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After Dark program expands carpentry and plumbing pathways; students helped rebuild Klasky Common holiday displays
Summary
The district described the After Dark program — a partnership with New Bedford High School offering students carpentry and plumbing instruction from 3–6 p.m. — and displayed work the students completed for Klasky Common Park’s holiday exhibit.
District staff and instructors told the school committee on Feb. 11 that the After Dark program, which brings New Bedford High School students to Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical for hands‑on carpentry and plumbing training after the regular school day, is entering its third year and expanding pathways.
The program began in fall 2022. Students attend academic classes at New Bedford High School and then travel to the vocational school Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. to receive trade instruction. Karen Walsh, continuing education specialist for the vocational school, said the program’s carpentry and plumbing pathways provide extended access to Chapter 74 vocational training for students who otherwise would not attend the regional vocational school full time.
Walsh said the earliest carpentry cohort started with about 14 students in 2022 and nine of those students completed the two‑year commitment. The current carpentry cohort working on the Klasky Common holiday structures is small; one presenter said the second‑year carpentry cohort currently has four students, while a newly introduced plumbing pathway has roughly 10 students.
Frank Gonzales, a vocational instructor who supervises the carpentry work, described the student projects at Klasky Common Park: “We did a snow globe on the other building… We even brought some packing snow to fly around the day of the lighting,” he said, describing construction and electrical coordination with day students and the electrical program.
Committee members and the superintendent praised the partnership with New Bedford Public Schools. A committee member noted the program gives students access to vocational education while they stay enrolled at their home high school. Principal Williams and other staff confirmed that students retain their New Bedford High School diploma and, through the partnership, receive a vocational certification recognized under Chapter 74 when they complete the sequence.
Why it matters: The program expands access to vocational training for students who remain enrolled at their sending high school, increasing opportunities for industry certifications, apprenticeships and direct entry to the workforce.
Next steps: District leaders said they hope to scale the partnership to include students from neighboring towns and continue to refine operations as cohorts grow.
Sources: Presentation by Karen Walsh (continuing education specialist) and remarks by Frank Gonzales (carpentry instructor); Q&A with Principal Williams during the Feb. 11, 2025 meeting.
Ending: Committee members gave verbal recognition to the instructors and students for the Klasky Common project and the superintendent highlighted ongoing work to expand admissions access and program capacity.
