WHAT'S HAPPENING AT NCTC?
December 19th, 2025
Hello NCTC Families,
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we’re helping students explore, grow, and discover what inspires them.
For information on Work-Based Learning, please scroll down for Rob Thayer's contact information.
To stay informed about future updates, please click "Subscribe" at the end of this newsletter.
Enjoy the updates!
🏫*No School Friday March 20th 2026🏫
Newly Accepted Student Orientation Tuesday, March 24th
Families can choose to attend the 5pm or 6pm orientation session. No need to RSVP.
NCTC Annual Job Interview Day Wednesday March 25th-Collins-Perley
Students will practice interviewing with local employers. Professional attire is required. Please provide 5 copies of your resume*
NCTC Technology & Engineering Day Wednesday March 25th
Local Middle Schoolers will participate in STEM related competitions and exploratory activities in the 10 NCTC Programs.
💇The Salon is Open! Please call 802-527-6408 to make an appointment!
Salon Hours: Monday- 12-3, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 12-5pm.
🧭Questions about NCTC Programs and Career Planning? Contact Susan Bosland, the School Counseling Coordinator at sbosland@maplerun.org
Outdoor Technology
Building Community – One Bat House at a Time!
Our 5th & 6th grade students in Ms. Bashaw and Ms. Chisholm’s classes at St Albans City School had a fantastic hands-on learning experience! They walked to the Northwest Career & Technical Center to team up with Mr. Moore and Mr. Adamczak’s Outdoor Technology students to build bat houses and bird houses.
This project was a wonderful example of collaboration across schools, ages, and skills. Our older students shared their expertise, mentoring younger students, while everyone worked together toward a common goal.
It’s projects like these that remind us how learning, curiosity, and teamwork can connect our district community. Students inspiring each other, building skills, and contributing to our local environment.
When we collaborate and learn together, we all grow together.
Automotive Technology
Students Build Skills and Prepare for ASE Assessments
Students in the Automotive program have been busy strengthening their technical knowledge and preparing for industry-recognized certifications.
Automotive II students are currently preparing for their ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) assessments. These assessments measure students’ knowledge and readiness for careers in the automotive industry. As part of their preparation, students are reviewing key automotive systems, practicing diagnostic techniques, and reinforcing the skills they have developed throughout the program. Earning ASE credentials helps demonstrate their competence and gives them a strong advantage as they enter the workforce.
Meanwhile, Automotive I students have been focusing their studies on brake systems. They are learning how traditional braking systems operate, including the components that allow vehicles to slow and stop safely. Students are also studying anti-lock brake systems (ABS), exploring how this technology helps maintain steering control and prevents wheels from locking during sudden stops.
Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning, students are developing the foundational knowledge and technical skills needed for success in the automotive field.
Building Trades
Students in Geometry in Construction are finishing their unit on geometric transformations and applying those concepts to real building design. They are drafting plans for a six-unit apartment building, using transformations such as reflections, rotations, and translations to accurately replicate units and create efficient layouts. These skills are commonly used in architectural and construction planning. In the shop, students are also constructing 8×12 Vermont Fire Academy burn sheds and training dollhouses that demonstrate how air movement influences fire behavior inside a home, supporting firefighter training.
Building Trades 1 students are making great progress on an 11×12 sugaring shed, with the structure nearly framed and roof framing underway. The next step will be installing the metal roofing, giving students valuable experience connecting geometry, design, and real-world building practices. 🔨📐
While waiting for roofing materials to arrive for the house they are building, Building Trades 2 students have been learning how to create concrete countertops. Through this hands-on project, students practice measuring, building forms, mixing concrete, and pouring it to achieve a smooth, durable finish. The experience highlights the importance of precision and preparation while helping students develop practical skills used in both residential and commercial construction. 🔨
Cosmetology
Students Prepare for State Board While Serving Clients
Students in the Cosmetology program have been actively preparing for their upcoming State Board exams while continuing to build their practical skills in the salon classroom.
A major focus for seniors recently has been State Board preparation. Students are practicing the required procedures and techniques they will need to demonstrate during their licensing exams. This preparation helps them refine their timing, organization, and professionalism while ensuring they are confident in each step of the required tasks.
Alongside exam preparation, students are gaining valuable hands-on experience by working with clients in the school salon. These real-world experiences allow them to apply their training while developing customer service skills and building confidence behind the chair.
First year students been practicing specialized techniques such as perming and roller sets. These foundational cosmetology skills help students understand hair texture, proper product application, and styling methods that create long-lasting results.
Through a combination of exam preparation, client services, and hands-on practice, cosmetology students are continuing to strengthen the skills they will need for successful careers in the beauty industry.
Culinary Arts
We were proud to host the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce Mixer last night at the NCTC Hideaway at Northwest Career & Technical Center. The event was beautifully catered by our talented Culinary students alongside Chef Paul, and guests were truly impressed by the professionalism and quality of the food.
Thank you to the students who volunteered their time to showcase the incredible learning happening in our Culinary program. As part of CTE Month in February, this annual mixer is a meaningful way to celebrate Career and Technical Education and our strong community partnerships throughout Franklin County.
We are grateful to the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and to everyone who attended and helped make it such a great evening.
Digital Media
Students in the Digital Media program are currently working on an interview and microphone project as part of their broadcast production unit.
Through this project, students are learning how to properly plan and conduct interviews while also focusing on the technical side of audio recording. They are practicing how to position and use microphones effectively to capture clear, professional-quality sound—an essential skill in broadcast media.
Students are also learning about different types of microphones and how factors such as placement, background noise, and speaking distance can affect audio quality. By experimenting with these elements, they are gaining a better understanding of how to produce recordings that sound polished and professional.
As they complete their broadcast projects, students are combining communication skills with technical production techniques. These experiences help prepare them for future work in fields such as broadcasting, podcasting, video production, and digital media storytelling.
Engineering
Students in the Engineering Technologies program have been developing valuable design and manufacturing skills through hands-on projects in both computer-aided design and machining.
Recently, students have been using AutoCAD to replicate predetermined technical drawings. This activity helps them build precision and attention to detail while learning how professional engineers and designers translate concepts into accurate digital plans. By carefully following existing drawings, students practice key skills such as interpreting dimensions, understanding technical standards, and creating clean, organized digital models.
In addition to their work in AutoCAD, students have been gaining experience in the machine shop by practicing on the lathe. After designing items on paper, they bring their ideas to life by machining the parts themselves. This process gives students a deeper understanding of how designs move from concept to physical product.
Working on the lathe allows students to develop important technical abilities such as measuring accurately, setting up materials, and safely operating machining equipment. These projects also reinforce problem-solving skills as students adjust their designs and techniques to achieve the desired results.
By combining digital design with hands-on manufacturing, the Engineering Technologies program continues to give students practical experience that mirrors real-world engineering and manufacturing processes.
Human Services
On March 10, 2026, Josyln Bessette, Nick Brant, Adelle Thomas, Lilah Powers, and Leianne Phillips, members of the Unified Theater class, along with Susan Palmer, Kasia Bilodeau, and Jennifer Konrad, attended the VAMLE Conference to share their experiences with Unified Theater.
The theme of the 2026 VAMLE conference was inclusion, and Unified Theater is a perfect example of what true inclusion can look like. BFA/NCTC students worked together to develop an engaging and interactive session for about 40 middle school students from across Vermont.
A special shout-out to Leianne Phillips and her mom, who made our team awesome shirts that read: “Inclusion, That’s Our Jam… Go Spread It!”
During the session, students shared what Unified Theater has meant to them—the friendships they’ve built, the emotional growth they’ve experienced, and how being part of this program is shaping their next steps. Our group also attended other conference sessions to learn how schools across Vermont are finding creative and meaningful ways to promote inclusion.
Medical Professions
Seniors are gearing up to graduate and take the next step in their healthcare careers! Today, they began the application process to become Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs).
Did you know that many of our Medical Professions students at NCTC not only complete their coursework but also prepare for and sit for the LNA competency exam right here at school?
With guidance from instructor Julie Bucknell, RN, they’re gaining the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to jumpstart careers in nursing, medicine, physical therapy, lab technology, and more.
Medical Professions I students recently completed a series of medical ethics debates, exploring complex topics such as the right to refuse treatment, designer babies, animal testing, vaccines, and the use of restraints in healthcare settings. Through research, discussion, and structured debate, students practiced critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making. These conversations helped students examine multiple perspectives while developing a deeper understanding of the ethical challenges healthcare professionals may face in real-world medical settings. 🩺
Pre-School (Curiosity Corners)
Outdoor Technology students recently began their maple sugaring unit and they recently had a special learning opportunity in partnership with the Curiosity Pre-School. High school students guided the preschoolers through the process of identifying maple trees and helping place taps, turning the activity into an engaging hands-on lesson for our youngest learners. For preschool students, tapping trees supports early science learning as they explore nature, observe seasonal changes, and begin to understand where food comes from. The experience also strengthens fine motor skills, curiosity, and language development as students ask questions and describe what they see. This collaboration not only introduces young children to Vermont’s maple sugaring tradition but also allows Outdoor Technology students to practice leadership and mentoring while sharing their knowledge of the natural environment. 🌳🍁
Public Safety & Law Enforcement
students are currently diving deep into their advanced collegiate coursework, with a specific focus on the complexities of HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) response. HAZMAT refers to any substances—biological, chemical, radiological, or physical—that have the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment if handled improperly. For future first responders, mastering this topic is a critical safety requirement; it equips students with the technical knowledge to identify dangerous placards, understand chemical reactivity, and implement life-saving decontamination protocols. By learning to manage these high-risk scenarios now, our students are ensuring they can protect both themselves and their communities during unpredictable industrial or transport emergencies.
Work-Based Learning
Rob Thayer is the Work-based Learning Coordinator. Students apply the technical, academic, and professional skills they are learning to authentic settings such as job sites, internships, and apprenticeships. The goal is to help students explore careers, build employability skills, and gain experience that prepares them for the workforce, further training, or college.
Contact information: rthayer@maplerun.org
Counseling Corner
If you have questions about post-graduation plans, please contact Mrs. Bosland at sbosland@maplerun.org or 802-527-6512.
Know someone who is?
The Adult Career Development Center at the Northwest Career & Technical Center offers hands-on training in welding and medical fields right here on campus—plus access to hundreds of online career courses.
If you, a family member, or someone in your network is looking to build skills, switch careers, or explore new opportunities, we’re here to help!
Students and Community
At a recent legislative breakfast at Northwest Career & Technical Center, students shared how hands-on learning has helped them find purpose, build skills, and stay motivated in school. Educators emphasized that Career and Technical Education supports Vermont’s workforce needs and improves student engagement and attendance.
Our Maple Run Superintendent, Bill Kimball, joined others in urging legislators to expand access and reduce barriers so more students can benefit.
Student Voice is a group of NCTC students who work together to share ideas, provide feedback, and help shape the student experience at the center. The group ensures that student perspectives are heard when decisions are made and helps identify ways to strengthen the school community.
During the March meeting, members explored quick and engaging ways to analyze data, including activities like Warp Speed Data Sort and a Quote Marketplace. Using these strategies, students reviewed results from the recent NCTC Student Belonging and Engagement Survey. Two priorities rose to the top: creating more collaborative activities across programs and setting up survey boxes so students can continue sharing ideas and suggestions throughout the year. The group is already planning some fun, school-wide activities to help students decompress during stressful times of the year. Student Voice is always looking for new members who want to help make a positive impact at NCTC! 🎤
Wennar Scholarship - Medical Related
Managed by Northwestern Medical Center. Applications are due April 1st, 2026. See the attachment as well.
VSAC News You Can Use and Share - Scholarship Information
Click on attachment to access links.