Around the River Bend

11/6 No School at River Bend

11/11 Happy Veterans Day

11/25-11/27 Thanksgiving Break

Creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges are helping Ash Smith turn artistic interests into real-world skills. A senior from Blue Mountain Union School, Ash is exploring the possibilities of digital design and coding through River Bend’s 21st Century Media & Design program.

Ash chose the program because it seemed to offer the most art-focused experience. One of their favorite aspects of the class is the quarterly projects, where Mr. Daniels encourages students to develop their own ideas and create projects that challenge them in different ways.

One accomplishment Ash is particularly proud of is coding websites. While acknowledging that their work may not always be the most visually polished, Ash takes pride in the creativity and effort behind it. The program has helped build confidence in both their coding and design skills.

Those skills are already opening doors to future opportunities. Ash is currently working on a commission and hopes to collaborate with Court Street Arts.

After graduation, Ash plans to work while continuing to accept design commissions on the side. With growing confidence in their creative abilities and a foundation of technical skills, Ash is looking forward to exploring where design opportunities may lead.

River Bend is proud to see Ash turning creative interests into skills and opportunities that will continue well beyond the classroom!

Students in River Bend’s Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources program are making the most of every opportunity to learn outside the classroom. While the weather holds, students are spending as much time outdoors as possible, exploring agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management through hands-on experiences both on campus and throughout the community.

Recently, students have visited local apple orchards, conducted timber management in the woods, and participated in student outreach at the Newbury Farm and Field Days. They also completed Game of Logging, an industry-recognized credential (IRC) that teaches safe and effective tree harvesting techniques, including chainsaw safety and responsible forestry practices.

Another exciting recent experience involved several days of learning basic friction-hitch tree climbing using ropes. It is remarkable to see students with little or no previous experience develop the confidence and skills to climb trees like professionals in just a few days! Students are also actively operating the sawmill on campus, gaining valuable experience with equipment and wood processing.

The program provides students with a strong foundation in agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management while introducing them to a wide variety of career possibilities. Through hands-on learning in plant identification, wildlife management, food and maple production, tree pruning, welding fabrication, equipment operation, and forest management, students develop practical skills and industry knowledge.

For students who are still exploring their future plans, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources offers an excellent opportunity to discover their interests and strengths. Students experience field research, forestry tools, equipment maintenance, and land management firsthand, helping them identify potential career pathways before graduation. Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into careers such as arboriculture, logging, forestry operations, heavy equipment work, and agricultural services, as well as post-secondary studies in environmental science, conservation, and resource management.

As winter approaches, students will transition into the shop to focus on natural resource management technology, equipment maintenance, and preparation for spring competitions. Whether working in the woods, climbing trees, operating equipment, or exploring sustainable land management, River Bend students are building the skills and confidence to pursue rewarding careers in agriculture and natural resources.

River Bend is excited to welcome new instructor Ryan O’Malley to the Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources program! Ryan brings a genuine love for the outdoors and a passion for helping students discover opportunities in agriculture and natural resources.

Ryan graduated from Paul Smith’s College with a bachelor’s degree in Service Management and brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the classroom. Outside of teaching, he runs a local tree work and property management business, holds a Vermont Pesticide Applicator license with Forest Pest and Invasive Species endorsements, and is a certified tree climbing instructor through New England Tree Climbing Experts. He is also a hunter education instructor and enjoys helping young people learn to safely appreciate and enjoy our natural resources.

Ryan works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) on conservation projects, using his own 150-acre forest parcel in Waterford as a personal conservation laboratory. This real-world experience provides students with valuable opportunities to connect classroom learning with practical applications.

What Ryan enjoys most about teaching at River Bend is getting students outdoors, watching them develop hands-on confidence, and helping them discover the many career opportunities available in agriculture and natural resources. He is also a strong advocate for Career and Technical Education at both the high school and college levels.

When asked what students might be surprised to learn about him, Ryan shared an impressive personal challenge: he runs at least one mile every single day, without exception. He has maintained this streak since March 14, 2016! His runs have taken him through woods, rural roads, and cities, in temperatures ranging from 28 degrees below zero to over 100 degrees.

For Ryan, the daily mile is about more than running. It is a reminder that we can often dig just a little deeper, and that the difference between success and failure sometimes comes down to that last bit of effort.

We’re glad Ryan has joined the River Bend family and look forward to seeing the experiences, enthusiasm, and outdoor adventures he brings to his students!

Connor Smas (Woodsville High School) is already making a strong impression in the workplace and is looking forward to continuing his career with J&J Auto Care after graduation.

Connor enjoys working with his co-workers and appreciates the opportunity to learn so much through his experience at the shop. Often the first person to arrive in the morning, he takes initiative by preparing workstations, taking out the garbage, and sweeping the shop. His willingness to show up on time, ask questions, try new skills, and work hard has not gone unnoticed.

His Automotive instructor, Carl Hildebrant, recognizes Connor’s genuine passion and interest in working on cars, along with his natural ability. Connor is a quick learner who can often complete a task independently after just one demonstration.

At J&J Auto Care, Connor is appreciated for working well with his co-workers and his eagerness to learn new tasks. His strong work ethic and willingness to take initiative have made him a valued member of the team.

With his enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to learning, Connor is well on his way to building a promising future in the automotive industry. River Bend is proud to see him turning his passion into a career!

At River Bend Career & Technical Center, students are doing more than learning a trade—they're building pathways to their futures.

Through 11 career and technical programs, students gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and explore opportunities in their chosen fields. Many programs offer industry-recognized credentials and college credits, giving students a head start on employment or further education.

Field trips to local businesses, colleges, training centers, and industry partners provide students with opportunities to explore careers, learn about workforce expectations, and discover options for continuing their education. These experiences help connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities and broaden students' understanding of what their futures might look like.

Work-Based Learning opportunities, including job shadows, internships, and paid cooperative education placements, further connect students with local employers and provide valuable experience. Students also develop resumes, career portfolios, and employability skills to prepare for life after graduation.

Whether their next step is college, employment, or additional training, River Bend helps students turn their interests into meaningful career opportunities.

The Cybersecurity program prepares students for careers in the rapidly evolving IT and cybersecurity fields. Students develop hands-on skills in computer hardware and operating systems, networking, Python programming, cybersecurity, and network security. Students also have opportunities to earn industry-recognized CompTIA certifications and college credits through River Valley Community College and Champlain College.

Career pathways include: Computer Information Technologist, Computer Network Architect, Computer Programmer, Information Security Analyst, Computer Support Specialist, and Digital Forensics Analyst.

Contact Katherine Chobanian to register at katherine.chobanian@oesu.org or Tracy Puffer for more information at tracy.puffer@oesu.org.

Mark your calendars!

River Bend will be hosting EXPO 2027 on April 2nd and 3rd, 2027.

The River Bend Career & Technical Center provides educational opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital/civil union status, or any other characteristic prohibited by Federal or State law.