Region Drone Soccer Teams Dominate National Rankings
Dear GST BOCES Region,
As we reach the midpoint of the academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our students’ success. The achievements we have accomplished thus far are a testament to the dedication of our students, staff and families, whose collective efforts continue to strengthen the entire learning community.
To support this commitment to student success, the New York State Education Department is asking districts to explore the concept of regionalization as a way to strengthen collaboration, improve equity, and ensure sustainable educational opportunities for all students. Regionalization refers to efforts that enhance collaboration and resource-sharing among school districts to improve efficiency. The goal is to address disparities in resources and opportunities across districts, reduce duplication of services, and ensure all students have access to high-quality education regardless of their location. Coupled with this, the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission is re-evaluating the state’s graduation requirements to ensure they align with the needs of students in a rapidly changing world.
There is much important work to be done in schools and GST BOCES is eager to guide the region in this work. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we join together to ensure a successful and productive remainder of the school year.
Respectfully,
Stacy Saglibene
Capital Project
The new gyms at Coopers Campus and Wildwood Campus are now being utilized by students. The underground utility work was a success. We thank you for your support through this project.
Messages from our District Superintendent from our GST Board of Cooperative Educational Services LEADERSHIP
Our Goals
Our goal is to serve our region by supporting and providing resources for our component schools boards, business and industry partners and students.
• Increase awareness of component district issues through direct communication.
• Develop an informed understanding of current educational issues and share resources with component boards.
• Solicit information from local employers about current staffing needs across all sectors.
Insider Highlights GST BOCES Culture
Human Resources
We are excited to share our newly developed HR webpage, designed with a strong focus on service to our regional school community. Whether you are a current employee, a prospective team member or a valued retiree, our goal was to create a resource that is informative, user-friendly and accessible. This webpage serves as a one-stop hub for important information, tools and updates to support your needs at every stage of your career journey. We are committed to fostering a culture of service and connection, and we hope this platform enhances your experience with our HR department. https://www.gstboces.org/page/human-resources
What does service look like at GST BOCES?
Career Opportunities
Interested in a Career at GST BOCES? Our Hiring Interest Form allows you to list your skillset and let us help match you to an open position!
Meeting a person where they are in a situation and using your talents and expertise to achieve the best outcome together is my definition of service. I love that GST operates with a true growth mindset in which problems are seen as opportunities for new learning, creativity and synergy. Service at GST means acting with intention and integrity to develop solutions that exceed expectations. Being able to do this through forward thinking, positive interactions with others is incredibly fulfilling. At GST, we get to make someone’s day better every single day.
LeeAnne Jordan Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Inside Story From a Spencer-Van Etten Student
Why did you choose GST BOCES?
I decided to attend because the program is broad, and you can learn many skills to take away from it and essentially go into any related career.
How has GST BOCES positively impacted you so far?
I have had many opportunities to go on trips like the Cobleskill Highschool Days; learn new leadership skills, and have grown my network, meeting many new people.
What opportunities have you taken advantage of?
I’m the Reporter for the Jr FFA officer team. I communicate information about the chapter activities to the public.
What
are your future plans?
After graduation, I plan to attend college for an environmental program.
Kaylee K. Conservation
Insider Highlights Regional Leaders
Component Collaboration
From January to September, GST BOCES is working alongside four component districts to implement the School Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation (SHAPE) System. SHAPE is a web-based platform that offers targeted resources to support school mental health quality improvement. It houses the National School Mental Health Census and the School Mental Health Quality Assessment (SMHQA), which assess the components of a Comprehensive School Mental Health Program (CSMHP) and track improvement over time2. The New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) is offering SHAPE UP New York, a six-month Learning Collaborative in partnership with the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Congratulations to the school districts that were selected by NYS Office of Mental health through an application process, and are on the way to an action plan to support their students and staff in this crucial area.
Book Swaps
Our GST BOCES Combined Principals Group is gearing up for a book study using The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile up and Create Big Problems, by Rob Cross. Book study groups for the Superintendents in our component districts and for the Curriculum and Instructional Advisory members from each district also are utilizing the concepts and strategies found in The Microstress Effect. Check out this book if you want to learn more about how our brains deal with the build-up of small stressors and how to recognize and handle stress effectively.
Throughout the GST BOCES organization, a book study using Crucial Conversations, by Kerry Patterson is nearing its kick-off. Great for anyone who finds themselves in situations where hard conversations are necessary (that’s all of us!). This is a must read for both your personal and professional lives.
Making its way through our team of directors and assistant superintendents is Big Potential, by Shawn Achor. With thought-provoking insight about bringing the strengths of each member of an organization together for the greatest impact, readers learn how to create an atmosphere where individuals are leading from every seat. This book also is gaining traction in Prattsburgh – small school, big potential.
Empowering Leaders Across GST BOCES
What’s happening:
The GST BOCES Leadership Academy is underway, supporting leaders across the RIC Strategy Team, Technology Development Group, Operations and Management, Central Business Office and campus principals.
Why it matters:
This program aligns with our organizational goals to:
• Empower leaders with the tools to drive change and cultivate positive work environments.
• Ensure consistency across organization.
• Foster inclusive environments and streamline communication and decision-making processes.
• Provide pathways for lifelong learning and professional growth.
What’s covered:
• Leadership styles and individual resources needed
• Hiring practices and bias training
• Clear communication and culture-building
• Work-life balance and psychological safety
• Decision making and problem solving with teams
The big picture:
Together, we are shaping a future of informed and empowered leaders across GST BOCES.
#LeadershipAcademy #TogetherWeLead #GST
What
does integrity mean to you?
Integrity at GST BOCES is being fully transparent and honest when working with others to take on challenges and achieve excellence.
Darcy
Dill, Esq. Supervisor of Labor Relations
Drone Soccer
Drone Soccer has taken off in our region, offering students a unique and innovative athletic opportunity. Drone Soccer is a thrilling sport where teams of players pilot drones inside a netted arena, aiming to score goals by flying their drones through the opponent’s goal. According to the U.S. Drone Soccer website, “teams across the country are building, practicing and competing to earn regional recognition and a path to the U.S. Drone Soccer District Championships, which lead to the U.S. Drone Soccer 2025 National Championship.”
The success of the Drone Soccer program is due to the collaboration between the Regional Information Center and Model Schools, providing essential technological and educational support. Heidi Van Woert, Myron Rumsey, and their team have been instrumental in bringing Drone Soccer to our area. Their dedication and leadership have been pivotal in initiating and leading this exciting new sport. The league operates in partnership with US Drone Soccer and District II NY Drone Soccer. The league currently features two divisions from12 districts totaling 14 teams, supported by a team of instructors and certified drone pilot coaches. GST BOCES’s league is the first of its kind nationwide.
Drone Soccer is more than just a sport; it is an educational experience that combines technology, athletics and collaboration. As teams continue to build, practice and compete, the excitement around Drone Soccer grows. Students are learning technical skills, teamwork, strategy and sportsmanship, preparing them for future success. The journey to the U.S. Drone Soccer 2025 National Championship promises to be thrilling, with our region’s teams ready to make a significant impact. Please join us on February 8 at the Corning Painted Post Middle School for our double elimination District Qualifier.
Student Voice
Six New Visions Innovation, Leadership and Business students have taken on the role of GST BOCES Marketing and Public Relations Student Interns to showcase our organization from the student perspective. You’ll find their work on Instagram reels, Facebook posts, website video and YouTube podcast. Along side this work, you’ll find photos from several Digital Media Arts students from all three campuses. Follow our social media platforms to find GST BOCES Student Intern Created content.
Phoenix Academy student Adam Wolf has been chosen to attend Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day on February 4, 2025 in Washington, DC with a group from Special Olympics New York based on his leadership and passion. The group will be meeting wtih lawmakers regarding programming that positively impacts those with disabilities. Read more on the Special Olympics New York Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ SpecialOlympicsNewYork/
Student Celebrations
Each month, students across the organization are honored for their hard work and values at GST BOCES. Names are announced on the celebrations page on our website. Go to https://www.gstboces.org/o/gst-boces/ page/celebrations or find “celebrations” on the main page of our website.
GST Gives Back
GST BOCES gives back to our community through volunteering at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, collecting funds for the United Way and numerous other staff or student initiatives.
Most recently, the Wildwood Heavy Equipment students are preparing for phase 2 of the Hillside Canisteo Cemetery Shared Service Project. The students are unloading concrete blocks and caps that will be used on the project. This project is anticipated to start in May of 2025. Follow our social media platforms to keep up with the progress of this project.
• Nurse Aide training to prepare you for entry level employment in healthcare.
• Evening Cosmetology program
• Dental Assisting program
Scan the QR code for more information or to discover other opportunitiies.
CTE and New Visions
Exploration Night
Come learn about our GST BOCES programs! Classrooms will be open for you to explore Teachers will be available to talk abou their programs
Tues., February 11, 2025 at Bush Campus, 4:30PM-6:30PM
Wed., February 12, 2025 at Coopers Campus, 4:30PM-6:30PM
Wed., February 26, 2025 at Wildwood Campus, 4:30PM-6:30PM
Inside Story From an Addison Student
Why did you choose GST BOCES? I enjoy working on cars and I’d like to get a good job in the future.
How has GST BOCES positively impacted you so far? I’ve learned a lot about how to repair a car with dents and how to paint the car.
What opportunities have you taken advantage of?
I am a SkillsUSA member. I attended a competition in Buffalo for Collision Repair and won first place.
What are your future plans?
I plan on finding an auto body shop to work at for a while to make a good living.
Robert M. Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
Program Catalogs
Scan the QR codes to flip through the catalogs and discover more about the programs we offer.
Alumni: Tell Us Your Success Story
Did you attend a GST, SCT or SA BOCES program? We want to hear how BOCES made a difference in your life and led you down the road to success. Please take a moment to fill out the survey linked to the QR code so that we can inspire others and celebrate with you.
CTE
New Visions
Business and Industry Corner
Business and Industry Tours
Collaborate with us! We are offering a tour of our CISCO Networking Academy, Audio Media Design and Digital Media Arts programs to local Business and Industries.
Visit our advanced, technology-driven classrooms and interact with our students, industry expert teachers and administrators.
Learn first hand how we are developing career skills through applied learning so that our students are prepared for your employment opportunities.
Sign up today!
COLLABORATION
Partnerships
Bush Campus
marCh 25, 2025 9:30-10:30
Coopers Campus
marCh 11, 2025
12pm-3pm
WildWood Campus
marCh 13, 2025
12pm-2:30pm
We are grateful for the business and industry partners in our region. From donating supplies to our programs, to interviewing our students, to offering internship opportunities, our partnerships are a priority to us.
Whether you are a long-time partner or you have never connected with us, please take a moment to fill out the informational questionnaire so that we can improve our partnership opportunities for both your business and our students.
Soon you will see Proud to Partner with GST BOCES signs pop up across our region. It is our way to thank you for the collaboration between your business and our organization.
Social Media
Find us on social media to stay informed. GST BOCES @GSTBOCES gst_boces @greatersoutherntierboces
