Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

- Arthur Ashe, tennis star

SkillaUSA students attended a state-wide competition last week. We are proud of all their accomplishments. Medalists and photos are below in this newsletter.

NOCTI Performance Day is scheduled for April 30 and requires Seniors who are testing to attend WMCTC all day, starting at 8:00AM. See more information later in this newsletter. Students not testing will not report to WMCTC.

Be sure to check out the long list of scholarships being offered near the end of this newsletter. Some have deadlines that are approaching soon. Take advantage of the many generous scholarships.

We are looking for substitute teachers and an Instructional Assistant. Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center offers flexible hours and a great work environment. Please contact us for more details.

Have a great weekend!

Craig Robinson, Principal

Our SkillsUSA district medalists traveled to Hershey PA for the State competitions. Eleven competitors attended and three of our students earned silver medals.

Medalists

Christian Hansell - Silver for Precision Machining

David Bitterman - Silver for Early Childhood

Participants

Sean Judge , Jonah Fryauff, Christian Hansell, Nate Morgan, Elton Rees, David Bitterman, Ashley Schuler, Paige Mood , Lillyan Townsend, Mackenzie Matejik, and Morgan Williams

At the SkillsUSA WMCTC booth with Senator Doug Mastriano

At the SkillsUSA WMCTC booth with the Director of PACTA (R), John Pulver, and the Director of WMCTC (L), David Livengood.

Our SkillsUSA participants (from L -> R) - Sean Judge, Mackenzie Matejik, Lillyan Townsend, Morgan Williams, Paige Mood, David Bitterman, Ashley Schuler, Elton Rees, Nate Morgan, Christian Hansell, and Jonah Fryauff

SkillsUSA students were invited for a tour of the Capitol in Harrisburg. They are pictured below with Senator Tracy Pennycuick.

Outside the Capitol in Harrisburg

Our participants in the big hall at the conference.

This is a mandatory attendance day for Seniors only. We ask that no appointments be arranged on this day to allow Seniors to complete the last test of their NOCTI exams. Seniors who are testing will report to WMCTC by 8:00AM. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Make-up testing will not be available.

Only NOCTI Test Takers will attend WMCTC on this day. All other students should check with their high school for the schedule that day.

Parents - Mark this date on your calendar. The Senior Recognition Ceremony will be at Spring-Ford High School on Wednesday, May 21 starting at 7:00PM.

Information was sent via USPS and is available for reference below. It can also be found on our website, www.westerncenter.org

Make special note: This is not a graduation ceremony. Students continue to attend WMCTC after the day of this ceremony until the last student day designated by the high school.

Senior Survey: Attention WMCTC Senior Class of 2025

The Senior Survey is now live. Please complete the required survey by following this link or scanning the QR code. If you have any questions, please visit Ms. Powers in Student Services or email her at jpowers@westerncenter.org.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5_8Hnv4P3y6fSE5eVRW2pdmuZxA0K5zmFxgIKj2FRy-1mOw/viewform?usp=sharing

Each week, there will be one or two programs and students spotlighted. We enjoy hearing what students are doing, why they are here, and what they plan to do when they leave WMCTC. Please enjoy their stories.

Braden Holland

Braden Holland is a Spring-Ford senior who is a part of the Electrical program. He likes to play lacrosse and snowboard with his friends. He enjoys his class because of the real world experience and hands-on skills he learns from his teacher. He has been a part of the WMCTC program for three years and is optimistic about his work. After WMCTC, Braden plans to attend Penn tech for lacrosse. In regards to his experience at WMCTC, Braden says, “Just pay attention to the teacher and you’ll be fine.”

Jackson Smith

Jackson Smith is an Upper-Perkiomen senior who is a part of the Electrical program. He likes to play soccer and has even qualified for nationals! He also likes to play the guitar in his free time. He enjoys his class because of the learning opportunities that are placed in front of him to help him in the real world. He has been a part of the WMCTC program for four years and is efficient and well-organized in his work. After WMCTC, Jackson plans to attend Penn college for electrical and business, afterward going right into work. In regards to his experience at WMCTC, Jackson says, “Always keep an open mind, you can never know enough, and you can never learn enough.”

For the Cafeteria at Western Center:

Our cafeteria is currently operated by the Spring-Ford Food Service Department. Below is a link to our web page for information on utilizing eFunds for your student lunch account, charging guidelines, lunch menus and applying for the free/reduced lunch program.

https://www.westerncenter.org/Page/662

Please feel free to reach out to Tracy Bogucki at tbogu@spring-ford.net or 610-705-6209 with any questions you may have.

Are you going on a trip? A family vacation perhaps?

If you know in advance that your student will be absent from school for three or more days, please complete an Advance Notification of Extended Absence form. They are located on the WMCTC website or by emailing Attendance@westerncenter.org.

Once you have the form, your student is responsible for taking it to their high school principal and WMCTC instructor for them to sign. Don't bring it to the Attendance Desk until you have both of those signatures! We will then accept the form for Mr. Robinson to consider for approval. Happy travels!

The arrival and dismissal times below are for regular schedule days. On those days where schedules are changed (early dismissal, delays, etc.) the schedule will be shared at that time.

This schedule is used when ALL SCHOOLS have a 2-hour delay. AM and PM students are required to attend WMCTC on 2-hour delay days. Program times are shortened, but not cancelled, due to the condensed school day. The arrival and dismissal times are in line with each high school's 2-hour delay schedule.

Below are the PE schedule cycle days for the 2024-2025 school year. This is not a Monday-Friday schedule. This only lists the 'day' each shop is assigned their PE session.

Farther below this schedule is the calendar which shows when students will report to PE.

**Due to Student-Run-Enterprises, our cycle days do not follow in numeric order**

Below are the April and May calendars for PE Days at WMCTC. PE days are announced daily stating the current day cycle and the next day's cycle.

Through the year, cycle days may not be in numeric order.

****If a student misses their PE class, they must check Mr. English's Google Classroom for their assignment. It is the responsibility of the student to complete work that has been missed.****

Salon is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11-2!

Can’t make it early? We are open until 7PM every other Thursday!

Check out our Instagram @wmctc_salon (Scan the QR code below)

Online booking is also available by clicking the link to The Salon below or call 610-489-7272 x 211

The Salon

Would you like to be gaining more experience in your trade while also earning a paycheck? Co-Op gives you this opportunity! Students attend their sending high school in the morning and may work in their trade instead of attending WMCTC two to four afternoons a week. A fantastic privilege that takes planning and preparation. Students or families must provide transportation to the job site, students must meet qualifications and be hired by a participating company. Students are encouraged to speak with their instructor and Ms. Mueller in the Co-Op office to find out more.

Here is what you need to know: (from the Student Handbook p.15)

Juniors (in the Spring) and Seniors are eligible for the Cooperative Education Program based on their grades, attendance, task grid completion, NOCTI pre-test score, and technical instructor and principal recommendations. A student who has five (5) or more unexcused absences from school or more than ten (10) days excused absences from school may not be eligible for the Cooperative Education Program.

Email Attendance@WesternCenter.org or call 610-489-7272 extension 209 regarding any attendance-related concerns (excuse notes, early dismissals, attendance letters, etc.).

https://www.westerncenter.org/Domain/123

Parents, remember, you can sign on to WMCTC’s Skyward to see your student’s grades, attendance, assignments, discipline, and other important information. Go to www.westerncenter.org, click For Parents & Students at the bottom of the page, then choose Skyward Family/Student Access.

Forgot your username or password? Contact Mrs. Yusko at ayusko@westerncenter.org

Have you moved?

Be sure to send your new address information to Student Services at studentservices@westerncenter.org

Please note that the high school does not forward change-of-address information to WMCTC.

If an item has been lost or misplaced, it might be in Lost and Found in the Student Services office. These items may have been left on the bus, in our cafeteria or a classroom. Stop by to see if anything belongs to you.

If you've lost something, check it out!

If a student tests positive for COVID please stay home until symptoms are improving AND the student is fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Please let WMCTC nurse (ddavison@westerncenter.org) as well as attendance (attendance@westerncenter.org) know the student has tested positive and will be out.

If a household family member tests positive for COVID but the student is completely symptom free, the student may come to school.

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When a student isn't feeling well, he/she needs to visit the nurse for consultation. If a student contacts their parents without seeing the nurse, the student will still need to see Ms. Davison before dismissal.

There are many scholarship opportunities listed that have deadlines coming soon. Be sure to get your application submitted if interested. Each scholarship listed below has a deadline referenced.

Open March 1 through April 15

At Pottstown campus on April 12 and at Blue Bell campus on April 26. Use the QR code to the right to register (the one in the flyer is not working) or go to mc3.edu/openhouse

There is a scholarship opportunity for Upper Perk Seniors.

A $1500 scholarship is available for a student looking to attend a 4-year college or entering the workforce. Applications can be picked up in WMCTC Student Services or the high school office.

The deadline is April 14th. Don't procrastinate - apply now!

Use this link to access information on this scholarship: https://www.tfec.org/scholarships/pahr/

Deadline: April 15

Deadline is April 19

Entries must be sent to Monica@paaflcio.org by April 15, 2025

Seniors need to have 3 things in place to be awarded SOAR credits.

-Score overall Competent or Advanced on NOCTI testing

-Have a final cumulative GPA of 2.75 in your technical area

-Have a completed task list with all tasks marked at proficiency level

(SOAR does not include Cosmetology and Sports Medicine programs).

Students meeting these requirements will be mailed home all paperwork needed for SOAR credits. These credits are good for 16 months after graduation. Students refer to collegetransfer.net for participating schools.

What if I do not qualify for SOAR or my school is not connected to SOAR?

Take anything you have completed/earned from WMCTC (Certifications/NOCTI results/task list) to your school of interest. See if they will award any advance credit or allow you to test out of class. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE.

Attention students: Saint Francis University is offering a Zoom information session to learn about their Department of Professional Studies on December 10th at 6:00PM. Eligible WMCTC students interested in this specific program might earn a tuition discount. Attend the Zoom for further information: https://francis-edu.zoom.us/j/86380680283?from=addon

The mission of the Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center is to prepare quality citizens for lifelong productivity in a challenging and changing world by forming innovative partnerships among family, school, and community.

Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center, in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, will not discriminate in educational programs which it operates, or in admission or enrollment procedures on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, or handicap and provides equal access to the boyscouts and other designated youth groups. The Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center is an equal opportunity employer and educational institution. We assure that procedures and practices are followed to provide equal access to all programs. Any questions concerning the application of Title IX, compliance or complaints may be referred to Donna Wilson, Compliance Officer, at 77 Graterford Road, Limerick, PA 19468 610-489-7272, ext. 203

Email: crobinson@westerncenter.org
Website: https://www.westerncenter.org/
Location: 77 Graterford Road, Royersford, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 489-7272
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WESTERNMONTGOMERYCTC/