SCSD hosts Career and Technical Education pathways expo

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — Eighth graders from the city of Syracuse, and other local school districts, had a chance to learn how to get a head start on their educational future on Monday evening, Nov. 4.

Parents had an opportunity to accompany their children at the Everson Museum of Art to learn about over 30 Career and Technical Education programs.

"They're so interested because we have such a wide array of programs to offer to all the new kids, including all of our new Regional STEAM High School that's going to be opening up next year," Erin Noto, the executive director of career and technical education, said.

Students will be able to participate in CTE and STEAM CTE programs to get hands-on learning, mentoring and career-specific training.

"Students get to engage in programs with their business or industry partners or post-secondary partners and they have an opportunity to either...go into the workforce, go into post-secondary, or go into college...if they want to," said Noto.

These programs caught the eye of Dawson McCann, an eighth grader at Bishop Ludden Junior-Senior High School. He is also interested in applying to the STEAM High School, opening next year.

"It has math and technology and all that...and I'm interested in doing the animation program in my ninth-grade year," McCann said. "Just really interested in all of it."

McCann's mother, Kelly, said she has been pushing for her son to take advantage of these programs because, as an educator herself, she knows the benefits.

"Students are invested in the programs, they're going to school because they want to be at school, they're making connections with their content teachers," Kelly said.

Applications for the STEAM High School open in December. Students will be able to take advantage of the CTE programs in 2025.