CARPENTRY STUDENTS SPRUCE UP GREENFIELD CEMETERY

In May, students in the carpentry shop used their skills and community spirit to spruce up the neglected Petty Plain Cemetery in Greenfield. Repairs were made to broken fence and fresh paint was applied. Staff and students at FCTS are proud to contribute to their communities.

COSMETOLOGY STUDENTS PROVIDE MANICURES FOR RESIDENTS OF LOCAL NURSING HOME

Students in the Cosmetology department at the Franklin County Technical School have been making regular visits to Charlene Manor in Greenfield to provide manicures for the residents there. Cosmetology instructor, Sunny Guy, said, “This has been a very positive experience. The residents of Charlene Manor really look forward to seeing our students and we’re able to provide a meaningful and educational service-oriented experience for our students.” Photo is of Olga Jones-Sikes, a sophomore.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS!

Students and teachers from the Machine Technology shop and Welding/Metal Fab shop organized a food drive to help with area needs.

Food was donated by students, staff and teachers. Numerous canned goods, pastas, peanut butter and other items piled up due to the generosity of all.

The food will be donated to the Turners Falls food bank.

Pictured: Teacher - Tom Tourigny and some of the students who participated in the drive.

Franklin County Tech students are involved in many community service activities throughout the year.

The FCTS chapter of the National Honor Society has adopted a soldier. Students will be supporting Ken, a 21 year old soldier stationed in Iraq, serving in combat.

Members of the National Honor Society want to support the soldier with regular emails, letters, cards and care packages. They really want to be able to send him a nice package for the upcoming winter holidays, and are seeking items from interested students, staff and community members.

Ken has asked for basic hygiene supplies and for food. If you would like to throw something in his care package or include a little note, stop by FCTS and a member of the National Honor Society will gather the items for Ken's care package.

On December 6th, 2007 at Chandler’s Restaurant in S. Deerfield, a senior from Bernardston, Valerie Jurek, from the Franklin County Technical School, was honored at the “Recognizing Our Youth” breakfast hosted by the Franklin/Hampshire Regional Employment Board (REB). Valerie completed a summertime paid internship with WMECO, received exemplary review, and is aiming for an engineering pathway after graduation from FCTS this June.

Other students from other Franklin/Hampshire County schools were honored at this event.

Students from the Welding and Machine Technology shops have united to organize a holiday food drive. All non-perishable food items are welcome.

Amherst Restaurant Owner-Head Chef Spends Day with High School Culinary Arts Students

“You don’t get it back unless you give it,” quipped a busy Rob Watson, the owner and head chef at The Lone Wolf in Amherst. Mr. Watson accepted the invitation of Franklin County Technical School’s Chef Benjamin Pike with the sole notion of getting involved and “giving back” to future culinary professionals who share his passion.

“Visits like this are the result of partnership, plain and simple,” offered Chef Pike, overseeing his students skills and methods in the kitchen.

Chef Watson spent the bulk of his time helping students understand, prep and serve one of his restaurant’s top-selling and signature items, the Root Mousse Vegetable Quesadilla. The entrée was a recent feature on the technical high school’s Apprentice Restaurant menu.

.. Let There Be Light! Seniors from the FCTS electrical program finish testing and replacing a lamp on campus after recent electrical storm damage. From left to right, Austin Timberlake from Bernardston, Scott Coombs from Colrain, and Deven Cooley from Orange.