Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
Thank you,
Laura Geltch
A letter from Dr. Christopher Nagy, Superintendent of Schools
November 2016
Dear BCIT Community,
During the month of November, we celebrated the opportunity to gives thanks and appreciation for family, friends, our men and women in the armed services and for the various blessings in our personal and professional lives.
This was a month of accomplishments for which I am very proud of our students and staff. In this issue, we will highlight the launch of our new Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication Program and recognition of RCBC as our 2016 Business Partner of the Year. At the November Board meeting, three Board members were sworn in for a term of three years. We congratulate Ms. Kathleen Burgess, Mr. Tyler Seville and Burlington County Executive Superintendent, Daryl Minus-Vincent.
Also during the month, select administrators from both BCIT and BCSSSD and their respective Districts, were awarded the Benjamin B. Tregoe Award for Strategic Leadership in Education and for organizational excellence in collaborative decision making and achieving exceptional results. Just recently, our BCIT admissions team launched the live high school admissions link for the 2017-2018 school year. Please spread the word. We are very excited about the Application's new look!
As we anticipate the month of December, we are proud of the hard work behind the scenes to kick off the holidays on December 15, 2016 at BCSSSD Westampton for the Annual Holiday Show and Craft Fair. For those who anticipate the annual production of the BCIT Medford Performing Arts Winter Play on December 2, 3, 9 and 10, mark your calendars and see the flyer in this newsletter. It shall be a night to remember. Thank you for your support and gift of your children.
Dr. Christopher Nagy
Superintendent of Schools
Click HERE for Dr. Nagy's BCIT web page & blog
BCIT Board of Education Policies & Regulations
Click HERE for the 2016-17 Board of Education Meeting Notes. Please review and reference pertinent policies as applicable.
Board of Education policies and regulations online link:
Save the Date! BCIT Winter Discovery Night
February 21, 2017
6 - 8 p.m.*
Westampton & Medford Campuses
*Please Note: NEW Time
BCIT 2017 Summer Camp
Click HERE to view the 2016 BCIT Brief Special Summer Camp Newsletter editions.
Registration for our 2017 BCIT Summer Camp opens February 1, 2017.
Register early! Our camps fill up fast.
BCIT Students/Staff of the Month - October
9th – Vanessa Van Horn
10th – Cassandra Shuler
11th – Christian Pilawski
12th – Steven Braverman
Support Staff Member of the Month – Ms. Catherine Geib
Staff Member of the Month – Ms. Victoria Danser
Westampton Campus
9th – Mya Webb
10th – Travis Montone
11th – Luke Vuono
12th – Kalaina Dixon
Most Improved- Jalyssa LeBrun
Student Athlete- Mruhi Amin
Stafff Member of the Month: Genevieve Cross
Medford NHS Induction Ceremony - November 3, 2016
Each student displayed outstanding scholarship, service, leadership and character. We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you the best as you continue your education and pursuit of excellence.
Isabel Bonilla
Jaxson Bonsall
Moniquia Brown
Zaire Carter
Natalie Davison
Baylynn Galante
Amos Koffa
Mikaela Kristi
Jahmar Ortiz
Vaidehi Patel
Christian Pilawski
Lauren Romano
Student Spotlight - Lauren Guest
BCIT Legacy Series
Each month we tell the extraordinary stories of our Medford and Westampton students. This month, I am proud to share the Guest Family story. The youngest of five daughters, Lauren Guest is a Medford Senior Sports Medicine student from Chatsworth. Lauren's four sisters and both her parents are BCIT Alumni!
Lauren wanted to continue the family tradition of attending BCIT; she recalls beginning to look forward to BCIT since she was three! Mrs. Sienkiewicz was her oldest sister Amber's (Class of 2006) class advisor. Lauren grew up with BCIT. It was her goal and a tradition she took seriously. Lauren selected Sports Medicine because of her comfort level. "It felt more challenging and engaging than the other career majors I explored," commented Lauren. Lauren met a lot of people here at BCIT through the years. When she heard about PRIDE week, she was thrilled to finally be a part of it! The National Honor Society (NHS) induction was a very special moment in her BCIT experience, providing her the opportunity to showcase the people who have helped her through the years.
A few other momentous BCIT memories include the Talent Show. Lauren performed with her siblings. "Dancing with my sisters was a highlight, for sure!" said Lauren. She and her sister clogged, which is Irish dancing/tap/jazz. Lauren and her siblings have also performed at Farm Fair for the past 12 years with the 4H. Lauren will continue to perform as an alumnus in 2017.
Lauren plans to attend Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) through NJ STARS, then The College of NJ (TCNJ), majoring in Special Education in the Deaf and HH program. TCNJ has a combined BA/MA five year program. Lauren enjoys interacting during her gym class with a deaf student and their interpreter, learning a word a day. Lauren has already attended an ASL 101 class at RCBC with her older sister and loved it! Lauren will be taking American Sign Language (ASL) next semester.
When asked what Lauren would say to an incoming BCIT freshman, she began by recognizing how high school can be challenging and a period of change. "BCIT offers more opportunity for growth. There is a safe zone with your career majors. They give you a head start on your future and help you grow. BCIT sets you up for college -- you leave here ready for college."
More about Lauren:
National Honor Society
Leadership Council Class of 2017
Teen Writer's Guild
Burlington County 4-H Cloggers
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Women of Tomorrow
Soccer
CWF - Citizenship Washington Focus (through 4-H)
Farm Fair Queen
2nd Runner-up Agricultural NJ Annual Ambassador
Teen Excellence 2015
Family:
Michael Guest - Class of 1982, Westampton Campus, Building Trades
Celeste Guest - Class of 1983, Westampton Campus, Cosmetology
Amber - Class of 2006 (ranked: 12/185) Office Tech
Annemarie - Class of 2010 (ranked: 1/210) Sports Medicine
Carol - Class of 2012 (ranked: 22/171) Culinary
Kimberly - Class of 2014 (ranked: 3/164) Sports Medicine
Lauren - Class of 2017 (ranked 2/184 as of Nov. 2016) Sports Medicine
Older sister Kimberly works in a podiatry office while she is currently in school. BCIT set her up for her current oppotunities. If she hadn't had the experience at BCIT, she wouldn't have been able to function professionally. She learned how to treat patients and make them feel comfortable. Kimberly was planning to study Horticulture at BCIT. She liked it, but more as a hobby. She became interested in Sports Medicine and knew she was attracted to the medical field. "If I went through with horticulture -- I wouldn't be where I am today. I needed to explore my options. BCIT afforded me that opportunity," stated Kimberly.
Lauren's mother Celeste is the youngest of eight. Five of her siblings went to BCIT Westampton! "It was a lot different back then. You took a test to get in, however BCIT was more a trade school at the time. There wasn't as much of a focus on academics. By the time I graduated, academics and college preparedness became prevalent," explained Celeste. As a stay at home Mom, Celeste used her Cosmetology certification at home, always cutting and styling her family's hair.
Michael Guest, Lauren's father, immediately went to work in carpentry. He owned his own business, then began working for a cranberry farm as the Head of Buildings and Grounds. He was the first in his family to attend BCIT. His Dad was also a carpenter, which spiked his interest in the field. He has a gold hammer from VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), former Skills USA competition.
Celeste spoke of her daughters' success, "support them in the decisions that they make. Encourage them to do their best. You have to work hard." Lauren said her mom set a wonderful example for them. "Never do as I say not as I do" -- her mom lived the life Lauren wanted to emulate. "My Mom said to be kind," recalls Lauren. Kimberly added "do the best you can. Always just do your best."
"Trust your teachers and know they are doing their best to teach and guide you. Develop a relationship with the teachers and make sure they know you're a team. I think it's amazing my gym teacher, Mr. Lavender taught both me and my daughter", stated Celeste. Kimberly added "the teachers can teach you what your parents can't always and your parents are there for you in a way your teachers can't be."
Final remarks from Lauren: "Character is not given, it's earned" Dr. Nagy told us during the NHS speech and it stuck with me.
Thank you to Linda McCardell for bringing this extraordinary family together for this interview. Linda loves seeing parents and their (now) students here at BCIT. "My daughter Marjorie began clogging when was nine, and I recognized the Guest girls in the 4H clogging group. The youngest of five daughters in the Guest family was Lauren, who was described a a little ‘spitfire.’ Lauren was always full of energy and it's truly been a pleasure to watch Lauren grow up and become an accomplished, talented and considerate student, highly ranked in her senior class. She had big shoes to fill, since her four sisters at BCIT already had made a great reputation here, and she accomplished the fit seamlessly," recalled Linda.
--Laura Geltch
Congratulations to the BCIT Girls Varsity Soccer Team for advancing to the NJ State tournament!
From their coach, Mr. Kyle Lawrence:
"The girls worked hard and demonstrated good sportsmanship throughout the season. All and all it was a successful season, which saw the team make it to the quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Tech tournament and had two girls make 1st team all division and one make 2nd team all-division. The two girls who made first team will be representing BCIT-Westampton at the Burlington County Scholastic League All-Star game on November 16th. During the season I had great support from the players and their parents. Also we could not have accomplished any of it without my assistant coach Molly Napolitano and our Athletic Director Lauren Milanowicz."
Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey
Thanks to the Sports Medicine Shop, we were able to really pull through an impressive load of wonderful items that will make the Troops feel the love from back home.
Renee Janowicz
Director, BCIT Foundation
609-267-4226, ext. 8335
BCIT Foundation supports students and staff with education-based technology and post-secondary scholarships. Join the cause at www.bcit.cc/foundation.
2016-17 BCIT Upcoming Events
Academy for Performing Arts Winter Performances Fall Play: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
Medford Campus
Dec. 2, 3, 9, 7 p.m. & 10 (4 p.m. matinee)
Meals for Mittens - BCIT Westampton Campus
December 6, 2016, 5 - 8 p.m.
Dance Concert - Medford Campus
Dec. 15 & 16, 7 p.m.
Vocal & Instrumental Music Concert - Medford Campus
Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
National CTE Month
February
National Honors Society Induction - Westampton Campus
Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.
Discovery Night - both campuses
Feb. 21, 2017 6 - 8 p.m. (snow date: 2/23/17)
Spring Program Advisory Board Meeting - Westampton Campus
Apr. 6, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
BCIT Medford Spring Musical: Singing in the Rain - Medford Campus
Mar. 31, April 1, 7 & 8, 7 p.m.
Vocal & Instrumental Music Concert - Medford Campus
May 11, 7 p.m.
Dance Concert - Medford Campus
May 24 & 25, 7 p.m.
BCIT Accepted Student Day - Westampton
Jun. 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
BCIT Accepted Student Day - Medford
Jun. 8, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
BCIT Adult Education has a New Facebook Page!
Like us on Facebook!
Emergency Closing/Delayed Opening Procedures:
In the event of a campus emergency or inclement weather, staff members will be contacted via email, phone message, and text message. In addition, we will post a Special Alert Message on our website.
Staff Members, Help us Contact You.
Have you moved? Have you changed your phone number or email address? Please make sure to update your information with BCIT Personnel.
Employee Data Change Form: EMPLOYEE DATA CHANGE FORM 12.2.14 EDCF.pdf
Note: Staff are required to submit a signed EDCF when requesting changes to their personnel profile.
EDCF should be sent to personnel: bcsssdpersonnel@bcsssd.k12.nj.us or BCITPersonnel@bcit.cc
Students will be contacted using information stored in Genesis, our electronic student database. Parents should be reminded to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. Any changes should be reported to the main office of the student's school.