UCT

Dear Upper Cape Tech Community,

As we settle into the school year, it is exciting to see students exploring new ideas, putting their learning into practice, and finding their place in our school community.

This week’s Current offers a glimpse of learning in action and a look toward the future. Freshmen biology students explored how the body maintains balance in Mrs. LeRoy’s class, while Environmental students collected water samples and investigated beneath the surface of Hathaway’s Pond. On the sidelines, our cheerleaders demonstrated the teamwork and trust that bring school spirit to life. To support seniors and their families, I’ve created a college application checklist and shared a College Planning Timeline, along with information about All Cape College Day on October 14. You’ll also find resources on career and technical education pathways and the role of AI literacy in preparing for the workplace.

As students explore their interests and consider life after UCT, we want them to recognize their strengths and see possibilities for their future. With encouragement and guidance from staff, families, and peers, they can build the confidence to take on challenges and make informed decisions about their next steps.

They also remind us of an essential foundation for learning: belonging. In a recent article, educators Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey describe how feeling valued and connected helps students participate, take on challenges, and keep going when learning gets difficult. At Upper Cape Tech, we want every student to know they can be themselves, ask for help, make mistakes, and contribute something meaningful.

Each of us helps create that experience. For students, it might mean inviting someone into a group or listening to a classmate’s idea. For staff, it can be a personal greeting, a check-in, or making sure every student has a meaningful role. For families, sharing your student’s interests, strengths, and challenges helps us understand and support them. These everyday actions communicate a powerful message: you matter here.

A strong partnership between school and home is part of that work. We recognize that work schedules, family responsibilities, and everyday demands can make it difficult to stay connected. If you are having trouble accessing ParentSquare or finding a time to talk, please let us know so we can work together to find a way to connect. Your perspective matters, whether or not you can attend a school event.

Our conversations should include moments of pride as well as concerns. This week, I invite students, staff, and families to consider two questions: “What is something you tried, learned, or figured out that you couldn’t do before?” and “What helped you feel included—and how could you offer that to someone else?” We hope the stories in this issue offer a starting point for those conversations.

Thank you for the many ways you care for and contribute to our school community. Please reach out with a question, share a success, or let us know when you need help. Together, we can make Upper Cape Tech a place where every student feels known, supported, and ready to learn.

With appreciation,

Dr. Marie Alvernaz

Monday, September 28

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

Tuesday, September 29

• Music Club meets every Tuesday with Mr. and Mrs. Spevack in Room 338
• Nontraditional club with Mrs. McDonald in the library
• NHS meeting with Ms. DeChristopher in Room 190

Wednesday, September 30

• DECA meeting with Ms. DeChristopher in Room 190

Thursday, October 1

• Debate Club meets every Thursday with Mr. Giguere in Room 119
• NTHS Meeting with Chef Conant in Canalside. Informational Meeting for Juniors.
• Student Council with Ms.Hatch in Room 411
• UCTimes School Newspaper meeting with Ms. DeChristopher in Room 190

Tuesday, September 29

08:30AM - 09:15AM: University of Maine

12:45PM - 01:20PM: Wheaton College

Wednesday, September 30

08:30AM - 09:15AM: University of Massachusetts (Dartmouth)

09:45AM - 10:30AM: Curry College

12:45PM - 01:20PM: University of Massachusetts (Lowell)

Thursday, October 1

12:45PM - 01:20PM: Stonehill College

🏃🏻‍♀️🏐 🏈 🏌🏻‍♂️📣 ⚽ 🏃

Our girls volleyball team is giving Upper Cape Tech plenty to cheer about! The Cape Cod Times ranked the Rams No. 5 in its Cape and Islands girls volleyball rankings, recognizing an impressive 5–1 start to the season.

The Rams earned wins over Bristol Plymouth, Southeastern, Wareham, Blue Hills, and Norfolk Aggie. Their only loss came in a five-set match against South Shore.

The article highlighted Daishalys Nunes, Emma Yarnell, Brooklyn Kutil, Sophia Lopes, and Abigail Drew for their recent strong performances. Congratulations to these student-athletes and the entire team!

We are so proud of our players and Coach Morgan Correia, and excited to see their efforts recognized. The entire UCT community is behind you! Let’s keep the stands full and the school spirit strong as we cheer on our Rams.

Roll Rams!

Our cheerleaders bring energy, teamwork, and school spirit to Upper Cape Tech. Now it’s our turn to cheer them on!

Vote for Upper Cape Tech in the Cape Cod Times poll to help crown the top Cape and Islands cheerleading squad for the 2026 fall sports season. Let’s rally our families, students, staff, and alumni behind our Rams!

Voting is open September 27 through November 26 (Thanksgiving Day). The winner will be announced after the football season concludes.

Votes must be submitted through the Cape Cod Times website or mobile site. Votes sent by email or social media will not be accepted.

Click here to vote for UCT Cheerleading!

Thank you for supporting our cheerleaders. Roll Rams!

Grade 11 • Nominated by Ms. Alaina Hatch, U.S. Government and Politics

Congratulations to David Duca, this week’s Beacon Academic Award recipient! David brings enthusiasm, thoughtful questions, and a strong understanding of course content to Ms. Hatch’s classroom.

He shares his perspectives respectfully, considers different viewpoints, and encourages meaningful discussion with his classmates. His curiosity and willingness to explore real-world issues reflect the informed, thoughtful civic engagement at the heart of the course.

Ms. Hatch notes that David’s excitement for learning makes the class more engaging for everyone. Thank you, David, for helping create a classroom where ideas are explored and every voice is valued!

Congratulations, David, on being a beacon for your fellow Rams!

Grade 11 • Veterinary Science

Congratulations to Emma Yarnell, whose professionalism, initiative, and kindness make her a valued member of UCT’s Veterinary Science program!

Nominated by her instructor, Ms. West, Emma has shown outstanding patience and leadership while working alongside freshman students. She welcomes them with respect and encouragement, setting a positive example through her dependable work habits and willingness to take responsibility.

Emma has also taken the initiative to become more involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), seeking opportunities to participate, learn, and challenge herself beyond the classroom. Whether supporting a classmate or developing her technical skills, she approaches her work with maturity and purpose.

Ms. West emphasizes that Emma’s character consistently shines through: she treats others well, communicates professionally, and positively influences those around her. Emma reminds us that leadership grows through everyday actions that help others succeed.

Congratulations, Emma, on being a beacon for your fellow Rams!

Pictured: Emma working with horses at a local farm.

The UCT cheerleading squad brought school pride and energy to the sidelines during the game against Bourne High School. This impressive stunt showcases the strength, balance, and trust that make cheerleading a true team effort. Go Rams!

Freshman biology students explored how the body responds to environmental changes and returns to balance using equipment provided through the Backyard Brains grant. Students measured resting heart rates, observed changes after exposure to ice water, and tracked the return to baseline. Seeing real-time data brought homeostasis—one of their first topics of the year—to life!

Pictured: Emma Windle

Environmental sophomores and seniors took their learning onto the water during a kayaking trip at Hathaway’s Pond in Barnstable. Students collected water samples and used GoPro cameras to locate a sunken car, boat, and scuba diving platform, combining hands-on science with underwater exploration.

Students in Ms. Hatch’s Modern American History class stepped into the role of intelligence analysts during a simulation focused on the Soviet-Afghan War. Working in groups, they examined dossiers and declassified CIA documents to recommend an aid package for Afghan rebel fighters, then wrote a memorandum briefing the president on their proposed approach.

The lesson explored how Cold War foreign policy shaped U.S. involvement abroad. Students engaged in lively debate as they evaluated evidence, weighed competing options, and defended their recommendations.

UCT’s cheerleading competition and performance teams brought their school spirit to the September 22 cross country meet, cheering on their fellow Rams! For several years, cross country team members have attended cheerleading dress rehearsals, helping the squad prepare to perform before a crowd ahead of league competition. This time, our cheerleaders returned the encouragement—a wonderful example of the support and connections that strengthen our UCT community.

Preparing for a career includes learning how to evaluate new tools. Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy means understanding what AI can do, recognizing its limitations, and knowing when to question its results.

Three habits can help students prepare for responsible use of AI in their future careers:

• Check the work. AI can produce incorrect or biased information. A convincing answer still needs to be checked against reliable sources and professional standards.

• Build the skills behind the answer. Technical knowledge, problem-solving, and sound judgment help workers recognize when a suggestion is useful—or when it could lead to a mistake.

• Keep learning. Learning new tools takes practice, feedback, and collaboration. Being willing to ask questions and adapt is valuable in every vocational field.

Consider an AI-generated materials estimate: a skilled worker would still need to check measurements, quantities, and material suitability. The same principle applies across careers—using a tool responsibly requires understanding the work.

Start a conversation at home: Ask your student, “Where might AI be useful in your technical field, and what would you need to check before trusting its answer?”

Families are increasingly recognizing the value of career and technical education, apprenticeships, and other pathways alongside traditional college options. This Inside Higher Ed article explores that shift and highlights the importance of helping students compare opportunities that match their interests, strengths, and goals. It’s a useful conversation starter for UCT families as students plan their next steps.

The 60th Annual All Cape College Day Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM at Barnstable High School. The college fair is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.

We are excited to partner with StriveScan again this year to enhance the fair experience for our students and our post-secondary representatives. Students should pre-register at strivefair.com or by using the QR code in the post. Once you register, you will receive your barcode via email and/or text message.

You can save the QR code on your phone or print a paper copy and bring it with you. (Registering at the fair will delay your entrance.) Representatives will scan your barcode during the event. After the fair, you will receive an email report with information from all of the colleges and programs who scanned your barcode!

Wondering what institutions will be present? Here is the list of organizations that have already confirmed their participation: 2026 All Cape College Day Attendees! Questions? Email allcapecollegeday@gmail.com.

September

• Meet with College Admissions Reps. at UCT – dates/time & sign-up on SCOIR

• Continue researching schools on CollegeBoard (www.collegeboard.org) and SCOIR

• Create an account on Common Application (www.commonapp.org) – start application

• If a school does not accept the Common Application – you must complete their school specific application

• Be aware of application deadlines for each school - especially if applying Early Action or Early Decision

• Begin to finalize your list of schools you will be applying to

• Update your “Senior Profile” and confirm with teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation

• Register for the SAT, ACT or Subject Tests (UCT Code is: 220411)

• Start writing your college essay

• Create a FSA ID (student & parent/guardian each need one) at www.fsaid.ed.gov – needed to file financial aid forms (FAFSA)

October

• Schedule your individual senior meeting with your school counselor

• Finalize your college essay

• Finish applications for Early Decision/Early Action schools

• F.A.F.S.A. (federal financial aid application) becomes available Oct. 1st

• Be aware of CSS Profile filing date (used at many private colleges for financial aid-each school has their own deadline/due date)

• Take the ASVAB (if interested in the military) – held at UCT in January

• If still researching schools, attend All Cape College Day @ Barnstable H.S., on October 14, 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM

• NCAA – register at www.ncaa.org (for student athletes hoping to play at Div. I & II schools)

November – December

• Meet Early Action/Early Decision deadlines (typically Nov 1st & Nov 15)

• Finish & submit applications for all regular decision schools

January – February

• Research and apply for scholarships (www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, wiredscholar.com)

• Local scholarship listings on UCT website - be sure to check regularly for new postings

• Cape Cod Community College on-site interviews

April

• Receive college decision letters

• Compare your financial aid packages

• Send deposit to your selected college or university no later than May 1st

May

• Take AP exams and have scores sent to your college

• Notify your counselor where you will attend so they can send your final transcript

Here are five ways a college essay you write for your college applications differs from the traditional essays you write in English or History class in high school.

1. Your college essay should not have a title. Admissions officers do not like students using words that could be used in your essay as a title. So you may skip the title entirely.

2. You do not need to indent the first word of every new paragraph. In fact, when you do block formatting, it makes it a little bit easier for those college admissions officers to read the essay.

3. Speaking of formatting, this is not going to be a five-paragraph essay where you have an intro paragraph, three paragraphs for the body of the essay, and a conclusion paragraph. You can actually break your essay into a lot of shorter paragraphs. This makes it easier for the admissions officer to read. Admissions officers read these essays quickly. This is a great way to make your essay more digestible for admissions officers.

4. This is not an analytical essay. This is a personal essay. So it is not about proving your thesis throughout your essay. It is about saying something about yourself.

5. You should not be using long quotes or even dialogue. Again, this is not an English or history paper that you are writing analytically. This is also not a play. This is a 650-word college essay, and you will want all those words to be your own words. You do not need to use quotation marks, and you should not be writing about what other people are saying. It is really about what you are thinking, what you are realizing, and what you are writing.

Celebrate senior year with UCT Class of 2027 merchandise! Choose from three designs, available as hoodies ($40) or T-shirts ($25) in white, black, or gray. Whether you prefer a classic look, a groovy design, or our signature Ram, there’s an option to show your school spirit.

Pre-orders are due October 5. To order, students should complete the Google Form in their Class of 2027 Google Classroom. Check out the photo below to pick your favorite. Go Rams!

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.