Senior horticulture student Christine Hayes trims plants in the greenhouse at Taconic High. She hopes to own florist shop one day.
Senior Amelia Moro, who lives outside of Pittsfield, has traveled to Taconic to attend the early childhood program.
Sophmore Evan Bachand chose the business technology program because he said it will provide meaningful skills that can be used in a variety of careers.
The school offers more than a dozen vocational career pathways.
Sa'lina Rheaume with other electrical program students at Taconic. She sees her education as being rewarding and leading to a well-paying career.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Sa'lina Rheaume went through the career exploration program at Taconic High School before finding electrical work to be rewarding as well as being the potential for a well-paying career.
"At first I was nervous because I know a lot of females don't go into this field, but I've actually been enjoying it a lot and when I finish a project it makes me very happy," the 10th-grader said. "Especially when it works."
She is very excited to be eligible for the co-op program that will allow her to get experience in the field.
And she thinks Taconic becoming a full vocational school would give students many opportunities to learn different skills.
The School Committee was supposed to vote on the Taconic proposal Wednesday night but because of a snowstorm, postponed until next week.
Staff and students are supportive of the move to a Career Technical Educational program. If implemented, the high school will only accept CTE students.
"I think that this is an exciting opportunity for our community," said Principal Matthew Bishop. "This proposed move allows both high schools to offer unique pathways for our students, with both schools focusing on career and college readiness.
"The proposed transition allows more opportunity for students to attend our highly technical and academic vocational programming. Having served the community in both high schools, I honestly believe that the residents and future high schoolers of Pittsfield don't lose anything in this move, but gain a powerful choice."
This vote has been two years in the making and is fueled by a lack of space for non-CTE students because of the popularity of Taconic's vocational programs.
There are over a dozen pathways students can choose from including advanced manufacturing and health technology along with state-of-the-art facilities that were a part of the $120 million building completed in 2018.
Sophomore Evan Bachand chose the business technology program because he said it will provide meaningful skills that can be used in a variety of careers.
At the time, his class was learning the ins and outs of Excel.
"I chose the business CTE because I figured even if I don't go down a career path that is business related, I still learn skills I can use for my whole life," he said.
Taconic also has its own horticulture building complete with a large greenhouse.
"I think it's really great that we're getting so much more kids into shops," senior horticulture student Christine Hayes said while trimming greenery.
She has always wanted to own a florist shop and was convinced to join the program after seeing the greenhouse.
Hayes hopes to attend the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst next year.
Senior early education student Amelia Moro also came to Taconic for the program, traveling from out of town each day to attend.
"I love it, I like the real-life experiences and the skills that we learn as well," she said while working with children in the school's day-care center.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Belchertown Stops Pittsfield Post 68
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Belchertown Post 239’s Cooper Beckwith set the tone when he crushed the game’s first pitch to left-center field for a double.
The visitors went on to pound out 14 more hits in a 9-1 win over Pittsfield Post 68 in American Legion Baseball action at Buddy Pellerin Field on Monday night.
Beckwith went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, and Chase Earle went five innings on the mound without allowing an earned run as Post 239 improved to 15-0 this summer and completed a regular-season sweep of Post 68 (12-4).
“He’s a good pitcher,” Post 68 coach Rick Amuso said. “Good velo[city], kept the ball down. We didn’t respond.”
Pittsfield did manage to scratch out a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, when it already trailed, 7-0.
Nick Brindle reached on an error to start the inning. He moved up on a single by Jack Reed (2-for-2) and scored on a single to left by Cam Zerbato.
That was half the hits allowed by Earle, who struck out three before giving the ball to Alex West, who gave up a leadoff walk in the sixth and retired the next six batters he faced.
Water runoff reaching the drainage outlet behind the property is flooding it, unable to reach an intermittent stream meant to carry that runoff. click for more
The $25,000 raised will directly assist the Berkshire Humane Society in funding its various programs aimed at improving the lives of animals in need throughout the Berkshire County area. click for more
The short film follows Tom Levardi, who has been a supporter of the hiking community over the last 45 years by allowing Appalachian Trail hikers to camp in his back yard.
click for more
On Thursday, the commission issued 36 conditions for the city project that include a new boardwalk, access stairs, paring improvements, seasonal docks, and a new swimming beach on the park’s two properties at 1447 North St. and 40 Hancock Rd. click for more
Mike Ressler was unhittable on the mound, and the Pittsfield Little League All-Stars completed a convincing run through the Don Gleason District 1 Tournament with a 19-0 win over Dalton-Hinsdale on Thursday. click for more