February 2023

Students Thrive at Career Tech

It's Career and Technical Education Month and that means North Ed Career Tech will be welcoming hundreds of 10th graders from the region on Feb. 1 and 2 to visit our state-of-the-art facility and explore our 21 education programs. Learn more. Enrollment begins now for 10th and 11th grade students who would like to attend Career Tech for the 2023-24 school year. The online enrollment application is open!

One of our many highlights is that students don't have to wait for high school graduation to explore career options. We offer opportunities to pursue required academics along with hands-on training, firsthand experience, mentoring and more. Graduates move on from Career Tech well-prepared for success in work, college, technical schools and life!

Beyond the classrooms, we are proud of how our students represent Career Tech as they engage in a wide variety of extracurricular professional development activities. In fact, many of our programs are aligned with national associations that sponsor competitions to expand leadership and work skills. We have students preparing to participate in FFA, HOSA, FCCLA, MITES, SkillsUSA and National Robotics Challenge competitions and they are well-positioned to learn and compete.

So this February, Career Tech staff looks forward to greeting our prospective students during 10th grade visits and supporting our current students in their pursuits! Please read on for a bunch of good news.

Respectfully,

Pat Lamb

Assistant Superintendent of Career & Technical Education



Welcome 10th Graders!

We are welcoming 10th graders for Career Tech visits on Feb. 1 and 2. If you are a sophomore and can't attend the visit days, you can still explore Career Tech and its programs by checking out the website, talking to your school counselor or call Career Tech at 231.922.6273 to arrange a tour.

For Career Tech enrollment information, visit the webpage for instructions and to access the online enrollment application.

Students + Mentors = Growth

Engineering Academy is one Career Tech program that offers its students one-on-one guidance by industry professionals. Each Engineering Academy junior is assigned a mentor for the entire two-year program to focus on work ethic in general as well as specific topics such as economics, robotics projects and project management. Check out the Engineering Academy newsletter.

All Career Tech students have access to Career Placement services which include support for apprenticeships, co-op jobs, job shadowing and more great ways to explore the workforce and learn along the way. In the 2021-2022 school year, more than 400 students took part in some type of career exploration activity! Learn more here.

Early College Tuition Savings = $88,000+

North Ed Early College students took 124 college classes in fall 2022, adding up to more than $88,000 in tuition savings! If you'd like to work toward a college degree or certificate, North Ed Early College offers ways to earn up to an associate degree while completing high school requirements and learning in-demand skills at North Ed Career Tech.

Learn about North Ed Early College at upcoming sessions for interested ninth and 10th grade students and families:

• Tuesday, March 14, 6-7 p.m. in person at Career Tech
• Tuesday, March 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. virtual at this link
• Tuesday, March 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m. virtual at this link

Whether your goal is to transfer to a four-year university or earn a certificate to jumpstart your career, Early College can help. Coursework is paid in whole or part by the student's local school district, saving students thousands of tuition dollars each year. Plus, courses can often be used to satisfy high school and college requirements, which saves time too! 

Contact Ashley Darga at adarga@NorthwestEd.org for more information.



National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 15! New members of National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will be officially inducted in a special ceremony at Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. More details coming soon.

Get the Edge with Engineering Academy

Career Tech Engineering Academy has been a trailblazer for high school STEM education for nearly 30 years. Students choose this award-winning program for its high level academics and hands-on engineering experiences. They are rewarded with a rigorous experience, motivated student culture and stellar opportunities in college and career.

Students in 10th and 11th grades who are interested in attending Engineering Academy in 2023-24 may learn more about the program by attending information sessions in February, March and April. Get details here and contact instructor Tim Wheatley at twheatley@NorthwestEd.org with questions.



From TC to RN

Alumna Mckenzie Mercier returned to Career Tech as guest speaker in Health Sciences classes. She shared her journey following her 2018 Career Tech graduation - first at Calvin College to study nursing and now in her role as neuroscience unit nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids.

She is a former student of Assistant Principal Matt Griesinger and Health Sciences Instructor Vicky Fagerstrom.

Social & Emotional

Skill Building

Career Tech students and staff are building social and emotional skills with the help of School Social Worker Laura Miller. They are learning about healthy identities, managing emotions, achieving goals, empathy, supportive relationships and making responsible decisions. These important skills enhance learning at Career Tech and beyond.

Outstanding Students

Congratulations to these Career Tech students who were selected as Rotary Outstanding Students:

Noah Send Auto Repair

Alyssa Dahl Health Sciences

Noah (TC Central) and Alyssa (TC West) were guests at a Rotary luncheon where each of them delivered a brief presentation about their studies.

Perfect Attendance Pizza

Career Tech brought back the Perfect Attendance Pizza Party in the first quarter of the 2022-23 school year. There were 137 students with perfect attendance in the morning session, and the afternoon session had 108! These 245 students represent 21.5% of the Career Tech student population and they are commended for their commitment to attendance and getting the most out of their Career Tech experiences.

Turkey Trotters

The Career Tech running team showed their fitness and grit by participating in the Traverse City Turkey Trot 5k. Made up of staff, students and family, the group met the challenge to get a good dose of exercise and fun before settling in for Thanksgiving festivities.

Writers Studio Welcomes Pulitzer Prize Winner

Students in the Career Tech Writers Studio and Film & New Media programs had the priviledge of a visit from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anna Quindlen in December as she was in town on a book tour event. She spent time with students sharing wise advice on writing, professionalism and life.

Career Tech Counselor's Corner

Enrollment Application

The online enrollment application for 2023-24 is open for current 10th and 11th graders who would like to begin attending Career Tech.

Scholarship Applications

Attention seniors! Learn about scholarships and the application process during in-class presentations Feb. 3-14. Visit the counselor's office for more information and/or visit the Career Tech website. Applications due March 3.

Donuts!

Get your Krispy Kreme donuts during the Career Tech fundraiser March 8-14. Sales support the Career Tech Scholarship Fund.

Counselor Appointments

are Easy!

It's easy to schedule appointments with Career Tech Counselors Mrs. Karmin Olds and Mr. Barry Bialik. Sign up in the Student Services office, or use the online Counselor Appointment Request Form. Get help with questions about college financial aid (FAFSA), scholarships, college/trade school options and career opportunities. Plus, they can guide students to referrals for personal needs, mental health services, local resources and more.

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