presented information on how academics are integrated into NMTCC’s welding program curriculum.

GERMAN AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

The German American Partnership Program (GAPP) at NMTCC will be participating in the school’s 17th exchange from February 25 to March 18. Six students and two chaperones will be traveling to Freital, Germany to stay with students from our partner school—BSZ Freital Technology School. In addition, three NMTCC teachers will spend a week in Germany learning about technical education in Germany.

Follow the experiences of our students through a blog they will be keeping. The blog is located on our website—www.nmtcc.org. We look forward to hearing about their adventures and wish them a safe journey.

North Montco Students Bring Home 24 Medals

North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) students competed yesterday at the Pennsylvania District 2 SkillsUSA competition at Bucks County Technical High School. The students competed against students from 9 other technical schools in 58 various competitions.
NMTCC students earned 9 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 7 bronze medals. Gold medal winners are eligible to compete against students across Pennsylvania in the state level competition to be held in April. We are proud of all our competitors!

Students competing at district level competition to be held at Bucks County Technical High School

Tomorrow, 43 North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) students will be competing in various skills competitions against students from 9 other technical schools. These competitions are a chance for the students to demonstrate the skills they have learned related to their NMTCC program. In addition some students will have the opportunity to participate in interviewing and speech competitions.
Gold medal winners will be eligible to participate in the upcoming state level competition.
We wish all of our competitors the very best!!

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY RECEIVES DONATED VEHICLE FROM GM

NMTCC’s Automotive Technology program received a 2003 Saturn VUE from General Motors through their corporate donations program that assists institutions within the GM Training Network. This network incorporates advanced automotive technical training with a strong academic foundation of math, reading, and electronics, and both analytical and technical skills. Students in NMTCC’s Automotive Technology program are using this vehicle as a training tool to assist in their understanding of the various, complex components/systems in today’s automobiles.

Floral Design Students Win Many Medals at Farm Show

North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) Floral Design and Landscaping students competed against students from 12 other schools across the state in various Horticulture competitions. From cake toppers and table arrangements, to wreaths and terrariums, NMTCC students showed their creativity and earned the following awards at the Pennsylvania Farm Show:

17 first place
10 second place
13 third place
5 fourth place
2 fifth place

In addition, the Farm Show awards 5 Best in Show awards each year.  NMTCC students received three out of the five awards. Congratulations to all our competitors!

Spaghetti Dinner moved to January 29th

Note - Due to the inclement weather, the NMTCC Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser has been moved to January 29th.

NMTCC will be holding a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to benefit the German American Partnership Program on January 29th from 4-8 PM. Tickets cost $10/adult, $7.50 for seniors 65+ and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be ordered through Mr. Tarlecki (mtarlecki@nmtcc.org) or Mrs. Novicki (rnovicki@nmtcc.org). Payment may be made by cash or by check- payable to NMTCC.
Note: In case of inclement weather,notification will be placed on our website regarding any cancellations.

ALL ARE WELCOME!