Michele Connors, Carbon Career & Technical Institute principal, discussed events happening in the school in October at the recent joint operating committee meeting.

Connor first mentioned that September was National School Attendance Awareness Month.

“In honor of that, we held a CCTI Student Attendance Challenge: All students with no unexcused absences received one entry into a drawing, and all students with perfect attendance received two entries into a drawing,” she said.

“At the end of the month, we drew three names at random, and the following students won Walmart gift cards: Vincent Cuddeford (10th, Weatherly Area), Anthony Fister (10th, Panther Valley) and Wyatt Spalding (11th, Palmerton Area).”

The school in Jim Thorpe plans to continue efforts to cut down on student absences and encourage high student attendance at classes.

For October, Connors told the committee that some of the technical areas have been working on activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Our cosmetology students did pink hair, pink nails, pink makeup for students,” she said. “The student could pay a couple dollars and do that.”

And students from the Graphic Design Department did some face painting in the cafeteria on Oct. 7 and 8.

“Our Student Council is planning a pink color run the last Monday of the month (Oct. 27) where students can pay to throw pink dye on people during the run,” Connors said.

All money raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

“In the spirit of Halloween, DECA hosted its annual pumpkin decorating contest among the technical areas from October 10th-15th,” Connors said. “Judging took place on October 15th during the school’s open house. There was a new category, ‘People’s Choice,’ in which guests attending our open house event had an opportunity to vote for their favorite pumpkin.”

Additionally, the Student Council is planning a spirit week from Oct. 27 through Oct. 31, including dress-down and dress-up days throughout the week. There will be a Halloween walkaround on Oct. 31 for students to show off their costumes.

Director’s report

David Reinbold, CCTI’s administrative director, spoke of several items at CCTI.

“We had the open house Wednesday night, which was very successful,” Reinbold said. “There was a car show; about 45 cars in the show. A lot of people who brought their cars were graduates from CCTI.

“We had a band of some former students who played in the courtyard. We had an art show going on. All the teachers had different things going on in their technical areas. We also combined it with (state representative) Doyle Heffley’s Community Service Expo.”

Also, CCTI began it fifth grade presentations on Oct. 17 at the Lehighton Elementary School. Four CCTI teachers were on hand to demonstrate what their technical areas — drafting, electrical, auto and engineering — can offer.

In addition, Michele Klock discussed the schools co-op program, and Carly Rinda helped in marketing the school.

CCTI plans to visit Panther Valley in November, and another school in December, and will visit all five sending schools.

Reinbold reminded members that CCTI welcomes and encourages students interested in attending half-time and will work with the schools to make that happen for those students.