November 2025
Thank you!
BTC Students and Families,
Since the closure of both the Burlington High School and Burlington Technical Center back in the fall of 2020, BTC has been operating out of leased spaces in several locations. At the end of October, we were able to move into a new facility at 200 Davinci Dr. in South Burlington. This has created a new career and technical education center for three of our high school programs:
Automotive Science & Technology
Aviation & Aerospace Technology
Design, Engineering & Fabrication
It has also drastically upgraded our facility for our adult Aviation Airframe & Powerplant program.
The students in these programs have been flexible and gracious with the transition into the new building a quarter of the way through the year, and that maturity and adaptability has made for a smooth and exciting transition.
During our ribbon cutting ceremony last Wednesday, I was able to thank all of your sending schools and districts for their support of career and technical education, and for their added support in providing the resources necessary for students to access our programs as part of their well-rounded educations. I want to once again thank our students’ home high schools and the districts supporting their participation at BTC. We have 9 primary regional schools, and some schools from outside our region.
A huge thank you to:
Burlington High School & Eagle Bay Academy and the Burlington School District
BFA Fairfax and the Franklin West Supervisory Union
Champlain Valley Union High School and the Champlain Valley School District
Colchester High School and the Colchester School District
Essex High School & the ACE program and the Essex Westford School District
Milton High School and the Milton District
Mount Mansfield Union and the Mt Mansfield Unified School District
South Burlington High School and South Burlington School District
Winooski High School and the Winooski School District
Jean Garvin School
Rice Memorial High School
Lamoille Union
Union 32
Randolph High School
Of course, the rest of our programs have been moving along through the month, and there are some updates below. Thanks very much.
Jason Reed
jreed@bsdvt.org
Counselor's Corner
There is money for college or career training, so even students who are not planning for a four-year degree should consider applying. I will be connecting with every senior over the next few weeks to give them a VSAC scholarship book as well as additional information about financial planning and options.
Students and families are also always able to schedule personal appointments with me by sending an email to jyepez@bsdvt.org.
Student Support Services
Seniors are starting to work on college applications, essays, common app, scholarships etc. If you need help with any of this, please reach out. Mr. Yepez, Stacy Clark and I are all happy to talk through things, read essays, provide pointers, and just be a general resource.
First quarter is ending and we are headed into second quarter. This can be a time of stress due to changes in schedules, classes, and shorter daylight hours. If you are feeling the pressure please stop by to talk, grab a fidget, or hear a cheesy joke - I am happy to help!
Career Pathways
Outreach to future BTC students has begun! As of late last month, BTC and CTE have started their visits to sending high schools throughout the region to present, share and discuss opportunities in our respective programs. Please see our calendar for these dates, or reach out to jyepez@bsdvt.org for more information.
The sign-up portal for Prospective Student Visit Day is now open! If you know of students who are interested in learning about our programs, please be sure to direct them to the Prospective Student Visit Day page, linked here and listed under "All Programs" on our website.
Students with November 1st application deadlines put in incredible efforts to get all of their written materials in ship shape. Bravo to all those who've submitted their college applications, and GOOD LUCK!
Stacy will continue to be available throughout November for college essay support. Working with students to discuss their future plans, brainstorm, and craft their written materials is one of her favorite parts of her role at BTC. Email sclark@bsdvt.org for an appointment; please be reminded that after Thanksgiving break, Stacy will be on maternity leave.
Work-Based Learning
The recent Aviation Industry Networking Event at 2 Gregory Drive in South Burlington was a tremendous success, bringing together eight industry partners and students from our Aviation and Aerospace Technology program.
The event ran smoothly and offered meaningful connections between students and professionals. First- and third-year students met with employers during the first hour, while second-year students engaged during the second. Industry guests shared insights about their organizations and offered valuable feedback on student resumes and cover letters, helping learners prepare for future career opportunities.
Coffee, conversation, and career-building made for a vibrant morning that highlighted BTC’s growing partnerships within Vermont’s aviation community.
Multilingual & Academic Support Team
Who is providing EL support in which programs
Automotive Science & Technology - 1st year, Dan; 2nd year, Yvonne
Design, Engineering & Fabrication - 1st year, Yvonne
Design & Illustration - 2nd year, Emily
Digital Media Lab - 1st year, Emily
Education Training & Leadership - 1st year, Dan; 2nd year, Emily
Homeland Security & Criminal Justice - 1st year, Dan
Introduction to Healthcare - AM & PM, Dan
Yvonne is additionally providing academic support to all students in 1st-year Automotive Science & Technology as well as Pre-Tech Design, Innovation & Technology.
What students have been doing, learning and developing
In Automotive Science & Technology, students continued to develop skills in measurement, reading and locating relevant information. They have also been helping to pack for the big move.
In Design, Engineering & Fabrication, students were introduced to the Double Diamond Design process model and related academic vocabulary, such as converge, diverge, discover, develop and deliver.
In DML and DI, the first quarter has been focused on photography, using it as a foundation for exploring compositional strategies that can inform work in design, illustration, film, and more. The big news is that on October 19th, both first- and second-year DML and DI students attended National Portfolio Day in Boston, MA. There, students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from various colleges and receive valuable feedback on their portfolios.
In ETL, second-year students spend most of the week in the field at their internship placements. BTC students work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, gaining hands-on experience in lesson planning, classroom management, and activity implementation.
You may notice a few new days off that were not included on previous school calendars—these days honor Yom Kippur, Dashain, Diwali, and Eid. Each of these holidays reflects the diverse cultures and communities that make up the Burlington School District and our surrounding region. As the district continues to prioritize well-being and belonging, recognizing and celebrating important holidays from within our community is a meaningful step forward.
Registrar's Desk
As we roll along with the school year, I’d like to remind you all about our attendance policy. An excused absence can be any of the following:
Personal illness;
Appointments with health professionals that cannot be made outside of the regular school day;
Observance of recognized religious holidays when the observance is required during a regular school day;
Emergency family situations such as a death in the family;
Planned absences for personal or educational purposes which have been approved.
Absences due to suspension or expulsion.
We encourage students to remain engaged in the community & culture of their home high schools. If there are special events at students' high schools, we want to encourage their participation. Sending schools will notify us of events like winter carnivals, special programming at the end of the school year, and significant school assemblies.
Sending schools do not notify us of a student’s absence from their sending schools or subsequently BTC. This means that when you notify your student’s high school of their absence, you must also notify BTC. This can be done through reaching me either by email at clamothe@bsdvt.org, or at (802) 864.8426 ext. 12002.
Show Your BTC Pride with Official Gear!
Burlington Technical Center now has an online store where you can grab official BTC apparel and accessories! From hoodies and T-shirts to hats and more, you can rep your program and show off your school spirit in style.
Check out the full selection and place your order today: BTC Online Store.
Snow Days!
The first weekend in November showed us that we are in potential snow day season! How do snow days work at BTC?
If your sending school calls a snow day, you’re not expected at BTC even if Burlington schools are in operation. The same is true for a late start. If a school has a delayed opening, those students will not be expected at BTC's morning classes. Those districts will resume transportation to BTC for the afternoon classes.
For students who drive to school, and their sending school has called a snow day, we certainly do not expect them to drive in inclement weather to Burlington. If the roads are bad enough to call off school, we don't want students in dangerous situations on snowy roads.
To check for snow day closings at BTC, listings on news media sites will indicate that all Burlington schools are closed. This includes BTC. BTC does not issue its own closure alert. On the morning of a snow day, I will publish a banner alert on our website, and push it out on social media.
CVU PreTech students will follow CVU’s snow day determinations.
BTC Educator Recognized at UVM Ceremony
Congratulations to BTC’s own Jason Cooper, who was honored at the University of Vermont’s Outstanding Educator Awards on Monday night. The event was well attended, with several Burlington School District educators recognized for their excellence, including Jory Hearst (BHS) and Dave Paarlberg-Kvam (SA). Jason Raymond (Digital Media Lab teacher at BTC) was also acknowledged as a runner-up for Teacher of the Year.
It was wonderful to see School Board Chair Clare Wool in attendance, who made a point to personally congratulate Jason. Pictured below, Jason is joined by VT-NEA President Don Tinney, Deputy Secretary of Education Jill Briggs Campbell, and UVM College of Education Dean Katharine Shepherd.
Adult & Continuing Ed
The first day in Burlington Technical Center’s new building at 200 Davinci Dr. was a tremendous success for the Adult Aviation and Aerospace Technology Program. Adult students joined secondary learners under one roof for the first time, marking an exciting step toward a more collaborative and connected learning environment.
Now housed alongside Secondary Aviation and Aerospace Technology, Automotive Technology, and Design, Engineering, & Fabrication, adult learners have access to new lab spaces, equipment, and expanded opportunities for hands-on training and peer interaction. The day was filled with enthusiasm as students and instructors settled into the new classrooms, explored the updated facilities, and celebrated the start of an exciting new chapter for technical education at BTC.
Automotive Science & Technology
Automotive Science & Technology students were busy packing and moving tools and equipment from our 4095 Williston Rd location to our new 200 Davinci Dr location. Students also assisted in setting up the new lab space. 1st year students are entering the engine unit; students will disassemble and rebuild GM 2.4l engines while 2nd year students are working on a Digital Multimeter IRC.
Aviation and Aerospace
This month the Junior Aviation Class wrapped up their tools unit but continued to disassemble and reassemble various aircraft engines in order to practice using the tools they have learned about.
The Senior Aviation Class finished their Weight & Balance unit after weighing multiple aircraft and several dozen practice calculations. This is a fun unit where we get our hands on aircraft and use our math skills to calculate the center of gravity. We can then verify if this CG is within limits.
Both classes also had the opportunity to talk to several local and regional industry professionals at our first ever Aviation Job Fair. There were a lot of great conversations and many good connections made.
Design, Engineering, & Fabrication
Students in the morning DEF class are continuing to work with AutoCAD and our lasers to design and create custom boxes. In addition to the lasers, students have begun to access the table saw, surfacer, and chop saw to make solid pine bases for their boxes. Last week, we took our first site visit to OnLogic to see what they design, engineer, and fabricate.
Students in the afternoon DEF class are finishing up their custom tool boxes. Using Fusion 3D modeling software, and our woodworking skills, students have designed toolboxes for specific purposes and are fabricating them. Students have created fun and exciting animations of their toolboxes being assembled (or disassembled) using Fusion's animation software. Next week we will be staining and polyurethaning the toolboxes and taking them home.
Education Training & Leadership
Becoming the Expert: Students in the Education Training and Leadership I program developed expertise on educational theorists and their theories. Each student demonstrated their understanding by delivering presentations that included professionally-created learning activities and assessments designed to deepen their peers’ understanding and learning.
Justice Shangraw teaches her peers about B.F. Skinner and his theory of behaviorism, while Mason
Cooke explores John Dewey’s philosophy of progressive education and the concept of “learning by doing.”
Second year students have started their co-op and internship placements, teaching young children.
Health Sciences Academy
HSA and IHC went to the HOSA Fall Leadership Conference at Norwich University. Students were able to network with other health science students across the state, tour the campus and attend workshops.
Homeland Security/Criminal Justice
Introduction to Healthcare
Eighty staff and students attended the HOSA Fall Leadership Conference at Norwich University. Student ambassadors gave us tours of campus, local industry partners shared their experiences in medicine, and a fantastic student leadership team hosted the event.
