Over 300 Students, Parents and Families Attend Event
BOURNE — Over 300 students, parents and supporters attended the Innovation Pathways Open House at Bourne High School on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
The event highlighted the district’s programs that provide students with unique and comprehensive lessons and hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of fields and industries. Each of the high school’s 37 senior interns were on-hand to talk to those in attendance about their internships and engage with people about their interests and experiences thus far.
“What a tremendous night for our senior interns and a great showcase of our Innovation Pathways program,” Superintendent Quinlan-Zhou said. “We overheard so many people saying ‘Wow, I wish we did this when I was in high school,’ and it was truly a testament to the mission we have here in Bourne to create a well-rounded and robust learning experience. Not only are students gaining valuable experience in a number of highly sought-after fields, they’re learning life skills about how to behave in a workplace setting, how to be dependable and accountable, and how to develop skills that will benefit them in their careers down the road.”
Seniors are engaged internships in and around Bourne, including with the Bourne Police Department, Bourne Fire Department, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Joint Base Cape Cod, Cape Cod Community College, and Bourne Public Schools.
Open to families and community members, the open house featured the District’s new Innovation Pathways in Business/Finance and Environmental/Life Science, and also highlighted the planned Health Science pathway for 2023. This included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the high school’s new ambulance simulator and iMac Lab Business Suite, and a demonstration of the Sustainable Living Aquaponics Lab.
Students and families were able to explore the ambulance simulator and get hands-on with some of the medical training equipment. Some students hung out in the lounge area of the Business Suite, while others looked at the vegetation being grown in the Aquaponics Lab.
“Everyone had such a fun time seeing and hearing about all of the great programs we have here at BHS,” Principal Amy Cetner said. “Under Career/Innovation Pathways Coordinator Ann-Marie Strode’s tremendous dedication and leadership, we have been able to grow our Innovation Pathways program into something truly special.”
The evening was capped off with a College and Career Readiness Panel discussion that included several speakers from local businesses and institutions. Panelists included:
- Mr. Chris Hyldburg, founder and owner of Alpha One Flight Services
- Dr. Frank Scarano , Professor and Chairperson of the Medical and Laboratory Sciences Department at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
- Mr. Michael Ortiz, Dean of Enrollment Management, and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Mrs. Jessee Clements, 6-12 Curriculum Director for Bourne Public Schools and the newest member of the Innovation Pathways Team
- Mr. Michael Sasso, Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Director for Cape Cod Community College.
Panelists highlighted the benefits of a Bourne High School Pathways education and made recommendations to students regarding course selection, college admissions, and employment skill development. In addition, panelists illuminated the many gateways available to students upon completion of their high school studies.
Last week’s open house followed the BHS Showcase for Grades 7 and 8 last month, where students and families learned about the different course offerings and programming at the high school, and met with students and staff.
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