WRVC's Fire Fighting students got a 95' lift from Portland Fire Department's Ladder 6 today... Big thanks to PFD for giving our students this experience! It was cool and breezy way up there at the top!
Today, the Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) class was actively engaged in hands-on learning! Students focused on inspecting various types of heavy equipment and utilizing it to efficiently relocate dirt and stone across the range. Additionally, they practiced their fine motor skills by delicately stacking small metal nuts using a tiny metal stick on the excavator's bucket. This exercise not only enhances their precision but also prepares them for future challenges in operating heavy machinery. The students honed their skills and embraced the complexities of operating the heavy equipment!
The Early Childhood Occupations Education (ECOE) program had an exceptional day exploring two remarkable college campuses: the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and Central Maine Community College (CMCC). The students were thoroughly impressed by the diverse education major pathways and the vibrant school life opportunities that both institutions offer. A highlight of the day was attending a PSY 225 class with Dr. Jamison, which provided valuable insights into in-person college learning.
Our concurrent enrollment agreements with UMF and CMCC empower students to earn college credits while participating in the ECOE program, making this experience even more special. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UMF, CMCC, Mrs. Bruns, and Mrs. Linscott for facilitating this enriching day for our students. A huge thank you to our WSD bus driver and Transportation Dept.! ECOE students, your enthusiasm and engagement today were outstanding, and you made us incredibly proud!
The Electricity students have been working off-site to excavate a lengthy trench for underground utility wires as part of our Rotary House project. Mr. Mike Corey, the code enforcer, arrived to inspect the electrical trench and interacted with our students. This proved to be an excellent experience for our aspiring electricians.
Students in the Computer Systems and Networking class are finishing their custom builds and trying to get the most out of their RGB lighting (while dealing with Corsair's crazy iCUE software).
Gorham first-year student Royce G. is busy with "Tars," our huge, custom-built, liquid-cooled (no AIO here!) beast, while second-year Windham High School tech Ryland L.-K is adding that perfect mixture of red, green, and blue to a very sweet Corsair 3000d build.
Thanks to the support of the WRVC Car Show attendees, the MELMAC Foundation, and the Westbrook School Committee, the Automotive Technology students had the invaluable opportunity to participate in the SEMA Student Program this week and engage in meaningful networking opportunities with industry professionals, college representatives, and potential career paths. This experience has opened up new possibilities and inspired the next generation of automotive professionals. We are deeply appreciative of our community’s commitment to supporting education and career growth for our students. Thank you for making this incredible opportunity a reality! We also want to thank Mr. Hiltz and Mrs. O'Toole for all they did to make this trip happen for our students.
What an AWESOME afternoon and evening of Family-School Conferences!!! Thank you to all of the parents/guardians and students who attended. We appreciate you working together with our staff to build a strong bridge of communication for student success. May you all have a wonderful evening!
A heartfelt thank you to Anniela at the University of Nevada Las Vegas for giving the WRVC Automotive students an unforgettable tour of UNLV! Your energy, enthusiasm, and school pride truly made the experience memorable. The students left inspired and excited about the opportunities ahead, and it wouldn’t have been the same without your guidance.
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We’d also like to express our gratitude to MELMAC for making this experience possible. Your support is invaluable, and we are so grateful for your continued commitment to education and student growth. Thank you for making this a day to remember!
WRVC CJ students received a visit from Westbrook Police Department’s “Community Policing Coordinator,” Megan Perry. Ms. Perry gave a thorough presentation explaining the importance of community policing in today’s society. Students learned about the importance of creating a safe and open dialogue between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We appreciate Westbrook PD and Ms. Perry for taking the time to deliver such a needed and important aspect of policing. It should also be noted that Ms. Perry is a pivotal part of the Giving Tree project, which is a student-led community outreach. CJ Students collect new toys, clothing, and other essential items during the holiday months to help families in need. Ms. Perry does an amazing job of identifying those families in our communities who could use a little extra help during the holidays. She creates a shopping experience for those families at no cost to them and helps put many smiles on the faces of children in our local communities. Thank you, Megan Perry and Westbrook PD!
In the field of firefighting, a "Class A practice burn" denotes a controlled fire utilized for training that focuses on burning common solid combustibles such as wood or paper, which are typical household materials. Conversely, a "Class B practice burn" deals with flammable liquids, including gasoline or oil, necessitating different extinguishing methods because of the unique characteristics of these fuels. Our firefighting students have been practicing putting out both Class A and B fires.
The students have also been learning about the importance of protecting their lungs by wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), especially when toxic chemicals are involved. The students were very cautious and safe during these burns, especially when working with diesel fuel.
A huge thank you to SpaTech for inviting the WRVC Cosmetology program to tour and engage in a wonderful informational session about their educational programs. Thank you also to MELMAC for supporting this experience for our students. There were many great questions asked and answered, and our students walked away with a better understanding of how to reach their goals after high school.
Thank you to Throttle Club for inviting WRVC to the NAPA Product and Equipment Show. Mr. Waldren, Mr. Hiltz, and Mrs. O’Toole had a wonderful time connecting with local businesses that help support our programs.
Sergeant First Class Erickson and Staff Sergeant Thomas from the National Guard visited the criminal justice program to discuss career opportunities and pathways that the National Guard and criminal justice fields can offer. They will be visiting the program weekly to lead physical training activities, drills, and ceremony practice. We are grateful for their support and partnership, which provides valuable insights and experiences for our criminal justice students.
Cosmetology and MedOc listening to Linda Brann from the Lice Clinic, Portland location talk about Pediculus Humanus Capitis(lice), precautions, treatment, and facts vs myths.
Also, Cosmetology Tech I students are learning about infection control in their Microbiology curriculum. They took samples from handles, desks, floors, and more using a Q-tip and then let the specimens grow for one week to identify viruses, bacteria, and fungi. They were not disappointed!
The Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) students helped the Early Childhood Occupations Education (ECOE) program by creating a concrete pad underneath the new fence gate located on the preschool playground. Check out the fantastic work they did! Thank you, HEO!!
Culinary Arts students from both Tech I and Tech II participated in an MRE challenge with local recruiting Sergeants from the US ARMY. Students blind-picked their MRE and were given a strict timeline to plan, prepare, and plate their dishes for the judges. Each group had to use as many of the ingredients as they could to create a beverage, entree, and dessert. The students worked collaboratively to take a basic MRE and elevate it to a more gourmet dish. The winning group for Tech I was a white chicken chunk MRE turned into a chicken quesadilla with homemade salsa. Tech 2's winning dish was a sausage and peppers MRE turned into a sausage and pasta dish and a baked apple dessert that blew the judges away. Some honorable mentions were a lemon pound cake enhanced with a lemon whipped cream and a chocolate protein shake turned into a chocolate mousse topping.
The Automotive Technology program held its second Auto Show this past Sunday. Mr. Hiltz and his students helped organize this spectacular event with the support of our Culinary Arts program. The antique cars on display were eye-catching and the food provided by the culinary students and Chef Hernandez was delicious. The money raised will help support an upcoming SEMA learning experience in Las Vegas.
Cosmetology Tech II students are studying "Recreating the Level System." For example, Black would be a level 1 as it is the darkest color, and the very lightest blonde would be a level 10. Students mixed up lighteners and practiced each color level.
Mr. Hiltz's Automotive Technology students were thoroughly engaged while learning about two-stroke and four-stroke engines with wet and dry sumps. Mr. Waldren modeled for his students how to use the drill press safely.
The Culinary Arts and Medical Occupations programs collaborated to explore essential concepts from their curricula, including OSHA and ServSafe standards. This partnership emphasized key skills such as teamwork, effective communication, portion size, precise measurement, sanitation practices, nutritional knowledge, adherence to instructions, food preparation, cooking techniques, and serving methods.
