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WNY P-TECH hosts successful open house event

Submitted Photo Student volunteers demonstrate some of the classroom projects taking place at WNY P-TECH.

The 3-D printers were churning and student volunteers were bustling, eager to showcase the work taking place inside WNY P-TECH in Dunkirk.

The Pathway in Early College High School program was showcased to nearly 200 parents and community members during its recent Open House.

“We had a great turnout,” said Steve Ruszczyk, P-TECH principal. “On top of the 50-plus family members from our current students, we had more than 100 members from the community stop in to check out our program and our facilities.”

Several students assisted instructors throughout the evening explaining programming to visitors.

“The students grab ownership of P-TECH pretty quickly,” Mr. Ruszczyk said. “They want to be here. When they’re given the opportunity to show off what they’re doing they’re proud of it. There is a sense of ‘I made this choice and I’m really proud of what I’m doing here.'”

Students taking ownership in P-TECH has become one of the cornerstones for the program. Since its inception, students have formulated an honor society and houses, competed in STEM Wars and continue teambuilding exercises such as volunteering in the community.

“Every year when we have an event, an open house, it’s after school and it’s late but a lot of the freshman jump up and want to get involved,” Mr. Ruszczyk said. “I’m really happy more than half of our families came to open house. It reflects the commitment the students are making in the program.”

The P-TECH Academy hosted Congressman Tom Reed and County Executive George Borrello on Oct. 4 for a student-guided tour and group discussion.

For more information about P-TECH, please contact Steve Ruszczyk, P-TECH principal, at 672-3251 or visit www.e2ccb.org.

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