Wildcat cuts

WARWICK — This school year, the Warwick Valley High School added cosmetology to its growing Career and Technical Education (CTE) program
On Thursday, Jan. 25, members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce joined School Superintendent Dr. David Leach, High School Principal Dr. Larry Washington, cosmetology teacher Kathleen Bettello, the Warwick Valley School Board, district administrators, students and others to celebrate the grand opening of the Wildcuts Salon, the new cosmetology classroom.
Previously, students had access to these Career and Technical Education classes, but had to travel to Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen.
New opportunitiesWith newly expanded CTE offerings now on campus, students can remain in the high school and take advantage of other opportunities.
When deciding which programs to offer at the high school, administrators assessed Warwick Valley students' participation and interest in CTE.
What's practical, what's notSome programs, such as plumbing and auto repair, for example, weren't practical to consider, but converting existing classroom space into a hair salon, a police bureau and a video production studio was within the district's capabilities.
The cosmetology classroom boasts hair styling stations and offers haircuts, manicures, makeup, and other services.
The two-year cosmetology program is designed to prepare the students for the New York State license examination.
To be eligible for a temporary license, cosmetology teacher Kathleen Bettello explained that the student must complete a 1,000-hour approved course of study and pass both the New York State written and practical examinations.
"We have everything here that a working, professional salon has," she said. "Our students will be ready for careers."
- Roger Gavan