Winchendon Weekly News school newsletter - Wednesday, May 3

Community Happenings newsletter - Wednesday, May 3

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Winchendon Public Schools Pre-K Screening

Winchendon Public Schools Preschool Screening will take place on May 3 and 10, 2023 by appointment only. Children must be age 3 or 4 by August 31, 2023 to be eligible. Screening is optional and looks at a child's development in the areas of speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, cognition and social emotional skills.

If you have any concerns about your child, suspect your child may have a disability, or if you did not receive an information packet by mail, please call Kathy at the Winchendon Pre-K Program office at 978-297-3436 or email kbrooks@winchendonk12.org.

MWCC Automotive Technician Program Awarded National Science Foundation Grant to Develop Electric Vehicle Technician Training

GARDNER, MA - May 1, 2023 - The "Accelerating Massachusetts Automotive Future: Producing Electric Vehicle Technicians" is a three-year grant award in the amount of $350,000 focused on the education of technicians for advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy.

This project will address the emerging industry demand for technicians skilled in Electronic Vehicle (EV) technologies. The Mount will utilize funds to develop a new Hybrid and EV curriculum for an Advanced Automotive Technician Hybrid and EV certificate and degree program. The program will build upon existing curriculum focused on combustion engines with input from a team of management and service professionals from local automobile dealerships. This team will serve in a co-leadership role in the design of the academic program, assuring that outcomes meet the needs of employers.

"The rapid transition of the automotive industry from traditional combustion engine vehicles to those with hybrid and EV technologies cannot be disputed," noted MWCC President James Vander Hooven. "This grant aligns perfectly with our mission to meet the education and workforce needs of our community."

Over the course of the three years of the project, MWCC will recruit 40 students into this advanced automotive degree and certificate program in the repair and maintenance of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The project will provide professional development for faculty, equip the program with Hybrid and EV training equipment, and develop a new state-of the-art industry led curriculum. Additionally, tools will be developed to assess current industry workers life experience credits. Internship opportunities and employer partnerships will foster student engagement, increase engagement and facilitate student success.

The grant also extends opportunities to students in dual enrollment high school programs, providing them the opportunity to enroll in the entry level Introduction to Automotive Technician dual credit course.

"On a broad scale, this project has the potential to improve the diversity of the industry by providing increased access for underserved populations, especially women, as they pursue high-demand occupations in the automotive repair technician workforce," added Dean of STEM Veronica Guay.

"We are very excited about the opportunities this grant presents to help recruit more women to the industry, and for the opportunity for dual enrollment as well," noted Eric Almeida. "This grant will help the Mount to provide access to auto tech careers to a diverse student population, including those who may not have been admitted into local vocational high schools due to high demand."

Principal Investigator Eric Almeida and Co-Principal Investigator John Pignataro will be responsible for the technical direction of the project. Professor Almeida, Assistant Professor Pignataro, and Dean Veronica Guay spent the past year working through the deliberative grant development process in coordination with the MWCC Resource and Strategic Initiative Office and with the guidance of a mentor in Mentor Connect program to make this highly competitive grant a reality.

Mount Wachusett Community College Inducts 26 New Students into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

GARDNER, MA - May 4, 2023 - On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the Phi Delta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Mount Wachusett Community College welcomed 26 new members to its ranks.

Founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of community college students and provides members with the opportunity for personal, academic, and professional growth through leadership and service.

Throughout the school year, PTK members participate in activities and fundraisers, including the Winterfest Raffle and Pizza Party Raffle which enable them to donate funds to the Student Emergency Loan Fund. This year, PTK was able to bring the annual Character Breakfast back to the community, raising funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner.

"I want to congratulate each one of you on your success, today is a recognition for the effort you have put in to be here," commented MWCC President James Vander Hooven as he congratulated inductees. "I want to thank the current PTK members for all the work they have done this year and thank today's inductees in advance for the community service and the work you will be doing together in the future."

"The fact that you invited me to speak to you today makes me hopeful that this is a tipping point for mental health. Is this the time when students are going to say that their mental health is as important as their physical health? Is this the generation that is going to stop the stigmatization and discrimination of those with mental illness? I think it is and am thankful for you all," noted guest speaker Melissa Manzi, retiring Mental Health Counselor for MWCC. "I congratulate you on your achievements and encourage you to prioritize your mental health and well-being. PTK has given you the tools to excel academically and be a leader in your community, now it is up to you to take care of yourself and be the best version of yourself."

Advisor Fagan Forhan, along with Chapter President Candice Cooley-Johnson, Vice-President Christine Boadu, Secretary Wren Stoddard and Treasurer, Kathleen Chyrack welcomed the 2023 Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Delta Chapter inductees. They are:

Paulina Andrade-Cazaux, Leominster
Jacob Bump, Rindge, NH
Kevin Collette, Clinton
Gracelyn Currie, Templeton
Natalia Dasilva, Leominster
Benjamin Ford, Athol
Emmett Frank, Lunenburg
Christopher Johnson, Leominster
Ava Leblanc, Athol
Sabrina Lewis, Ayer
Rachel Lucia, Gilbertville
Elijah Maitai, Nashua, NH
Brett Mann, Leominster
Danielle Michaud, Pepperell
Jeffrey Parker, Athol
Matthew Pierce, Clinton
Nicole Ramos, Fitchburg
Leanh Settergren, Fitchburg
David Simpson, Orange
Casey Smith, Holyoke
Wren Stoddard, Rutland
Sara Surette, Ayer
Sandra Testa, Lunenburg
Jennifer Trently, Spencer
Juliana Wentworth, Fitchburg
Eliora Witkowski-Despres, Gardner

Mount Wachusett Community College End of Year Events Schedule

Veterinary Technology Pinning
May 9, 2023, at 5:00 pm, South Café

Evening of Excellence
May 11, 2023, 5:00 pm, Theatre at the Mount

Dental Pinning
May 12, 2023, at 5:00 pm at Theater at the Mount

TRIO Rx & Visions Award Ceremony
May 15, 2023, at 12:00 pm, South Café

Civic Engagement Service-Learning Celebration
May 16, 2023, at 12:00 pm, South Café

Commencement
May 17, 2023, at 6:00 pm at Mount Fitness

Nursing Pinning
May 18, 2023, at 3:00 pm at Mount Fitness

Gateway to College & Pathways Early College Experience Graduation
May 18, 2023, at 6:30 pm at the Theatre at the Mount

Virtual and in-person events will be live-streamed at mwcc.edu/celebrate.

Open Kindergarten Registration Starting March 1

Dear Parents:

If you have a child that will be eligible for the 2023-2024 Kindergarten school year, you will need to fill out the registration forms that can be found on our website at www.winchendonk12.ore/o/mes. They are located under the Menu dropdown, Kindergarten Registration. You can download and fill in the forms. Hard copies are also available at Memorial School. Once completed, you will need to return them to Memorial School along with the items listed below. You can do this any number of ways:

1. Fax: 978-297-3944
2. Email: mmacewen@winchendonk12.org
3. Mail: Memorial School, 32 Elmwood Road, Winchendon, MA 01475
4. Drop off: In person between the hours of 10 AM - 2 PM

No child will be admitted to Kindergarten without having met the eligibility requirements listed below.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. If your child is five (5) years of age by August 31, 2018 (of the forthcoming year), he/she is eligible.
2. "BIRTH CERTIFICATE"- Original must be brought with you.
3. PROOF OF RESIDENCY- Current utility bill, or copy oflease.
4. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION INCLUDING VISION AND HEARING SCREENING BY YOUR PHYSICIAN MUST BE DATED AFTER AUGUST 31, 2022.
5. IMMUNIZATIONS - VERIFICATION WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED BY THE END
OF AUGUST. This must include lead screen results. Click here to view and download a list of needed vaccinations.

Each child MUST have a physical examination completed by your physician. A signed printout from your child's doctor's office listing all the required information is also acceptable. Students cannot start school without a completed physical. We recommend calling your physician today to schedule an appointment as it sometimes takes several months to get one.

All completed immunization/examination forms need to be in the School Nurse's Office by Friday, August 25th before your child will be permitted to start school. These forms can be faxed by your doctor to the school at 978-297-3944.

Kindergarten Screening will be conducted, as required by State and Federal school laws. Screenings will be Wednesday, May 31; Thursday, June 1, and Friday, June 2. You will receive a letter with a sign up link for a screening appointment after you have registered.

We share the excitement of your child entering Kindergarten and look forward to both of you being a part of the Winchendon Public Schools. Please be aware that screenings will take place at Memorial School but your child will be attending Kindergarten at Toy Town School due to the school econfiguration. We are excited to have you be a part of the first year of our Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten building. Please feel free to call the school at (978) 297-1305, with any questions or concerns you may have.