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Students at PATHS highlight vocational wins; district and board discuss phone policy and program updates
Summary
A student representative from the PATHS program updated the board on program developments, including a new mascot, student fundraising for SkillsUSA, fieldwork placements, and implementation of the district’s new cell-phone policy at PATHS.
The Portland Board of Public Education received an update Oct. 14 from a student representative at PATHS (the district’s career and technical education program), who described new programming, fundraising and work-based learning placements.
Student representative O’Brien said PATHS adopted a school mascot, the Narwhal, and raised $3,000 at a Sept. 20 car show to support student participation in SkillsUSA. The student reported that PATHS has launched an online store to raise additional funds and that the carpentry program is building a yurt for the Outdoor Leadership Education program.
O’Brien described other program highlights: welding students repaired food-delivery carts used by the central kitchen (providing a hands-on learning opportunity and cost savings), the HVAC program is currently on hold but leadership expects it to resume next year, and 13 students have begun paid fieldwork placements across careers in education, welding, HVAC and masonry; biomed and automotive placements are expected to start in spring. The PATHS Outdoor Leadership program has been sea kayaking, fly fishing and participating in rope-course activities.
On the new district cell-phone policy, O’Brien said PATHS uses lockboxes rather than pouches. The student said the lockboxes allow teachers to maintain expectations while preserving access in emergencies and that students (including visitors from other districts) have generally adjusted to the policy.
Board members asked for follow-up details: whether students participated in mascot graphics development, additional information about the PATHS online store link and the source of student fieldwork placements. O’Brien said they would share the online-store link with the board. Board member Bridal asked about student involvement in mascot graphics; O’Brien said they would ask the PATHS principal.
The superintendent and other board members commended PATHS students for their work and community engagement during the school day.
