Schools

BVT starts school Monday in an enhanced building

Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School is a busy place, and summer break is no exception. While students and instructors are on sabbatical, it is the ideal time for routine and preventative maintenance, campus improvements, and special projects to be underway. Likewise, the break allows the administrative leadership team to recharge and prepare for the next school year through an annual retreat, professional development, and skill attainment activities.

As educators approach the next school year in an environment of ever-changing regulations, reopening plans must consider the possibility of additional adjustments to distancing requirements and other virus containment mandates. With a competitive grant provided by the New England School Development Council (NESDEC), the annual retreat allowed off-campus accommodations, providing a focused opportunity for strategizing reopening plans. As well as comparing notes, exchanging notes ideas, and sharing best practices with colleagues from other schools.

Meanwhile, the Facility Department completes a compressive checklist that includes a thorough inspection of the entire school building to ensure everything is in proper working order. All classrooms, vocational shops, common areas, corridors, and lockers are cleaned and disinfected. Resolutely, the campus is sparkling and ready for the return of its staff and students.

Staff and students will notice numerous enhancements. There is a new Biotechnology shop, Chemistry Laboratory, and a significant section of the Painting & Design Technology program received a complete renovation utilizing in-house resources, a cost-savings to the district, by tapping into student and staff expertise, talent, and skill to assist with creating a new student classroom and vinyl workroom within the shop. The Painting & Design students have happily applied the finishing touches, a fresh coat of paint, of course. They are eager to use their newly renovated area. 

“At Blackstone Valley Tech, we cheer for each other, celebrate successes, and take pride in our continuous improvements and growth,” said Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick. “We are excited to deliver high-quality education, navigating students on their educational journey.”

With summer projects complete, 65 Pleasant Street is looking spiffy. The first day of school for all students is Monday, August 23.

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