EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School Career and Technical Center will continue to be at full capacity, enrollment-wise, and is expanding its curriculum offerings with an eye towards the 2023-24 term.

The CTC was highlighted by Superintendent Dr. Sandra Forand during her report to the School Committee at its second meeting of last month held Thursday evening, April 28, inside the high school in the Elmasian Auditorium.

As prepared for presentation by Bob Hanlon, Director of the EPHS CTC, Forand told the committee all of the available places at the Career and Tech programs have been taken by a total of 450 applicants.

Of those students accepted only two dozen (24) incoming freshmen are from outside the city and that was only because spots remained in three programs. 

In response to a question posed from committee members at previous meetings, Forand stressed all East Providence who sought admission into the CTC accepted. Approximately 150 students from outside the district applied to attempt, but only the aforementioned 24 newcomers gained entry.

Overall, 76 students total from outside the district are enrolled in CTC programs, plus another 10 part-time students from the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.

As for new programming, Forand said beginning later this summer Fashion Design is expected to be formally moved under the CTC umbrella from its existing spot as an elective through the Art Department.

The superintendent said the administration is submitting an application to the Rhode Island Department of Education on the change, seeking full program approval.

It is expected Fashion Design will become part of RIDE's PrepareRI pathways initiative in time for the '23-24 term.

Forand said the aim is to offer classes at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels as students participate in the "Townie Boutique," the student-run store operation.

Culinary food truck
Forand gave an update on the much-anticipated food truck soon being made available to the EPCTC Culinary Department.

RIDE, following the State Board of Education earlier this year, is providing 13 districts, including East Providence, with a customized food truck. The $125,000 for each is being covered by the state.

Forand expects East Providence to one of if not the first to be in receipt of the vehicle, which is being customized to the specifications of CTC students and staff. The superintendent said the theme and design of the truck has been a focal point of the second semester study.

As well as culinary, students from Automotive, Electrical and Graphics programs are also participating in the project, the latter helping to design the exterior wrap for the vehicle.

Forand said the district is "hoping to take delivery of the truck in the early summer" with the idea of debuting the completed version at RIDE's annual Waterfire event in Providence in the early fall.

Forand added, "Then hopefully you'll see the (EPCTC) food truck around the city in the fall. We're very excited about that.

More CTC notes
The superintendent provided the committee with several other items of interest from the Career and Tech Center, including the Automotive curriculum which continues to add its professional partners.

Most recently, Anderson Motors, located on Amaral Street, has made an electric bus available to students to gain first-hand knowledge of the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market.

Forand said Anderson offered three juniors the opportunity to work at its hub during the summer with the chance to continue into the fall.

The superintendent told the committee 12 students in the CTC Nursing program recently took part in work study at Rhode Island Hospital. In short order, several seniors in the program are expected to officially become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

Also from Health Services, the CTC recently teamed up with the Rhode Island Department of Health on an initiative to increase recruitment of dental assistants.

Forand said the effort extended into the middle schools when several seventh and eighth graders from the district took part in introductory seminars at the EPCTC.