On Wednesday, we officially opened the Career Building at Smithfield High School. The heavily renovated facility is home to five of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including welding, nursing, culinary arts, manufacturing and engineering. Manufacturing and engineering have access to a MakerSpace area, equipped with 3D printers, laser and vinyl cutters, and numerous other devices that allow students to take an idea from concept to finished product. Engineering also incorporates mechatronics into the curriculum, providing students with hands-on learning for mechanical, electrical and computer systems. The nursing space is designed as a mock medical facility, complete with beds, mannequins, privacy curtains, diagnostic equipment, and a nurses' station. Our welding lab uses industry standard equipment to prepare students to be highly qualified candidates for employment. The culinary arts program is soaring to new heights with a commercial kitchen and student-run restaurant.
I felt like a proud parent as I surveyed each room on our tour of the building. There were looks of amazement from our guests and faces full of joy and confidence from our students. Students, not teachers, spoke to the visitors about their programs, their spaces, and the skills they are developing. It gave me goose bumps to see the students not just working in their areas, but comfortably sharing their story with all the guests on hand. They are mastering those 5 Cs (communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, citizenship) that they need to be successful in any path they choose.
The other event occurred on March 1 and, while it didn't receive the same level of coverage as the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, I consider it equally significant. Last Friday, the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Betting Ring, visited our Land Lab to see how we are teaching Ag through authentic learning experiences. She was impressed with new barn and classroom as well as the variety of animals and plants located at the farm. But she was most impressed with the students. They showed her around and explained to her what they've learned by being part of the program. It was all student driven. She was not there to celebrate the opening of a facility, but rather the way we are providing our students with real-world learning opportunities. This was an important part of the redesign of our CTE programs. Having leaders at the state level acknowledge our work and consider it a model for other programs only reaffirms our mission.
Both events would not have been possible without the support of several key groups and organizations. We are grateful to Smithfield Foods and CEO Ken Sullivan, and the Smithfield Foundation, for donating $3million to establish the Smithfield Legacy project. The project supports our commitment to preparing students to be college, career and life ready. The Legacy Project funded the construction of a dedicated facility for JROTC, and the renovation and installation of a state-of-the-art MakerSpace facility in the Career Building, and will support a global logistics program slated for 2020. We also appreciate the financial commitment from the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors, who believed in our vision and understood the importance of providing opportunities for all of our students, not just those going to college after high school. Because of the support of our School Board, the Board of Supervisors, the business community, and Smithfield Foods, our students will be sought-after candidates for high skill, high wage, high demand jobs.
I've included a round-up of media coverage from both events. I'm also posting a few pictures below. The images capture the remarkable accomplishments we had only envisioned a few years ago. While the journey isn't over, I know that the pathways we are creating will equip our students with the skills needed for a successful future.
Links to the Career Building Grand Opening
WAVY News 10: State-of-the-Art Career Center Unveiled at Smithfield High
Daily Press Video: Smithfield High Vocational Training
Daily Press: Smithfield High's New Career Facility Includes Restaurant and MakerSpace
WVEC 13 News Now: Smithfield High School Opens New Career Center
Suffolk News Herald: New Career Building Unveiled at SHS
Global News Wire: Smithfield Foods Unveils New Career Building at Smithfield High School
Links to the Secretary of Agriculture's Visit to the IWCS Land Lab
Virginian Pilot: Isle of Wight's Student-Run Farm Welcomes State Agriculture and Forestry Secretary
Daily Press Video: Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring Visits Isle of Wight's Student Farm
Check out our Facebook and Twitter feeds for more pictures from both events.
