Technical high schools adapt to COVID’s immense challenge
Updated Feb 16, 2021;
Posted Feb 16, 2021
1/21/2921 -Westfield- Students at work in Westfield Technical Academy s auto repair shop. (Don Treeger / The Republican)
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The vocational director at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy says the last 11 months have been difficult, but could have been worse.
“Some districts were caught (unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic). They planned for hybrid last summer and then had to go back to full remote,” said Joao Alves, who supervises the training of 1,300 vocational students in Springfield.
Those students have been learning remotely since September, and having their education delivered much differently than they’d anticipated.
Springfield prepares to expand COVID testing to neighborhood sites
Updated Jan 20, 2021;
Posted Jan 20, 2021
Springfield is preparing to expand its coronavirus testing program to some neighborhood sites. Here, in file photo, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris speaks during the Springfield weekly COVID-19 briefing. (Don Treeger / The Republican)
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SPRINGFIELD The city plans to expand public COVID-19 testing with sites at the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy on State Street and an additional location in the Mason Square area.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health Commissioner Helen R. Caulton-Harris outlined the plan this week during an update with the City Council.
State awards $1.6M in grants for technical skills programs in Western Massachusetts
Updated Dec 10, 2020;
SPRINGFIELD Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday announced $11.7 million in vocational skills grants for educational institutions statewide, including approximately $1.6 million for programs in Western Massachusetts.
The grants include $300,000 for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department for inmate training and $250,000 for the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in Springfield.
The grants are intended to help update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education, according to an announcement from the governor’s office.
“At a critical time in our Commonwealth, these Skills Capital Grants will increase flexibility and support for schools and educational institutions to launch new programs and help more students develop important technical skills and prepare them for high-demand industries,” Baker said. “As our economy moves f