Students enrolled in Career & Technical Education (CTE) programming through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES’ LoGuidice Educational Center spent the day in the Intermediate School gymnasium, speaking with students about the programs they enjoy.

“We are constantly trying to help students and families understand the value in the curriculum our teachers are providing,” said Julie Wakelee, Dunkirk City School District Counselor, who teamed up with fellow counselor Marianne Furlan to make the event a reality. “When people are educated, they can significantly contribute to their families and society in various aspects and fields, thus creating a stable and stimulating community.”

CTE students set up tables for their program – some provided interactive demonstrations such as giving students a chance to airbrush a decal on the hood of a car or hammer a nail. Others offered presentations and giveaways to excite students. The idea of bringing in highschool age students to speak with fifth- and sixth-graders was born from the pandemic, according to Wakelee.

“As students began to return to in-person school, it was apparent that we needed to invest our time and energy on strategies to increase student engagement. Like all of us, students are most engaged when their work connects to their experiences, their interests, and has the potential to lead them to improve themselves, their lives, and issues that matter to them,” Wakelee said. “As educators, we are constantly trying to connect our daily lessons to real-life experiences. We are trying to help students understand that they are now building their educational/career foundation in our intermediate building that will create a pathway to life-long learners.”

Students enrolled in CTE programs were also joined by students from P-TECH. Together, they were able to help demonstrate practical reasons why fifth- and sixth-graders should learn math, science, or ELA by answering real-life problems using answers from their respective fields of study.

“Having the opportunity to meet with CTE students helped spark excitement in gaining knowledge in our current 5th and 6th graders,” Wakelee said. “Our staff, students, administration, BOE, and parents have been raving about the CTE/P-TECH Career Fair. They loved seeing the interaction between our fifth- and sixth-grade students with the high schoolers. Teachers noted that the conversations over careers continued into the hallways and classrooms.”

Due to its success, the district plans to hold the event annually. The LoGuidice Educational Center has also hosted similar events in other neighboring districts.

“We’re grateful for this partnership with the Dunkirk City School District. Our Career & Technical Education students were excited to spend the day with students from the Intermediate School and to share the knowledge they’ve gained at the LoGuidice Center. It wasn’t too long ago that our students were in their shoes, possibly unaware of all the options available. Allowing our students to share in their experience can only strengthen the decisions our younger students make in the future.”

For more information about CTE programming, visit www.e2ccb.org or follow E2CCB on social media @E2CCB.

A student enrolled in the Sports Conditioning and Exercise Science CTE program educates fifth- and sixth-grade students on proper training techniques during the CTE Day event at the Dunkirk Intermediate School.