Dunkirk students will be offered several new opportunities in coming years.
One of these was announced at the recent board of education meeting. Superintendent Gary Cerne reported as part of the district's capital projects, the shop classroom will be renovated to allow for welding to be offered for students.
He said the interest from students and demand from employers inspired the project.
"What we worked into the capital project was to revamp a lot of the woodworking areas with the dust collecting systems and things like that. In conversations with our technology teachers ... they see a real demand the children to learn how to weld. It goes along with things we have talked about the past several months in getting kids career-ready. Not all of our children are going to go to college and we want them to be able to walk out into a career. From what I understand in the economy there is a demand for welders. If we can we can teach children to weld and they walk out into a nice job I think we've done a good job," Cerne explained.
He added this goes along with the school's partnership with Cummins to teach students to use CNC machines which is being worked out for the future.
The other opportunity approved at the board meeting is for several groups of students to travel to Europe in 2014. The board approved four trips: for 15 students and five chaperones in the German club to go to Germany, Switzerland and Austria in July 2014; for 10 students and four chaperones in the French club to go to Paris, the Riviera and Rome in April 2014; for 15 students and five chaperones to travel to France, London and Paris in July 2014; and for 15 students and five chaperones to travel to Spain in July 2014.
All trips were approved provided that Homeland Security does not issue any travel warnings at the time of the trip.
There is also no cost to the district for any of the trips. Cerne explained the board approved the trips so early because students receive a discount in booking and have ample time to fundraise.
The next board of education meeting will be Dec. 13.
