Forney ISD continues to raise the bar with state-of-the-art facilities. Thursday, January 28, the FISD Board of Trustees and Forney Superintendent, Dr. Justin Terry, officially cut the ribbons on two more distinctive training centers for local students made possible by a bond approved by citizens in November 2019.
As a part of the District’s Career and Technology Education (CTE), the new Welding and Fabrication Center and The Local both contribute to the goal of Forney ISD’s CTE program. Forney ISD describes the program as a “unique combination of classroom instruction and industry experience where [students] can acquire new information, concepts, techniques and procedures related to their specific career interests”. CTE provides students with opportunities to advance academically in higher education settings, as well as to gain the experience and training needed for employment.
The ribbon cutting event began in the newly expanded Welding and Fabrication Center, located adjacent to Forney High School. This building houses welding booths, equipment, plenty of workspace, and a classroom for students from both Forney High and North Forney High to gain and practice their skills. The award-winning students in this program have already excelled and begun to make a name for themselves, crafting commercial smokers for restaurants and trailers for competitions. Through these classes, students are able to earn various certifications, including: Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies, Introduction to Welding, Welding I, and Practicum in Welding.
The Welding and Fabrication Center also serves as a joint facility with Dallas College. The building will soon host classes open to community members in conjunction with FISD’s relationship with Dallas College. Also available through this partnership, young men and women enrolled in Forney ISD are given the opportunity to earn college credits with Dallas College and Texas Tech University while achieving their high school degrees through dual credit classes.
Following the welcome at the Welding and Fabrication Center and the accompany ing ribbon cutting, guests were invited to walk to the other side of the campus to visit The Local for another ribbon cutting, a tour, and refreshments prepared by FISD students. Another top-of-the-line facility run by both North Forney and Forney High School students, The Local is the hub of the District’s Culinary Arts program and houses a beautifully appointed café. Students in this program practice their culinary skills, but the program includes much more. Young men and women are studying Principles of Hospitality and Tourism, Introduction to Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts, and Advanced Culinary Arts, with the ability to earn ServSafe Food Handler and Manager Certifications.
Located at the front of Forney High School’s main building, The Local plans to begin serving meals to the public this month. Though COVID restrictions have rendered a full opening impossible as of now, the students will prepare carry-out meals for the community each Thursday of February. Meals are $10 each, and preorder is required. The order form can be found at https://forms.gle/Z1tzDN- HGbV2GvsYp9, or you can email Chef Strother at mgstrother@forneyisd.net for more information.
As the District’s website states, “Forney ISD’s Career and Technical programs are committed to providing rigorous instruction that integrates academics in relevant and innovative ways to keep students interested and excited about their educational goals.” Forney ISD is continuing to set a new standard of excellence with its CTE programs, while truly “inspiring students through innovative education”.
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