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e Over the last couple of years, visitors at the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC)

have been shocked to learn how much CAVC has to offer. No one can truly understand the

magnitude of what we offer and the top quality of our equipment without seeing it in per-

son. As a result of that feedback, we have been working tirelessly to bring key stakeholders

to CAVC so they can see first hand what we do.

CAVC is funded by both state and federal grants allocated by the government. One of our

major focus areas was to bring awareness to the local governmental officials who are part

of this allocation process and to emphasize the importance of continued funding for all

career and technical education areas (CTE). Mike Walters from the Southwestern Illinois

Employers Association has been especially helpful with the coordination of these tours. On

October 20, Illinois Representative, Dwight Kay came to visit CAVC. While the tour was

scheduled to take an hour, he was so engaged talking to staff and students, he stayed over

two hours. On Monday, November 10, Congressman John Shimkus visited. As a Collins-

ville native, he was aware CAVC existed but had not had the opportunity to return recent-

ly to see the many updates that have been made. Additionally, Illinois State Senator Wil-

liam Haine stopped by for a tour on Wednesday, November 12.

Another area of focus has been the local community. Tuesday, November 4, Mascoutah

Superintendent, Dr. Craig Fiegel came in for a tour. This is the third year Dr. Fiegel has

held the position of Superintendent for the Mascoutah School district. Mascoutah has been

a participant with CAVC for many years and Dr. Fiegel is interested in what we are

providing for his students. Finally, Laura Roach from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

toured CAVC on Tuesday November 12th. Many activities and merit badges associated

with the BSA emphasize career related exploration as well as collaboration and teamwork.

We here at CAVC focus on similar characteristics and are looking forward to building a

positive relationship with all community stakeholders.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in a tour of CAVC please do not hesitate

to give us a call. We work tirelessly every day to help prepare our students for their future

careers and would be more than happy to share our efforts with you!

Tours, tours, and more tours!

On Friday, December 5th, the ECE

students along with volunteers from

the Automotive Body/Mechanics

class surprised AVC Preschool stu-

dents by bringing Santa Clause to

town! Parents and siblings were in-

vited to join the preschool students at

school for breakfast and some time on Santa's lap. Approximately 90 visitors enjoyed some

time visiting with one another, the students/teachers of the class, and of course giving their

list to Santa. A special thanks to Jared Grzywacz (Santa), and elves, Corey Mitchell and Dyl-

an Schreiber for bringing the Christmas spirit to AVC Preschool!

Early Childhood Education Students Host

Breakfast With Santa

Corey Mitchel (elf) and Jared

Grzywacz(Santa) with Vivian

Gottschalk.

Corey Mitchel (elf ), Jared Grzywacz

(Santa) , Dylan Schreiber( elf), get a wish

list from Kaden Bruce.

On October 3rd, 32 students from Collinsville Area Vocation Center participated in the national Manufacturing Day hosted by

Southwestern Illinois College. CAVC students from Collinsville, Dupo, Mascoutah, and Lebanon high schools proudly repre-

sented Welding Technology, Precision Machining, and Building Trades programs. The students started the day off by listening to

our U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart speaking about how vital manufacturing will be in Southern Illinois and how these students are

needed for the recovery in the Land of Lincoln. CAVC senior James Uhles stated, I like it because it makes sense of everything.

Everything has a reason for why you are doing it. CAVC Precision Machining Instructor Justin Cann stated, Opportunities like

this are exactly what we need to get kids not only interested in manufacturing but also to help them understand what it is. Part

of the days activities included tours of local companies such as Abengoa Bioenergy of Illinois, Arizon Structures Worldwide, Illi-

nois Electric Works, Suncoke Energy, U.S. Steel Granite City Works, and John Sakach Company of St. Louis. In addition to

those tours and tours of the facilities at SWIC, 20 local manufacturers provided exhibits about their companies as well as current

and future employment needs.

CAVC Students Attend Manufacturing Day

On October 10, 38 students attended the TSA Technology Day at Illinois State University. The competition is attended by

schools all over Illinois and awards are given for the top three finishers in each area of competition. Our first year we earned

one award followed by earning two awards the second year. This year we were able to continue the winning tradition by

earning four top three finishes. In the three years that we have been participating, we have seen our students close the gap

on the top Chicago area schools. We have also doubled

our awards over the last three years. stated PLTW En-

gineering instructor Cindy Bednara.

Overall 2nd place award winners this year included

Benny Hernandez and Nathan Hawkins in Level 1 Engi-

neering Design and Juan Leanos and Spencer Hager in

Level 2 Transportation Technology. We also earned 3rd

place awards in Level 2 Engineering Design by Cody

Gerlitz and Timothy Aclan and Level 2 Structural

Technology by Dani Blackard and Drew Cunningham.

PLTW Students Win Big at Technology Day

CAVC Car Cruise Saturday, April 25, 2015

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free Admission

Tours, Food, Face Painting, Blood Pressure Checks, Dash Placards, Traffic Direction, and much more!

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This year marks the 2nd year of the return of Building Trades at CAVC. In addition to covering the necessary curriculum,

classes are helping improve the community. One of these projects includes Miners Theater. The historic building located on

Main Street has been through many stages of restoration in the past couple of years. The Miners Institute Foundation is look-

ing to restore this landmark so it can be a shining start among the other main street restoration projects. The first area of

business is to make the theater ADA accessible. This is where CAVC Building Trades students are focusing their efforts. The

stage of the theater is currently accessed by stairs on the side of the stage or through the back of the stage. No matter which

way you enter, the stairs involved which limit opportunities

for any performers with accessibility limitations. By raising

the stage so all dressing rooms and doors are level with the

floor as well as building a ramp for access from the theater

seats, students are not only gaining knowledge and skill but

also giving back to the community.

Another project included adding a wall at a local business. All

Pro Ts recently acquired a new piece of equipment that

needed to be separated from the lobby display area. This was

an especially effective project for CAVC Building Trades stu-

dents. Because the business is so close to the school, the class

could walk to the work site.

While both of these projects provided service to local institutions and busi-

nesses, they required the students to use different skills. The All Pro job

required new construction skills such as basic framing, dry wall, finish-

ing, painting and trim work whereas the Miners Theater job required

framing, leveling, soundproofing, flooring, and other skills needed to

retrofit an existing building. Both opportunities provided a different aspect

of the construction industry and forced the students to apply their skills but also to

trouble shoot and think outside the box.

Building Trades Students Help out in the Community

On October 17th & 18th forty students from advanced engineering and physics classes visited Chicago to see museums and busi-

nesses related to the engineering field. The first stop of the trip was the Field Museum to explore the various dynamics of design

and ingenuity that have developed over the years. Following that, students went to Argonne

National Lab. This experience exposed them to the varying facets of physics and engineering

as well as the current research projects that are in progress within the labs. Students were

told about opportunities for internships after high school graduation as well as the back-

ground of the many developments to come out of Argonne. Finally on the way home, stu-

dents visited the Twin Groves Wind Farm. The wind farm exposed students to one of the

many clean energy options available today.

Each of these experiences provided the oppor-

tunity for students and teachers to utilize an interdisciplinary approach and applied

research concepts within the class. When reflecting on the experience, student

Matt Budnicki referred to the experience at Argonne as being an eye opening and

brain draining once in a lifetime opportunity. It has made him rethink his post-

secondary decisions and has made him set his goals to a higher standard.

Engineering and Physics Students Visit Chicago

Check out our videos on youtube. Use the links below or search for Collinsville Area Voca- tional Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjVNIe3VCho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyAvAnjZPP8

Or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collinsville-Area-Vocational-Center/307489809363002

Criminal Justice Class Receives $2000 Grant

As you know, teen safe driving is a major concern facing our community. In 2013, in the state of Illinois, a total of 71 teens died in

fatal accidents associated with distracted driving. As a result of this staggering statistic, the Criminal Justice class at the Collinsville

Area Vocational Center and Collinsville High School decided to act. In September they applied for the Operation Teen Safe Driving

grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation and jointly sponsored by IDOT, Allstate and Ford. In October, they were

awarded $2,000 to spread the message that distracted driving, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts are huge safety risks that can be

easily avoided.

There are many tasks associated with the award. Part of the grant requirements include gathering statistics about seatbelt usage be-

fore and after the informational blitz. The preliminary statistics are surprisingly positive. More than 80% of the drivers entering the

parking lot each morning are wearing seatbelts! Another requirement is to provide information regarding teen safe driving practices

to the student body and community as a whole. Class members have developed brochures to distribute during lunch hours as well as

a banner that can be signed when students pledge to drive safely. Criminal Justice students were present at the November 20th Par-

ent U meeting held at CHS. By providing information about teen safe driving to students and parents, we can work together to save

lives. Finally, the class asked Mayor Miller of Collinsville and the City Council to pro-

claim one week in November as teen safe driving week.

If our program meets the judging criteria we could receive additional funds, up to

$2,500 in cash, for an after prom party as well as the opportunity to attend the Ford

Driving Skills Academy in Springfield.

This semester, students from the Early Childhood Education classes have been working hard to help others. Through their ef-

forts, $1000 was raised and will be put to good use. "We are fortunate enough to have a significant group working together for a

common goal. We try to instill the value of giving and teamwork, showing how much we can accomplish when we work togeth-

er," stated Ms. Geppert, ECE teacher. Students have decided to send a portion of the funds to HIS KIDS, an organization assist-

ing families affected with childhood cancer. Some of the money will be used to send four children a Christmas tree with their

own decorations to use for the hospital room where they are spending the holidays this year. The

remaining donation to HIS KIDS will be used to sponsor an activity during their week long summer camp unique to

children with cancer and their siblings. When students were asked of other organizations they would

like to raise money for, a student asked some of the funds be sent to Evie's Warriors. Evie is a

two-year-old with a severe form of Spina Bifida and is in need of surgery at to the Nova

Cells Institute. CAVC Director Dr. Tricia Blackard said, "I am so proud of the hard

work and generosity of our students. They give of their time and energy to make a dif-

ference in

the lives of others."

ECE Students Raise Money for Local Families and Charities

For mo

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