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West Islip showcases in-house career and technical education, cites Navy welding partnership
Summary
Staff and student presenters for the West Islip Union Free School District outlined K–12 career and technical education pathways, described in-house alternatives to BOCES, and noted industry ties including a welding partnership with the Navy that staff say connects students to local maritime employers.
Staff and student presenters for the West Islip Union Free School District described the district's career and technical education (CTE) offerings and industry partnerships, saying those programs give students practical paths into the workforce.
A staff member summarized the district's high-school courses: "At the high school, we currently offer photography and videography, design and drawing for productions, our CAD course. We have automotive courses. We offer welding, which we are partnered with the Navy, making parts for submarines," the staff member said. He also listed precision machining and a robotics team as in-district options.
District presenters said CTE instruction begins early and builds across grade levels. "The students start learning basic block coding at the elementary school level," a presenter said, and middle-school students progress to more advanced coding plus hands-on work using drill presses and saws to prepare for high-school courses.
Officials and presenters framed the programs as alternatives to sending students off-site. A presenter said students who would normally leave to attend a BOCES program can now take those courses in-house, keeping training and credentials within the district.
Presenters connected the curriculum to local employers: a staff member said the district's maritime industrial base relationships have "connected us with companies that have a need for entry level machinists, entry level welders," and described industry as part of the pathway to employment.
Students who spoke said the classes have given them real-world skills and clarified career goals. "It's really fun. I like learning about the real world in school," one student said. Another student who aspires to be a machinist called the classes "a really good step in the right direction." Presenters encouraged students to try, learn from failure and explore different options.
The presentation closed with participants repeating the district slogan, "West Islip. Every student, every day." No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript.
