Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School started the new school year on August 28 with plenty of new faces and new initiatives to broaden student opportunities.

With a 2018-2019 school year theme focusing on connection, a number of new and continuing early college programs are being introduced to prepare students for a college career.

The school is continuing its partnership with Johnson and Wales, allowing Old Colony seniors to enroll in college classes during the school year. Interested students who are eligible may apply in their junior year of high school. A new partnership with Bristol Community College is being launched to offer students after-school entrepreneurship courses. Called the LAUNCH Program, it will begin on Tuesday nights in September with Management 101.

For the first time, elective courses and an advanced placement  curriculum are being launched. AP classes are being piloted in the Computer Science Department.

In addition to incoming students, Old Colony has a host of new faculty members joining this year. They include three new or promoted hires in the administrative team:

Michael Parker joins the Old Colony team after serving as Old Rochester Regional High School Assistant Principal for the past 9 years. He also taught and coached sports, and showcased his golf talents by leading the Old Colony team to a win in the MAVA Summer Golf Tournament.

Bethany Botelho is Old Colony’s new vocational coordinator. She was most recently in the CADD Department and coaches OC’s cross country team. She enjoys whale boat racing and music.

Catherine Tuccinardi left behind a 13-year teaching career at Bristol-Plymouth to become Old Colony’s new academic coordinator. She had a host of responsibilities at her old job, including teaching Bristol-Plymouth’s first AP course, and was the advisor of several clubs.

Danielle Craig joins the Old Colony staff as the Assistant to the Principal. A graduate of the Old Colony Cosmetology Program, Craig comes to OC from Anchor Medical Group where she served as an Administrative Manager.

The school hired seven new staff members, including:

Jessica Bearce, Cosmology. She has worked in the industry for years and holds a certificate from the American Board of Haircolorists. She is also on the team of hair and makeup artists for the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford.

Betsy Botelho, Health Careers. She is a registered nurse (RN, MS), has worked in nursing management, taught at the collegiate level, and worked in the central registration office in New Bedford Public Schools.

Jeanne Downey, CADD Department. An architectural designer by trade, she has been teaching mechanical and architectural drafting for the past 21 years. She also worked on custom home designs and on small commercial projects.

Ashleigh Mota-Medeiros, Programming and Web Development. A 2014 graduate of UMass Dartmouth, she worked in software development in user interface design, where she learned HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. She is most excited to connect and inspire young minds in the Computer Science shop this year.

Lucas Olivier, Welding. Olivier began his welding career at 15, and attended Old Colony and was in the metal fab/welding shop. He worked as a project engineer for a large scale custom metal fabricator until he decided to pursue a career in education. He looks forward to the challenge of equipping future generations with the skills needed to become successful in today’s workforce, and to grow as an educator.

Adam Mullen, Paraprofessional. Mullen attended Fairhaven High School where he played baseball and basketball. He was the recipient of the prestigious Dave Cowens Award as a high school student and pitched for the Bridgewater State University baseball program following high school.

Brandon Terrien. Terrien worked at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School for three years as a long-term sub, student teacher, yearbook advisor, aide, and soccer coach. He prides himself on being student-focused and maximizing his contribution to those he serves in both the school and the community.

For more information about Old Colony, visit oldcolony.us.