Carbon Career & Technical Institute offers a wide variety of programs to students who need a bit of help.

“In my position, I’m always looking to see how we can support not just special-needs students; but, any students that need support,” said Christine Trovato, facilitator of special education at CCTI.

She and other members of the Joint Operating Committee and School Administration discussed the wide variety of support the school offers its students at the meeting this month.

First, CCTI offers integrated tutoring, providing tutors from outside the school to help with reading and math in the technical programs.

In addition to Mondays and Thursdays, the school added Wednesdays for students to get additional help and participate in school activities such as robotics, newspaper club, a new gardening club, eSports, and others.

“We just started this last week,” David Reinbold, administrative director, explained, “and, within these two weeks, we’ve had about 140 sign-ups.”

In fact, the JOC approved 47 school instructors as Extra Help Instructors in conjunction with the after-school program at $30 per hour on an as-needed/scheduled basis.

Other support program include: Google Classroom access, Attendance Improvement meetings, Transition Meetings, Career Cruising, Instructional Aides in the technical programs and academic classes (as needed), co-taught classes, Counselor support, Homebound, Parent/Student conferences and meetings, SAP meetings, and professional development and trainings for staff pertaining to supporting students. Teachers have received accommodation documents for students in their classes with IEPs and 504 Service plans.

Trovato also spoke about CCTI offering support to homeless and unaccompanied youth.

“The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001 was enacted to make sure homeless youth have access to appropriate education while removing barriers that homeless and unaccompanied youth face,” she said.

“As CCTI’s Homeless Liaison, I check in often with students, staff, parents, supporting district representatives, to ensure that accommodations, transportation, free lunch, school supplies, uniform/clothing needs, mental health and medical resources are provided.”

Another area that is definitely a support is the new free breakfasts and free lunches the school offers its students. Over 100 of the students are getting the grab-and-go breakfasts, with the numbers increasing each week. Approximately 250 students take advantage of the free lunches.