ROCHESTER — Superintendent Kyle Repucci and Director of Career Technical Education Michele Halligan-Foley are excited to announce that Rochester Public Schools will celebrate a career-inspired Spirit Week for the first time in collaboration with partner school districts in Dover and Somersworth.
Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan has declared the week of Feb. 14 to be Career Technical Education Week in the City, citing the range of high-wage, high-demand careers and post secondary pathways that CTE prepares students for in a declaration issued earlier this month.
“We are excited to launch our first Spirit Week, and to highlight the value of Career Technical Education for both students who want to get into a trade and students who are heading to college,” said Superintendent Kyle Repucci. “Hands-on, career-focused education is a tremendous asset to our students, community, and local businesses.”
Students in every grade will begin their school day with announcements focused on CTE, followed by age-appropriate daily themes and activities.
Each theme will focus on students’ futures, their aspirations, self-confidence, and interests, with age-appropriate activities to help students realize how they can work toward their goals.
The week’s themes will be:
- Monday — Your Future is Bright; students are encouraged to dress up in their brightest clothes as they learn about the opportunities the future holds
- Tuesday — Dress to Impress; students are encouraged to dress as if they are going to a job interview as they learn about appropriate attire and behavior in business settings
- Wednesday — You Are a “Jean”ius; Students are encouraged to wear denim as they focus on their individual intelligence, talents, and positive traits
- Thursday — Hats Off; Students are encouraged to wear their best, or craziest hat, as discussions focus on available career paths and types of work they can pursue
- Friday — When I Grow Up; Students are encouraged to dress up like someone they want to be when they grow up as they focus on careers they are interested in and goals for the future.
“I am so excited that Spirit Week will focus on Career Technical Education, and the value it holds for all students, regardless of where their paths may take them after high school,” said Director Halligan-Foley. “We are really starting to work on starting Career Technical Education at the elementary school level, instead of just middle school and high school, and this week-long focus for all students will be a great leap forward.”
