Students from DWSA, STEAM and RTA enjoy Ford Automotive Afterschool Program
Instructor Michael Malocsay led a group of students from Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, Rebecca Turner Academy and Denzel Washington School of the Arts through an engaging lesson on the right and safest way to change a tire during the Ford Automotive Afterschool Program this week. Every Monday from 3 to 6 p.m., the class meets at the Mount Vernon High School Autoshop to learn valuable lessons in working with cars and about all the possible careers in the automotive industry.
“What I am trying to do is to get them ready so that they can get a job in the field,” said Mr. Malocsay. “So I have to cover safety first and make them aware of what things are dangerous.”
Students in the afterschool program will cover safety, receive an in-depth lesson on hand tools and how to use them, and then use those tools to disassemble car parts and put them back together.
Students watched intently as Mr. Malocsay demonstrated how to safely use a hydraulic car-lift, remove and replace a car tire, and correctly use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts. This was all demonstrated on the new 2023 Ford Explorer ST donated by Scarsdale Ford to the program in November 2024, the first donation to the auto shop in over 20 years.
Read more about the donation from Scarsdale Ford here.
The Ford Automotive Afterschool program allows students from outside of MVHS to gain knowledge and insight for a future career in the automotive industry. It was first started in 2024 and continues to grow and flourish as more students explore their interests.
This Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) program increases diverse employment opportunities for students and gives career exposure and readiness training through each learning module. The Ford Automotive Afterschool program opens the door for potential internship opportunities and employment options post-graduation.
Read more about the Ford ACE Program here.
“Our kids are having access to work-on modules previously reserved for only professionals in the field who were on the way to being employed by Ford,” said Brian Simmons, Director of CTE. “This program launched last week. The students are very excited and are taking to it well.”
Mount Vernon City School District was highlighted for its outstanding achievements, particularly focusing on Benjamin Turner Academy and Pennington School at the Impact in Action Symposium on Tuesday Mach 11 and Wednesday, March 12. These schools have demonstrated significant progress through their meticulous iReady implementation plan.
The Mount Vernon City School District’s Career and Technical Education Automotive Program has secured two articulation agreements, where students can transfer credits to a post-secondary institution, in the past four weeks. Students will now be able to earn college credits for Lincoln Technical Institute and Rockland Community College through the program.
Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith presented the first 2025 State of the District Address via Zoom to Mount Vernon City School District faculty and staff on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Dr. Smith gave updates about the upcoming building reconfiguration, how it affects employees, and where the District stands in the process of closing schools.
Jhaelyn Jacobs is a senior at Denzel Washington School of the Arts who shows amazing character and dedication to her academics and school community every day. During her time at DWSA, she has chartered two clubs, earned outstanding grades, and run a business selling crocheted items.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, students in the Secondary Superintendent’s Advisory Council met at The Education Center to discuss and review a survey that will be sent to all students in the Mount Vernon City School District. The survey addresses concerns about curriculum, school leadership, social-emotional learning, instruction, and other topics
Franyeli Fabian Rojas is an exemplary Mount Vernon High School senior whose focus towards her academics, extracurriculars and sports has created her into an all-star student. As a student of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, Franyeli has spent countless hours committed to being the best student she can be. In June, she will be earning a distinguished IB Diploma and an Advanced Regents Diploma.