WMRC News Visits Blackstone Valley Tech
Dec 29, 2014 04:54AM ● By Pamela Johnson
Thompson’s tour included a visit to the future site of BVT's Engineering Technology program, where he assisted the BVT Facilities Department with the installation of several ceiling tiles.
The man behind the microphone became the man behind the serving spoon when WMRC First Class Radio News Director Ed Thompson conducted a hands-on investigation at Blackstone Valley Tech.
Far from a stranger to Valley Tech, Thompson has been covering the school as part of WMRC's award-winning news programming for 47 years and regularly conducts interviews with Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick. Last month, rather than interviewing Fitzpatrick in-studio, Thompson visited Valley Tech's Upton campus for an up-close look at student-learning in action.
"As a well-known radio personality, we welcomed Mr. Thompson," said Fitzpatrick. "Frankly, we shall always take the time to provide any interested citizen with a tour of their Valley Tech investment."
As with many Valley Tech visitors, Thompson's tour involved the same hands-on learning utilized in the school's shops and classrooms. In the Food Services department, Thompson joined the superintendent-director in donning chef hats and serving lunch to the day's first wave of hungry BVT students. At the site of the school's future Engineering Technology laboratory, Thompson examined the ongoing renovations being made by staff and student workers with largely donated materials, and even assisted the Facilities Department with the installation of several ceiling tiles.
The hands-on approach to his visit played an important role in WMRC's continued coverage of the school, as Thompson looked to implement the reporters' adage of "trust, but verify."
"I wanted to see firsthand that what I've been told about BVT is being put into practice, and it is," Thompson explained. "Nothing I saw here was new to me, or a surprise to me, but I wanted to see it firsthand. The kids were learning. They were having fun learning and I think that's important because it makes them want to learn even more."
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of vigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills. The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.
Far from a stranger to Valley Tech, Thompson has been covering the school as part of WMRC's award-winning news programming for 47 years and regularly conducts interviews with Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick. Last month, rather than interviewing Fitzpatrick in-studio, Thompson visited Valley Tech's Upton campus for an up-close look at student-learning in action.
"As a well-known radio personality, we welcomed Mr. Thompson," said Fitzpatrick. "Frankly, we shall always take the time to provide any interested citizen with a tour of their Valley Tech investment."
As with many Valley Tech visitors, Thompson's tour involved the same hands-on learning utilized in the school's shops and classrooms. In the Food Services department, Thompson joined the superintendent-director in donning chef hats and serving lunch to the day's first wave of hungry BVT students. At the site of the school's future Engineering Technology laboratory, Thompson examined the ongoing renovations being made by staff and student workers with largely donated materials, and even assisted the Facilities Department with the installation of several ceiling tiles.
The hands-on approach to his visit played an important role in WMRC's continued coverage of the school, as Thompson looked to implement the reporters' adage of "trust, but verify."
"I wanted to see firsthand that what I've been told about BVT is being put into practice, and it is," Thompson explained. "Nothing I saw here was new to me, or a surprise to me, but I wanted to see it firsthand. The kids were learning. They were having fun learning and I think that's important because it makes them want to learn even more."
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of vigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills. The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.
