Roger L Putnam Vocational-Technical High School
Encyclopedia
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School is an American vocational high school located in Springfield, Massachusetts
, next to the Springfield High School of Science and Technology
. Lead by principal Gilbert Traverso and operating under the authority of the Springfield School Committee, Putnam Vocational provides academic and vocational instruction to students in grades nine through twelve throughout the Springfield area. The school is currently receiving Title I funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
. In 2010, no demographic achieved the goals set Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
for English Language Arts, as measured by attendance, standardized test scores, and other factors. In mathematics, only white students made (AYP) (except "Meets or exceeds state requirements"), with all other demographics (save African American) posting a loss of progress . From 2003 onward, the years 2004 and 2008 were the most recent years in which the school met AYP.
, and Horticulture. Ninth grade students are placed in an exploratory program, where they have the opportunity to experience many shops in a rotating schedule. At the end of the exploratory cycle, students are expected to select a shop in which they will further their vocational education. A combination of technical hands-on work coupled with a more academic theory 'related' portion assists the students in their learning. As juniors and seniors, students have to opportunity to apply for co-operative education programs and internships, where students are essentially employees of the business and are able to earn money and academic credit while being exposed to the real-world demands of their vocation.
In addition to athletics, Putnam boasts a moderate number of extracurricular activities which extend the learning process beyond the typical school day. Most notable are the United States Air Force JROTC, winning several unit inspections and competitions each year as well as Cadet of the Year Medals. Putnam also has an active SkillsUSA
chapter, advancing several students to the state finals in 2011 and eventually winning six gold medals. Putnam is an active participant in the national Future Farmers of America (FFA
), an agriculturally themed organization for students in the Horticulture shop. In its second year, the students have brought home two gold and one silver medals. Finally, the Putnam Debate team, the first vocational member of the National Catholic Forensic League
, is also of note, sending one student to last year's National tournament in Omaha, NE. Other activities include Poetry Out Loud, Forensics Club, Chinese Club, Yu-Gi-Oh Club, Outdoor Club, Ski Club and many others.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, next to the Springfield High School of Science and Technology
Springfield High School of Science and Technology
The Springfield High School of Science and Technology is a public high school located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The high school is home to grades 9–12. As of September 2008, the student count was approximately 1,700 students. This makes Science and Technology the third largest high school in...
. Lead by principal Gilbert Traverso and operating under the authority of the Springfield School Committee, Putnam Vocational provides academic and vocational instruction to students in grades nine through twelve throughout the Springfield area. The school is currently receiving Title I funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Student Body
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School serves 1,632 students throughout the Springfield area. Of these 1,632 students, 27.1% are African-American, 1.5% are Asian, 56.8% are Hispanic, 11.8% are white, and 2.8% are identified as "other". Further populations identified include the percentage of First Language not English (27%), Limited English Proficient (8.6%), Low Income (72.4%), and Special Education (23.3%). Students' years may be identified by their uniform shirt: freshman are to wear gray polos and black and nevy blue pants/shorts/skirts, whereas upperclassmen may wear blue or gold, which are Putnam's school colors. The graduation rate is 69.7%. The school does not appear to report plans for graduating seniors to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationMassachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, sometimes referred to as the Massachusetts Department of Education, is the state education agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, identified by the U.S. Department of Education. It is responsible for public education at the...
Performance
Although it has shown small improvements over the years, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School is currently designated as a Level 3 school by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationMassachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, sometimes referred to as the Massachusetts Department of Education, is the state education agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, identified by the U.S. Department of Education. It is responsible for public education at the...
. In 2010, no demographic achieved the goals set Adequate Yearly Progress
Adequate Yearly Progress
Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, is a measurement defined by the United States federal No Child Left Behind Act that allows the U.S. Department of Education to determine how every public school and school district in the country is performing academically according to results on standardized...
(AYP) by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, sometimes referred to as the Massachusetts Department of Education, is the state education agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, identified by the U.S. Department of Education. It is responsible for public education at the...
for English Language Arts, as measured by attendance, standardized test scores, and other factors. In mathematics, only white students made (AYP) (except "Meets or exceeds state requirements"), with all other demographics (save African American) posting a loss of progress . From 2003 onward, the years 2004 and 2008 were the most recent years in which the school met AYP.
Schedule
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School operates on swing-week schedule. Each week is designated as either 'A' week or 'B' week. During an 'A' week, approximately half of the student body are in their vocational shop for the entirety of the school day, while the other half attend mostly academic classes, or 'related' classes, in which students learn the theory regarding their shop in a classroom setting. The next week, the students switch to a 'B' week schedule, where the classes taken (academic or vocational) are switched.Vocational-Technical Education
As a vocational-technical school, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School offers instruction in the following vocational shops: Auto Mechanics, Automotive Body, Business Information Management,Sheet Metal, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary, Hospitality/Tourism, HVACHVAC
HVAC refers to technology of indoor or automotive environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a major subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer...
, and Horticulture. Ninth grade students are placed in an exploratory program, where they have the opportunity to experience many shops in a rotating schedule. At the end of the exploratory cycle, students are expected to select a shop in which they will further their vocational education. A combination of technical hands-on work coupled with a more academic theory 'related' portion assists the students in their learning. As juniors and seniors, students have to opportunity to apply for co-operative education programs and internships, where students are essentially employees of the business and are able to earn money and academic credit while being exposed to the real-world demands of their vocation.
Extracurricular Activities
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School offers a wide variety of sports for its students. Among their most successful and renowned teams are the Putnam Football team, winning several Super Bowls throughout the years. Putnam also offers baseball, softball, wrestling, swimming, and many other sports.In addition to athletics, Putnam boasts a moderate number of extracurricular activities which extend the learning process beyond the typical school day. Most notable are the United States Air Force JROTC, winning several unit inspections and competitions each year as well as Cadet of the Year Medals. Putnam also has an active SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 320,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations. Since 2010, SkillsUSA has had Thomas...
chapter, advancing several students to the state finals in 2011 and eventually winning six gold medals. Putnam is an active participant in the national Future Farmers of America (FFA
FFA
FFA is a three-letter acronym that may stand for:-Aviation and the military:* First Flight Airport, IATA code for the tiny airstrip in Kitty Hawk where the first flight occurred in 1903.* Free-fire area, in U.S...
), an agriculturally themed organization for students in the Horticulture shop. In its second year, the students have brought home two gold and one silver medals. Finally, the Putnam Debate team, the first vocational member of the National Catholic Forensic League
National Catholic Forensic League
The National Catholic Forensic League is a speech and debate league that was formed in 1951. It is organized into regions which correspond to Roman Catholic dioceses. Member schools include both public and parochial high schools. The CFL recruits member schools in both the United States and Canada...
, is also of note, sending one student to last year's National tournament in Omaha, NE. Other activities include Poetry Out Loud, Forensics Club, Chinese Club, Yu-Gi-Oh Club, Outdoor Club, Ski Club and many others.