UCT

Dear Upper Cape Tech Community,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I am excited to begin another year of helping our students discover their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for their futures. To our returning families, welcome back. To those joining Upper Cape for the first time, we are happy you are part of our community.

We begin this year with much to celebrate. Our recent district review by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recognized several strengths that reflect our students' and staff’s dedication and our families’ support.

DESE highlighted Upper Cape Tech’s hands-on, career-connected learning, noting that students are engaged in technical work that reflects industry expectations. They also recognized opportunities for students to exercise leadership and share their voices, along with strong partnerships with local communities and employers that bring meaningful experiences to our students. The report identified our approach to understanding the whole student, considering academic progress alongside attendance and well-being, as another strength.

We are also making progress in attendance. The review reported that Upper Cape Tech’s chronic absenteeism rate decreased from 29.8% in 2022–2023 to 22.3% in 2024–2025. Every day in school gives students valuable time to learn, practice their skills, and connect with others. Thank you for helping your students attend consistently and for working with us when challenges arise.

At our opening-day staff program, we returned to Upper Cape’s core values: Passion, Purpose, and Professionalism. These values guide how we teach and support students. We want students to find work that interests them, understand the value of their efforts, and develop the responsibility and perseverance they will carry into college, careers, and everyday life. We also emphasized that growth takes practice, that mistakes are part of learning, and that every student has potential worth nurturing.

Our partnership with families is essential to that work. This year, we are emphasizing clear, proactive communication through ParentSquare, including classroom information, department highlights, and celebrations of student progress. Please stay connected and reach out with questions or anything you would like us to know about your student.

Thank you for the trust you place in us. I look forward to working together and celebrating the learning and accomplishments this year will bring.

With appreciation,

Dr. Marie Alvernaz

Monday, September 21

• Faith Club with Mr. Giguere and Mr. MacLeod in Room 119

Tuesday, September 22

• Music Club meets every Tuesday with Mr. and Mrs. Spevack in Room 338
• Rise and Thrive with Mr. Lawrence and SRO Wahlers in the Water Technology Treatment Building

Wednesday, September 23

• Fishing Club with Mr. Balanca and Mrs. McDonald in the library

Thursday, September 24

• GSA meeting with Mr. Genereau in Room 192
• Student Council with Ms.Hatch in Room 411
• Art Club with Ms. McDonald in the library
• Yearbook Club with Mrs. Spevack and Ms. Giannelli in Room 118

Please join UCTAA this week

Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:00 pm for the monthly UCT Athletic Association Meeting

Follow the signs in the UCT lobby

Volunteer hours can earn your student scholarship $$

Meet us or e-mail uctaapresident@gmail.com

A bright beginning to senior year! 🌅 On September 2, seniors gathered for Senior Sunrise, sharing a beautiful morning and making memories together.

Making their mark, one parking space at a time! 🎨 Seniors added color and creativity to campus by painting their own parking spaces with designs that showcase their personalities.

A message from our Student Council Advisor, Ms. Hatch:

Our Student Council is so much more than a group of students who meet together. It is a place where student voice, leadership, service, and civic engagement come to life!

Throughout the year, students have opportunities to take an active role in shaping our school community. From participating in student elections to leading projects and sharing ideas, students experience firsthand what it means to have a voice and use it responsibly. Our elections provide authentic, civics-based experiences where students learn about campaigning, presenting their ideas, voting, representation, and the responsibilities that come with leadership.

Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of Student Council is the opportunity for students to lead. Whether organizing an event, working with classmates, speaking to an audience, collaborating with adults, solving a problem, or turning an idea into action, students are developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Through community service and outreach projects, students identify ways they can help others, support important causes, and make a positive impact both within our school and beyond.

Student Council members also help keep our school community informed and connected through Ram Records, our student-run news segments. These broadcasts give students a platform to share school news, celebrate accomplishments, highlight upcoming events, and showcase the many positive things happening across campus. In a typical episode, students produce a mix of informative and engaging content—from Student Council leadership updates with QR codes for school feedback to "Teacher Spotlights" and student kindness shout-outs. The segments also feature “Mental Health Minutes,” sports updates, and fun culture clips like staff “fit checks”. Most importantly, Ram Records provides an authentic space for student voices and helps build a stronger, more connected school community.

At its heart, Student Council helps students understand that their voices and actions matter. Through authentic leadership and civic experiences, students learn not only how a community works, but also how they can help make it stronger, more welcoming, and more connected.

This webinar, recorded in September 2026, provides information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. Learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers.

Download the webinar slides to follow along.

Junior veterinary science and freshmen exploratory students from Upper Cape Technical High School recently attended the Cranberry Cluster dog show, providing them with a hands-on opportunity to expand their knowledge of canine breeds, anatomy, conformation, and behavior. They also had the opportunity to speak with breeders, handlers, and other dog enthusiasts, gaining insight into the care, training, and preparation involved in showing dogs. The experience connected classroom learning to the real-world veterinary and animal-care community while giving students a greater appreciation for the diversity and unique characteristics of dogs.

On Thursday, September 17th, UCT Culinary Arts welcomed Chef Michael Pillarella, CEC, of The Wianno Club in Osterville, along with Chef Rory Montaque, CEC, Chef Santhil Ramdhani, and Chef Oscar Tahuela for a special three-course culinary demonstration and tasting.

🔥 Chef Santhil Ramdhani showcased his Signature Butter Chicken with basmati rice and butter naan.

🔥 Chef Rory Montaque, CEC demonstrated Yuzu Yellowfin Tuna with scallion pancakes, dynamite sauce, wakame salad, katsuobushi, and crispy garlic, along with Jerk Chicken Confit featuring Thai sweet chili, cucumber, carrot, cilantro, and scallions.

Our students had an awesome opportunity to learn new techniques, explore bold flavors, and gain valuable knowledge directly from industry professionals.

A huge thank you to Chef Pillarella and the entire Wianno Club Culinary Team for investing their time in the next generation of chefs!

Upper Cape Tech was proud to partner with the Bourne Police Department for National Night Out on Friday, September 11, at Buzzards Bay Park. This annual community event brings families, neighbors, law enforcement, and first responders together to build positive relationships and strengthen community connections.

Our Culinary students and staff, along with school administrators, represented Upper Cape Tech and supported this community celebration. Thank you to everyone who participated and to the Bourne Police Department for organizing an evening that brought our community together!

This transportation option is provided for students who remain after school to participate in clubs or extended learning programs.

• Start Date: Monday, September 21st

• Days Available: Monday – Thursday (No late bus on Fridays)

• Student Dismissal: 3:20 PM

💗 Health Office Reminder for Families 💗

As we begin the school year, please take a moment to review and update your child’s health information in PowerSchool.

📱Please complete the following steps:

1. Log in to PowerSchool
2. Select your student’s profile
3. Select Student Forms
4. Scroll down to “PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION TO ADMINISTER MEDICATIONS”
5. Review the list of medications and check off each medication you give permission for the Health Office to administer
6. Sign and submit the form

🩺 Please also make sure the Health Office has, if applicable:

• Updated physical/medical documentation
• Current medication orders/forms
• Necessary medications, including EpiPens and inhalers
• Medications that are current and have not expired
• Updated information regarding any new diagnoses, allergies, or health concerns

Keeping your child’s PowerSchool information, medical documentation, and medications up to date helps us provide safe and appropriate care throughout the school day.

If you have questions or are not sure whether your child needs updated documentation, please reach out to the Health Office. We are happy to help! 💗

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn!

ParentSquare is Upper Cape Tech's communication platform. Families receive communication from the school, student classrooms, technical programs, athletics, and activities all in one space. Families can communicate 1-to-1 with teachers.

If you are not receiving messages from ParentSquare or if you are having trouble, contact the Mr. Sean Stephens at support@uppercapetech.org. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.