CTC Career Talk

Welcome back! The staff and I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating summer and are ready to begin another exciting chapter in your academic and professional journey.

To our new students and families—welcome to our community. You are part of a school that believes in excellence, opportunity, and innovation. We welcome you to our school and offer you all our support to make your first year here a very special one. To our returning students, welcome home. Your continued growth and ambition inspire us every day.

Thanks to all who attended our Back-to-School Night on August 18th—what a fantastic turnout! This year promises to be a rewarding one for all, and students have already begun to focus on their academic studies, career exploration, and extra-curricular activities.

This year, all FCPS high schools and CTC will implement the FLEX schedule model. Every Wednesday, teachers and staff will strategically utilize the last 45 minutes of class for reteaching, reassessment, enrichment and support. No new material or new assessment will be presented or given to students during this time. In addition, Dual Enrollment, Special Education and Multilingual Education teachers may work with their students independently or in small groups. This new schedule model will align with the Maryland Blueprint Initiative and ensure that all students have access to tutoring, reassessment or enrichment opportunities.

Working closely with our families, as well as business partnerships, is very important to us at the FCPS Career and Technology Center as we continually strive to foster a learning environment where all members of the CTC community can maximize their potential. We take pride in preparing our students not only for graduation but for life beyond the classroom—whether that’s college, a skilled trade, or immediate entry into the workforce. This year, we are committed more than ever to providing hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and the support you need to reach your goals.

As we continue to strive toward career success for all, our hope is to always keep you informed of what we value at the FCPS Career and Technology Center.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s learning to us.

Sincerely,

Michael Concepcion - Principal

It is unlawful for students and staff to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. This would include possession of a firearm—which is any weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder on school property, including vehicles parked on school property. This also includes ammunition for firearms.

Possession of a firearm (loaded or unloaded) can carry a disciplinary action of permanent removal from Frederick County Public Schools. This school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches of student lockers.

Thank you.

High school students have busy schedules! Please keep us in the loop regarding activities that might keep you from attending CTC including but not limited to...

• AP Testing, PARCC Testing, any other testing or make-up work at the home school
• Appointments such as doctor, dentist, orthodontist, etc.
• Clubs or other meetings at the home school
• Field Trips with home school
• Illness
• FCPS school-sponsored sports

If your student is going to be absent, please email BOTH your student’s home school and ctc.attendance@fcps.org so the absence may be excused. Your student’s absence will be considered unlawful/unexcused if a note or email is not received. The One Call Now texts will now occur only once a day at 1:30 pm. If you need to pick up your student early from CTC, please email ctc.attendance@fcps.org

Thank you!

Student cell phones and PMDs should be silent and out of sight during instruction. Students can only use them in class for instructional purposes when they have permission from their teacher. Students will be able to use their cell phones or PMD before school, during lunch, between classes, and after school. Our goal is not to be punitive but to ensure that our students remain focused on their learning during instructional time.

A CTC Student Ambassador is any student who wishes to represent their program with enthusiasm! Our ambassadors represent and participate in CTC’s Educational Outreach Program. This program enriches and engages elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as community members with information and activities that showcase our CTC programs. Examples of ambassador responsibilities during the school day, include middle school career fairs, elementary school classroom presentations, high school visits, and the CTC shadowing process. CTC Student Ambassadors also have the opportunity to share their experiences at community events, such as STEM Nights and Science Fairs. Ambassadors gain valuable experience as they become the teachers. Public speaking, leadership, lesson & activity planning, and collaboration are just some of the skills that are gained throughout this experience. This experience will no doubt give a sense of pride to those involved.

We’re excited to announce the official rollout of Xello to Frederick County Public School District high school students in grades 9–12! Xello is a high-quality college and career readiness platform that empowers students to connect their passions and strengths with future goals—and develop real-world skills for life beyond graduation.

Why We Chose Xello:

Xello is:

• An award-winning design that’s inclusive and accessible for all learners

• Engaging, age-appropriate activities for self-exploration and future planning

• Top-rated technical support, including real-time help for educators and families

• Strong track record of boosting engagement and planning outcomes

• Ability for students to connect to internship and community employment opportunities

What Students Will Do in Grades 9–12:

• Create personalized high school course plans

• Explore career paths and postsecondary options

• Build a resume, track college applications, and request recommendation letters

• Complete FAFSA-related tasks and apply for scholarships

How Parents & Guardians Can Help:

• Ask your child what they’re discovering in Xello

• Explore colleges and careers together using their saved profiles

• Encourage regular updates and completion of planning milestones

Download your family guide to Xello here:

👉Xello Quick Start Guide for Parents & Guardians

We’re proud to equip every student with the tools to create a clear, confident plan for their future.

Hello CTC! My name is Mrs. Keller. I am the smiling face you see in the CTC school store when you enter the front entrance. The store offers CTC spirit wear and a great selection of snacks and drinks. It is also the place where you turn in your CTC bucks for chances to win gift cards. We are now able to customize t-shirts with your school colors and/or program name.

CTC Bucks are awarded by staff members as an incentive to encourage students to improve their academic performance and to participate in various school-based initiatives. When students earn five CTC bucks they may redeem them for a blue ticket at the school store to be entered in drawings for a gift card. The drawings will occur before winter break and near the end of the school year.

Pictured inside the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta: Left to right, Front row: Brett Pumphrey, Sophia Bernitt, Eryn Kelly, Madison Baker, Haylee Keegan, Alivia Wachtel, Tanner Shorb. Middle row: Tyler Wilson, Bradley Jordon, Andrew Winkler, and Ian Parsons. Back row: Brian May, James Thomas, and Jason Thurston. Not Pictured: Arwen Flint and Michelle Osae-Addo

Two of 16 students from the Frederick County Public Schools’ Career and Technology Center (CTC) recently placed in the national top ten at the 61st Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). The NLSC is the nation’s largest workforce development event for students enrolled in public career and technical education programs. SkillsUSA hosts the annual SkillsUSA Championships during NLSC at an estimated cost of more than $36 million. It is considered the largest skill competition in the world. Begun in 1967, the SkillsUSA Championships features over 6,700 competitors in 114 hands-on skill and leadership contests.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the national culmination of a year-long process that begins in local SkillsUSA chapters across the country. Local winners advance to district or regional competitions, testing their skills against competitors from other schools. Those winners advance to state competitions each spring, and state gold medalists earn the right to compete nationally at the SkillsUSA Championships each June. Along with gold, silver and bronze medallions, competitors may earn scholarships, tools of the trade, and even job offers right off the competition floor. Perhaps most importantly, they earn the confidence that can only come when you know you’re among the best of the best in what you do.

Andrew Winkler from the HVAC-Plumbing program, earned a gold medal and placed first nationwide in the Sheet Metal competition. Ian Parsons from the CISCO Academy program, placed eighth nationwide in the Information Technology Services competition.

Also recognized for outstanding achievement and representing the state of Maryland were the team of Haylee Keegan, James Thomas, and Tyler Wilson for the Chapter Display Team competition, Alivia Wachtel for the Health Occupations Professional Portfolio competition, Jason Thurston for the Technical Drafting competition, Tanner Shorb for the Welding competition, and the team of Bradley Jordon, Brian May, and Brett Pumphrey for the Welding Fabrication Team competition.

Arwen Flint will be serving as the 2025-2026 SkillsUSA Maryland Western Region Vice-President, Michelle Osae-Addo will be serving as the 2025-2026 SkillsUSA Maryland Secretary, past 2024-2025 SkillsUSA Maryland State President Sophia Bernitt and Eryn Kelly served as National Delegates and represented the State of Maryland at the NLSC.

SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) is the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education. Held in Atlanta each June, the NLSC is a week-long celebration of the skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders from across the United States. The event brings together more than 17,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more.

The NLSC also includes SkillsUSA TECHSPO, the nation’s largest technical education trade show, which boasts more than 200 exhibitors. SkillsUSA University, the Academy of Excellence and the Advisor’s Summit are also held throughout the week, featuring seminars and workshops for students, instructors, administrators and school counselors. Pre-conference training opportunities include leadership and character development tracks for student leaders and teachers. An opening session, delegate meetings, national officer elections, large-scale community service project, awards session and several social events round out the week. The event is currently scheduled to be held in Atlanta through 2033.

The SkillsUSA Framework is the foundation for all SkillsUSA educational programs, resources and products. It is essential to SkillsUSA’s mission because it serves as the blueprint for career readiness. The Framework is divided into three main components: Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics. A total of 17 Essential Elements are divided among those three components. The Framework Essential Elements were developed with the direct input of over 1,000 employers who chose skills they consider the most crucial for a successful hire.

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 400,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. For more information about the FCPS Career & Tech Center, please contact Principal, Michael.Concepcion@fcps.org, or Chapter Advisor, Emily.Cave@fcps.org at (227) 203-3650. For more about the competition please visit http://www.skillsusa.org/.

Andrew Winkler, a student from the Frederick County Career & Technology Center, poses in the school’s HVAC/R classroom on Wednesday. Winkler represented Maryland in the SkillsUSA competition and won gold in the sheet metal category. He is shown holding his work that was honored in the competition. Click below to read the full article from The Frederick News-Post. Photo by Katina Zentz.

Hi! Our names are Mrs. Daly and Mr. O'Brien, we are the counselors here at CTC and look forward to working with you! As a school counselor we can do many things to help, including but not limited to, providing behavioral, academic, aptitude and college/career counseling, identifying and addressing issues that may interfere with your education, acting as a bridge between students, administrators, teachers, and parents, and making referrals to outside agencies. We share this because we want you to know that you have many advocates in this building, including us! Welcome Back!

In September, CTC will observe National Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month by encouraging staff to wear purple and/or teal every Friday to bring awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, to reduce substance-related deaths and overdoses, and to celebrate those living in recovery.

For those of you who haven’t met me yet, my name is Ms. Edmonds, and I am the Career Coach for CTC. I am here to help guide you on your journey to discovering your passions and future career paths. Whether you are exploring new interests, developing skills, or planning for life after high school, I am here to help! My office is in the media center next to the copy room, please come see me or email me at brenna.edmonds@fcps.org.

If you are a woman in a trades program and would like to join a community with other women in trades at CTC, please come see me or email me at brenna.edmonds@fcps.org. We are forming a community to create a positive environment, network with the community, and learn more leadership, trade, and professional skills.

My name is Ms. Desimon and I am a Multilingual Education Teacher here at CTC. I work with bilingual (or multilingual) students who may need English language support in their classes at CTC. I am so excited to get to know all the wonderful cultures and languages represented by our families.

The Frederick County Career and Technology Center (CTC) is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school. Our programs and classes combine academic knowledge with technical skills to prepare students for in-demand and high-skilled jobs. CTC provides students with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and licenses, acquire college credit, and gain valuable work experience. CTC is one of many treasures in Frederick County. It is not only a place of great education and opportunities but also a place of camaraderie and nostalgia.

Want to know more about CTC? Click the links below:

CTC Programs

FAQ's about CTC

What is shadowing?

How do I apply to CTC?

Dual Enrollment Information Sheet

Address: 7922 Opossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702

Phone: 227-203-3650

Fax: 227-203-3651

Website: https://ctc.sites.fcps.org/

Facebook: Frederick County Career & Tech Center

X (formerly Twitter): @FrederickCTC, @CTCPrincipal

Instagram: @fcps_ctc, @ctc_principal