Calling All Interested Eighth Graders

Opportunity was the key word at today’s P-Tech assembly at Wells Middle School. 

“College is really expensive so this is a great opportunity and we have lots of amazing community partners in Brewster. In other words, this program is great and it’s a great opportunity,” said BHS freshman Michael Biancamano.

“It’s a great opportunity to explore your options,” said sophomore Gianella Denaro.

“It’s an opportunity to do something unique and special,” said Dave Carpanzno, P-Tech Coordinator.

Carpanzano, Jess McCann and Niko D'Anglase, the P-Tech team, are on the lookout for the next class of P-Tech students; this year’s eighth-grade class will be next year’s third P-Tech cohort.

What is P-Tech and who is a good candidate?

P-Tech is Pathways to Technology, a program made available at BCSD through a multimillion dollar NYSED grant that allows students to take college classes and receive college credit while in high school–for free–in a high demand STEM field.  Upon completion of the program, students graduate with an Associate’s Degree through Westchester Community College.

Carpanzano spoke about the program to a packed cafeteria. The benefits and opportunities of the program for Brewster students–the first and only P-Tech program in Putnam County–include developing skills that are in demand, in fields that are in demand for community partners in Brewster, including Lamothermic, Fryer Machine Systems, DCC Automation, Putnam Precision, Allendale Machine Systems, and ASML.

“You might visit one of our industry partners in Brewster on a field trip or through an internship opportunity and realize, ‘This could be a job that I’d like to do in the future.’”You could meet your future boss right here in Brewster, because our industry partners are in our own backyard and they are looking to give back to Brewster High School,” said Carpanzano.

“The one thing we ask of our P-Tech students is that they be willing to work hard,” said Jess McCann.

The P-tech program, which is in its second year, is thriving. It now has over 100 enrolled students: 55 freshmen, who are taking STEM-focused exploratory classes, and 48 sophomores who are taking new classes, including introduction to technology, an engineering class, and computer information systems. The program makes good on the promise of an authentic and dynamic learning experience which fits squarely within Brewster Vision 2026.

The kickoff to the P-Tech student search will be followed by a parent interest meeting on Thursday night and then an application process in January. To find out more, please reach out to Dave Carpanzano at DCarpanzano@brewsterschools.org.