Our early childhood program concluded their clinical before break with a delightful and engaging family event. The day began with a reading of "Happy Easter, Mouse!" by Laura Numeroff, followed by creative egg decorating activities that allowed students to express their artistic abilities. The highlight of the celebration was a special Easter egg hunt where families joined in the fun, creating lasting memories and strengthening our school community bonds. The excitement reached its peak when students returned to their classroom to find a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny, bringing joy and wonder to all the children's faces. A special appreciation goes to the dedicated parents who continue to support our program, and heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Cox and her staff who had close connections with the Easter Bunny to ensure he made an appearance. Their commitment to fostering a warm, inclusive learning environment and their ability to create magical moments for our students truly exemplifies the excellence of the work they do. These types of activities not only enhance family involvement but also support social-emotional development and create positive associations with school for our young learners. #StCroixTech #MaineCTE
Welcome to the first edition of Tech Times, your go-to source for all things happening at Saint Croix Regional Technical Center! Each quarter, we'll bring you the latest student achievements, program updates, and exciting events shaping our students' future. Stay tuned and stay inspired!
Today's early childhood program exemplified developmentally appropriate practice through two engaging multi-sensory activities that combined art, literacy, and fine motor development. The morning activity featured an innovative painting technique where children created spring-themed artwork by placing plastic eggs coated with paint into a container and experimenting with movement to create unique patterns and designs. This was followed by an afternoon literacy activity that incorporated elements of discovery learning, where educators pre-wrote letters using white crayons on wax paper, allowing children to reveal the hidden text through a watercolor paint application. Both activities demonstrated effective ways to maintain student engagement while building fundamental skills through play-based learning.
This engaging hands-on science activity provided our students with a delightful exploration of cause and effect. Students used droplet pipettes to add colored vinegar solutions to baking soda, creating exciting fizzy reactions while developing fine motor skills. The activity fostered social interaction as children worked together, made predictions, and shared their observations of the colorful bubbling reactions. This multi-faceted learning experience seamlessly integrated science concepts, sensory exploration, and collaborative play, making it an excellent example of how early childhood educators can create meaningful learning opportunities through hands-on experimentation. The children's natural curiosity and enthusiasm during the activity demonstrated the effectiveness of incorporating playful scientific discovery into our curriculum.
Learning through play.
Sensory bins are indispensable tools in early childhood education, offering profound developmental benefits that extend far beyond simple play. These carefully curated containers filled with materials like rice, sand, or natural elements provide young children with essential hands-on experiences that stimulate multiple senses simultaneously, enhancing neural connections during critical developmental periods. Research consistently demonstrates that when children engage with sensory bins, they develop fine motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination, build vocabulary through descriptive language, and strengthen cognitive processes through cause-and-effect exploration. Moreover, these tactile experiences help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and promote focused attention - skills that are fundamental for future academic success. As early childhood educators, incorporating sensory bins into daily activities isn't just beneficial; it's a crucial investment in children's holistic development, supporting both their immediate growth and long-term learning potential.
#StCroixTech
Due to road conditions, Calais School Dept will have a 1 hour delay today, Wednesday, April 9th.
Are you a youth?
Are you working, or interested in finding work?
Then check out the Northeastern Workforce Development Board's Young Worker Survey:
https://forms.office.com/r/WS0Zfm3k6V
They are collecting information on the needs of young workers and offer support for job and career preparation.
#MaineCTE
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held at the St Croix Reg Tech Center on Thursday, April 10, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Please call 454-2581 to schedule an appointment. Hope to see you there!
🎉 What an incredible day at the 2025 State of Maine SkillsUSA Conference! Our SCRTC students truly "Ignited their Potential!" 🔥 A huge congratulations to our 29 amazing competitors for their outstanding performances! 🏆 We’re so proud of how you represented SCRTC and your high schools. A heartfelt thank you to the students, staff, and families who came to support! 💙
Here are our medalists:
🥇 Gold: Ethan Coleman (Welding Sculpture)
🥈 Silver: Kelton Stegamn (Welding Sculpture)
🥉 Bronze: Alexis Seavey (Early Childhood Education Job Application Process), Shawn Lyons (Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair)
Who's excited to see what our students will achieve next? Share your thoughts below! 👇
#StCroixTech #SkillsUSAMaine #MaineCTE
Today the Early Childhood program made an unplanned stop at Calais High School's art display en route to a career fair. The spontaneous learning opportunity showcased the value of flexible teaching and the importance of seizing teachable moments in early childhood education. By allowing children to explore the artwork from various physical perspectives, including lying down to observe different angles, the educators effectively transformed a simple break into a rich learning experience that integrated both artistic appreciation and spatial awareness.
This impromptu art exploration session exemplifies best practices in early childhood education through its incorporation of active listening and present-moment awareness. The educators' decision to pause and engage with the children's natural curiosity about the artwork, particularly the ceiling installation featuring sea creatures, demonstrates how skilled teachers can balance planned activities with emergent learning opportunities. This approach not only supported the children's artistic development but also fostered important social-emotional skills through group engagement and shared discovery, proving that meaningful learning can occur in unexpected moments throughout the day.
#StCroixTech #MaineCTE
One final step to prepare for the SkillsUSA conference, cleaning the bus!
A big "Thank you" to Mr. Ginn's Automotive class.
#StCroixTech #SkillsUSAMaine
The SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Competition is happening March 13&14.
The streaming links for the Opening and Awards Ceremony are below:
Opening Ceremony March 13 at 7:00pm:
https://youtube.com/live/W8AA5fIpM2Y?feature=share
Awards Ceremony March 14 at 5:00pm:
https://youtube.com/live/QYMvoLgWSAI?feature=share
The Early Childhood Education CTE students at the high school level recently demonstrated their understanding of developmentally appropriate science activities by conducting an engaging chemistry experiment with young children. This hands-on learning experience showcased both the high
St. Croix Regional Technical Center held its National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony on February 27, 2025.
Mary Anne Spearin, Superintendent of Calais School Department, inspired us and was the keynote speaker. Maureen Hayward, CNA Instructor, SCRTC, gave the rich histo
The Calais School Dept will be closed today, Friday, March 7 due inclement weather. Stay warm and stay safe.
Due to icy road conditions this morning, Wednesday, March 5, the Calais School Dept will have a 2 hour delay.
During February's CTE Month celebration, Director Stanley Sluzenski showcased St. Croix Regional Technical Center programs at the Maine State House.
For the full article go to the following link: https://mainedoenews.net/2025/02/26/maine-celebrates-career-and-technical-education-month-in-february/
#StCroixTech #MaineCTE
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Students and Parents, I wanted to inform you that the National Technical Honor Society Ceremony has been rescheduled for March 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to see you there next week.
Thank you for your understanding.
Advocating for Change in Early Childhood Education: Participating in the event at the State House allows early childhood educators and students to engage directly with lawmakers. This connection demonstrates the impact of advocacy in shaping policies that affect education. By sharing personal stories and experiences, participants can influence legislation that supports quality child care, highlighting how their roles as advocates matter in creating positive change for future generations.
Building Professional Networks: Attending the advocacy day serves as a valuable opportunity for early childhood educators and CTE students to network with other professionals in the field. This connection emphasizes the importance of collaboration and teamwork in education. By forming relationships with other educators, leaders, and legislators, participants can share resources, ideas, and strategies that enhance their practices and benefit their students' learning experiences.
Understanding the Legislative Process: Joining fellow educators at the State House provides insight into how laws and policies are created and the role of education professionals in that process. This real-world connection highlights the importance of civic engagement and understanding government functions. By participating in discussions with legislators, educators can advocate for the needs of children and families, illustrating how their involvement contributes to building a stronger foundation for early education and care.
Join St Croix Regional Technical Center Early Childhood Program and others for a powerful day of advocacy and engagement as educators, leaders, and CTE students come together at the State House to emphasize the critical importance of early education and care. This event provides an opportunity to connect with legislators, share impactful stories, and highlight the value of quality child care in shaping our future. Let’s champion early childhood education and ensure every child has a strong foundation for success!
📆April 8, 2025
📍State House, Augusta
Register here: https://www.maineaeyc.org/events-calendar
Due to the impending storm, we are postponing our National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony. We have rescheduled it for Thursday, March 6th, at 6:00 pm in the Calais High School cafetorium.