Images from the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Now forum

On Tuesday, September 17, Superintendent Dr. Marci Catlett shared Fredericksburg City Public Schools’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) advancements over the 2023-2024 school year with Planning District 16 vested interest groups. Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Now forum provided the opportunity for divisions to learn from and network with one another.   

Planning District 16 is comprised of the City of Fredericksburg, Culpepper, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties.

The panel, on which Dr. Catlett served with other Planning District 16 leaders, discussed how each school division can provide its students with career readiness programs, partnerships with area businesses, and opportunities to build job skills through internships and externships.  

Dr. Catlett highlighted James Monroe High Schools Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program as an exceptional example of work-based learning experience and collaborative partnership with Germanna Community College and Mary Washington Healthcare. 

City Schools continues to seek additional opportunities for students. Ideal offers would include paid work-based learning opportunities, expanded partnerships with local employers, and career counseling and guidance.

One such successful work-based learning, paid opportunity is Start on Success (SOS).  Sponsored by a University of Mary Washington (UMW) grant with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the program affords students who are differently abled a CTE experience at UMW. Students work in a variety of fields such as culinary, maintenance, and custodial services.

Additional highlights that reflect the division’s commitment to long-term student success include the remodeling of the Family Consumer Science classrooms at Walker-Grant Middle School. The program provides students with hands-on experiences in food preparation, cooking techniques, nutrition, and kitchen safety.

On September 9, the Fredericksburg City Public Schools’ School Board named Mrs. Delia Clayton Fulcher CTE Division Coordinator.

  1. Middle School CTE Program Plan: Develop a rigorous course selection and establish a strong foundation for the new middle school CTE program.

  2. Workplace Learning: Foster growth by preparing students for future opportunities.

  3. Student-Centered Approach: Support and empower teachers, parents, stakeholders, and the community through collaboration.

Would you like to help us expand our CTE offerings for City Schools’ students?

Please contact Division CTE Coordinator Delia Clayton Fulcher, dclaytonfulcher@cityschools.com.