Each year students from New Castle Career Center serves the community through the Henry County Day of Caring. Through this special day, students help organizations in the community cross some things off of their “to-do” list. This year’s participating programs were Veterinary Science Education, Education Careers, Health Science Education, and Computer Operations.

The Veterinary Science Education class volunteered at the Henry County Animal Shelter. They deep cleaned the shelter by reorganizing the supply shed, cleaning windows, doors, floors, weeding the flower beds, and putting together promotional materials. Along the way they had the opportunity to love on the animals too.

“It is always a pleasure to give back to the community that gives so much to my students,” Melody Warner, Veterinary Science Instructor, noted. “We will definitely continue to serve the shelter throughout the school year.”

Education Careers students spent the day at Westwood Elementary School. Students helped organize and count unused textbooks and reading materials. The Computer Operations (CO) students also helped a local elementary school. Parker Elementary received interactive touch panels that the CO students built for them.

The morning Health Science Education class worked on the grounds at the Danielson Center, which is now the location for their class sessions. They planted mums, trimmed shrubs, pulled weeds, picked up trash, and ran the weed eater. The afternoon class spent time at the Courier Times painting and cleaning up the grounds.

“These classes have such a strong work ethic. When given the option of a break, they pushed through and completed the work with a team effort,” Angie Talbott, Health Science Education Instructor, explained. “All students took pride and ownership in their work and I couldn’t have been prouder.”

As the New Castle Career Center continues to grow each year, much of the growth has centered in the Health Science Education Career program. This program shows larger student numbers each year, and extended care facilities in the area are continually looking for the Career Center to help fill CNA openings. This growth led to the Health Science Education instructors to consider adding a focused CNA program.

Lainey Millikan, former Health Science Education Instructor, stepped up to spearhead the new CNA program. The program is open to both juniors and seniors, and students can earn 8 college credits. If students decide to take this program their junior year, it opens up multiple options for their senior year for the Health Science Education, EMT, and ICE programs.

“I definitely feel this program will be a huge success,” Millikan explained. “There is a huge amount of interest and it really gets students prepared for their future.”

This school year there are currently 20 students enrolled in the CNA program. It is only offered part-time, meaning for this school year they only offered one class session to students. Between the two Health Science Education programs and the CNA program the Career Center is expecting to license 50-60 CNAs this year.

“I appreciate Mr. [Chris] Lamb for believing in Mrs. [Angie] Talbott, Mrs. [Whitney] Atkinson, and myself that we could make the CNA program happen,” Millikan added.

For information on the CNA Program, or the 17 other programs the New Castle Career Center has to offer, visit nccareercenter.org.

RTV6/The Indy Channel visited our Welding class for their “Classroom to Career” series. You can view the segment at this link.