My Christmas Baby

I very rarely write about personal things but I am to excited to keep it in. For Christmas I am adding an adorable 6 month old male to our family, no not a human baby but a chinchilla. I picked him up yesterday and fell in love. There is one problem hiding him from my daughter for two days. He is currently in a cage in one of our spare rooms. Last night after my daughter went to bed I took him out to exercise. First he snuggled in my sweat shirt while I watched TV. I placed him in his exercise ball to run around. Well, I said to my husband please watch him while I go get a snack. I came back 5 minutes later to a crazy husband trying to catch him, While the fuzz ball jumped and bounced off the walls. My husband said to me "He tricked me, he looked at me with his big eyes and I opened the ball." Well that little bugger shot out and had run of the living room for 30 minutes before he could be caught again. The thing is, the fuzz ball thought it was a game of tag. He would wait until we were really close then run away. I swear he was laughing at us. Somehow through all of this my daughter kept sleeping. The morel is do not be tricked by a pair of big cute brown eyes pleading to be let out.

Certified Nusing assistnce Program- Update

The C.N.A. Program will begin in January after break 16 slots are available to be divided amount 4 high school. The class will run until April and classes with be held on Monday and Wednesday. Students must fill out a application at the school to career office, turn in proof of a mantoux (TB) test in the last 6 months and a recent physical.
IMPORTANT: In passes years the program has been free, however due to the economic state and the lack of funding the program will cost $198.00 per person this year. This is still a significantly lower price than other programs by about 80%.Please call the School to Career office at 508-285-0257 or Email Barbara Ellis atbarbaraellis@norton.k12.ma.us for more details. ALL APPLICATIONS DUE MONDAY DECEMBER 22, NO LATER

JOB SHADOWS

I will begin taking Application for Job Shadow on Monday December 15, 2008. Students must preform a job shadow prior to signing up for the internship program. A job shadow is available to any Junior or Senior who is interesting in finding out about a specific career. Students are paired up with a professional. The student Shadow the individual for a day and then asks any question they have about that career and the education to prepare for that career. If you have any question please contact Mrs. Elli via email or phone Monday or Wednesday.

Job Shadow and internship 2009

January brings about job shadow time again. I would like to note that any student who would like to take part in our 2009-2010 internships must have preformed a job shadow this year. Job shadows are open to junior and seniors, and any sophomore over 16 who is seriously considering an internship next year. Please see me in my office if you would like to take part in either the job shadow or internship program.

Thank you,
Mrs. Ellis

Certified Nuse's assistant program

The C.N.A. Program will begin in January after break.
16 slots are avalaible to be divided amont 4 high school. The class will run until April and classes with be held on monday and wednesday. Students must fill out a application at the school to career office, turn in proof of a mantoux (TB) test in the last 6 months and a recent physical.
IMPORTANT: In passes years the program has been free, however due to the econmic state and the lack of funding the program will cost $478.00 per person this year. This is still a significanly lower price than other programs by about 50%.
Please call the School to Career office at 508-285-0257 or Email Barbara Ellis at
barbaraellis@norton.k12.ma.us for more details.

Avalaible Services

I received a comment on my blog about how parents know what is available. The following is a list of some of the services the Attleboro Area School to Career Partnership offers to the Students of Norton High School. I will try to post activities as they are announce. You can also Check out www.schooltocareer.info email or call me anytime. My office hours are M,W 7:30-3pm
My contact information is; BarbaraEllis@Norton.k12.ma.us or 508-285-0257. You can also look in the schools monthly news letter for upcoming events.

Career Day Programs: Currently Norton High School Offers Career day to Sophomores and we hope to offer a day to the middle school 8th graders in the future.

Student Job Shadows: Juniors and senior have the opportunity to shadow a individual in the career area of their interest. They spend the day or a couple of hours observing and then conduct an interview. This allows student to better understand the profession that they are interested in helping them to make better choices for the future that will suite them.

Health Career Pathway: This program address the growing need for Certified Nursing Assistants.
Student are put throw a program that prepares them to Work and become certified at CNA's with little to no cost to them.

Construction career Day: Our Most popular event of the the year. Massachusetts Construction Career Day (CCD) is an exciting, hands-on opportunity for students to learn about and experience first-hand the wide range of careers available in the construction industry. In the past three years over 200 students from the Attleboro Area School-to-Career Partnership school districts have traveled to the New England Laborers Training Academy in Hopkinton, MA, to take advantage of this program.Students learn how to use highway paving equipment, backhoes, cranes, jackhammers and excavators under the supervision of trained operators. They can design a building, a tunnel or bridge on computer-aided drafting equipment and have their structures assessed for stability by professional engineers. The students participate in demonstrations of brick laying, cement finishing, welding, carpentry, steel cutting and other trades. They also use a “total robotic station” to experiment with cutting-edge surveying equipment. The 2008 trip was a highlight for Norton HS. The annual engineering competition pits school against one another in various engineering contests. The School with the Three highest scores won, Norton came in second and won a small amount of money that was later given by STC as a scholarship to one deserving senior.

There are additional program and Career day, Please check out this blog for more.

Transition Night

The Attleboro Area School-to-Career Partnership and the Attleboro Public School System with support from Foxborough, North Attleboro, and Norton Public School Systems presents

Transition Night 2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Norton High School
Cafeteria

Are you the parent/guardian of a young adult with special needs age 14-21?Are you concerned about their future after high school?

You are cordially invited to attend a Transition Night on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at Norton High School from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Organizations represented will be on – site to explain their area of expertise and to answer questions:

Here are some of last year’s companies and organizations:

● Bristol County Career Centers ● Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
● Horace Mann Educational Associates ● Department of Mental Retardation
● GATRA ● Cardinal Cushing Centers, Inc.
● Co-Op ● Attleboro Enterprises Inc.
● Attleboro Housing Authority ● Social Security Administration
● Family Autism Center ● Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
● Lifeworks Employment Services ● PRIDE, Inc.
● Bristol Community College

We hope you can attend this important evening. Please come and share with us your concerns and questions as well as the future plans for your young adult children. Informational packets will be available and any special accommodations can be arranged.

For more information, please respectively contact:

Attleboro High School Foxborough High North Attleboro High Norton High School
(508) 222-5150 (508) 543-1620 (508) 643-2115 (508) 285-0257 (Direct)
Sandra Parsons Ext. 534 Ellen Pillsbury Ext. 262 Julie Ensign Ext. 237 Barbara Ellis

October News

Following is just a brief synopsis of the goings on this fall.
Interns: Currently we have 19 interns out in the community four days a week. Thank you to those in Norton and the surrounding communities who support our internship program.

Job Shadows: student have filled out and returned their job shadow surveys. Job shadow will begin late in the fall and on through the spring. If you have not spoken with Mrs. Ellis about job shadow please see her to find out more. Jobs shadows are a one day shadow of a professional in the surrounding community. Students are able to observe a profession they may find interesting.

Special Education Transition night: November 19, 2008. Say tuned for more information.

Special certification programs:The school to career office is now taking applications for Human service academy and Certified nursing assistants. See Mrs. Ellis for the application.

The School to Career office is open Monday and Wednesday 7:30-2:30 and by appointment.
Mrs. Ellis can be reach at 508-285-0257 or at BarbaraEllis@norton.k12.ma.us

Certified nurse's Assistant Program

The School to Career partnership will once again participate in the CNA Program. If you are interested Please come get an application and speak to Mrs. Ellis regarding the criteria for entering the program. First come first serve, Preference given to seniors first.

Human Service Academy

Possibilities, Paid Tuition for College, full or part time Work.
The Human Service Academy -Beginning October 2008
The Human Services Academy is a partnership between the Attleboro, North Attleboro, Norton and Foxboro High Schools and local non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.
This program will prepare you for a rewarding career working with individuals that have developmental disabilities, along with future enrolment in Bristol Community College programs at no cost to you!
To be eligible, you must be a senior, possess a good academic record and be willing to complete the training/mentor program.
While in school, you will receive training in Medication Administration, First Aid and CPR, Human Rights, and many more. Work experience at the employer’s location will allow for job shadowing and mentoring.
Upon graduation and successful completion of program, you will be offered a full-time job!



SEE MRS. ELLIS TODAY

EMT Classes

EMT classes start September 8th.
Discounted price of $650. through school to career.
Call 508-916-0068.
Don't miss out.

Welcome Back

I hope that you have all had a wonderful summer. I know I did. My family and I spent some time climbing in New Hampshire and enjoying the outdoors. I will be in my office beginning Tuesday September 2nd At 8am. I will be available by email, phone or in my office. Please stop by if you have any needs you would like to address. I will be posting reminders for all intern in the next few weeks, and job postings will begin the second week of school. Please look for coming events on both the school to career bulletin board in the library and on the school to career blog. Welcome Back

News-June

Hello students,

I hope that you are all looking forward to your summer. Unfortunately as many of you have read there is a down turn in jobs available to the under 18 set. The good news is Patriot Place in Foxboro is opening soon. They are hiring in many of the new stores and the theatre hire 14+. I have it from the showcase manger himself that they are in need of over 180 students ready to start and train as we speak. You can apply on line on in person at 124 Washington st. in Foxboro, suite 203. Tell them school to career sent you. Here is a tip they like student with a wide range of availability for the summer, including weekends and holidays. They are also in need of student 18+ for there Lux positions.

I will be posting periodically in the summer with any interesting news. Please think over the summer is you would like to take part in one of our programs for next year. Look for information coming on the human service academy, CNA training, and EMT classes for the fall. you can reach me by email all summer.

Be safe and have fun. I hope i run into some of you here and there!

Construction career day

Thank you all who took part in construction career day and helped us win some much needed dough. I had a good time for the most part. I was forced to use a jack hammer by a unnamed individual. I picture of that event will only be shown to Friends. The best part of the day was getting to know student i had not met before. I hope that next year i will have even more fun and maybe even get the courage to use some equipment, or climb a tree. However the cherry picker was a little to high for someone with a fear of heights. Picture to come soon.

May- News

More news for the school to career office- First lets talk employment-JOBS
May 5 brings about the Hire a teen program look for posters about the wonderful program to help you land your summer job.
Job Fairs- Many will be coming soon. Look for posters.
Are you a senior looking for summer employment on the beach check out the poster for the Cape Cod Hospitality Job Fair, or maybe Gillette stadium is for you.

Job Shadow- Are you interested in a Career as a Physical Therapist or maybe a fire fighter sign up today of your job shadow. Other job shadow can also be arranged.

Internships- I will still accept applications until May 5th. All student preforming an internship in 08-09 must attend the Hire-a-Teen Training. I still have space in both first and second semester.
May 2nd- Is Accounting or Business for Me. From College to Career" taking place at U-Mass. limit 6 student recommended by teacher.
May 8th- Construction career Day. There is still space available. sign up now.

You can get more information about all of these programs and more by calling or emailing the school to career office BarbaraEllis@Norton.k12.ma.us or Call 508-285-0257

Internships for 08-09

Internships for 08-09 academic year

Applications are now available in my office. Every student who applies for an internship must follow the this procedure.

1. See Mrs. Ellis to discuss your ideas and options
2. Fill our an applications including to teacher recommendations and guidance approval.
3. Set up an appointment for a job shadow.
4. attend the interview job readiness workshop on May 5th.

All intern candidates must get final approval from Mrs Ellis to be accepted into the program and class. Please understand that the school to career office is not responsible for finding students a placement. The student must find ans secure the placement. The school to career office will be happy to point you in the correct directions but like with any job the first step is yours.

If you have any further questions or concerns call or email Mrs. Ellis at 508-285-0257 or BarbaraEllis@norton.k12.ma.us

News-April

School to Career April News:
Future teacher's conference at Bridgewater State College April 17, 2008. If you are interested in becoming a teacher or just want to explore the area more this is the day for you. An all day state wide conference for student interested in a career in education.
Construction Career Day will be held on May 9th at the labor training academy in Hopkinton. This is an all day hands on field trip that covers all aspect of construction. Student have a chance to try their hand at many activities form wood working to bridge designed. with over 100 hands on activities. Have your student sign up now there is very limited space and this is a very popular event.
Hire a teen training on May 5 at 3-5 here at the high school. Studies have shown that finding employment for teens is getting harder and harder. We can help last year the hire a teen program placed over 75 student in summer paid positions. your student earns valuable experience, money and keeps them busy. watch for more details to come.
Job shadows are on going. Any student who would like to participate in the internship program for the 08-09 academic year must have preformed a job shadow and be at least 16 years of age.
Internship- course selection forms have gone out. In order to take part in the internship program student must meet with Mrs.. Ellis before being accepted.
If you would like information on any of the above programs or a program on motioned please call the Norton high school school to career office and speak with Mrs. Barbara Ellis. 508-285-0257 or email at Barbara Ellis@Norton.k12.ma.us

Why School to Career?

Through my time here I have approached many student who I have felt needed a little boost or guidance with career exploration. I often get a strange response I don't really comprehend. "WHY WOULD I NEED THAT?" Well here are a few thought on WHY. High School and the teen years can be very confusing. Student are focused on studies, social life, and just trying to make it through. BUT what comes next. Many have no clue, and that's okay. That is why you explore. Take the opportunity to learn about yourself, likes, dislikes, wants, needs, goals. You have the ability to do this now without the worry of huge bills, and the everyday concerns of people working to clothe, feed, and shelter themselves. When you know what you like and more about what you want choosing a career and a future path is a little easier. You are able to explore now in an atmosphere that supports you. When I work with a student closely I get to know them. I can see clearly, even if they can't, opportunities that are around them. Program and experiences that they will enjoy and at the same time enhance their life now and in the future. Their is a path of success and happiness for all of us we just need a little help finding it sometimes. I encourage student of all grades and abilities to begin the path of self discovery, and I'm here in my little office if you ever want or need a little help finding that path. I love the student i work with and work hard to make them successful but in the end it comes down to you making the initial moves. Take one step on to the path and you'll find each step after that is just a little easier.

-Mrs. Ellis

Job Shadow Requirements

In oder to take part in the job shadow program you must be a junior, senior, or sophmore with special permission from Mr. Dewar.

1. Please complete a permission form and application and return them to Mrs. Ellis.
2. Research the career on the bridges program and save it to your portfolio.
3. Set an apointment with Mrs. Ellis.

The day of the job shadow:

1. Be on time
2. Dress for sucess
3. be polite
4. bring your permission form
5. Bring your questions packet
6. verbaly thank you host

After the Jo shadow:

1. Fill out the questions and reflection form
2. return it to Mrs. Ellis
3. write a thank you not to the professional that hosted you for the day.
4. After all of this is finished you absence will be excused.

for any further questions speak to Mrs. Ellis in the School to Career office.

Future Teacher conference

The date of the conference has been changed to April 16. More information will came at a later date.

Do you like animals? Join the Zoo Crew.

Capron park is now taking applications for the teen zoo crew. See Mrs. Ellis for more details or go to www.capronparkzoo.com and look under volunteers.

Human Services Academy

There will be an informationa session on Wednesday Febuaray 13 @ 1:00 in the auditoium to discuss the human service acedemy. All student in the 2009 graduating class are welcome to attend. This program prepares student for a rewarding career working with individuals that have developmental disabilities along with future enrollment in BCC and it will not cost a thing. While in school you will receive training in medication adminstration, first aid, CPR, human rights and much more. upon graduation and sucessful completion of the program you Will be offered a full time job. See Mrs. Ellis or come the the meeting to learn more.

Job Shadows and 08-09 Internships

February brings about job shadow time again. I would like to note that any student who would like to take part in our 2008-2009 internships must have preformed a job shadow this year. Job shadows are open to junior and seniors, and any sophomore over 16 who is seriously considering an internship next year. Please see me in my office if you would like to take part in either the job shadow or internship program.

Thank you,
Mrs. Ellis

The State of My Office

Though not relevant in any way, I felt the need to comment on the state of my office. Prior to today I had random paperwork and supplies stored in various places through out my closet of an office. I would not be surprised if it was a store room in past life. Well, my generous boss bought me a file cabinet, for which I am thankful to her. Here is the BUT. In the process of trying to organize all of my STUFF into the cabinet I may have creates a mess that I am now buried under. SO if any student wants to save me by helping clean this disaster I have created, I'm waiting somewhere under all of the paper and cardboard boxes.

C.N. A. Program

Congratulations to the three young ladies who have been accepted in to this years certified nursing assistant program. If you would like to be considered for next years group please see Mrs. Ellis. If you have graduated from our program I would love to hear about your experience in the program and in the working world. Again congratulations to Alexandra Dewey, Jessica Franklin, and Jessica Fortin. I look forward to hearing about your experiences.

Job Shadows

February and March brings about job shadow time. The student job shadow program is a one-day program which gives the student a first hand look at a career by providing the student the opportunity to "shadow" a mentor in the work environment for a day. The purpose of the program is to provide the student with a realistic look at a career so that he/she can make a sound and informed decisions. The experience may confirm a students career choice or direct them to further career exploration, either result is valuable. If you would like to find out more about the program or have your child participate contact Mrs. Ellis at 508-285-0257 or BarbaraEllis@Norton.k12.ma.us. Student are always welcome in the school to career office for more information.

Upcoming Events

Some up coming events:
Job shadows are beginning in the first week of February. Please stop by Mrs. Ellis' Office (located in the library) to get a permission form and discuss your options.
March 11- Future nurses day at Sturdy memorial hospital. Permission forms on the school to career office door.
April 17- Future Teachers Conference at Bridgewater State College.
May 8- Construction Career Day
May 9- Engineering Tech Day @ NEIT