Student Services Newsletter

April 9th - Adult Education Open House - 5 p.m. - 7p.m.

April 10th - NOCTI- Baking & Pastry Arts and Culinary Arts - Performance Test - Seniors Only

April 11th- Co-Op- Report Back Day

April 15th - Career Readiness- NOCTI Test - Seniors Only

💐 April 17th-21st - Spring Break- NO CLASSES 💐

April 23rd - NOCTI - Program Knowledge Test - Seniors Only

April 25th - Co-Op- Luncheon

April 25th - Co-Op- Report Back Day

April 29th - NOCTI - Program Performance Test - Seniors Only

Seniors,

Please take a few minutes to complete the Senior Signing Day Survey by clicking the link below if:

• You have been offered employment at your current co-op location
• You plan to attend a college/university/trade school
• You plan to join the military

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y2cdCo8tBe9xeJdFiUdRZ8x_f9DxwaTh2mxZBIzUJ4w/preview

We will be using this information to host the First Annual Senior Signing Day on May 23, 2025. More information to follow later in April.

The deadline to complete this form is Monday, April 14, 2025. Any questions, please let me know. Thank you!

• Scholarship Opportunities

• Help your GACTC senior unlock their potential with our scholarship opportunities! Each year, we award numerous scholarships to deserving seniors who will continue their education or enter the workforce. All scholarship recipients will be honored at our Senior Awards Banquet on May 8, 2025. Take the first step toward your student's future success by exploring our scholarship database through this link. Make sure to check the scholarships page frequently, as information is updated on a regular basis.

• NOCTI

• April 10th - Performance NOCTI - Baking & Pasty and Culinary Arts Only
• April 15th - Career Readiness NOCTI - All Programs
• April 23rd - Knowledge NOCTI - All Programs
• April 29th - Performance NOCTI - All Programs except Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts

• Seniors who do not participate in NOCTI are not eligible to attend the Senior Awards Banquet or the Senior Ceremony without pre-approval from Interim Executive Director Nicole Zernick.

• Senior Awards Banquet

• May 8, 2025

• GACTC

• Invitation only

• Senior Ceremony

• May 20, 2025 at 6:00pm

• Blair County Convention Center

• Mandatory practice on May 15, 16, and 19.

• Students will receive their gowns and tickets following the completion of the senior exit survey, which will be completed at the end of each practice session.

• Students will be provided with 3 tickets for the event. Seniors do not need a ticket. If students need additional tickets, they may request extra tickets using this link. Extra tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis.
• For questions about Senior Ceremony tickets please call 814-505-1279.

LS1 (SW/AW/IW) Shadijah Copeland, who is a Logistics Specialist in the United States Navy, spoke with students in the Logistics & Supply Chain Management program about opportunities to further their career in the Navy.

Students in the Electrical Trades program learned how to put a cord end on a sander to help the students in the Cabinetmaking program.

Level 2 and 3 Culinary Arts students recently learned how to fillet round fish - Mediterranean Sea Bass! They also learned fish and shellfish identification, proper receiving and storage of fresh seafood, fabrication, and cooking. Students also practiced fabrication and cooking of shrimp and scallops. The students enjoyed practicing and learning these advanced skills.

Students in the Computer & Networking Technology Program played “Technical Pursuit” as a fun way to review class material.

Eddie DeAgostino from OVR conducted 2 workshops for our Service Occupation graduating seniors. At the first workshop, the students created a resume. At the second workshop, he presented on how to obtain a job and the services that OVR offers.

Student is the Precision Machining Program completed 22 window handles for an outside project. They set up a production line and everyone had a job, from cutting them to length to milling and drill holes.

Juniors and Seniors in the Culinary Arts Program who were interested in post-secondary culinary education recently toured IUP Academy of Culinary Arts. Students were given a tour of kitchens and classrooms, spoke to chef instructors and students, sampled food and pastries, and were shown an admissions presentation. It was a very informative and fun day spent in Punxsutawney, PA.

Congratulations to Isabelle Wolford who has been selected as the Stuckey Automotive student of the month in March. Isabelle is a Senior student from Altoona Area School District studying in our Cosmetology Program. This is what Isabelle's teacher had to say about her: Isabelle consistently demonstrates professionalism in every aspect of her cosmetology education and work. In the classroom, she maintains a positive attitude, stays focused on her studies, and follows all safety and sanitation protocols. At her salon job, she provides excellent customer service, arrives on time, and works efficiently to meet client needs. Isabelle is the model of professionalism and has been for 3 years in my program. I am extremely proud of Isabelle.

Articulation Agreement creates a path for GACTC students into Saint Francis University Associate of Applied Science

Saint Francis University and the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) recently implemented a new articulation agreement that will allow GACTC high school and postsecondary students to move seamlessly several of the center’s programs into the online Associate of Applied Science in Specialized Studies offered through Saint Francis University’s Division of Professional Studies.

Under the agreement, students who successfully complete any of GACTC high school or post-secondary programs with 700+ hours can transfer up to 48 credits into the new online A.A.S. in Specialized Studies. That means they only need to take four additional courses through Saint Francis to earn the A.A.S. degree.

Practical Nursing workshops start in January to help prepare students to take the TEAS exam that want to go into the Practical Nursing Program. The TEAS exam is a pre-entrance exam for the PN program. Here is the link where you can register: https://forms.gle/9GPW2LmNjLYxHtd26.

Please click the buttons below to view information.

Are you interested in purchasing GACTC apparel? The GACTC has worked with BSN Sports to set up an online apparel store. Orders can be placed and paid for at any time throughout the school year directly on the website. There are a variety of brands to choose from at different price points. There is no limited quality and orders are shipped directly to your home address. Happy shopping!

If you or someone you know is experiencing a Mental Health Crisis please call: