EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

Automotive Youth Education System (AYES):

The AYES is a dynamic partnership that features the participation of major automotive manufacturers, car dealerships, and local high schools. Current national participants in this program include notable corporations such as Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, and Mercedes Benz.

The program is open to automotive vocational students with high level vocational proficiencies, performance, and potential. Typically, a student is placed in a car dealership and is assigned to work on actual car repairs under the guidance and supervision of a mentor. These are paid positions at prevailing industry wage rates. Successful participation in this program can lead to advanced training, scholarships, professional tools and equipment, and high wages. Ultimately, the job placement may lead to a permanent full time position with a nationally recognized firm.

Essentially, this program mirrors the vocational school's CIE, COE, CBE, and CAE programs. Students must establish eligibility through their shop instructor's recommendations and the assessment/evaluation of the appropriate coordinator. The student will be graded based on the CIE requirements. Transportation to and from the training/job site remains the student's responsibility.

Cooperative Industrial Education (CIE):

A supervised work program is available to students through job placement arranged through the CIE (Cooperative Industrial Education Program, COE, CBE, and CAE). Essentially, this program offers students an opportunity to utilize the skills that they have acquired in our shop programs in a competitive work environment during school hours. This is a cooperative venture between the school, students, and the employer.

The school's CIE Coordinator initiates contact with prospective employers to develop suitable positions. Contacts with the employer include the completion of proper working papers, salary negotiations, and regular site visits to monitor the student's progress and performance, and grade assessments. A pre-determined level of vocational proficiency is required of the students before employment may be arranged. Although the employment takes place during school hours, transportation to and from the work site is the responsibility of the student.

Students are eligible to work from one to four days during a typical school week. The other days the student is still required to attend their respective shop classes for further skill development. The student will earn full shop credit based on their performance. The grade is a combination of the students "hands on" work performance, employer feed back, report sheets, CIE Coordinator's assessment, and the evaluation of the shop instructor.

Essex County Special Olympics:

Students in our Transition Technology Center train throughout the school year to take part in the Area 9 Essex County Special Olympics. Weekly bowling sessions at a local lane sharpen skills for competition, usually held in February. Track and Field competition, held in May, is the culminating activity of a year of practice and training in our excellent Physical Education program.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA):

The FBLA is a nationwide organization comprised of students who aspire to be successful in the world of business. The students at the West Caldwell Center participate in this club through our Office Occupation program. Students may attend local, state, and nationwide competitions with other FBLA Chapters.

Future Farmers of America (FFA):

FFA is a national organization for students who are studying one of many agricultural areas, such as Horticulture. It provides an opportunity for the students to practice what they have learned in the classroom in real life situations and to develop leadership skills. The West Essex Chapter of FFA was founded in 1976. It is a member of the New Jersey State FFA Association. Members of the West Essex Chapter of FFA participate in leadership development conferences, career development events, and attend the State FFA Convention each spring. Members have the opportunity to climb the FFA degree ladder from Chapter to State to American degree level. For additional information about FFA, visit www.ffa.org.

Key Club:

Key Club is a service leadership organization for high school students, operating under school regulations and drawing its members from the student body. This is a very special service club because it is jointly sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club, whose members include local community professionals and business leaders, along with local school and municipal administrators. Key Club's objective is the development of initiatives, leadership ability, and good citizenship practice. Key Club is the largest service organization of its kind, with more than 210,000 members in approximately 4,500 clubs.

Music Program:

The new music program at West Caldwell offers the students classes in music appreciation, piano lessons, and instruction for playing a musical instrument. Students who are involved in the music program are learning to read music, play songs, and work in groups led by their peers. These students have shown a great deal of persistence and dedication. As the program develops the music department expects to offer a more diverse selection of instruments as well as to expand the programs started this past year. Many students have taken advantage of this exciting opportunity. In the future we hope to inspire more full time students to participate in the music department.

Supportive Employment Program:

The Supportive Employment Program is a community based work effort where students learn valuable skills while earning school credits. The program is designed for our most challenged special needs students. It is provided in accordance with the Transition Technology Program. The TTC Program emphasizes the acquisition of practical living skills, industrial training, and community based experiences.

The Coaches/Developers seek volunteer and part-time compensated employment positions during regular school hours. The program is managed and supervised by trained Job Coaches and Employment Developers. Its mission is to provide area businesses with students who are enthusiastic and dependable. It exposes the students to realistic and practical job opportunities.

Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA):

The VICA student's organization is the appropriate vocational school organization for trade and industrial programs. The VICA organization is active at the West Caldwell Center. Students may attend local, state, and national competitions with other VICA chapters.

Volunteer/Community Services School-to-Work Program:

This program offers a learning experience for students at an employers work site. It includes work experience, work site mentoring, and broad instruction to the extent practical, in all aspects of an industry.

Our students are given an opportunity to develop work readiness skills and appropriate employment habits and traits. At the same time the students earn the satisfaction of giving to the community. It should be noted that this program also satisfies NJ State mandates that all senior high school students participate in a form of community service.

The selected work site allows the student to engage in simulated work activities and gives them exposure to the realities and demands of the work place. Work demands, such as punctuality, response to direction and authority, leadership, initiative, work stamina, and developing appropriate relationships with co-workers and the general public are fostered.

Typical work sites from this program include: St. Barnabas Hospital, Cheshire Home, and The Food Bank. Students are performing a variety of tasks, such as grounds keeping, clerical work, food service and preparation, office maintenance, carpentry, and cosmetology services.

Although these are non-payment services, there are rewards and satisfaction for the student. They are exposed to the realities of the workplace while providing assistance to those in great need. The school provides round trip transportation and supervision.

Work Study:

This program offers paid employment positions within our school system after school hours. The jobs are related to the overall function of the school. Acquisition and maintenance of these jobs is coordinated through the CIE Program.

These work-study positions are open to students in grades 9 through 11. It represents an excellent opportunity for the students to develop job readiness skills and to prepare them for future CIE (COE, CBE, CAE) positions and gainful employment. Within the school district the job may include maintenance, custodial service, food service, and clerical work in the guidance or administrative offices. Since the work takes place during after school hours, students are expected to arrange their own transportation home.