William D. Ford Career-Technical Center Latest News

From the Principal's Desk

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Career Tech Families,

We have completed our first month of school, and students and staff are settling into their routines at Career Tech! Over the past month, we also completed our tornado, fire, and evacuation drills to help everyone practice our safety procedures.

Parent-teacher conferences are this week on Wednesday, October 7, from 2:30–5:30 p.m. No appointment is needed! Families are welcome to stop in anytime during that window to meet with their child’s teacher, discuss progress, and ask questions.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to seeing you at conferences!

Mrs. Pringle
Principal/ CTE Director
William D. Ford Career-Technical Center

NEWSLETTER: Career Tech News - October 4, 2026

From the Principal's Desk

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Career Tech Families,

Welcome to a new school year at William D. Ford Career-Technical Center! I am excited to begin my first year serving as principal and look forward to partnering with our students, families, staff, and community throughout the year.

Our goal at Career Tech is to provide students with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for success beyond high school—whether their next step is college, a skilled trade, an apprenticeship, the military, or entering the workforce. Along the way, we want students to develop not only strong technical skills, but also the professionalism, responsibility, confidence, and work ethic that will help them succeed wherever their path takes them.

Communication and partnership with families are an important part of that work. Through our newsletters, we will share important reminders, upcoming events, program highlights, student accomplishments, and opportunities to stay connected with all that is happening at Career Tech.

We are looking forward to a great year of learning, growth, and opportunity. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your student’s journey. I am excited about what we will accomplish together!

NEWSLETTER: Career Tech News - September 17, 2026

Dear Ford Career Tech Students and Families,

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a new school year at the William D. Ford Career Technical Center!

It is an honor and a privilege to introduce myself as your new Principal/Director. My name is Deena Pringle, and I am incredibly excited to begin this journey alongside our students, families, staff, and community partners. I look forward to building strong relationships, celebrating student success, and continuing the proud tradition of preparing students for college, careers, and life beyond high school.

Hello Ford CTC Students and Families!

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to all our students! As we left for our break, I observed an incredible atmosphere filled with love, smiles, and an undeniable sense of community. Celebrating earned credentials, completed projects, and newly acquired skills showcases the vibrant journey we have collectively embarked upon this semester. The positive energy radiating from our students and their outstanding achievements is nothing short of inspiring and is a true testament to the power of education.

I am immensely proud of our students for not just meeting expectations but for surpassing them with remarkable determination. Their success is firmly anchored in the unwavering love, support, and enthusiasm from their teachers and classmates. The meaningful conversations and excitement they share with those who matter are pivotal to this growth.

Seeing students bring cherished recipes made with family members for our community celebrations was a powerful reminder of their creativity and community spirit. Their eagerness to share their creations and the stories behind them demonstrates their strong connections and appreciation for one another. Celebrating the unique qualities of our students is what makes Ford Tech special, and I am honored to witness this dynamic spirit.

As we move into the second half of the school year, I am truly inspired by how far we’ve come, and I am confident in what lies ahead. Our future expectations are not just aspirations; they are becoming a reality!

Kind regards!

Stephanie Bigelow, M.A., L.P.C.

NEWSLETTER: The Pipeline - December 4, 2026

SAVE THE DATE - Fire Up Your Future Open House

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Event: FIRE UP YOUR FUTURE
FEBRUARY 3, 2026 6-8 PM
36455 Marquette ˜ Westland MI 48185

JOIN US TO:

Explore high skill, high wage, high demand careers
Tour our state-of-the-art facility
Meet our instructors with program specific industry experience
Come see examples of award winning student work
Explore various career pathways and post-secondary options

Location: 36455 Marquette, Westland, MI 48185

Fire Up Your Future Open House Event Flyer

A Message from the Director...

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Hello Ford CTC Students and Families!

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving season, we are reminded of how much there is to be grateful for every day. Thankfulness isn’t just about the big milestones in our lives; we can find reasons to be thankful in the small, everyday moments that shape our experiences: a kind word, a shared laugh, a helping hand, a lesson learned, or simply the chance to start fresh each morning. We find gratitude in a teacher who cares about their students and in a student who achieves their dreams.

I encourage you to take the time to pause and appreciate the people who support you, the experiences that have shaped you, and the opportunities that have helped you grow. Simply put, you are amazing, a miracle, and something to be thankful for. The truth is, gratitude doesn’t have to be reserved for a specific holiday. When you practice thankfulness every day, it changes how you view the world. It helps you notice the good that is already around you, strengthens your connections with others, and provides a positive perspective, even during challenging times.

So today, and every day, choose to be thankful for what you have, for those in your life, for your achievements, and for the opportunity to make each day meaningful. Treat every day like a gift, a chance to start anew. Thank your teachers for their support, and teachers, please let your students know how grateful you are to be a part of their lives as well.

Kind regards!

Stephanie Bigelow, M.A., L.P.C.

NEWSLETTER: The Pipeline - November 25, 2025

A Message from the Director...

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Hello Ford CTC Students and Families!

It has been an exciting few weeks! Here are just a few of the highlights:

* Josh Rychlicki's Cybersecurity team recently took first place in the nation for their competition.

* Mara Magyarosi-Laynter's students secured the top 4 spots for an international gallery placement.

* Cary Thompson and his former student, Starvision Hilbert, were featured in a national firefighting publication representing our school.

* Anthony Chicko hosted an informational talk with Jessica Dupnack from Fox 2 News regarding the connection between social media and first responders.

Additionally, we have a house being built, a restaurant operating at full throttle, a student enterprise under development, a health sciences partnership with the University of Michigan, tours, projects, testing, and so much more. In fact, all classrooms are engaged in impressive activities. Our students and staff are simply AMAZING! It is evident that the passion for industry is driving us forward every day.

Kind regards!

Stephanie Bigelow, M.A., L.P.C.

NEWSLETTER: The Pipeline - October 31, 2025