Over the last couple of years, visitors at the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC)

have been shocked to learn how much CAVC has to offer. No one can truly understand the
magnitude of what we offer and the top quality of our equipment without seeing it in person. As a result of that feedback, we have been working tirelessly to bring key stakeholders
to CAVC so they can see first hand what we do.

Collinsville ARea Vocational Center

Vo c at i o n a l U p dat e

Tours, tours, and more tours!

CAVC is funded by both state and federal grants allocated by the government. One of our
major focus areas was to bring awareness to the local governmental officials who are part
of this allocation process and to emphasize the importance of continued funding for all
career and technical education areas (CTE). Mike Walters from the Southwestern Illinois
Employers Association has been especially helpful with the coordination of these tours. On
October 20, Illinois Representative, Dwight Kay came to visit CAVC. While the tour was
scheduled to take an hour, he was so engaged talking to staff and students, he stayed over
two hours. On Monday, November 10, Congressman John Shimkus visited. As a Collinsville native, he was aware CAVC existed but had not had the opportunity to return recently to see the many updates that have been made. Additionally, Illinois State Senator William Haine stopped by for a tour on Wednesday, November 12.
Another area of focus has been the local community. Tuesday, November 4, Mascoutah
Superintendent, Dr. Craig Fiegel came in for a tour. This is the third year Dr. Fiegel has
held the position of Superintendent for the Mascoutah School district. Mascoutah has been
a participant with CAVC for many years and Dr. Fiegel is interested in what we are
providing for his students. Finally, Laura Roach from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
toured CAVC on Tuesday November 12th. Many activities and merit badges associated
with the BSA emphasize career related exploration as well as collaboration and teamwork.
We here at CAVC focus on similar characteristics and are looking forward to building a
positive relationship with all community stakeholders.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in a tour of CAVC please do not hesitate
to give us a call. We work tirelessly every day to help prepare our students for their future
careers and would be more than happy to share our efforts with you!

Early Childhood Education Students Host

Breakfast With Santa
On Friday, December 5th, the ECE
students along with volunteers from
the Automotive Body/Mechanics
class surprised AVC Preschool stuCorey Mitchel (elf) and Jared
Corey Mitchel (elf ), Jared Grzywacz
dents by bringing Santa Clause to
Grzywacz(Santa) with Vivian
(Santa) , Dylan Schreiber( elf), get a wish
town! Parents and siblings were inGottschalk.
list from Kaden Bruce.
vited to join the preschool students at
school for breakfast and some time on Santa's lap. Approximately 90 visitors enjoyed some
time visiting with one another, the students/teachers of the class, and of course giving their
list to Santa. A special thanks to Jared Grzywacz (Santa), and elves, Corey Mitchell and Dylan Schreiber for bringing the Christmas spirit to AVC Preschool!

CAVC Students Attend Manufacturing Day

On October 3rd, 32 students from Collinsville Area Vocation Center participated in the national Manufacturing Day hosted by
Southwestern Illinois College. CAVC students from Collinsville, Dupo, Mascoutah, and Lebanon high schools proudly represented Welding Technology, Precision Machining, and Building Trades programs. The students started the day off by listening to
our U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart speaking about how vital manufacturing will be in Southern Illinois and how these students are
needed for the recovery in the Land of Lincoln. CAVC senior James Uhles stated, I like it because it makes sense of everything.
Everything has a reason for why you are doing it. CAVC Precision Machining Instructor Justin Cann stated, Opportunities like
this are exactly what we need to get kids not only interested in manufacturing but also to help them understand what it is. Part
of the days activities included tours of local companies such as Abengoa Bioenergy of Illinois, Arizon Structures Worldwide, Illinois Electric Works, Suncoke Energy, U.S. Steel Granite City Works, and John Sakach Company of St. Louis. In addition to
those tours and tours of the facilities at SWIC, 20 local manufacturers provided exhibits about their companies as well as current
and future employment needs.

CAVC Car Cruise

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Saturday, April 25, 2015

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Free Admission
Tours, Food, Face Painting, Blood Pressure Checks, Dash Placards, Traffic Direction, and much more!

PLTW Students Win Big at Technology Day

On October 10, 38 students attended the TSA Technology Day at Illinois State University. The competition is attended by
schools all over Illinois and awards are given for the top three finishers in each area of competition. Our first year we earned
one award followed by earning two awards the second year. This year we were able to continue the winning tradition by
earning four top three finishes. In the three years that we have been participating, we have seen our students close the gap
on the top Chicago area schools. We have also doubled
our awards over the last three years. stated PLTW Engineering instructor Cindy Bednara.
Overall 2nd place award winners this year included
Benny Hernandez and Nathan Hawkins in Level 1 Engineering Design and Juan Leanos and Spencer Hager in
Level 2 Transportation Technology. We also earned 3rd
place awards in Level 2 Engineering Design by Cody
Gerlitz and Timothy Aclan and Level 2 Structural
Technology by Dani Blackard and Drew Cunningham.

Building Trades Students Help out in the Community

This year marks the 2nd year of the return of Building Trades at CAVC. In addition to covering the necessary curriculum,
classes are helping improve the community. One of these projects includes Miners Theater. The historic building located on
Main Street has been through many stages of restoration in the past couple of years. The Miners Institute Foundation is looking to restore this landmark so it can be a shining start among the other main street restoration projects. The first area of
business is to make the theater ADA accessible. This is where CAVC Building Trades students are focusing their efforts. The
stage of the theater is currently accessed by stairs on the side of the stage or through the back of the stage. No matter which
way you enter, the stairs involved which limit opportunities
for any performers with accessibility limitations. By raising
the stage so all dressing rooms and doors are level with the
floor as well as building a ramp for access from the theater
seats, students are not only gaining knowledge and skill but
also giving back to the community.
Another project included adding a wall at a local business. All
Pro Ts recently acquired a new piece of equipment that
needed to be separated from the lobby display area. This was
an especially effective project for CAVC Building Trades students. Because the business is so close to the school, the class
could walk to the work site.
While both of these projects provided service to local institutions and businesses, they required the students to use different skills. The All Pro job
required new construction skills such as basic framing, dry wall, finishing, painting and trim work whereas the Miners Theater job required
framing, leveling, soundproofing, flooring, and other skills needed to
retrofit an existing building. Both opportunities provided a different aspect
of the construction industry and forced the students to apply their skills but also to
trouble shoot and think outside the box.

Engineering and Physics Students Visit Chicago

On October 17th & 18th forty students from advanced engineering and physics classes visited Chicago to see museums and businesses related to the engineering field. The first stop of the trip was the Field Museum to explore the various dynamics of design
and ingenuity that have developed over the years. Following that, students went to Argonne
National Lab. This experience exposed them to the varying facets of physics and engineering
as well as the current research projects that are in progress within the labs. Students were
told about opportunities for internships after high school graduation as well as the background of the many developments to come out of Argonne. Finally on the way home, students visited the Twin Groves Wind Farm. The wind farm exposed students to one of the
many clean energy options available today.
Each of these experiences provided the opportunity for students and teachers to utilize an interdisciplinary approach and applied
research concepts within the class. When reflecting on the experience, student
Matt Budnicki referred to the experience at Argonne as being an eye opening and
brain draining once in a lifetime opportunity. It has made him rethink his postsecondary decisions and has made him set his goals to a higher standard.

Criminal Justice Class Receives $2000 Grant

As you know, teen safe driving is a major concern facing our community. In 2013, in the state of Illinois, a total of 71 teens died in
fatal accidents associated with distracted driving. As a result of this staggering statistic, the Criminal Justice class at the Collinsville
Area Vocational Center and Collinsville High School decided to act. In September they applied for the Operation Teen Safe Driving
grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation and jointly sponsored by IDOT, Allstate and Ford. In October, they were
awarded $2,000 to spread the message that distracted driving, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts are huge safety risks that can be
easily avoided.
There are many tasks associated with the award. Part of the grant requirements include gathering statistics about seatbelt usage before and after the informational blitz. The preliminary statistics are surprisingly positive. More than 80% of the drivers entering the
parking lot each morning are wearing seatbelts! Another requirement is to provide information regarding teen safe driving practices
to the student body and community as a whole. Class members have developed brochures to distribute during lunch hours as well as
a banner that can be signed when students pledge to drive safely. Criminal Justice students were present at the November 20th Parent U meeting held at CHS. By providing information about teen safe driving to students and parents, we can work together to save
lives. Finally, the class asked Mayor Miller of Collinsville and the City Council to proclaim one week in November as teen safe driving week.
If our program meets the judging criteria we could receive additional funds, up to
$2,500 in cash, for an after prom party as well as the opportunity to attend the Ford
Driving Skills Academy in Springfield.

ECE Students Raise Money for Local Families and Charities

This semester, students from the Early Childhood Education classes have been working hard to help others. Through their efforts, $1000 was raised and will be put to good use. "We are fortunate enough to have a significant group working together for a
common goal. We try to instill the value of giving and teamwork, showing how much we can accomplish when we work together," stated Ms. Geppert, ECE teacher. Students have decided to send a portion of the funds to HIS KIDS, an organization assisting families affected with childhood cancer. Some of the money will be used to send four children a Christmas tree with their
own decorations to use for the hospital room where they are spending the holidays this year. The
remaining donation to HIS KIDS will be used to sponsor an activity during their week long summer camp unique
to
children with cancer and their siblings. When students were asked of other organizations they would
like to raise money for, a student asked some of the funds be sent to Evie's Warriors. Evie is a
two-year-old with a severe form of Spina Bifida and is in need of surgery at to the Nova
Cells Institute. CAVC Director Dr. Tricia Blackard said, "I am so proud of the hard
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work and generosity of our students. They give of their time and energy to make a difir w
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Check out our videos on youtube. Use the links below or search for Collinsville Area Voca- tional Center
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjVNIe3VCho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyAvAnjZPP8
Or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collinsville-Area-Vocational-Center/307489809363002