CATEC September 2024 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)

It is hard to believe that we are wrapping-up September, and our school year really is officially launched!

October 15th ends our first marking period of the school year. If you would like to keep track of your student's CATEC grades, please access our PowerSchool information here.

Thank you to all of our community members, business partners, and families who joined to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We had a wonderful event that celebrated our past as an essential educational option for our community, as well as looked forward to our future in the area, including our new name and ownership.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stacey Heltz

• Beginning of Year Forms are due ASAP. Access them here
• Parking Pass Forms are due ASAP to Ms. Wood in the front office
• October 18: No CATEC Students

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.

On Saturday, September 28th CATEC celebrated its 50th anniversary. Thank you to all our staff, students, families, business partners, and alumni to came to our event. Check out NBC29's story on the celebration.

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:

Mrs. 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 emotional support. 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 #20 Professionalism, #12 Career and Life Management Skills, #22 Workplace Safety, and #5 Positive Work Ethic. All classes were introduced to Career Development, a monthly programs where students work with our Career Development Specialist, Amanda Jay, on developing skills to identify their skills and communicate them professionally in job interviews.

• Vet Science
• Charlottesville High School
• 12th grade
• Loves animals
• Wants to be a working-animal athletic trainer
• Plans to attend a 4-year college

• CHS assistant athletic trainer for the football season and plays softball

• Fire Science
• Western Albemarle High School
• 11th grade
• Loves hands-on learning and wants to earn certifications
• Works 3 jobs
• Volunteers at Crozet Fire Station
• Plans to join Marines after graduation
• Loves racing dirt bikes

Program Overview

In CATEC's two-year Culinary Arts program, students examine all aspects of the culinary industry. They explore diverse cuisines and service styles by demonstrating basic culinary skills, including knife skills, different cooking methods, food science principles, and scaling and measuring techniques. Students read recipes and develop menus. They investigate food safety and sanitation measures, including kitchen safety procedures. This program prepares students for occupations such as chef/cook, baker/pastry helper, pastry decorator, hospitality worker, dietetic aide/assistant, food demonstrator, and entrepreneur. Critical thinking, practical problem solving, and entrepreneurship opportunities within the field of Culinary Arts are emphasized.

Industry Credentials

September is National Food Safety Month and CATEC's Culinary Arts program works hard to get its students certified in industry-recognized food safety programs. The ServSafe food safety certifications, created for the National Restaurant Association, focus on personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, safe food preparation, and food safety procedures.

Real-World, Hands-On Learning

Serving the public has always been an important part of the CATEC Culinary experience. The program has served thousands of community members through Thanksgiving sales, catering events, and through its food truck. In 2017, the Culinary Arts program launched its food bus, Technical Eats!, which allows students to prepare and serve food outside of the CATEC building, getting to interact with the public and have the practice of working in a fast-paced environment.

Chef Mays has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts and it is currently pursuing an Associate of Education Degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College. She has worked as a Sous Chef at Glenmore Country Club, providing three course meals of up to 300 people. She has also been an Opening Baker at Marie Bette Bakery. where she recently learned how to make croissants from scratch. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, seeing live music, and volunteering with animals at local shelters.

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