Sullivan BOCES Board Update - Apr 23

Board Update

BOCES by the Numbers

BOCESacrossNewYorkStatehaveprovidedsharededucational programsandservicestoschooldistrictsfor75years.WithBOCES asapartner,schooldistrictscanstrategicallydeployshared programsthatservestudentsfromalldistrictsregardlessoftheir enrollment,income,orsizeofthetaxbase.

EveryyeartheBOCESofNewYorkStatecompilesdatato showcasethesuccessesofBOCESstudents,schooldistricts,and programs.WeareproudtosharetheBOCESbythenumbersfor the2021-22schoolyear.

Toviewthe2021-2022reportvisit

https://bocesorg/infographics/by-the-numbers/

BOCES Partners with County to Expand Workforce

Earlier this year, BOCES started working with Sullivan County’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) to create a construction training pilot to train adult residents in basic carpentry skills Through this partnership, up to 15 local residents who want to gain basic carpentry skills can do so for free

This nine-week program starting on April 10, will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Rubin Pollack Education Center on Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty. Each week the BOCES instructor will focus on a different aspect of the construction trades: tools, safety, materials, framing, flooring, ceilings, decks, stairs, building inspections, and more. In the final week, the CWD will teach participants how to build a great resumé and find jobs.

To find out more or to sign up, contact the Center for Workforce Development at 845-794-3340 or sccwd@sullivanny.us.

Classroom News

Student Council Holds Pi Day Celebration

The Student Council held a Pi Day event that had everyone in the school excited. The group and their advisors gathered the staff who were willing to take one for the team - that is, take a pie in the face. The event had everyone cheering the students on as they were randomly selected to pie staff members The people pied included the district superintendent, principals, teachers, assistants, aides, and even the SRO Everyone had a great time!

Elementary Program Participates in 100th-day Activities

The 100th day of school is an exciting milestone for every elementary classroom. It signifies both the halfway point of the year and an important time for setting new goals and realigning a fresh outlook. This year the students participated in several 100th-day activities.

Using Math to Create Artwork

As part of a math lesson on polygons, elementary students used polygons to create art. They came out beautifully.

Experiment Leads to Discovery

Living Environment classes dissected chicken wings to explore the structure and function of muscles, bones, and joints. The students learned that a chicken wing is similar to a human arm and has many of the same structures due to their shared evolutionary history.

Can you Catch a Leprechaun

Students use their engineering skills to make a class leprechaun trap. Once completed, the students participated in activities and waited anxiously to see if the trap would work. On St. Patrick's Day, when the students came into the classroom, to their surprise, a tricky leprechaun came, but he left a note which said … Nice Job! Better luck next year ~ Louie the Leprechaun

Career & Tech Center

Students in the Auto Tech, Auto Body, Construction, Welding, and Natural Resource recently completed OSHA Training

The Auto Body students are preparing for the future and have just completed their safety training on electric vehicles and received their SP2 EV certification

Businesses from across Sullivan County will participate in the Career & Tech Job Fair on May 10th.

Construction Program

The Construction classes recently went to the Carpenter's Local 279 Training Center. It was an amazing experience for our students. The trip created a lot of interest in the career of a union carpenter.

That day, several students applied to the union.

New Vision Health

The New Vision Health students have observed various surgeries and have started their all-day clinical at Garnet Health The students have also spoken to 11th graders in different science classes throughout the county about the tremendous opportunities the New Vision program offers.

Public Safety Program

The Public Safety class recently worked out with members of the Army National Guard. Two students have enlisted this year and are scheduled to leave for boot camp this summer.

New Paradigm for ISS

The Curriculum and Instructional Support Services (ISS) Division at Sullivan BOCES supports school districts in all curriculum, instruction, and school improvement areas. ISS plans and provides professional development programs covering a wide range of educational or instructional topics for educators of all levels.

In the past, each component school district paid into the ISS Coser and was allotted a certain number of days of access to BOCES specialists and programs based on the number of students in the district. This worked well for the most part, although sometimes districts wanted more days than they were allotted or were only able to utilize some of their days each year.

This model became problematic during the pandemic. As the dust began to settle and we all moved into the work of putting post-pandemic pieces back together, BOCES found that districts were not reaching out for support in the ways they had in the past

With a mindset of continuous improvement, adaptability, and responsiveness to the districts BOCES serves, the ISS division explored other models of providing Instructional Support Services and decided to try something different

With the new model, BOCES would coordinate independent consultants to fit specific needs instead of having full-time staff on staff The districts would identify who and what they wanted, and the ISS staff would coordinate the communication and paperwork to make that happen. Districts would pay into the ISS Coser, as in the past. After operational costs and a pool of money to cover county-wide initiatives are considered, each district will have a pre-determined number of dollars to spend as they like. If the district uses all of its allocated funds, it can still purchase additional services if they choose to do so.

This new structure allows for endless possibilities to help districts provide the best possible educational experience for each student in Sullivan County.

Key Dates

April 13th - BOCES Annual Meeting

April 25th - BOCES Board Member Election & Budget Vote

May 10th - Career & Technical Education Center Job Fair

May 18th - Career & Tech National Technical Honor Society Induction

May 30th - Academic Achievement Celebration

June 15th - Career & Tech Recognition Ceremony

June 21st - Alternative / Special Education Graduation