CATEC January 2025 Newsletter

There are lots of ways to know what is happening at CATEC. Keep in touch with us to know what our students are doing and all the ways we are working to improve our local workforce.

• Call us (434) 245-2419
• Visit us www.catec.org
• Download our app CATEC, VA
• Follow us at @CATECHighSchool (Facebook), CATEC High School (YouTube), @CATEChs (Twitter), @catechighschool (Instagram), @catechighschool (TikTok)

Dear CATEC Families,

Happy 2025! Students should begin registering for classes for the 2025-2026 school year soon, through their base schools. We hope our 2024-2025 students return to CATEC for another school year, whether to complete a program sequence, or to pursue another course that compliments their current CATEC class. CATEC is a nurturing environment that provides professional training and allow students to graduate with zero debt!

February is Career and Technical Education Month. We look forward to celebrating CTE Month with our students so be on the lookout for fun activities happening around our building next month! We will be hosting SkillsUSA District competitions, which gives students and staff the opportunity to meet with people in similar CTE programs and serves a healthy dose of friendly competition.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stacey Heltz

• No High School classes: February 7, 2025
• SkillsUSA District Competition at CATEC, for participating students: February 7, 2025
• No High School classes: February 17, 2025

Our School Counselor, Ms. Adriane Butler, was named the Charlottesville City Schools' Teacher of the Year! We are so proud of Ms. Butler and are grateful for the dedication she has shown every day for 20+ years of working for Charlottesville City Schools. Ms. Butler will represent the division in the 2025 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Program.

On Friday, January 7th, CATEC will be hosting SkillsUSA District Competitions for the first time in 5 years! Career and Technical Education students from across our area will be competing in their program areas for a chance to move on to regional competitions. CATEC has 30 students competing in 5 of our programs. This event not only allows students to showcase their own skills and see those of other students, but it is also an opportunity to build relationships with fellow CTE programs and local businesses who support the competitions. Wish our students luck in their competitions!

Please save the date for our 2025 Completers Ceremony. This graduation ceremony is for students who are completing their CATEC course, including both 1-year and 2-year programs. Please ask your instructor if you are eligible to participate this year.

As winter weather begins to affect our school days, please consider downloading our app. It's the fasted way to get information about CATEC! The CATEC, VA app provides up-to-date information on all things CATEC. Find out about events, closures, and important documents by downloading the app and setting up push notifications.

Did you know that CATEC has its own PowerSchool?

You can view your student's current grades and attendance by following this link: CATEC PowerSchool. The PowerSchool Portal is also available on the high school page of the CATEC website.

Families will need to contact CATEC's front office at (434) 245-2419 to obtain login information for accessing their student's account.

Students have received their login details in their trade class and should check their accounts regularly to stay updated on their grades throughout the school year.

School Counseling:

Ms. Butler is our School Counselor, and her office is located in the Career and Counseling Corner. She is available to meet with students and families regarding class schedules, dual-enrollment questions, and helps provide support as needed. You can reach her at 434-245-2419 or butlera1@charlottesvilleschools.org.

Workplace Readiness:

CATEC values ensuring our students leave with technical trade skills as well as workplace skills that make students prepared to get and keep jobs. Throughout the year, CATEC staff tackles workplace readiness expectations. This month, students focused on WRS #2 Critical Thinking Skills, #1 Creativity and Innovation, and #19 Mathematics.

• Electricity 1/Carpentry 1
• Albemarle High School
• 11th grade
• Heard CATEC was a great place and had a strong sense of community
• Plans to take Electricity 2 next year
• Wants to continue post-graduation as a journeyman
• Enjoys playing guitar

• Veterinary Science
• Online high school
• 10th grade
• Has always loved animals and wants to work with them
• Plans to work at a vet clinic
• Especially interested in exotic animals and conservation
• Has a rabbit, bird, gecko, 2 dogs, and fish
• Trains service animals

Email: heltzs1@charlottesvilleschools.org
Website: www.catec.org
Location: 1000 Rio Road East, Charlottesville, VA, USA
Phone: 434-245-2419

Facebook: facebook.com/CATECHighSchool
Twitter: @CATEChs