Students at John Jay and RCK High Schools are kicking off their fourth year with the Winners Circle Project! The non-profit, STEAM-focused initiative pairs high schoolers with real-world industry experience by having them build, market, and test performance vehicles from the ground up. Having successfully completed six Factory Five kit cars over the past three years, students are tackling their newest challenge: constructing the Factory Five 1935 Hot Rod Replica Truck. Beyond hands-on engineering and assembly, participants direct their own marketing campaigns, manage media presence, and prepare for performance evaluations. Superintendent Dr. Dwight Bonk said, “We are so proud to offer the Winners Circle Project program to our high school students, as it provides them with skills necessary in the emerging careers in our region, especially in career and technical education and skilled labor.” At the conclusion of the program and competition, the student-built vehicles will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions, with proceeds supporting the continuation of this transformative hands-on educational program. Shown here: Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Dwight Bonk; Pius Kayiira, Founder and Executive Director of The Winners Circle Project; Director of Instructional Technology Art Schouten; and Assistant Director of Career Technical Education Joseph Luzzi accepting the check for the proceeds from the sale of the John Jay Factory Five MK5 Replica Cobra that was sold through Mecum Auctions this past summer; images of Factory Five MK5 Cobra Roadster Replicas built by JJ and RCK students. @drbonkwcsd

The results are in: six of eight RCK FBLA competitors qualified for nationals, and seven of eight won medals! Congratulations on representing the WCSD so well! @ketchamnation @drbonkwcsd

Members of RCK’s Science Honor Society visited Myers Corners ES today, sharing fun and interactive experiments with students! Activities included: Static Electricity, Heart Pumping (shown here), Pollinators, Penny Boats, Tower Building, and CD Hovercraft. We’re so proud of these collaborations between our buildings! @drbonkwcsd @KetchamNation @MyersTigersRoar

The Sports Entertainment and Marketing classes from RCK and JJ visited MetLife Stadium for the NY Jets Sports Business Day. Students met with leaders in sales, marketing, finance, and operations, and also toured the stadium. What a great opportunity for our students to learn more about the business side of sports! @nyjets @KetchamNation @johnjayseniorhs @drbonkwcsd

Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County hosted a 9/11 Day of Service in honor of the victims and heroes of September 11th.Volunteers, including members of RCK Winner’s Circle, helped install fencing, benches, new mulch around the War Memorial, trees and more at Schlathaus Park in the Town of Wappinger. The event fostered community spirit, honored local first responders, and reinforced Habitat’s role in bringing people together through service. @drbonkwcsd @Habitat_org

The John Jay Racing Team has created a stunningly beautiful and deeply meaningful vehicle: Every detail matters. The car’s colors, logo and other details raise awareness of mental health. Today, they made a donation to support behavioral health at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. So proud of these students! @drbonkwcsd

At the Young Changemaker Showcase, Gayhead ES students presented their research and multimedia profiles highlighting young activists. WCSD is proud to offer project-based learning opportunities to our students! This one emphasized innovation research and the use of advanced digital tools to share inspiring stories. @drbonkwcsd @ANikolaTech @wcsdtechdr @GayheadWCSD

The JJHS Virtual Enterprise firm "Smart Space" is once again in the top 10% of the nation in the 2024-25 Elevator Pitch Competition! The team presented a 60-second elevator pitch to a panel of judges, with Mason Riggio, VP of Sales, as the chief presenter. So proud! @drbonkwcsd @WCSDCTE

Several elementary schools in our district are participating in can collections that will benefit Habitat for Humanity. Today, fourth grade classes at Fishkill Plains presented the program to their classmates. They did an amazing job! @TKtalksSTEAM @SammonSTEAM @drbonkwcsd @PlainsPanthers @Habitat_org @Novelis

At the NY Jets Business Day, students in our Sports Entertainment and Marketing class at JJ met with various departments including Analytics, Finance, and Sales.They'll implement what they have learned into their future marketing projects! @drbonkwcsd @NYJetsPR @johnjayseniorhs