AST Class Gains New Equipment
BLOOMINGDALE-Students in the auto service technology program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School have an extra advantage in their education with the addition of some high-tech equipment for their classroom.
Instructor Ron Reasoner said the school purchased a Hunter Roadforce tire balancer this summer that is relatively rare at area professional service sites. The apparatus, which is estimated at $18,000, provides a more modernized tool of the trade.
“It is the latest and greatest technology in tire balancing,” he said. “We do have an older machine and the advantage is I can teach students the old and new concepts.”
Reasoner added that while both sets of equipment use technology, the newer apparatus has extra capabilities that the older model does not. The balancer includes a spinning barrel which applies pressure to simulate actual road force to help balance the tire. A modern touchscreen computer and laser measurements are also incorporated into the system.
“We are one of the few in the valley to have a Roadforce balancer due to the cost, but as far as technology goes it’s a homerun,” he added, saying the equipment can be used on tires from small passenger cars up to light-duty pickup trucks and SUV’s.
Superintendent Dr. Todd Phillipson said financing for the acquisition came from the school’s equipment fund to help modernize the program, plus it benefits students in the long run.
“The upgrade to equipment after 18 years is great for everyone because it shows the care the JVS has taken of it,” Dr. Phillipson said. “The new purchase represents the program’s state-of-the-art approach to technology in order to prepare students for a career in auto mechanics.”
For more information about the program and system, contact the JVS at (740) 264-5545.
Ron Reasoner, auto service technology instructor at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, is pictured with juniors Davin Gringle, at left, and Dylan Haldiman as they demonstrate the new Hunter Roadforce tire balancer that was acquired for the program this summer. Reasoner said the high-tech equipment is not commonly used in the area and gives students another advantage by learning this more modern tool of the trade.
JVS Donates $7,500 to CDI
BLOOMINGDALE- The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School exceeded expectations with its most recent quarter auction and contributed more than $7,500 to the Cancer Dietary Initiative to help feed cancer patients and their families.
School officials presented a check for $7,506 to CDI representatives on Nov. 17 to help those who are undergoing treatment and forced to choose between purchasing food and medication. The Fourth-Annual Anthony D’Aurora Quarters for Cancer Quarter Auction broke its previous record by more than $1,000 following this year’s benefit on Nov. 6. About 350 people attended and bid on items provided by 40 vendors, plus they had a chance to purchase goods onsite. In addition to the quarter auction, JVS students collected more than 700 non-perishable items from boxed potatoes and stuffing to canned vegetables and the Transition to Work program sold pink ribbons for a Pink Out day in October.
Organizer Jill McVicker was amazed by the response and said it was the school’s best effort yet. She said school leaders were approached four years ago by Don Heiss, who was previously involved with the pantry, about how the JVS could lend a hand.
“It’s a win-win for both organizations because we can show the people what the JVS is all about and also help CDI,” she commented.
Karen Spoonemore, treasurer for the JVS, said 100 percent of the proceeds go to CDI and the majority of the donations come from school staff. Since its inception, the quarter auction has raised an estimated $21,000 for the program. Moreover, the benefit was close to organizers’ hearts because of its namesake. The latest event was named in tribute to longtime principal/supervisor Anthony D’Aurora, who passed away from cancer last year. He was a big supporter of the fundraiser and his wife, Patty, presently serves on CDI’s board.
D’Aurora noted her gratitude to the school and said she was moved by the effort.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she added. “They are wonderful, but I’ve always known that.”
“This was important to Tony,” Spoonemore interjected. “Mr. Heiss was his neighbor and he came in [wanting us to help]. We said we’ll do this and it grew.”
June Crago, public relations coordinator for CDI, said the program began in May of 2013 after 18 families were identified as clients. Today, that number has grown to 90 families around the area, including Brooke, Hancock, Jefferson, and Harrison counties, and the community support certainly helps.
“There is no geographical or financial limitation. All they need is verification from a physician or oncologist,” Crago said of potential clients, praising McVicker for her hard work. “Jill was the record breaker [by being] innovative and creative.”
Chris Hyland, CDI fundraising chair, said families will have a dinner with all the trimmings thanks to the school food drive and Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino, the latter of which contributed 75 turkeys for holiday meals. Hyland noted that CDI’s clients received a 10- to 14-day supply of food and the holiday distribution was set for this Saturday, Nov. 19. The CDI food pantry is currently located at First Westminster Presbyterian Church on North Fourth Street in Steubenville.
Jefferson County Joint Vocational School officials donated proceeds from its record-breaking Anthony D’Aurora Memorial Quarters for Cancer quarter auction to the Cancer Dietary Initiative to help feed families of cancer patients who are undergoing treatment. The Nov. 6 benefit raised more than $7,500 plus over 700 non-perishable food items to stock shelves and help those who are forced to choose between purchasing medicine and food. Pictured are, from left, Chris Hyland, fundraising chair for CDI; Jill McVicker, quarter auction organizer; Marge Landkrohn, CDI volunteer; June Crago, public relations coordinator for CDI; Patty D’Aurora, CDI board member and wife of late JVS Principal/Supervisor Anthony D’Aurora, the event’s namesake; and Karen Spoonemore, JVS treasurer.
Carpentry Students Building Modular Home
BLOOMINGDALE-Following the recent sale of their final permanent residential project, carpentry students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are now undertaking more mobile pursuits by building their first modular home.
The school most recently sold the seventh—and final—structure erected at the adjacent Breezewood Subdivision in Bloomingdale, and carpentry instructor Steve Orwick decided to scale down his class’s next big project. Framing work began in mid-November on the home, which is an estimated 54 feet long and 26 feet wide, and upon completion it will feature three bedrooms, two baths, a great room containing both living and dining room areas, a kitchen and laundry room.
“A lot of schools in the state have been doing modulars and our schedule doesn’t permit us to go out in the community to build for individuals,” he commented. “It’s two halves of a house and we will actually split it apart and ship it out, then put it back together when it’s sold.”
Twenty juniors and seniors will be working throughout the year to bring the modular to life with help from the estimated 20 students in the electrical program. Orwick said the latter class will also handle the wiring aspect of the plan once the walls and roof are finished. He noted that the students will enjoy seeing the fruits of their labor in the long run.
“They seem to like it. It’s all hands-on training but it’s more about satisfaction,” he added. “The kids who had graduated have called me asking if the house they built sold. Once they have a hand in it, it’s sort of a pride thing and they can drive by the house and see their work.”
Juniors Kelsey Monigold and Michael Lanham are already excited about watching their work take shape.
“I think it’s really exciting to see it done,” said Monigold, an Edison High School student.
Lanham, a fellow Wildcat, agreed.
“I worked on [the last house at the subdivision] and it feels good,” he quipped.
If all goes well, the project could be completed sometime next year and Orwick said officials will decide whether a second modular home will get underway.
“We’re going to test the waters with this and [Superintendent Dr. Todd Phillipson and] the board will make a decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, Orwick commented that the carpentry program as well as the criminal justice, electrical and welding classes also recently completed OSHA 10 training around Nov. 22, which was provided by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, while officials were also looking at potential aerial lift training certification this spring also through the UBCJ.
Carpentry students Michael Lanham, Tim McCoy, Hezekiah Scurry and Kelsey Monigold are pictured in the foreground helping their fellow classmates build a new modular home at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School. The carpentry program completed and sold its seventh and final house at the Breezewood subdivision this past year but is continuing their hands-on training with a more mobile venture that could be finished next year.
Three Named Regional SkillsUSA Officers
BLOOMINGDALE- Jefferson County Joint Vocational School has a strong voice on its SkillsUSA panel after three of its students were elected as regional officers.
Senior Hunter Huggins and juniors Harmony Crummitt and Luke Gescheider were elected to a seven-member delegation representing the Southeast Region SkillsUSA during the 2016 Fall Leadership Conference on Nov. 2-4 in Columbus. The southeast region includes 300 students from more than 20 schools and it is the first time that JCJVS has had major support at that level. Huggins won the main seat as president with Crummitt as reporter and Gescheider as parliamentarian. The trio will participate until the next fall conference, but first they will undergo leadership training in Washington, D.C., this January.
Huggins, a senior health technology student, was delighted to earn the top spot.
“I am amazed and honored,” he added. “It’s been five years since they had a president from the JVS.”
The son of Randy and Melissa Huggins of Richmond, Huggins used his experience as a volunteer firefighter in his speech to the crowd.
Gescheider, a junior computer networking technology student and the son of Ronda and Brandon Law of Amsterdam and Bill Gescheider of Toronto, was also excited about the opportunity to serve and visit Washington.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great honor,” he said, adding that his address focused on what it means to be parliamentarian and misconceptions about the role.
Crummitt said it was an awesome opportunity as well as a real team effort, plus it was a huge coup considering that the JCJVS was among the smaller schools involved.
“We’re all in it together,” she commented. “We passed the test, wrote our speeches, got into the top two and won. It’s just a huge opportunity.”
The junior health tech student, who is the daughter of Traci and Rhuel Crummit of Smithfield, used her experience in 4-H in her speech and discussed how it helped shape her as a leader.
To run for office, each candidate had to give a prepared speech before a panel of judges. Each student also faced about five or six opponents for their respective office with the top two answering an impromptu question on what it meant to be a champion at work, which followed the theme of the conference. The new officers also credited the JVS delegates for their efforts to rally for votes and the delegates included Maria Shane, Dani Sanders, Marquan Jackson, and Beau Kmatz.
“The delegates were awesome,” Crummit said.
“If it weren’t for the delegates, we wouldn’t be here,” added Gescheider. “We have to give them a ton of credit.”
The trio will head to our nation’s capital on Jan. 15-20 to undergo leadership training but will miss out on the festivities involving President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
While Huggins is ineligible as a senior, both Crummitt and Gescheider still have an opportunity to seek office on the state level. Meanwhile, more than 20 JCJVS students took part in the conference and were among hundreds of attendants from across the state. SkillsUSA includes six regions and hundreds of students attend the conference each year.
Jefferson County Joint Vocational School students Harmony Crummitt, Hunter Huggins and Luke Gescheider are representing the school and others after being elected to the Southeast Region SkillsUSA delegation earlier this month during the 2016 Fall Leadership Conference in Columbus. Crummitt will serve as reporter, Huggins as president, and Gescheider as parliamentarian and all three will undergo training in Washington, D.C., in January.
JVS Introducing Small Animal Science Program
BLOOMINGDALE- Students with an interest in animals have a chance to participate in a new course at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
Officials are looking to start a small animal sciences program next fall and said interest has been building. Sophomores caught a glimpse of the class during their annual visitation days on Nov. 15 and 17 with discussions by local businesswoman and AKC Husky dog trainer Shawna Wells and rabbit breeder Tammy Mazzaferro, while more details were shared during the school’s open house on Nov. 21. The program helps fill a niche in the agriculture and environmental systems career field and is broken down into four subject areas: veterinary science, animal anatomy and physiology, animal health, and companion animal selection, nutrition and management.
Science instructor Tamela Marshall is helping to coordinate the program, which is slated to start during the fall of 2017. Marshall said an instructor will be hired and the program will focus on subjects that could lead to careers in the veterinary tech field. The concept was borne after a survey was conducted at the school.
“The staff took a survey of possible programs we might initiate and the students showed such an interest, then the board agreed to do a program,” Marshall said. “It’s a very diverse curriculum that would prepare them to go into the vet tech field.”
Veterinary science helps students learn causes, symptoms, and treatment of common diseases with special emphasis on developing preventative health management plans and breeding programs. Topics range from veterinary pharmacology and radiology and imaging techniques to principles of surgery and safe laboratory skills. Meanwhile, animal anatomy and physiology helps students examine the structure and function of the major organ systems as well as the function and principle of blood flow in animals. Students will study internal and external anatomical parts, their functions and will investigate the relationship among these parts and systems. Topics include business operations, animal science and animal management. Animal health will help examine causes, symptoms and treatment of common diseases with emphasis on developing preventative health management plans. Topics include the study of pathogens, classifying types of diseases, and classifying types of disorders. Companion animal selection, nutrition and management helps apply responsible animal science principles and identify routine husbandry practices to companion animals. Topics include nutrient utilization, breeding programs, management of housing design, meal plans, and general care practices.
Marshall added that much of the program is being modeled after a similar offering at the Columbiana County Career Center Program. Additionally, officials also hoped to work with Ohio University Eastern and Kent State University-Tuscarawas for alignment and transition into their vet tech programs.
“We’re really excited. It’s something very positive and we have a lot of students interested in the program,” she said, commenting that the small animal sciences course is a plus since the area is largely rural and incudes many agricultural farms. “The students have a background in [agriculture] and there’s a really strong desire in this area.”
For more information, contact the JVS at (74) 264-5545.
Tamela Marshall, science instructor at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, discusses the implementation of the small animal sciences program during the recent sophomore visitation days at the school. The new program is eyed for this fall and will include a wide range of subjects that could lead to careers as a vet tech or other opportunities in the animal care field.
Sophomores Visit JVS
BLOOMINGDALE- Jefferson County Joint Vocational School welcomed students from around the area during its annual sophomore visitation days.
Students from Steubenville, Indian Creek, Harrison Central, Catholic Central and Toronto toured the Bloomingdale facility on Nov. 15 to learn about its programs while dozens more pupils from Buckeye Local and Edison High Schools attended that Thursday. Current JVS students manned tables in the commons area and the visitors gathered to watch an original video from the multimedia and design class depicting students performing the mannequin craze as they showcased the labs. The tours then began in the individual labs with students and instructors providing demonstrations and some hands-on instruction, followed by lunch and more tours before they departed on their respective buses. The JVS provides 14 programs including auto collision, auto service, computer networking, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood education, electrical trades, health technologies, multimedia and design, power mechanics, and welding, but one new addition is the small animal science program coming this fall. There, students will learn all aspects about caring for small animals with courses that could eventually lead to work as a vet tech.
Guidance Counselor Shellie Henderson said about 300 students took part throughout the week and it was considered successful.
“They got to see how they could get industrial credentials for a career and graduate with credentials in various programs here at the school,” Henderson added. “They also understand that they can come out and take College Credit Plus here with 21 hours per year of classes.”
Henderson was also pleased to see the growing interest in the small animal sciences program, making it likely that it will be offered next year.
“It was nice to know there was a high amount of interest in the new program, and hopefully we can get applications to open the program in the fall.”
Quite a few of the attendants were looking to sign up for the JVS next year, saying they enjoyed learning what was available at the site.
“I like the welding program,” said Dominick Flenniken, a sophomore at EHS. “My stepfather welds and I’m very interested.”
BLHS students Morgan Horvath, Renee Worwa, and Sarriah Pollock set their sights on the cosmetology program. Horvath and Worwa both said they liked doing hair, makeup, and nails and would enjoy learning outside a normal classroom.
“I like making people feel good about themselves,” added Pollock.
Jacob Still and Dylan Weir, who are also from BLHS, were keen about the power mechanics program and looked forward to training for potential careers.
“I like tearing things apart and putting them back together,” said Still, adding that it was in his blood. “My dad and Pap used to rebuild cars. [I’d like] coming here and getting the chance to learn about doing dirty work and having the smarts to tear something apart and fix it.”
“I grew up working on dirt bikes and small motors,” Weir added, saying his father was a diesel mechanic. “I like getting down and dirty and making some good money. I plan on coming here next year for sure.”
For more information about the programs, call (740) 264-5545.
Chad Custer, a junior welding student at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, looks on as Edison High School sophomore Dominick Flenniken, at left, tests his mettle during the annual sophomore visitation on Nov. 17. Schools from throughout Jefferson and Harrison counties visited the school throughout the week to learn about the programs and sign up for next fall.
TTW Program Helping Furry Friends
BLOOMINGDALE- Students in the Transition to Work program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are making sure local shelter animals are not forgotten this holiday season by spearheading an annual collection for the Jefferson County Humane Society.
Program Instructor Christina Henderson said students have been hanging flyers throughout the school as a reminder to bring in food, toys and other supplies to help some furry friends. The collection runs from Dec. 1-16, after which students will deliver the goods to the site in Wintersville.
Among the requested goods are animal care items, including canned puppy food, dry dog food, kitten or puppy milk replacer, clay cat litter, scoopable litter, small litter boxes, bath towels and artificial sweetener-free peanut butter; office supplies such as copy paper, scotch tape, forever stamps, manila file folders and black sharpies; and cleaning supplies, including bleach, paper towels, high-efficiency laundry detergent, 13-gallon trash bags, washcloths, antibacterial hand soap, Windex, empty spray bottles and blue Dawn dish detergent. Monetary donations will also be accepted to aid the Humane Society.
Henderson also sends a one-call out to students’ parents while the students spread the word to others for help. Students and staff will bring in the items, which are then gathered under a Christmas tree in the TTW classroom. She noted that the annual drive has been held around the holidays but last year’s collection was held in February. Organizers decided to offer it once more at Christmastime when everyone is in the giving spirit.
“I’m a huge animal lover and every class here has a huge heart. The Humane Society appreciates it and they make a big deal and take our students’ picture [on delivery day],” she said. “We take two vans so everybody can see the end result of their efforts. They are all about helping and are very unselfish. It’s something exciting and brings the kids together.”
The Transition to Work program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School is making sure shelter animals are not left out this holiday season by collecting food and other items for the Jefferson County Humane Society. The campaign runs from Dec. 1-16 and will be delivered to the site by TTW students. Pictured hanging flyers for the occasion are senior Mackenzie Owen and sophomore Tommy Hunt.
JVS Welding Students Assist Nutcracker Village
BLOOMINGDALE- Welding students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are helping the community get into the holiday spirit by sprucing up a significant addition to the 2016 Nutcracker Village at Historic Fort Steuben.
They spent about three weeks upgrading a 30-foot-tall decorative metal tree that is being placed at the park for the festivities, which run each weekend from Nov. 22-Jan. 8 and feature 100 life-sized Nutcracker characters as well as vendors, food, music, and an original play. Students refurbished rusted metal, made some welding improvements, and painted and added LED lights to the structure. They began erecting the estimated 20-foot-wide base at the site in Steubenville and planned to complete work this Saturday.
Students Lane Howell and Trenton Sandy said they were excited to do the work and gain some hands-on experience.
“I like it,” said Howell.
“It’s awesome,” added Sandy. “We get to go out and put it up.”
Others involved in the project included students Hayden McKee, Dan Goodlan, Donald Fankhauser, Chuck Kimble, and Hallie Schmitt.
Instructor Roger Hilty, who also assists with the seasonal festivities, said the class was approached by event organizers to help with the refurbishment and they were glad to get involved.
“The Nutcracker Village Committee contacted us and had a need. We got together as a group and they decided to take it on,” said Hilty. “All of our communities around Jefferson County have various projects and it’s good for the young people to step forward and take the time and not get paid for it.”
In addition to Nutcracker Village, the welding program has constructed massive metal designs replicating reptiles and dinosaurs that are currently displayed at Austin Lake Park and other venues. Students planned to complete the tree project this Saturday.
“Last year, the Nutcracker Village was a success; this year is going to be phenomenal,” Hilty added. “I would highly recommend anyone to come down to the village. It’s going to bring people to the area, and we want to see more people come into the Steubenville-Jefferson County area.”
Welding students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are finishing up the refurbishment of a 30-foot-tall metal tree decoration that is being added to Historic Fort Steuben as part of its Nutcracker Village display. Pictured are Hayden McKee, Dan Goodlan, Donald Fankhauser, Chuck Kimble, Lane Howell, Hallie Schmitt, and Trenton Sandy. The students planned to complete the project at the park this weekend in time for festivities each weekend from Nov. 22-Jan. 8.
Renovations Accommodating New Program at JVS
BLOOMINGDALE-Changes are underway at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School as officials make room for the new small animal science program this fall.
Superintendent Dr. Todd Phillipson said the veterinary-based course will be situated in the former health technologies lab at the northern end of the building. Renovations began on June 13 to remove walls and add space to accommodate a classroom, dog grooming area and other amenities. Fort Steuben Maintenance of Steubenville is overseeing the project, which is worth an estimated $241,000.
“They have until Aug. 11 to get it completed,” he said. “The old health tech room will have walls for the classroom, some cabinet work, cages, a laundry area and an area for dog grooming.”
The room will also include exam tables, a supply room and a changing area for students. As of now, 21 students have signed up for the program but enrollment is still underway. It will be instructed by Emily Moore and provide a real hands-on learning experience with the animals. The program will groom dogs for the public but also offer a variety of training for the veterinary and related fields. The curriculum will primarily focus on smaller breeds such as cats and dogs and include anatomy, animal maintenance and care and nutrition, among other topics, but the two-year program could inevitably grow in scope. Officials said the goal is for students to practice in a veterinary career or go on to college and become a veterinary technician, or vet tech. The current class will only be open to juniors but will expand two juniors and seniors next year.
Meanwhile, the new health technologies classroom is being revamped to include a pharmacy tech section and room for hospital beds for further instruction. Zapor Architects Group of Steubenville prepared the designs and the school board approved the work during a special meeting on June 1.
Dr. Phillipson concluded that he was pleased to see the school expanding its course catalog to offer even more programming for students.
“We’re providing opportunities for students to pursue a career in the vet tech area and also improving our labs for the health tech program so they can continue to deliver an outstanding education to our students.”
BLOOMINGDALE-Changes are underway at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School as officials make room for the new small animal science program this fall.
Superintendent Dr. Todd Phillipson said the veterinary-based course will be situated in the former health technologies lab at the northern end of the building. Renovations began on June 13 to remove walls and add space to accommodate a classroom, dog grooming area and other amenities. Fort Steuben Maintenance of Steubenville is overseeing the project, which is worth an estimated $241,000.
“They have until Aug. 11 to get it completed,” he said. “The old health tech room will have walls for the classroom, some cabinet work, cages, a laundry area and an area for dog grooming.”
The room will also include exam tables, a supply room and a changing area for students. As of now, 21 students have signed up for the program but enrollment is still underway. It will be instructed by Emily Moore and provide a real hands-on learning experience with the animals. The program will groom dogs for the public but also offer a variety of training for the veterinary and related fields. The curriculum will primarily focus on smaller breeds such as cats and dogs and include anatomy, animal maintenance and care and nutrition, among other topics, but the two-year program could inevitably grow in scope. Officials said the goal is for students to practice in a veterinary career or go on to college and become a veterinary technician, or vet tech. The current class will only be open to juniors but will expand two juniors and seniors next year.
Meanwhile, the new health technologies classroom is being revamped to include a pharmacy tech section and room for hospital beds for further instruction. Zapor Architects Group of Steubenville prepared the designs and the school board approved the work during a special meeting on June 1.
Dr. Phillipson concluded that he was pleased to see the school expanding its course catalog to offer even more programming for students.
“We’re providing opportunities for students to pursue a career in the vet tech area and also improving our labs for the health tech program so they can continue to deliver an outstanding education to our students.”
Workers are busy renovating the former health technologies lab at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School to make way for the new small animal sciences program starting in August. The space will accommodate a classroom, dog grooming area and cages for the animals, while the health tech lab was relocated to the southern end of the building. Space for that class is also being revamped and all of the improvements should be finished in mid-August.
Final Phase of JVS Roof Project Starts This Week
BLOOMINGDALE-The final phase in a nearly four-year roof replacement project is scheduled to start this week at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
The overall project, which totals $1,919,595, involves the removal of the older, foam-based roof and its replacement with a new, insulated material to prevent further leakage. Work is set to begin Tuesday on the southern wing of the building, which includes several classrooms and the multimedia and computer networking systems labs Superintendent Dr. Todd Phillipson said Boak and Sons Inc. of Youngstown, which has done a majority of the overall upgrade, was handling the latest update and it was set for completion around mid-August.
Costs break down to $386,331 for the first phase, $963,491 for the second portion, which was divided into two parts due to the size of one area, and $569,773 for the final section.
“There were four sections we did that we started about 3 ½ years ago,” said Dr. Phillipson. “It’s great because we shouldn’t have any more leaks in the classrooms or hallways.”
He said Boak and Sons oversaw first phase over the former HVAC and health technologies labs, as well as half of the second portion, which encompassed the early childhood education class and the welding and auto service labs. Mansuetto Roofing of Martins Ferry handled the latter half of that section over the cafeteria and offices. Boak and Sons is returning to complete the final phase and also replaced interior ceiling tiles as part of the plan.
Dr. Phillipson said several roof updates have been done in the school’s 40-plus years, including the addition of a tar pitch topper over the carpentry and electrical labs around 2004 that remains in good condition. No improvements are being eyed for that section for the foreseeable future. He also noted that the improvements would help cut energy costs and a majority of the expenses are being covered by a 1-mill levy that voters approved in November of 2013.
Crews with Boak and Sons Inc. of Youngstown replace ceiling tiles at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School in conjunction with the final phase of an estimated $2 million roof replacement project at the site. The contractor will start work this week on the southern wing, which is located over several academic classrooms and the multimedia and computer networking systems labs, and should complete it in mid-August.
JVS Summer Career Camp a Success
BLOOMINGDALE-Area kids spent time in a different classroom during the annual Summer Career Camp at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
School officials said this year’s event was a major success and attracted 70 to 75 children per day for the free event, which ran on June 12-14. It was open to students in Jefferson and Harrison counties who were entering fifth and sixth grades this August and they had a chance to get some fun, hands-on learning in actual vocational classes with JVS instructors.
“It’s gone so well, and we’ve had great kids, a great staff and great volunteers,” said organizer Barb Pieniazek. “I’d say that’s the top number [of people we’ve had attending]. They are learning but having fun.”
The young attendants rotated between such activities as building a tin can robot in auto service; learning about phlebotomy and sterilization in health technologies; making pizza and birdhouses and painting rocks in early childhood education; working with simulators, learning about fingerprints and holding make-believe court in criminal justice; making cookies, popcorn and slushies; and creating a music video and working with Photoshop in the multimedia and design lab.
A few of the students shared their insight and said they enjoyed the experience.
“I did auto service and multimedia,” said Brooklyn Reid, a sixth-grader at Indian Creek Middle School who marked her second year participating in the summer career camp. “I like that a bunch of kids get to have fun and you do different activities.”
“I made a music video and painted a birdhouse,” added Emma Doerr, a first-time participant who was entering fifth grade at Wintersville Elementary School. “I like that it’s fun.”
“It is fun making a robot and a music video,” agreed Jordan Hines, a student at WES.
Pieniazek said the children on hand attended homeschool, parochial school and public schools in the two counties. Meanwhile, the camp began as part of the Career Development program but was grounded as an outreach program to give back to the community, while many of the children who attend eventually become students at the JVS.
The annual Summer Career Camp at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School proved to be another successful venture and attracted 70-75 students each day from June 12-14. Kids from Jefferson and Harrison counties learned fun, hands-on skills in vocational classes with actual JVS instructors. Pictured are, from left, Brooklyn Reid, a sixth-grader at Indian Creek Middle School; Amiyah Jones, a sixth-grader at ICMS; Tish’jhaya Cox, a seventh-grader at ICMS; and Peyton Ewing, a fourth-grader at Wintersville Elementary School.