School choice applications available at GMUHS; River Valley Tech offering Engineering program

Green Mountain Union High School and area high schools are now accepting applications for school choice.  Any high school student interested in attending a public school out of their home district for the 2016-17 school year must submit a Vermont School Choice Application to their home district principal by Friday, Feb. 12, 2016.

Once the home district principal receives the application and it has been approved, the application is sent to the receiving school principal for processing.  If the number of applications exceeds the incoming School Choice student limit, a lottery will take place to determine which students are accepted. Those not accepted will be put on a waiting list.

Families will be notified in writing by  Friday, April 1.  The family must notify the accepting school principal by Friday, April 15 to hold the spot for the student.

Applications are available in the school office at Green Mountain Union High School. To request an application or if you have any questions please contact Anne Morton at GMUHS at 802-875-2146 or anne.morton@trsu.org

RVTC to offer Engineering program

With current national projections of more than 1.2 million jobs in the science, technology, engineering and math going unfilled by 2018, now is a good time for high school students to jump into the engineering and manufacturing talent pool.

The River Valley Technical Center will offer Engineering as part of its technical education program for high school students at Bellows Falls, Black River, Green Mountain, Fall Mountain and Springfield high schools, as well as home schoolers and private school students.

RVTC will use the Project Lead the Way  Engineering curriculum, designed to be more than just another high school math and science program. The Engineering program will be a hands-on, project-based, application-centric approach to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context. Students will focus on the process of defining and solving a problem, not on getting the “right” answer.

Engineering students will also have the opportunity to earn up to 12 college credits through NH Technical Institute. Program instructor Matthew Bickford, who also teaches Advanced Manufacturing at RVTC, says this is a better and more efficient way to jump start college or a career.

Engineering students will also have the chance to earn an industry-recognized credential from OSHA. Students will compete in engineering competitions and challenges through SkillsUSA, bridge building and robotics competitions.

The program will cover a broad range of topics including mechanisms, strength of structures and materials and automation.

The Engineering program will be held in the mornings from 7:40-9:40 a.m. for the entire school year. Transportation from the five sending schools is provided. Enrollment is open but space is limited. To sign up for the 2016-2017 school year, go to rvtc.org and fill out the on-line application by clicking apply on line.