• NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

    Welcome to the Protective Services New Student Orientation page for the 2021-2022 school year at the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center.  We are anxious to meet all of you and looking forward to an exciting year! 

    New Student Orientation Presentation

    Below you will find a copy of the Protective Services New Student Orientation Presentation which was reviewed at the virtual New Student Orientation on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.  

    New Student Orientation Presentation - 2021-2022 School Year

    Protective Services (Homeland Security) Task Grid

    Below is a copy of the current Protective Services (Homeland Security) Task Grid.  The task grid contains all of the specific "tasks" or specific topics that the Pennsylvania Department of Education mandates are taught for the successful completion of this program.  Additional lessons not contained in this task grid (such as Interview and Interrogation) are also included in the lesson plan.

    Protective Services Task Grid

    Mandatory Security Clearances

    A mandatory requirement for all students in the Protective Services Program is that they acquire Act 34 and Act 151 Security Clearances each year that they attend WMCTC.

    • Act 34 – Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance
    • Act 151 – Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance

    Please have these security clearances completed prior to the first day of school. Students who do not have the clearances completed will not be permitted to participate in the program.

    Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal History Check

    Online Instructions:  Select “Submit a New Record Check” under credit card users.  The applicant must provide his/her name and address and credit card information.  If a request goes “under review” it will be updated to the status of “No Record” or “Record” within two (2) weeks.  For all “No Record” responses, the certificate must be printed out at the applicant’s computer.  All “Record” status requests will be mailed to the address provided by the applicant.  This clearance costs $10.00.  Below is a link to the website where you can complete this check.

    Link to the Act 34 PA Criminal History Check

    Act 151 - Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance

    Online Instructions:  Select “Create a New Account” and enter profile information. The applicant must provide his/her name and address and credit card information.  Creating an account and submitting your clearance application online will give you immediate access to your results or the status of your results.  This clearance costs $13.00.  Below is a link to the website where you can complete this check.

    Link to the Act 141 Child Abuse Clearance 

    Daily Conduct and Work Ethic Grades

    Protective Services Grades fall into three categories:  Skills (weighted at 50%), Knowledge and Theory (weighted at 30%), and Attitude and Participation (weighted at 20%).  Daily Conduct and Work Ethic Grades fall into the Attitude and Participation category.  Daily Conduct and Work Ethic Grades are weekly grades that your child will receive.  Students are evaluated on their conduct and work ethic daily, with the possibility of earning 20 points per day, or 100 points per week.  Points are removed from that total based upon preparedness, attitude, teamwork, being in uniform, having required items, and many other categories.  A copy of the Daily Conduct and Work Ethic Rubric is below. 

    PS Daily Conduct and Work Ethic Rubric

    Summer Forms

    Be On The Lookout For Important Forms That Will Be Mailed In Mid-August!  These forms must be completed prior to beginning the program.  They can be returned with students once the new school year begins.  These forms concern the following:

    • Emergency contact information needs to be collected and verified
    • Grants permission to the WMCTC nurse to treat the student 
    • Gives permission for students to work in the shop or lab areas  
    • Grants or denies permission for the school to have the student in photographs
    • Gives permission for post-secondary education and the military to access information 

    Protective Services Uniforms

    All Protective Services students are required to wear uniforms.  Uniform information can be found in the above New Student Orientation Presentation.  Uniform shirts (t-shirts & polo shirts) and uniform pants can be found by visiting the school uniform store.  Black belts and black military-style boots with a protective toe must be purchased separately.  These boots can generally be found at department stores (Walmart, Kohl's, etc.) or at only emergency services supply stores (Galls, The Fire Store, 511 Tactical, etc.).  Sweatshirts may be worn in class but they (1) comply with the school dress code, (2) be plain in color, or (3) be related to the military or emergency services; they may not have sports logos, band, or music logos, etc.  

     As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact either Mr. Bechtel or Mrs. McCormick at the below e-mail addresses:

    Instructor Maureen McCormick:  mmccormick@westerncenter.org

    Instructor Raymond Bechtel:  rbechtel@westerncenter.org