Western Hills and CACTC team up for programs

Posted 1/2/13

When Western Hills Middle School (WHMS) PTO president Inga Russell came on board in her new post at the start of this school year, she immediately saw a need that she wished to fill during her time …

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Western Hills and CACTC team up for programs

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When Western Hills Middle School (WHMS) PTO president Inga Russell came on board in her new post at the start of this school year, she immediately saw a need that she wished to fill during her time at the school.

“When middle school sports got cut, the PTO had stepped in and funded an intramural program. However, there is a need for more non-sport-related options,” Russell said. “One of our PTO goals this year was to expand the after-school programs offered to our students.”

After a parent suggested a culinary class to Russell, she immediately thought of the Culinary Arts program at the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center (CACTC), housed on the campus at Cranston West, adjacent to WHMS.

“When we approached the director, Gerry Auth, with the idea, both he and his instructors were on board immediately,” Russell said.

Two programs were set up – aquaculture under the direction of faculty member Len Baker, and culinary arts under the direction of chefs Martha Sylvestre, Steve Versacci and Maria Thresher. Students from each of the programs would be helping to teach the middle school students. When the issue of transporting the middle school students from one school to another arose, making the program possibly cost-prohibitive by using buses, it was determined that the students could be met at the middle school and walked over on the path connecting the two schools.

“Gerry has even personally walked the group over to the CACTC building every Wednesday and the instructors have generously volunteered both their time and their resources,” Russell said, praising the cooperative efforts of all involved.

Director Gerry Auth saw the opportunity for all involved when he agreed to broach the idea with his staff at CACTC.

“It’s a great opportunity for everyone involved. Western Hills gets an after-school enrichment opportunity and it helps to showcase the great programs and staff here at the Career and Tech Center,” he said. “I was happy to be able to work with Inga and Principal Anthony Corrente, collaborating so that all of the kids can experience the opportunities we have here.”

The eight-week programs are winding to a close, and all involved have deemed it a success.

“This partnership has benefited all of us. It’s been a great way to introduce the programs offered at CACTC to our students and it’s a convenient way for us to offer more options to our middle school students,” said Russell. “Since the programs were so well received, we hope to be able to offer it again before the end of the school year.”

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