Biddeford Center of Technology
March 20, 2024
Dear Parents, Students, and Families.
It is hard to believe that that March 29th marks the end of third quarter. This is also the time that students are choosing their classes for the 24-25 year. This includes considering taking a program at BRCOT. In the last four weeks we have received over 300 applications! Tours, interviews, program visits are happening and highly encouraged. Instructors will be reaching out to those students that have applied to talk with them about their program of interest. This time with the instructor is an important one for students because it is an opportunity for them to also interview the instructor and determine if it is a good fit for them. We strive to have the right student, in the right program, for the right reasons. The end date for the first round of applications closes on March 29th.
There is a lot of misinformation floating out there about BRCOT. One of the often heard myths is that students who attend BRCOT do not go to college. This is so far from the truth as approximately 75% of our student body goes on to a two- or four-year college. The remainder join an apprenticeship, workforce or military. Careers today require ongoing learning and credential attainment to remain competitive in the workplace.
Another interesting fact is the average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 90.18% compared to a national graduation rate of 74.9%. High-risk students are 8 to 10 times less likely to drop out in 11th or 12th grades if they are enrolled in a CTE program compared to general education (Source: Maine.gov/doe/learning/cte).
Students interested in learning more about BRCOT programming can schedule a visit through their guidance counselor or contact COT directly. Our online application is live and available: at https://brcot.enrolltrack.com/StudentPortal/# A course catalog is linked to this newsletter also. If you have any questions about the application process, please call us at 282-1501.
Best wishes,
Paulette Bonneau, Director
Kim Bennett, Asst. Director
On Friday March 15th, eighteen BRCOT students participated in the state SkillsUSA competition in Bangor. This event involves each student demonstrating their skills and knowledge in various competitions. This year we had students compete in the following areas: Auto Tech Services, Basic Health Care, Collision Repair, Cybersecurity, Electric Wiring, Electrical Construction Writing Test, First Aid/CPR, Health Knowledge Bowl, Information Technology Service, Medical Terminology, Nurse Assisting, Plumbing and Welding. Our students demonstrated professionalism and perseverance throughout the competition.
Forrest Hanvey, one of our computer technology students, won the silver medal for Information Technology Service. This is the second year Forrest has medaled in this competition. Robert Stetson, from our electrical program, competed in the Electrical Construction Wiring Written Knowledge event and won! Robert brought home the gold medal in this state level only competition. Also from computer technology, the team of Anthony Thy and Iainn Parker competed in the Cybersecurity event and won! Their gold medals make them eligible for the national competition being held in Atlanta, Georgia in June. Congratulations and thank you to all of our participants for their involvement in Maine’s SkillsUSA competition and representing BRCOT.
SkillsUSA Medalists
BRCOT Medal Winners: Robert Stetson, Gold for Electrical Construction Wiring Written Test. Forrest Hanvey, Silver for Information Technology Service. Anthony Thy and Iainn Parker, Gold for Cyber Security.
BRCOT students at SkillsUSA
Our students enjoyed competing and participating in opening and closing ceremonies.
Consider Engineering, a Summer Program Hosted by UMaine Pulp & Paper Foundation.
UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation offers a summer program for high school juniors called Consider Engineering. Juniors interested in engineering may choose to apply to further their learning. (Students do not have to be enrolled in BRCOT’s engineering program to be eligible.) For more information visit https://umaineppf.org/consider-engineering/ or scan the QR Code
CONTACT US
Email: paulette.b@biddefordschools.me
Website: https://www.biddefordschools.me/o/brct
Location: 10 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: 207-282-1501
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiddefordRegionalCenterOfTechnology