This past fall Questar III launched a new Career & Technical Education (CTE) program at Catskill High School.
Questar III’s Media Communications program offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while using a state-of-the-art facility at Catskill High School. Students write, film, edit and produce news broadcasts, commercials, promotional items, and films.
Media Communications teacher Virginia LuPone said these hands-on experiences allow students to learn how to disassemble and analyze media messages – and harness the power of media.
“We immerse students in the process from concept to creation. Our students learn about media communications and its power, but perhaps more significantly is that they are able to actually create media, interact with clients, use state of the art equipment, and gain experiences that will help them to succeed in whatever pathway lies ahead,” said Lupone.
LuPone said the goal is to provide students with a range of skills to tackle the changing mix of Internet, print, television, radio and social media, and prepare them for a career or post-secondary education in communications.
Questar III is piloting the Media Communications program with Catskill students this year and will open enrollment to students from other districts next year.
The program, developed in partnership with Catskill CSD, is one of three different options for CTE that Questar III provides to students and school districts. This includes the center-based programs in Hudson and Troy, a satellite Co-Ser at Greenville for its International Baccalaureate (IB) program and two different district-based programs. In addition to the Media Communications program, Questar III also offers a green technology program based at Rensselaer High School.
Questar III Assistant Superintendent Andy DeFeo said the district-based programs demonstrate the power of collaboration.
“We have worked hard with superintendents to support an array of hands-on programs that truly prepare students for life outside of high school. This work aligns with the vision of our BOCES and the direction of the Board of Regents in adopting new graduation pathways,” DeFeo said.
Catskill CSD Superintendent Kate Farrell said the new partnership ultimately benefits students.
“We are pleased to work together to offer the BOCES use of our facilities. We look forward to opening this program to students across the region and allowing them to learn hands-on skills they can use after high school,” Farrell said.
Story about visit to the University at Albany:
Program fact sheet (including student video)
