N 23 Newsletter

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School

NEWSLETTER

November 2024

Upcoming Events

from the principal

• Early Release 11/20

• Trimester 1 Ends 11/26

• Thanksgiving Break 11/27-29

Hello OC Community,

It is hard to believe October is behind us and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. Our clubs are up and running and well attended. Our Fall sports teams are wrapping up and our Winter sports teams are preparing for an exciting season of competition. Our Soccer program hosted a very successful Alumni vs. Student game this past Saturday. Seeing our graduates return to show support for their sports programs shows dedication, that I know will convey to our current OC students and keep them motivated to continue doing what they love to do. Mr. Mare and our students are coordinating Holiday Meals for Thanksgiving. If you know of any family in need of some help please contact the main office at (508) 763-8011. It is hard to believe we are nearly one-third through the year. I want to thank all students and staff for their focus and commitment to learning. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving break wherever you may travel.. Be Well, Gary Linehan

Thanksgiving Give me the end of the year an’ its fun When most of the plannin’ an’ toilin’ is done; Bring all the wanderers home to the nest, Let me sit down with the ones I love best, Hear the old voices still ringin’ with song, See the old faces unblemished by wrong, See the old table with all of its chairs An’ I’ll put soul in my Thanksgivin’….. Edgar Albert Guest

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PTO

Athletics

Academics

Vocational

Guidance

Academic News

MCAS

COUGAR CONNECTION

On November 5 th , fifty-nine percent of Massachusetts voters decided to eliminate MCAS as a graduation requirement. The new law will take effect no earlier than December 5, 2024. The administration of the MCAS retests in English Language Arts (November 6 and 7) and Mathematics (November 12 and 13) will go forward. Since these tests will be administered before the new law goes into effect any student who earns a qualifying score on the retest willsatisfy the requirements for that subject area. Therefore, all students eligible for retesting in the November administration should do so.

Cougar Connection provides opportunities for students to receive extra help, study with friends, work on projects, or use the maker space. Students can sign in to Cougar Connection in the library every Monday through Thursday after school. Late buses are provided and they depart at 3:50. However, Students who drive or can arrange for a ride home are welcome to stay until 4:30.

EXTRA HELP

All teachers are available either on Tuesday or Thursday of each week. Students should be sure to take advantage of this time. Check teachers’ Google Classrooms for availability.

LITERACY

Our literacy initiative is underway. Teachers in both CVTE and academic areas have begun writing across the curriculum using the Claim - Evidence - Reasoning (C-E-R) model. Teachers will receive ongoing training and support throughout the school year to help students make claims, identify evidence, and to connect claims and evidence through reasoning. Consistent practice of C-E-R improves higher order thinking skills, which are necessary for achievement in school, work, and life.

LATE BUS

We have late buses available Monday - Thursday every week, with the exception of half days or days where we don’t have school. Buses leave promptly at 3:50pm.

Guidance News

Continued...

*Follow the guidance department on Facebook - Old Colony Guidance Department - for all things happening in guidance*

Guidance Upcoming Events:

Guidance Counselor Information:

11/13/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 12) - Lasell University Information Session/On-Site Admissions 11/15/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 12) - College Applications 12/2/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 11) - Johnson & Wales University Information Session 12/4/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 11) - Massasoit Community College Information Session 12/6/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 11) - University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Information Session 12/12/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 12) - Framingham State University Information Session 12/16/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 12) - College Applications 12/19/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 10) - SAT Prep 12/20/2024: Cougar Time (Gr. 12) - SAT Prep

Kelly Hevey, khevey@oldcolony.info, x128: Carpentry, Health Careers, Metal Fabrication & Joining Technology, Electrical, Freshmen with last names beginning with A-F Caitlin Vandal, cvandal@oldcolony.info, x127: Automotive Technology, Business Technology, Cosmetology, Machine & Tool, Freshmen with last names beginning with G-O Daniel Wright, dwright@oldcolony.info, x129: Architecture & Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Electronics Engineering Technology, Graphic Communication & Design, Freshmen with last names beginning with P-Z Adjustment Counselors: Scott Boyle, sboyle@oldcolony.info, x149 Kristyn Falcione, kfalcione@oldcolony.info, x263 Guidance Secretary Information: Brittany Lestage, blestage@oldcolony.info, x126

October Highlights in the OC Counseling Center:

• Signing Co-op paperwork for seniors.
• Helping seniors with college applications.
• Writing letters of recommendation.
• On-going student support as needed.
• SAT Prep, College Info Sessions (with College Admissions Counselors), and College Applications Cougar Times
• College/career/future classroom sessions with seniors
• Life Skills Lessons with sophomores and seniors from shops

Guidance News

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2024 Digital SAT

The College Now/START program:

2024 Digital SAT SAT Test Date: November 2, 2024 (Location of your choosing)Register by October 18, 2024 Late Registration Deadline: October 22, 2024 Visit Collegeboard.org for more information/registration SAT Test Date: December 7, 2024 (Location of your choosing) Register by November 22, 2024 Late Registration Deadline: November 26, 2024 Visit Collegeboard.org for more information/registration SAT Test Date: March 8, 2025 (Location of your choosing) Register by February 21, 2025 Late Registration Deadline: February 25, 2025 Visit Collegeboard.org for more information/registration Go to https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/ for list of Test Optional schools.

Will begin accepting student applications for Fall 2025 cohort through their alternative admissions at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Due to the program’s limited space for incoming students; applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and complete an in-person meeting with the admissions team prior to April 1st, 2025. Students interested in the College Now/START Program can apply by using the UMassD online application or the Common Application. Please note when completing the application, students must select either College Now (COLNW) or START (START) as their 1st choice of major and second choice should be their major of interest. Students interested in applying to the College Now Program must be either a U. S. citizen or a permanent U. S. resident for at least one year and cannot exceed 24 transferable college credits. Although not limited to students who only meet the criteria below, applicants who satisfy one of the following criteria below are encouraged to enroll and receive support services through our program: (1) Be of low-income status, as defined by federal guidelines and/or (2) Be first generation college bound Students interested in applying through the START Program must be pursuing calculus-based majors, such as Engineering, Math, Computer Science or Physics. Applicants applying to the College Now/START Program are not admissible through the Office of Admissions. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete developmental and credited courses in order to matriculate into the university. College Now/START is a Fall admissions program only.

Juniors: Interested in the National Merit Scholarship? Please see your guidance counselor for more information.

Seniors: What is the Common Application?

the Common Application is a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. Instead of filling out the same general information—like your address, GPA, and extracurriculars— a dozen times, you only have to do it once. Community Colleges do not use the Common App. www.commonapp.org

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Free College is now an option!

OC Class of 2025 FAFSA Support at the Educational Opportunity Center

No matter your age or income: if you live in Massachusetts and don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, you can attend a Massachusetts community college for free thanks to the MassReconnect and MassEducate programs. No tuition. No fees. To be eligible to enroll at community college for free, you must:

• Must not have a previous Bachelor’s degree.
• Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
• Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Enroll in at least six credits (two classes) per semester in an approved Associate degree or certificate program.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that parents/guardians can complete to see how much federal financial aid they qualify for. Completing the FAFSA form can be confusing, but it is an integral part of the college process. This year, seniors students and their parents/guardians will be invited to schedule individual appointments at the Educational Opportunity Center for FAFSA support. Members from the EOC will work one-on-one with families to complete the FAFSA form. Please be sure to bring all required documents to this meeting.

Educational Opportunity CenterPrograms of Seven Hills 10 Welby Road New Bedford, MA 02745

Contact information will be shared shortly once the FAFSA form becomes available to families (likely in December).

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You will also need the following:

• Student Social Security number
• Student date of birth
• Student email address and access to email
• Student FSA ID and password if you already have one
• Student alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
• Married parents social security number
• Married parents dates of birth
• Parent email address and access to email
• Parent FSA ID and password if you already have one
• Your parents date of marriage (if applicable) or divorce (if applicable)
• Student and parent current bank statements and other asset statements that are non retirement (if applicable)
• If you do not have FSA ID we will need to create one for you and your parent
• List of the colleges you are applying to

The 2025–26 FAFSA Form Coming Soon:

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be available to the public on or before Dec. 1, 2024. How to prepare for the upcoming FAFSA Form:

How To Prepare Upcoming FAFSA

What you Need to Complete a 2025-2026 FAFSA

**Independent students are those individuals who are over 24 years of age; born before January 1, 2000. Students who are under 24 years of age but one of the following apply; are also considered to be independent students and parental information is not required.

• Married Veteran or serving in the armed services
• Both parents are deceased
• Has a child that you provide more than 50% of their support
• Are you or were you in legal guardianship
• At any time since age 13, were you a Ward of the Court or in foster care
• Has dependants other than a child that you provide more than 50% of their support
• Has a bachelor’s degree
• Parental information may not be required under certain instances of homelessness but must answer several FAFSA questions to make determination

*Dependent students are required to provide parental information for FAFSA. Dependent students are those students who are under 24 years of age. If your students are applying for need-based financial aid, we know the FAFSA has changed! A couple of helpful points: Each FAFSA contributor – student and parent/guardian(s) – must create an FSA ID and password to log in. You MUST have a FAFSA ID before beginning the FAFSA form. It will take 3-4 days to receive your FAFSA ID once you apply for it. Starting this year, contributors must give consent to share IRS data with FAFSA. FAFSA will be available for the 2025-26 academic year in December or January. Be sure your students choose the correct academic year when completing.

In order to complete a FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year all students will need 2022 financial information. *Dependent students need 2022 financial information for both student and parent. Parent must electronically sign the FAFSA application as well as the student. To be serviced by an educational advisor you will need a copy of 2022 Federal Income Tax Return and W2 statements or other proof of income (TANF benefits, veterans’ benefits, social security benefits, etc.) for student and parent if applicable; along with a signed intake form.

25 26 FAFSA Deadlines

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Guidance News

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FAFSA vs. CSS Profile - What is the difference?

On-Site Admissions: Coming Soon! Bristol Community College and UMass Dartmouth will be coming to OC on December 11th and January 15th, respectively, to hold individual on-site (at OC during the school day) admissions appointments with interested senior students. This is an opportunity for students to complete their application (fee waived) with an admissions counselor and receive an acceptance decision on the spot. Sign up google forms to follow!

If you need help paying for college, there are a few different ways to get financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile). Both of these help determine your eligibility for aid — but while the FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid, the CSS Profile is a private form that some colleges use to determine eligibility for institutional aid. While most colleges and universities accept the FAFSA, only about 200 programs colleges/universities use the CSS Profile. Most only require the FAFSA form, but you should first check if your potential school accepts the CSS Profile.

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Wareham New Bedford Elks Lodge Student of the Month: Senior Junior Kenzie Castelejo of the Graphics Communications vocational program was identified as the Wareham New Bedford Elks Lodge Old Colony RVTHS Student of the Month for November. Congratulations, Kenzie!

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PTO News

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Our monthly meetings are held on the second Thursdays at the school. Our next meeting is November 14th at 6:00. We hope to see you there. To be added to our mailing list email: oldcolonypto1@gmail.com

Happy Holidays from the PTOThe PTO will be sending off the students and staff on a festive note again this year. For the fourth year in a row Santa will visit during lunch. Students will be able to take pictures with Santa and receive a bag of holiday candies. The staff will be treated to our holiday treat cart visiting each classroom and technical program area. Xfinity Fundraiser Please consider joining us next season. The PTO is able to do so much for OC because of our strong commitment to volunteering at Xfinity. Volunteering at Xfinity is fun, easy and benefits everyone at Old Colony. Email oldcolonypto1@gmail.com to be added to our Xfinity fundraiser mailing list. Saver's Clothing Drive: Be sure to put aside any of your soft goods as you clean out your closet. The funds raised at this fundraiser go to Senior Scholarships. We have multiple drop off locations, if you are interested in volunteering please email oldcolonypto1@gmail.com.

Board Members: Debra Quin - President Krystle Empey - Vice President Darnell Gray - Secretary Brianne Crook- Treasurer Ana Alcock - Community Representative

Upcoming Events: November 14 6:00: Monthly Meeting December 12 6:00: Monthly Meeting December 21: Santa at lunch December 21 Teacher Holiday Treat Cart Spring TBA: Saver’s Clothing Fundrive

Extra-Curricular Activities This year the PTO is giving funding to the following extra-curricular activities: Game Night Robotics Club Drama National Honor Society MASkillsUSA Old Colony Chapter

Vocational News

Cooperative Education Program:

Exploratory Program: Just a reminder to take time to review the expectations and requirements for each vocational program, included in the Exploratory Program Overview, prior to entering each exploratory program session in their rotation. These expectations and requirements will have an impact on the student’s exploratory grade, which could affect the student’s ultimate vocational program assignment.

We would like to congratulate the following students for their participation in our Cooperative Education Program:

• Noah Bellefeuille - Peterson Electric
• Makayla Bowlby - James Joseph Salon Studio
• Sophia Cruz - Grieco Ford of Raynham
• Cadin Gifueiredo - MV Electrical Contractors
• Maxwell Finney - Fiske Construction
• William Fringuelli - J&R Plastics
• Tyler Garcia - Leo’s Machine
• Landon Hunter - KR Rezendes
• Raymond McAleer - Desrochers Bros, Inc.
• Cole Mello - N. J. Deree Electric, Inc.
• Colin Monahan - Mainline Electric
• Sean Reilly - Carey Auto
• Olivia Rodrigues - Tilecraft

Non-Traditional Career Assembly: Our annual Non-Traditional Career Assembly will be held for 9th-grade students on Thursday, November 14th. A non-traditional career, as defined by the US Department of Labor, is an occupation in which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25% of the individuals employed in such occupation. At the end of December, students will complete their Exploratory Program and will be making their selections for a permanent vocational-technical program. Before they make their program selections, Old Colony holds this assembly so that students can hear from and talk with individuals who are employed in non-traditional careers. This assembly is an important step in a student's decision-making process as studies have shown that students are more likely to select non-traditional career paths when they engage in activities that allow them to identify their abilities, develop occupational goals, and gain a sense of belonging within the professional environment.

We would also like to thank our industry partners for their support of our Cooperative Education Program and for hiring our students to work at their place of employment. We rely on our industry partners to support our mission of preparing and supporting students for the global demands of society and the workforce through rigorous vocational-technical experiences that foster responsible, productive citizens in our community. Please see our website for more information:

Business Technology: Business Technology is pleased to announce that Mackenzie Oliveira (sophomore) is certified in Microsoft Word. Congratulations, Mackenzie!

Graphic Communications & Design: Congratulations to Gabrielle Sypher! Gabby won an internal school door design contest. Her design was selected to be printed and installed on the door of our School Adjustment Counsellor, Mr. Boyle.