Last summer Polaris implemented a building-wide energy savings program that included new lighting, new boilers, a state-of-the-art energy management system, sky lights in first floor labs, LED lighting in the parking lots and duct work repairs throughout the building.  As a result, we saw an instant reduction in energy usage and energy-related costs.

Based our success, we were selected to participate in the EPA's ENERGY STAR National Building Competition: “Battle of the Buildings.”  The competition kicked-off in May with 245 buildings throughout the country competing to see who could reduce their energy use the most in a one year period.

At the midpoint of the competition, we were ranked third overall in energy reduction and only 3% behind the leader!  Through the first six months (Sept. through Feb.) of the competition we reduced energy consumption by 29% and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 136 passenger vehicles.  Since the February midpoint, the energy savings has jumped even higher to 42%, and we have climbed into second place.  Stay tuned…the national winner will be announced in November.

 Tolles Career & Technical Center sponsored a team of culinary students to participate in the Ohio Pro-Start Culinary Competition.  The competition was held in conjunction with the North American Pizza and Ice Cream Convention and Show.  The team spent two days competing for trophies, scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the National Pro-Start Competition!  The Tolles team did very well!

One half of the team, comprised of Rickie Canter, Luke Dewhurst, DJ Gullihue and Team Captain John Moreno, competed in the culinary division of the competition.  They worked as a team to assemble a meal consisting of an appetizer (Mussels andChorizo), an entrée (Chicken Mole), and a dessert (Chocolate Banana Empanadas) in 90 minutes.  At the end of the competition, the team placed 4^th in the state of Ohio.

The other half of the team, comprised of Aleyda Mendoza, Allison Montgomery, Shawna Palmer and Team Captain Katie Vaughn, competed in the management division of the competition.  They worked to create a new concept and design restaurant.  The name of the mock restaurant was Land & Sea.  At the conclusion of the competition, the team place 1^st in the state of Ohio.  They will now advance to the National competition, to be held April 29-30, 2011, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Furthermore, Chef Kathy Zay was named Pro-Start’s 2011 Teacher of Excellence!  Chef Zay is assisted by Tolles staff Chef Eric Bauerle, Diana Mitchell and Joe Wiese, as well as several local chefs.

The Lorain County JVS Adult Cosmetology student rallied behind a community member in need, raising funds to help Laura McConnell, of Oberlin, as she is undergoes treatment for breast cancer.

The adult students held a variety of Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraisers.  Their activities included weekly bake sales, a door prize raffle, a candy sale and a Manicure-a-thon.  In total these activities raised $1,338.03.   Students presented McConnell with a check when she visited the Educated Cuts Salon, which is operated by the 2^nd year adult students.  She also received a wig donated by the American Cancer Society and styled by the students.

“She has been fighting breast cancer for 2 years and once we heard about her story from one of our clients it just touched our hearts,” stated Adult Career Center Instructor, Marge Lucas.  “Our students knew immediately that they wanted to help.”

Penta Career Center Family & Consumer Sciences satellite teachers are partnering with Owens Community College this year to offer articulated college credit for their newly revised Career Search II and Financial Management II electives.  The pilot began by aligning content between  Career Search II  and an Owens “Student Success Course” entitled, SSC 110: Career & Life Decisions (2 cr.).  Following that successful pilot, FCS teachers were eager to align the Financial Management II content to another Owens elective entitled, FIN 215: Personal Finance (3 cr.).  This course can also be used to meet the Ohio Core requirement for integrating economics and financial literacy within a social studies or other high school class as stated in Amended Substitute Senate Bill 311. Penta Superintendent, Ronald Matter, supported the FCS articulated credit option as an opportunity to expand partnering efforts between Owens and the career center, while adding value to FCS electives.

Leland Foster grew up in the Oregon community and is very active in special competitive bike racing.  The races include many distance and endurance marathons.  Leland has Cerebral Palsy and requires a special type of hand cycle. He came to the Integrated Machining and Engineering Program (IM&E) at Clay High School with a problem.  The front wheel of his cycle would shimmy and become unstable at high speeds.  This instability could cause an accident during a race and result in some serious injury.  Leland travels at 25-30 miles per hour on his custom cycle.  A roll over at those speeds is dangerous.

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In an effort to increase the number, quality, and diversity of engineering graduates, the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program adopted the national Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering curriculum. Students begin the pre-engineering program in the tenth grade at their home school.  Students then attend lab classes on the JVS campus or at Lorain County Community College during their junior and senior years.  A total of 16 college credits can be earned for classes taken as a part of the PLTW program.

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The Trumbull Career and Technical Center recently ranked among the top 25 High Schools that Work Career Centers in the country for quality career-technical experiences.

Recently, TCTC participated in an assessment driven by students.  The school met or exceeded 11 out of a possible 11 indicators.  Some of the indicators include High Expectations, Work based learning, Quality Career and Tech Studies, Numeracy, Literacy, and Science. 

Students were chosen randomly for testing in reading, math and science and scored in the top percentile across the nation.

High Schools That Work was established in 1987 by the Southern Regional Education Board to promote continuous improvement in schools.

A 1903 farmhouse, which sits in front of the Lorain County JVS now houses office and warehouse space for NASA's Central Operation of Resources for Educators.  The building, recently renovated by JVS students from several programs and utilizing a new wind turbine was dedicated October 20, 2010 with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Avon, U.S. Rep Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, Sen Sue Morano, D-Lorain and astronaut Michael Forman.  Forman is a native to Ohio and works at the NASA Glenn Research Center. 

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2010/10/20/photo-gallery-jvs-opens-nasa-building-new-lab/

Congressman John Kasich and his running mate Mary Taylor visited Apollo Career Center on May 12 to learn more about Adult Workforce Education and its impact on Ohio’s economy.

Apollo Supt. Judy Wells welcomed students who shared their experiences with Kasich and Taylor.

Students presented Kasich and Taylor with items made in welding class.