Charlotte Technical Center
18150 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-255-7500
Bernard A. Duffy Director
DeeLynn Bennett Assistant Director
www.yourcharlotteschools.net/ctc
‘Kaleidoscope’
November 2013 • Issue 5
Published Five Times Per Year
Charlotte Technical Center
Charlotte County Public Schools
1445 Education Way
Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1052
NOVEMBER 2013
Message from the Director
CTC programs and the enrollment process.
get to spend the day with CTC instructors
a great one so far for our students,
The 2013-14 school year has been
and current students and have an
community and staff. The CTC staff, each
and instructional staff
day, show their dedication to our school
Open House on October 22. Nearly
life first hand.
and our students. This is clearly evident
300 community members, current and
by their commitment to their specific
prospective students visited our campus
learning institution that continues to
programs and their desire for excellence.
and left with a wealth of information about
head into the future with exciting and
our Tech Center.
innovative programs for both adults and
year saw great things from our SkillsUSA
high school students.
program. Officers have been selected and
grow and hopefully continue to meet the
an informational meeting/”pep rally” was
needs of our community. This fall a Waste
corner. On behalf of the entire CTC staff,
held this fall under the direction of Skills
Water Management course began in the
I wish you and your families a happy
advisor Ms. Barbara McCauley and staff.
evening. We are exploring the possibility
Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season!
of adding Electrical and Wiring for
The first nine weeks of the school
The CTC faculty was well represented
The CTC Student Services department
held a CTC
The programs at CTC continue to
at the county annual College Night held in
Residential Homes in the near future.
September. Hundreds of county students
visited the CTC information table and
December 4 where high school students
walked away with a greater understanding of
interested in pursuing tech programs will
MISSION STATEMENT
opportunity to experience CTC campus
As you can see, CTC is a very busy
The holiday season is around the
Sincerely,
A CTC Shadow Day is planned for
Bernard A. Duffy
The mission of Charlotte Technical Center is to provide an effective, innovative technical
education preparing students to enter, advance, and succeed in the workplace.
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C H A R L O T T E
T E C H
C E N T E R
K A L E I D O S C O P E
New Programs at CTC
Open House
It is hard to believe we are coming to the end of our first semester.
So many new and exciting things are happening at Charlotte Technical
Charlotte Technical Center had over 130 visitors at our
Open House held on October 22, 2013. Visitors had a chance to
enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner in Papa G’s prior to the Open
House. There were demonstrations by most of our programs
and information from our Dual Enrollment, Adult Admissions,
Center this year. Check out the information on our new website at www.
yourcharlotteschools.net/CTC. January enrollment is now going on for the
following programs: Automotive Services, Culinary, Computer System,
Dental Assisting, Digital Design, Drafting and Early Childhood Education
– and there are still seats available in our evening Patient Care Assistant
Financial Aid and SkillsUSA. A good time was had by all!
program. Not sure which program is right for you? Call me to tour the
Congratulations to our four door prize winners!
talk with the students and decide which career is right for you.
First Prize:
Gena Smith
Second Prize:
Zack Foust
Third Prize:
Tyrone Posten
Fourth Prize:
Somer Morris
campus or shadow a class for the day, where you can meet the instructors,
Our website is not the only new look for CTC this year. We are now
working with local employers to provide targeted, short-term training to
meet the needs of our growing economy. These courses are being offered
in the evening accommodate the schedules of working students. Charlotte
County Utilities and Englewood Water District were our first partners
in this endeavor, and CTC is now an approved training site for Level “C”
Water and Wastewater Operators Training. January is the target date for
a Residential Electrical Wiring course that grew out a partnership with
Charlotte Desoto Builders Association. This is just the beginning - does
your business have a need for specialized training? Contact CTC to learn
how we can tailor a course that will provide you with quality employees that
can help your business grow. - BJ Holbach, Adult Career Specialist, 941-2557500, ext. 191, [email protected]
Criminal Justice Program
Our Criminal Justice program is in full swing and moving forward.
We have attained 100% membership in Skills/USA in both the morning
and afternoon classes, and both classes are now involved in setting up
and executing several fundraising operations: on 10/17 we will be holding
a bake sale as part of the “Gallery Walk” in Punta Gorda, and on 10/19 a
bake sale and snow cone sale at the Tractor Supply Store’s Halloween and
pumpkin painting event.
We will also be volunteering to provide ticket collection help at the
Lashley Marina’s “Haunted Harbor” event, with a nice donation to our
fundraising fund for the help provided.
Criminal Justice students will begin training and practice for the
skills/USA events that we will be competing in this year. We fully expect
to win GOLD in the state competitions, and send our winner(s) to
national. - Submitted by: Ron Whalen, Criminal Justice Instructor
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Current Version of GED Test to Expire at End of 2013
GED testing centers in Charlotte County
encourage candidates to finish and pass before test deadlines
Port Charlotte, Fl. — The Charlotte Technical Center/Charlotte
longer. The price of the total online GED test is $130.00 or if
County Public Schools would like to announce that the current
you prefer, $26.00 per subtest. For more information please visit
version of the GED test will expire at the end of 2013. The current
www.GEDcomputer.com or call Pearson VUE at 1. 877.393.6433
version, known as the 2002 Series GED test, will be replaced with
the new 2014 GED test on January 2, 2014.
Charlotte Technical Center before the end of 2013:
A few important tips you should know about at The
Those who have taken the 2002 Series GED test, but not
The last day to take the current version of the GED® PAPER
passed all five parts, have until the end of 2013 to pass or they will
PENCIL test is December 10th and 11th, 2013. Please call the
need to start over again in 2014 with the new GED test in order to
Charlotte Technical Center for more information. Our last days
receive their high school credential.
of testing online, prior to winter break will be December 18th and
“Passing the GED test opens doors to college, better jobs,
19th, 2013. Once we return in January of 2014, those students
the respect adults deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high
not completing the 2002 series will need to start over with the
school credential,” said Bernard Duffy, Director, of The Charlotte
2014 series. “To anyone who has already started the GED test,
Technical Center. “So we want to be sure that everyone is aware
your future is calling. By passing the GED test, you can answer
of this deadline. GED test-takers must act now to finish and pass
that call,” said Randy Trask, president and CEO of GED Testing
before the current test expires.”
Service. “You owe it to yourself. Don’t miss the chance to turn one
small step into your next big opportunity in life.”
“Support is available, right here in Charlotte County,” said
Jeffeney DeBarr, Testing Coordinator at The Charlotte Technical
Center. “We can prepare adult learners to take the parts of the GED
programs for more than 18 million graduates since 1942. Last year
test they still need to pass. We want you to succeed!”
nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by
virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the
Interested GED test-takers can find more information at:
The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college
finishtheGED.com.
official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to
We offer online GED testing at The Charlotte Technical Center
ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable
every Wednesday and Thursday. Testing candidates receive their
pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high
scores immediately, except for the essay portion, which takes a bit
school credential. Learn more at GEDtestingservice.com.
College Night at the Stone Crabs
On August 17th some of our Charlotte Technical Center and Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University (ERAU) Staff participated in an outreach to the community. Pictured at right during the “College/Faith Night” for the Charlotte Stone Crabs,
were Frank (ERAU student), Karen Candiani ERAU Assistant. Professor, Dawn
Zoerner RN Health Sciences Instructor, and Chuck Cantieny Drafting Program
Planner. Inside the main gate and to the left tables were lined up with staff from
different educational opportunities here in the SW Florida Area. Among them
was CTC and ERAU shining proudly. The rain drizzled on our efforts. The game
was not cancelled, only delayed slightly because of the lightning and thunder. The
home team won as was expected. We were safe in our seats (flying baseballs and
all) up under the covered stadium. A fun, wet, interesting night was had by all.
To download a pdf version of this newsletter, go to www.academypublishing.com/schools/charlottetech/charlottetech.php
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C H A R L O T T E
T E C H
C E N T E R
Charlotte Technical Center Other Secret
K A L E I D O S C O P E
Highest Quality Preschool Program Offered
at a Discount Price and is Open to the Public
Charlotte Technical Center is often referred to as “One of the best
“unannounced” throughout the school year. We never have a problem
kept secrets in Charlotte County” A report from Bankrate, Inc. on the
with this because the program has integrity; “We are what we say we are,
Yahoo, Finance page listed Charlotte Technical Center in the top ten of
all day, every day.” So we welcome monitors and inspectors anytime.
best deals for College/Technical Education. Another component of the
“Secret” is the Pumpkin Patch Preschool. The Pumpkin Patch Preschool
manage our children. We use Beyond Centers and Circle Time Curriculum
Laboratory is the preschool for the Early Childhood Education Program
for typical and atypical developing children. The curriculum was created
(ECE). Students in ECE get hands-on training. To make sure the training
in Tallahassee, Florida by the Creative Center for Childhood Research
students get is of the highest quality, the preschool prides it self as
and Training, Inc. and Florida State University. High Scope, developed
being one of the best preschools in Charlotte County and is open to the
by University of Eastern Michigan is used by many Head Start programs
general public.
throughout the U.S. plus, Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey to
support children’s social/emotional development.
The ECE Program began in 1993 to meet the increasing need for early
The preschool uses play-based cutting edge curricula to educate and
education programs in the community to have trained and certified staff.
The facility is a very spacious center and is the model for the child
The Pumpkin Patch Preschool opened with the program. Suzi Jamrog
care community. The classroom could be licensed for up to thirty-
started both programs, and twenty-one years later is still in charge. The
six children but we want to keep the quality so we only admit twenty
Pumpkin Patch is licensed as a child care center under the Deptartment of
children at a time. The very well equipped large classroom has ample
Children and Families. This insures that State minimum standards are met.
toys and materials for the children to use. We develop different thematic
But it is what the program does beyond this that makes it an outstanding
centers and rotate materials to provide children richer more in-depth
center. Since 2005 the center has been Nationally Accredited by the
learning. The program takes advantage of being in Florida by extending
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The
the classroom and learning to the outside playground. Any classroom/
State of Florida recognizes thirteen accreditations. NAEYC Accreditation
program is only as good as the people who work with the children. Pat
is the torch bearer of accreditations. It is the oldest and hardest to obtain
McNamara has been the one lead para professional teacher for the
because of the over 600 criteria that must be maintained at all times and
Pumpkin Patch for thirteen years. Ms. Pat has over thirty- five years of
verified annually. Only one other center in Charlotte County has this
experience in the field. She has a bachelor’s degree and holds a Florida
accreditation. In addition, the Pumpkin Patch participates in the USDA
Child Care Professional Certification. She is supported by the students in
Food Program. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are provided daily. Being on
training, which creates extremely low child to teacher ratios and allows
the Tech Center campus allows for many opportunities for our children.
for high creativity learning to takes place.
One is that our children are provided a gourmet lunch daily from the
Culinary Arts Program. Another curriculum/food feature is the children
schools or to corporate employees. These extremely high quality programs
get to cook their own breakfast or food experience at least once each
are not financially feasible for average or low income families. Because
week. This includes: Omelets, French toast, pigs in the blanket, green
of the partnership of using a center for students to train the Pumpkin
eggs and ham, potato latkes, holiday cookies, ginger bread houses, etc.
Patch, like other campus child care centers, we can offer this same level of
The program contracts with the Early Learning Coalition for families who
quality to the average or low income family. The Pumpkin Patch currently
are eligible to receive a subsidized scholarship for their children’s care.
has openings this school year. Let us be your partner in your children’s
The program partners with CTC full time adult students. The program
education. Come see if we are a good fit for your family. Call Charlotte
provides child care at a drastically reduced price for CTC full time adult
Technical Center/Pumpkin Patch Preschool 255-7500 ext. 279 or 269;
students. Because of the contracts with these agencies, they all inspect
ask for Suzi Jamrog.
This type of program is often only offered in urban areas as private
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N O V E M B E R
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School Safety and Security
AWARENESS IS KEY
It’s the Beginning of a
Beautiful Friendship
With the recent attention and highlight directed toward campus safety and
security, I am frequently asked, “Are we doing anything to increase our security?”
Well, the short answer is “YES!” Now, doesn’t that make you feel better? However,
the longer and more correct answer is “YES, BUT!” Don’t you just love the “YES,
BUT!” answers? Unfortunately, they’re sometimes justified, and in this case,
doors this year to Charlotte Virtual School. Formerly
necessary to correctly answer the question; “Are we doing anything to increase our
housed on The Academy’s campus, CVS has grown
security?” YES, BUT! we need to be doing more, and we really need to emphasize
over the past four school years to currently include
the WE! All of us can easily take part in providing a safer campus and it’s as simple
60 full-time students and 275 part-time students
as paying more attention. AWARENESS IS KEY!
for its middle and high school programs.
School place violence is at an all time high. While the majority of it is student
Charlotte Technical Center has opened its
Students taking courses through CVS follow
on student, the more horrific mass casualty incidents come from outside intruders
the same progression plan that is offered at the
and may be preventable. AWARENESS IS KEY! This is not meant to advocate that
county’s middle and high schools and mainly
we all learn to disarm an armed intruder intent on doing harm with nothing more
receive their instruction via computer at home.
that our keen powers of observation, but my 26years of experience in Public Safety
The core courses of English, mathematics, social
(police and fire) has taught me that early detection and alarm can in some cases
studies, and science are also offered at the honors
prevent and in almost all cases lessen the number of victims and mitigate injuries.
and Advanced Placement levels for those students
Early detection and alarm begins with whoever has first contact with the
interested in advanced classes. Some students
source. Most of the time this contact takes place before any threat of violence
supplement their coursework from other schools
occurs or is even implied. AWARENESS IS KEY! For example: All visitors to any
with courses through CVS while still participating
of our campuses are required to sign in, be raptored (background screened), and
in activities and sports at their assigned schools.
issued a visitor’s pass. So, if while on a trip across campus you were to notice an
Students enrolled in private, charter, and home
individual without an I.D. or pass or someone who just looked out of place, you
schools are also eligible to enroll as part-time
could simply and politely ask, “May I help you?” Any reasonable person with a
student in the program. However, there are an
legitimate purpose will respond in a like manner and be no worse for it. Anything
increasing number of students who have opted to
less than a reasonable response should arouse your suspicion and prompt you to
make CVS their main school.
contact security ASAP. The sooner security is aware of anything suspicious, the
sooner it can be dealt with, no matter what level of response is required, i.e. police,
program have access to the school’s three virtual
fire, school nurse, custodian, etc. If you don’t feel comfortable enough to initiate
full-time teachers. The following teachers have
contact with this unknown person, then call it in anyway and allow security to help
taught in Charlotte County for many years and are
them. The point is if someone or something is even a little suspicious, call it in.
sometimes on CTC’s campus for open-lab sessions:
AWARENESS IS KEY!
Julianne Farricker-English/Social Studies, Janet
Think about how many times you have heard a victim or witness say or you
Scinta-Math, and Jason Wikman-Science. The
yourself may have said, “I knew something was wrong,” or “I had a funny feeling
school also has other part-time instructors that
something wasn’t right.” I can’t tell you how many times over my career I have
teach at one of the county’s schools during the day
interviewed victims and or witnesses and heard them utter the same regret, “I
and then work with CVS in the evenings.
just knew something was going to happen.” Those funny feelings or those little
alarms we have are instincts. Trust your instincts; you have them for a reason.
contact Mrs. Tara Whisenant at 255-7507.
AWARENESS IS KEY!
also visit the school’s website at http://www.edline.
Students who participate in the full-time
If you have any questions about CVS, please
You
Security levels, tactics, policies and procedures are and will forever be
net/pages/Charlotte_Technical_Center/Charlotte_
evolving, changing; rising and lowering in relation to the threat levels we face as
Virtual_School for more information, including
a society. Our own awareness is easy to deploy, costs nothing, is endless in supply
applications for enrollment and course descriptions.
and will always remain vital to any form of security and safety. Let us all raise our
awareness level and improve the safety and security of our schools together. By:
Glenn Blondun Charlotte Technical Center/The Academy Security
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C H A R L O T T E
T E C H
C E N T E R
Job Fair
K A L E I D O S C O P E
So You Want to be a Pilot....
The Charlotte Engineering and Aerospace Institute is running the
Private Pilot Ground School class at the Charlotte Technical Center. At the
end of the course, students are prepared to pass their written FAA Private
Pilot Knowledge Exam. Students can also earn 5 college credits from
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for this course. This September,
students were paired up with local pilots to take introductory rides. The airplane becomes the classroom and the concepts that the students
are studying come to life. After their rides the students were treated to
a tour of the Airtraffic Control Tower on the field. The day was fun and
educational for everyone – students and pilots alike, an experience no one
will ever forget. As Leonardo da Vinci said, “Once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you
have been, and there you will always long to return.”
The Charlotte Engineering and Aerospace Institute (CEAI) at the
Charlotte Technical Center is a partnership between Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University (ERAU) and Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS)
and is designed to enhance a student’s future success in college or professional
trade schools. Courses are taught by Embry-Riddle aviation professionals.
Check out the Embry-Riddle Aerospace Career Academies at:
http://www.erau.edu/degrees/aerospace-career-academy
https://www.facebook.com/ERAUAerospaceCareerAcademy
A few spots are left!
We need you!
Advertise in the Charlotte Technical Center Newsletter, Kaleidoscope! This is a wonderful way for your company to get community
recognition and exposure, and at the same time help support your local schools! Charlotte Technical Center, 941-255-7500
N O V E M B E R
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Cosmetology
The Cosmetology Program at the Charlotte Technical Center is in full
As you can see we do have a lot of fun as well as a curriculum that makes
swing again. It is a highly innovative, creative and fulfilling career choice.
for a very successful and educated Professional.
The Program is designed to ready the future professional for State Board
Licensing Exam. The field of Cosmetology incorporates a wide variety
November along with one totally different color makeovers for $10.00. Come
of services which are taught such as extensive coloring techniques such
in and visit us again or if you’ve never been here come give us a try, you won’t
as multiple foiling techniques, innovative haircutting and razor cutting,
be disappointed. We have two highly qualified Instructors in the Program.
styling techniques, scalp treatments, conditioning treatments, makeovers,
perming techniques, makeup, regular facials and machine facials, artificial
Maietta – Instructor/Lab Teacher.
We will be giving free haircuts to anyone the months of October and
They are Mary Curby, Program Planner/Lead Instructor and Mr. David
lashes, waxing, manicuring, pedicuring, nail extensions, Florida Law,
retailing and preparation for State Board Exam.
The Program incorporates textbook learning along presentations
from Salons in our area, lab work and fun days. Two days per month
have been incorporated into the class structure. They are: workshop
day in which the students spend the entire day working with each
other trying new color, styling
techniques, facial treatments, etc.
Retro Day is a day where the student
is given a specific era and they must
create a hairstyle and makeup for
that era.
September’s era is the
1020’s & 30’s. See picture at right of
an example of a 1920’s makeover.
October was “Fantasy Day”, see
picture at right of an example of the
“Fantasy Day” makeover.
December’s Retro Day’s theme
will be: “The Future”.
The Cosmetology Program has a wonderful rapport with the
Community. Area merchants call us to come and give services to their
employees and customers such as haircuts, hairstyles, manicures.
Etc. On October 12, 2013 Mrs. Curby and students went to Dillard’s
for Customer Appreciation Day giving hairstyles and manicures.
On October 26, 2013 Mrs. Curby and students were asked by the
Charlotte County YMCA to participate in their First Annual Zombie
Run to do the Zombie makeup. Pictured at right are several photos of
the Zombie’s we created.
Mary Curby
David Maietta
Charlotte Technical Center
Charlotte County Public Schools
1445 Education Way
Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1052
A Lil’ Pumpkin Trivia
8
1. Pumpkins are a:
a. fruit b. vegetable c. mineral
Construction Begins on the New Palm Home
Construction and drafting students along with many members of the Charlotte, Desoto Building
Industry Association’s Professionals Actively Leading and Mentoring Home Project break ground for a
new home.
The project involves representatives from the construction industry and Charlotte County
government actively working with students of the Tech Center’s construction and drafting programs to
design and build a new home from the ground up on Arden Terrace in Port Charlotte.
The program is sponsored by the CDBIA and the Florida Home Builders Association’s Future
Builders of America Program.
Construction students will have an opportunity to advance their skills in the electrical, plumbing,
air conditioning and masonry trades along with completing the carpentry work on the house.
Cody Peterson, an advanced carpentry student,
was chosen by Cantin Builders to be the assistant
supervisor for the Palm Home. Cody was chosen
because of his strong work history and experience as
well as his availability after hours. Cody will work along
with carpentry instructor Mr. Jones on the scheduling,
coordination and communication throughout the job.
Non-Profit Organization
US Postage Paid
Permit #22
Punta Gorda, FL
The home is expected to sell for $220,000 to
$230,000 with profits used to finance another palm home
and to help support the Future Builders of America.
2. Who is the avid believer in the great pumpkin on
‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown ‘cartoon?
a. Lucy b. Charlie Brown c. Linus
3. Pumpkins are made up of how much water?
a. 30% b. 50% c. 90%
4. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed
how much?
a. 844 lbs b. 1140 lbs c. 2091 lbs
5. Which Disney Princess caught a ride to the ball
in a pumpkin?
a. Snow White b. Cinderella c. Princess Aurora
6. Pumpkin contains significant amounts of:
a. Potassium and vitamin A
b. Magnesium and Vitamin C
c. Foliate and Vitamin D
7. Pumpkins are grown on how many continents:
a. 2 b. 5 c. 6
8. The largest pumpkin pie ever made was:
a. 1500 lbs and 10 feet in diameter
b. 2800 lbs and 15 feet in diameter
c. 3700 lbs and 20 feet in diameter
9. What variety is the traditional Halloween
Pumpkin?
a. Autumn Gold b. Connecticut Field c. Baby Boo
10. Pumpkins were once recommended for:
a. Removing freckles and curing snake bites
b. Reducing swelling and removing freckles
c. Curing chicken pox and repelling spiders.
Answers: 1-a; 2-c; 3-c; 4-c; 5-b;
6-a; 7-c; 8-c; 9-a; 10-b