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  • MCCTC & Valley STEM News!

    MCCTC & VALLEY STEM NEWS 10/17/2025 NOVEMBER 1- Valley STEM Dance @ 5:30 6- Parent Teacher Conferences (3:00-9:00 PM) 8- Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast 7:00 AM (Cafeteria)- See below for more info! 11- Veterans Day Assemblies 14- Virtual Day MCCTC students ONLY- No In Person Classes 14- County Sophomore Visit Day 18- Valley STEM Board Meeting @4:30 (JBC) 18- MCCTC/Valley STEM Open House 5:00-7:00 PM 22- Robotics Tournament 26-28- Thanksgiving Break    NEW Next Year! Senior Only Programs! Exciting news!  MCCTC will be offering two new senior-only programs next school year — Nail Tech and Advanced Electricity & HVAC! These one-year programs are perfect for students who want to gain hands-on skills and industry credentials before graduation. If you know a friend or sibling who will be a senior next year and might be interested, be sure to share this opportunity with them! Contact the school for more information! Applications open online on our website December 1st!   MCCTC and Valley STEM Open House 11/18/2025 November 14 – Virtual Day for MCCTC Juniors & Seniors MCCTC juniors and seniors will have a virtual learning day on Thursday, November 14. Students are encouraged to use this opportunity to job shadow and gain real-world experience in their chosen field. Lab teachers will be sending home an information packet with details for students and parents. Meanwhile, Valley STEM 9th and 10th grade students will report to school as usual as we host our countywide Sophomore Visit Day. Sophomores from across Mahoning County will spend the day exploring MCCTC’s programs and learning about the opportunities available to them as future juniors.   Cosmetology Hair and Nail A-Thon MCCTC Senior Cosmetology students will host their annual Hair & Nail-A-Thon Fundraiser on Wednesday, November 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the school’s full-service salon. All salon and spa services will be just $15, with proceeds benefiting the Cosmetology Student Activity Fund to help cover costs for the Ohio State Cosmetology & Barber Board licensure exam. Appointments can be made by calling 330-729-4000, and walk-ins are welcome as time permits. Come out, support our talented students, and enjoy a professional salon experience at a great price!   Veterans Day Celebration   Girl Power! Girl power in action! Our students stepped into the driver’s seat at the SheDig event — climbing into heavy equipment, learning from professionals, and discovering just how capable and confident they truly are. A huge thank you to Mrs. Mechling for making this opportunity possible and to everyone who supported our team. Rain or shine — our girls showed up and showed out!   Drug Free Club We’re proud to share that more than 70 MCCTC students signed up and completed their Drug Free Club test this week—one of our largest turnouts ever! It’s inspiring to see so many students taking the pledge to stay drug-free and make positive choices for their future.   Fun in Biology! Mrs. Holmes’ Biology students celebrated Halloween in a fun (and tasty!) way by creating edible cell models today! Using candy and other sweet treats to represent different cell parts, students reviewed cell structure and function while adding a creative, hands-on twist to their lesson. Learning biology has never been so delicious!   Valley STEM Trailer Takes on Poland Elementary! The Valley STEM Trailer spent the day at Poland Elementary School, giving first graders an exciting, hands-on introduction to science and technology! Students had the opportunity to explore 3D pens, drones, CNC machines, and more, sparking curiosity and creativity in every classroom. Each first-grade class participated, making it a day full of discovery and fun. A special thank you goes to Mr. V, Mr. Lop and their amazing student helpers for organizing the visit and inspiring the next generation of innovators!   Creative in Culinary! Culinary Arts students put their creativity and skills to the during a surprise cooking challenge! Each student received a mystery set of ingredients and was tasked with creating a one-of-a-kind dish. From savory meals to sweet treats, their imagination and talent truly shined—proving that great chefs can make magic out of any ingredients!   English in STEM Innovation meets English class in Mrs. Valingo’s English 10 classroom at Valley STEM! Students combined research, writing, and hands-on creativity by studying a manufactured item, exploring its history and personal significance, and then building or coding their own version in class and the STEM labs. This unique project showcased incredible collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation—proving that English at STEM is anything but ordinary!   Allied Health Our Allied Health juniors got hands-on experience as they practiced CPR techniques and learned essential life-saving skills. These students are working toward earning their CPR/First Aid credential, an important step in their training for future healthcare careers. We’re so proud of their dedication and commitment to helping others!   Dippin And Donuts! The Sunshine Club hosted a Dippin’ & Donuts event for our staff this week — the perfect fall pick-me-up! Everyone enjoyed taking a quick break to relax, chat, and enjoy some sweet treats. Big thanks to the Sunshine Club for putting this together and keeping things fun around here! An extra thanks to Ms. Hackett for helping every with their creative side!

    Friday, Oct 31 2025

  • October - Attendance Awareness

    What is chronic absenteeism?  When a student misses 10% or more of the instructional time  FOR ANY REASON . This would mean missing 17.7 days (~103 hours) or more of school in a year. Who is at-risk? Any student who misses 5% of the instructional time is considered to be at-risk. This is about 8.85 days (~51.5 hours) of school or about 1 day per month !  When a student gets to this point there will be a letter sent to families as notification and an attendance intervention will need to be discussed. Why does this matter?  We want students to get the most out of their experience at MCCTC & Valley STEM. When students are engaged with our instructors, lab equipment, academic content, and develop positive social relationships they are better prepared to enter the workforce, enlist in the military, and enroll in college. What absences count against attendance? ALL absences count against attendance including suspension . There are 2 types of absences: 1. Excused Absences - this means that we received communication or documentation for an absence; we have received notification from a parent or guardian that the student was not going to be in school; or a student is suspended. 2. Unexcused Absences - this is the same as a no call, no show to work; these absences count toward truancy ; the student is out of school and we do not know why. With the change in the attendance laws, medical absences now count against student attendance. These are considered excused absences , but even with a medical note, letter, or other medical documentation these absence hours count against students. What happens now?  We are still handling attendance on a case-by-case basis and understand that circumstances come up where students could miss school.   Communicate with the school every time that your student is going to be absent. Continue to turn in documentation when it is available for medical absences or any other reason. This helps us keep track of the reasons students are missing school. We want to work  together  to improve attendance! How to communicate: 📞 Phone - 330 729 4000 ext. 1232 or choose the attendance option. 📧 Email -  mcctc.attendance@mahoningctc.com 💬 Message -  ParentSquare App   direct message  to  Attendance. 📠 Fax - 330 729 4035 📝  Handwritten Note - signed by parent/guardian to attendance office. Ohio Department of Education and Workforce - Attendance Law FAQs

    Thursday, Oct 16 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM News!

    MCCTC & Valley STEM News | September 26, 2025 Important Dates- October 10- NEOEA Day- No School 16- STEM Sophomore Shadow CTC Labs 20- MCCTC Board Meeting @4:30 (JBC) 21- American Red Cross Blood Drive 7:00-2:00   Valley STEM Students- Save the Date!   Valley STEM will be having a dance on Saturday, November 1st from 5:30-8:30. More details to follow! Valley STEM Video- Hear From Our Students! We’re excited to launch our brand-new Valley STEM video, showcasing everything that makes our school one-of-a-kind! From cutting-edge technology and hands-on equipment to our wide variety of clubs and activities, Valley STEM offers students opportunities they won’t find anywhere else. Even better—you’ll hear directly from our students as they share their experiences and what they love most about being part of Valley STEM. Don’t miss this inside look at the innovation, energy, and possibilities that make Valley STEM so amazing!                         Start With Hello Week! MCCTC and Valley STEM students celebrated Start With Hello Week with a full lineup of fun activities designed to spread kindness, build connections, and create a more inclusive school community. The week kicked off with Meet & Greet Monday , where students wore name tags, signed each other’s t-shirts, and introduced themselves in their own “hello style.” Turn-Table Tuesday brought music in the commons, club showcases, and Human Bingo to encourage meeting new friends. On Who’s With Me Wednesday , students dressed in twin outfits or class colors and joined in games and photo booth fun. Trusted Adult Thursday gave students the chance to thank teachers and staff who make a difference, while trivia and prizes added to the excitement. The week wrapped up with  Fistbump Fri-YAY , a school-wide lab swap, popsicles, and plenty of positive energy.  The goal: spread kindness, make connections, and remind everyone that a simple “hello” can make a big difference! From start to finish, the halls were filled with smiles, laughter, and new connections!     MCCTC & Valley STEM Support Ohio Tech Day! Students and staff at MCCTC and Valley STEM joined schools across Ohio in celebrating Ohio Tech Day! This special day highlights the role technology plays in education, and at MCCTC and Valley STEM, technology is part of our everyday learning. From hands-on lab equipment to innovative projects and problem-solving challenges, our students use state-of-the-art tools to explore, create, and innovate. Ohio Tech Day was the perfect opportunity to showcase how technology empowers our students and prepares them for success in school and beyond.     September 2025

    Friday, Sep 26 2025

  • Important Information Coming Next Week!

    📣  Important Information Coming Next Week! Hello MCCTC & Valley STEM Families, Starting next week, we will begin posting daily reminders and links to help you complete all required back-to-school forms. These forms are  extremely important and must be completed before the first day of school. We understand your time is valuable, so feel free to complete the forms whenever it's convenient for you — just be sure to refer back to the daily posts if you need to catch up or revisit anything. 📬 ParentSquare Tip: If you'd prefer not to receive notifications throughout the day, you can update your settings to receive a daily digest at a time that works best for you. Just go to your ParentSquare account settings and select your preferred delivery method and time. Check out this quick video if you need help!  Digest Settings For Parents Video We know this is a busy time and you'll be receiving a lot of information over the next few weeks, but don’t worry — things settle down once the school year begins. We appreciate your attention and support as we get everything ready for a great start! As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. – MCCTC & Valley STEM Team

    Thursday, Jul 31 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 5/16

    MCCTC & Valley STEM Update -  May 2025     Important Dates- MAY 19- MCCTC Board Meeting @4:30 (JBC) 23- Spring Picnic 26- Memorial Day- No School 29- Senior Awards Ceremony, Last Day of School 29- Virtual Day for all Students 30- Last Day for Teachers   ***May 29th is the last day for all students and also a VIRTUAL DAY. There will be no in person classes that day. ***MCCTC's Senior Awards Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 29th at 9:00 am at Powers Auditorium. Click HERE for the senior letter that was mailed home to parents!   MCCTC & Valley STEM Summer Camp Information We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 MCCTC and Valley STEM Summer Camps! These exciting, hands-on experiences are designed to engage, educate, and inspire students entering grades 6–8 who are curious about career pathways and STEM fields. These camps fill quickly, so don’t delay! Limited spots are available.    Visit www.mahoningctc.com for more information on each camp and to register. Big News from Valley STEM + ME2 Academy! We’re thrilled to announce that the Valley STEM Academy has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to support CNC machining and advanced manufacturing education! This is the third year in a row we’ve received funding from the foundation—bringing our total support to $33,000 in less than two years! This generous grant will help:  Fund student scholarships  Cover travel costs for SkillsUSA and Project MFG competitions  Provide essential supplies for our Engineering Design & Advanced Manufacturing programs  Support students pursuing careers in machining and manufacturing A huge THANK YOU to the Gene Haas Foundation for investing in our students and the future of America’s skilled workforce!   What an amazing evening at the 2025 Creative Arts & Design Senior Portfolio Review Night! We were thrilled to welcome such an incredible turnout in support of our talented seniors as they showcased their final portfolios. The creativity and professionalism on display were truly inspiring, and we couldn’t be more proud of our students! A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated judges, supportive administration, and the MCCTC Culinary Arts program for their contributions—from the beautiful event decor to the delicious food stations.  Events like this would not be possible without the teamwork and support of so many. Thank you for helping us celebrate the next generation of artists and designers in such a meaningful way!   2nd Annual Senior Cardboard Regatta!  Seniors took to the pond today for our Second Annual Cardboard Boat Race—and it was a splash! Teams built boats from cardboard and raced across the water, showing off their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. A huge shoutout to the Public Safety girls’ team for taking first place!   Congratulations Mrs. Hackett! SpanningtheNeed  has named Melissa Hackett, Creative Arts and Design Instructor at MCCTC, as last week’s Inspirational Person of the Week – Education Edition! With 32 years of dedication to her students, Melissa inspires creativity, passion, and community service both in and out of the classroom. She also serves as the Marketing and Fundraising Manager for The Ryan Giambattista HELMS Foundation, using art to help others heal. Thank you, Melissa, for all you do!!

    Friday, May 16 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 3/21/25

    MCCTC & Valley STEM Update3/21/25 MARCH 22- Northeast Regional Drones Competition (Cafeteria) APRIL 11- NTHS Ceremony @8:30 (JBC) 14- MCCTC Board Meeting @4:00 (JBC) 18-25- Spring Break   CONGRATULATIONS MRS. GREER! Congratulations to the one and only Mrs. Greer! Donna was honored this week as one of the Mahoning Valley Educators of the Year! Our school, staff, and students are so lucky to have her.    MCCTC & VALLEY STEM STUDENTS COMPETE IN SKILLSUSA STATE COMPETITON Congratulations to all of our MCCTC and Valley STEM students who competed at the SkillsUSA State Competition this week in Columbus! GOLD Creative Sculpture Design - Anna Pratt, Stella Alleman, Gordon Moore  SILVER Mobile Robotics - Dominic Andy, Madeline Moliterno Automated Manufacturing (STEM)- Aiden Strock, Ari DeRosa, Brady Harding Firefighting - Abigail  Broz  BRONZE Robotics Urban Search and Rescue - Marcelo Jacobson, Ben Wilson  Welding Sculpture - Kyra Milano  Cabinetmaking - Zachary Tomasic   FUN IN BIOLOGY Sophomores in Biology extracted DNA from strawberries and plan to put it onto microscope slides to observe in the upcoming week!    STUDENT COUNCIL FIELDTRIP Thanks to Mr. Parker and Mrs. Williams for planning a fun fieldtrip on a beautiful day to the Mahoning County Courthouse!    CONGRATULATIONS CLARE & OWEN! Congratulations to Exercise Science student, Clare Coppola and Allied Health students, Owen Eisenbraun and Sofia Previte! You make us proud!   AVIATION MAINTENANCE Our Aviation Maintenance students dove deep into the details of Fuel Systems with Mr. Rowe! From understanding fuel flow and filtration to troubleshooting real-world aircraft fuel issues, these students are gaining hands-on experience that will prepare them for careers in aviation maintenance!    ANIMAL SCIENCE STUDENTS VISIT VETERINARY HOSPITAL Students in the Animal Science program had an AMAZING hands on educational experience at the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital!  Students saw specialty surgery, general surgery, sterile prep, neurology, oncology, cardiology, radiology, CT scan, emergency medicine and patient care! Thank you to all the amazing RVT’s and Veterinarians who took time out of their busy schedules, we truly appreciate it!

    Friday, Mar 21 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 2/28/25

    MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 2/28/25 MARCH 17- MCCTC Board Meeting @ 4:30 (JBC) 18-19 - SkillsUSA State Competition  22- Northeast Regional Drones Competition (Cafeteria)   SkillsUSA, HOSA, Robotics, and MORE! It has been a busy February for MCCTC and Valley STEM! We held the largest Regional SkillsUSA competition at our school, traveled to compete in HOSA, and competed in many, many Robotics tournaments! Many of our students placed in those competitions and will be heading to state soon. A special thank you to our SkillsUSA coordinators, staff, and those volunteers who make it all possible!   Drug Free Clubs Field Trip Students part of our Drugs Free Clubs of America had the opportunity to attend a Youngstown Phantoms hockey game this week! Mr. Capan and Mr. Lop even joined in on the fun!   Congressional App Challenge 2025 Huge congratulations to our very own Chandler Culp, a Software Development student, and Caden Vernon, an Engineering student, for winning the Congressional App Challenge 2025 for Ohio’s 6th District with their innovative app, Bill Buddy. This groundbreaking project uses AI to simplify the legislative process by summarizing bills, making it easier for everyone to stay informed. A special thank you to Congressman Michael Rulli for visiting our school and sharing his inspiring insights on AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies. Your visit has truly motivated our students to dream big and push the boundaries of innovation. We're also excited to announce that Chandler and Caden will be traveling to Washington, D.C. in April to present their application in the halls of Congress—a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents on a national stage. Check out their app: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/24-OH06/  

    Friday, Feb 28 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 2/7/2025

    MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 2/7/25 IMPORTANT DATES 8- Kids Career Fair @ MCCTC 10-2 8- VEX League Invitational @ MCCTC 14 & 17- Presidents Day Break- No Classes 28- Mini Dance Marathon   MCCTC WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER Attorney, A. Ross Douglass was sworn in last month as a new member of the MCCTC School Board, replacing Attorney Kathi McNabb Welsh. A lifelong resident of Mahoning County, Attorney A. Ross Douglass graduated from Boardman High School before attending Youngstown State University (B.A., 1997). He earned his law degree from the Duquesne University Law School in the year 2000 where he was included as a member of The International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi. Attorney Douglass started his private practice in 2001. His law firm was created to primarily focus in the areas of family law, juvenile law, criminal defense, and personal injury. In addition to maintaining his own practice, Attorney Douglass serves as Of Counsel to the law firm of Whalen & Duffrin as Chief Trial Counsel for all domestic relations and juvenile court child custody cases. Attorney Douglass is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Attorney Douglass practices extensively in the Mahoning County Courts, local municipal courts as well as the Court of Common Pleas General Division, Domestic Division and Juvenile Division. Attorney Douglass is a member of the Mahoning County and Ohio State Bar Associations. He served as a member of the Board that established the Mahoning County Family Dependency Treatment Court; is member and past President of the Wolves Club of Youngstown; and served on the Board of Directors of the Youngstown Community School for several years. Attorney Douglass resides in Canfield with his wife Denise and their children.    HAPPY NATIONAL COUNSELOR WEEK!   Mrs. Sullivan With 19 years of experience in counseling, Mrs. Sullivan has dedicated her career to supporting and guiding students. Before joining MCCTC, she worked at Salem High School and Jackson Milton Middle/High School. Her passion for helping others shines through in her work, and she loves that every day brings something new and exciting. She is especially proud of the many opportunities MCCTC offers its students, calling it the best place to be! Outside of school, Mrs. Sullivan stays busy attending her children's activities, including cross country, track, wrestling, bowling, and various music performances. She and her husband, Tom, have four children: Kathleen, Faith, Tommy, and Colleen. A fun fact many may not know—she plays the violin and is a vegetarian! We are so grateful to have Mrs. Sullivan as part of our MCCTC family. Mrs. Psaras Now in her ninth year as a school counselor, Mrs. Psaras brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for supporting students. Before stepping into counseling, she worked as an Intervention Specialist for Stow Munroe Falls City Schools for five years, then joined MCCTC as a Vocational Special Education Coordinator (VOSE) for three years. She truly loves the students and the incredible staff she works with, saying they make this place amazing! What she enjoys most about MCCTC is the fast-paced environment—no two days are ever the same, always keeping her on her toes. Outside of school, Mrs. Psaras enjoys cooking for her family (though she’s still perfecting her baking skills), working out, traveling, and cherishing time with her husband, Peter, and their daughter, Theodora (Teddie), who is about to turn four this month. A fun fact many may not know—she was once a lifeguard, swim instructor, and water aerobics instructor at the YMCA! We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Psaras as part of our MCCTC team. Mrs. Mechling Now in her 17th year as a school counselor, Mrs. Mechling brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping students succeed. Before joining MCCTC seven years ago, she interned at Boardman and worked as a counselor at Austintown Fitch for 10 years and Poland for three. She loves that her profession allows her to support and guide students in so many different ways. What she appreciates most about MCCTC is its progressive, technology-focused approach that prepares students for the future. She also values the diverse staff and students, enjoying the opportunity to work with students from 26 different districts. Outside of work, Mrs. Mechling is always on the go, spending time with her family and exploring new places. She and her husband of over 20 years share a love for adventurous activities like skiing, hiking, backpacking, camping, and hot yoga. She also enjoys cheering on her son in hockey and her daughter in volleyball. A fun fact many may not know—before becoming a counselor, she worked for the Franklin County Public Defender and the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, gaining valuable insight into the court and prison systems. We are lucky to have Mrs. Mechling as part of our MCCTC family!   FREE KIDS CAREER FAIR- TOMORROW!   

    Friday, Feb 07 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 1/10/2025

    MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 1/10/2025 JANUARY 10- End of the second grading period 11- VEX Robotics Competition- all day @MCCTC 16- MCCTC Board Meeting @4:30 (JBC) 18- VEX League Invitational- all day @MCCTC 20- MLK Day- No Classes 29- Senior Scholarship Assembly @8:15 (JBC) 30- MCCTC & STEM Virtual Day- No in person classes 31- MCCTC & STEM Virtual Day- No in person classes 31- SkillsUSA Competition- all day @ MCCTC     MCCTC's Hack the Valley- The Valley’s Only High School 48-Hour Hackathon! We are thrilled to host Hack the Valley 2025: Frostbyte Edition, the region’s only high school 48-hour hackathon. This exciting event will take place January 17-19, 2025, and invites high school students to explore technology, innovation, and collaboration. A hackathon is a creative marathon where participants work in teams to solve problems, build projects, and learn hands-on skills in fields like coding, robotics, and app development. Hack the Valley is a unique opportunity to foster creativity, teamwork, and STEM learning. Students will gain valuable experience, connect with mentors, and compete for prizes and recognition. How to Register Visit   https://hackthevalley.dev/ to register. Get Involved: Hackers:  Compete to create innovative tech solutions. Campers:  Attend workshops to learn new skills. Mentors:  Guide students and share expertise. Sponsors:  Support young innovators and inspire future leaders.   MCCTC will be hosting the SkillsUSA Regional Competition on Friday January 31, 2025 at the school. All MCCTC and Valley STEM students will be on a asynchronous virtual learning day on Thursday, 1/30 and Friday 1/31 so that we can prepare and host this large event. Transportation will run as usual for those students that are competing in the competition. Assignments for those days will come directly from their teachers. All students participating in the competition will be exempt from the assignments.    Kids Career Fair- Calling All Businesses and Organizations!

    Friday, Jan 10 2025

  • MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 12/13/2024

    MCCTC & Valley STEM Update 12/13/24   DECEMBER 16- MCCTC Board Meeting @4:30 (JBC) 23-3- Winter Break- No classes! JANUARY 6- Classes Resume 10- End of the second grading period 11- VEX Robotics Competition- all day @MCCTC 16- MCCTC Board Meeting @4:30 (JBC) 18- VEX League Invitational- all day @MCCTC 20- MLK Day- No Classes 30- MCCTC & STEM Virtual Day- No in person classes 31- MCCTC & STEM Virtual Day- No in person classes 31- SkillsUSA Competition- all day @ MCCTC   Attention all students, staff and parents! Show your school spirit by purchasing new apparel! Shop is open from now until Sunday, December 22nd at midnig ht. Items will be ready for pick up at the school on Wednesday, January 15th. All items are ordered and paid by credit card through Sherman Creative Promotions. MCCTC and Valley STEM do not take payments. If you have any questions contact:  MalindaFerko@malinda@shermancreative.com Click the link to view the items and order!   MCCTC & Valley STEM Pop Up Shop   MCCTC and Valley STEM Accepting Applications for the 2025-2026 School Year! *** Current STEM and MCCTC students do not need to reapply for next school year.   Creative Arts & Design Pop Up Shop! Staff and students will have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted items made by our students in Creative Arts & Design next week throughout lunch periods. Show your support for our amazing students!   Reminder: MCCTC and Valley STEM will be on Winter Break from December 23 - January 3. Classes will resume on January 6th. 

    Friday, Dec 13 2024