S U L L I V A N
BOCES
W H E R E
F U T U R E S
B E G I N
&
D R E A M S
A R E
FALL
(845)
295-4000
|
A C H I E V E D
2020
SCBOCES.ORG
INDEX Sullivan BOCES Recognizes Staff Milestones 2020-2021 School Year: Providing Instruction During Unprecedented Times Beautification Grant Dresses Up Entrances for Sullivan BOCES & Visitors Association Sullivan BOCES Offices & Conference Center: Before & After Career & Tech Center Partners with WJFF to Complete Renovation Work Broadcasting/Music Production Gives Students New Career Choices Do You Know What You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
The Edge is a publication of Sullivan BOCES Communications Division
Nov. 11
Veterans Day (BOCES Closed)
Nov. 25-27
Thanksgiving (No Students)
Nov. 26 & 27
Thanksgiving (BOCES Closed)
Dec. 24-Jan 1
Winter Recess (No Students)
Dec. 24, 25
Chirstmas (BOCES Closed)
Jan 1
New Years Day (BOCES Closed)
BOARD OF EDUCATION Linda Berkowicz, President - Fallsburg Linda Fisk, Vice President - Livingston Manor Carol Bliefernich - Eldred Susan Horton - Monticello Kenneth Hilton - Sullivan West Carol Park - Roscoe Cathy Russo - Tri-Valley Anthony Sinacore - Liberty Simmie Williams III, - At-Large
Where Futures Begin & Dreams Are Achieved! ABOUT SULLIVAN BOCES Sullivan County BOCES delivers a wide-range of instructional and management services to its eight component school districts and several other districts outside the county. Our three hundred staff members collaborate with our partners to create solutions to educational challenges, increase operational efficiencies, and reduce costs. We improve student success by providing quality educational experiences, helping students achieve their goals, learn skills, increase knowledge and develop a work ethic for the 21st century.Â
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SULLIVAN BOCES RECOGNIZES STAFF MILESTONES Thirty-five members of the Sullivan BOCES staff have reached distinct milestones in their careers. Although we could not recognize these individuals in a group setting, it does not diminish the importance of their milestones. According to Robert M. Dufour, Ed.D., District Superintendent at BOCES, “We are honored to have these individuals be part of our team. Their dedication to BOCES and providing quality education to our students is truly appreciated.�
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Years of Service Jillian Smith
Jennifer Walsh
Stephanie Lark
Cindy Amthor Malinda Kristiansen
Tera DiTommaso Laneka Brown Megan Becker
Diane Payson-Cilento
Mary Swift
Years of Service Janine Roser
Victoria VanEtten
Martin Meyer
Sandra Frattarelli
Jennifer DeFrank Abbie Bivins Tracy Magie
Nance Poyer
Joy Gorr
Heather Seyda
Julie Vogler
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Years of Service Deborah Brissett Joann Lare Lisa Palmer
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Teresa Barry Daniel Sullivan Gina Conroy
Victoria Ferguson Lauren Mason Fehim Basic
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20
Years of Service
25
Years of Service
30
Years of Service
35 40
Mary Lederman
Annette Bernhardt
Years of Service Debra Heidt-Dunwell
Years of Service Caroline Hendrickson
2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR Providing Instruction in Unprecedented Times
”I am so glad to be back in school. It is definitely better being in school than learning remotely,” Noah France, Roscoe CSD, CTE Innovative Design Student.
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The start of a school year brings new beginnings and changes for staff and students alike, but the 2020-2021 school year is the first year in history that has brought changes that may have a lasting impact on how school is conducted. Opening day at Sullivan BOCES consisted of new protocols, temperature checks, social distancing, and hybrid scheduling. Even though class sizes were cut in half, the students were glad to be back in school. Several career & technical education (CTE) students indicated they missed hands-on learning and being with their classmates. According to Courtney Rampe, CTE New Vision Health student from Livingston Manor CSD, “Although it’s difficult rotating between remote and in-person classes, I am happy to be here even if it is only two days a week." During this unusual time in education, staff and students are finding their way towards a positive flow between remote and in-person learning. Throughout this challenge, teachers and service providers are also working to support students by balancing instructional engagement and the students’ social/emotional well-being.
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BEAUTIFICATION GRANT DRESSES UP ENTRANCES FOR SULLIVAN BOCES & VISITORS ASSOCIATION Members of the Sullivan Renaissance staff recently
Renaissance added metal benches and water labor-
paid a visit to Sullivan BOCES and the Sullivan
saver planters to both organizations’ sidewalks and
Catskills Visitors Association as part of a beautification
entryways.
project for Sullivan Avenue. “We are excited for the opening of BOCES and the According to Sandra Gerry, Founder/Chairwoman of
Visitors Association at the Liberty Mall. The visual
Sullivan Renaissance, “Our goal is to make Sullivan
impact of our efforts will hopefully assist both
Avenue visually pleasing for people as they come off
organizations in welcoming people into their offices,”
the exit. We want the avenue to be inviting and a
said Diana K. Weiner, Horticulture Program Manager
destination which welcomes new businesses to the
for Sullivan Renaissance.
area and encourages people to patronize our local businesses.” Sullivan Renaissance started the beautification project last year by removing old fences and planting honey locust trees. This year, with Sullivan BOCES and the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association moving to the Liberty Mall, the group wanted to do something to make the entrances to the two organizations enjoyable and inviting. Through a grant,
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The next phase of the beautification project is planting vegetation to the right of the exit and create a seating area next to the Visitors Association for visitors to stop, gather information, and plan their next step in visiting the County. According to Robert M. Dufour, Ed.D., District Superintendent/CEO of Sullivan BOCES, “The planters and benches have made the entrances to our facilities inviting and beautiful. We are proud to be part of this effort to help revitalize the area. We hope that with the Visitors Association and our Offices & Conference Center moving into the Liberty Mall, we can make this an economically viable area and help draw in new businesses. The Gerry family and Sullivan Renaissance have been working towards this goal for years. Together we will make it happen.” "We are thrilled to be part of this effort. This beautification project has been an incredible opportunity for all of us to collaborate,” said Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President/CEO of Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association. “Sullivan BOCES has been a tremendous partner. We look at ourselves as the two anchors to the Liberty Mall drawing in and bringing a beautiful sense of location to the Sullivan Catskills. The beauty and consistency of this effort will bring a positive return for all.”
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SULLIVAN BOCES OFFICES & CONFERENCE CENTER PROVIDING OPTIMAL OFFICE SPACE WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART CONFERENCE FACILITIES
The new school year is a time for a fresh start and new services for the school districts. This year, Sullivan BOCES kicked off the 2020-2021 school year from their new Offices & Conference Center at 15 Sullivan Avenue in Liberty. The facility is fully ADA compliant. By being located all on one level, with direct access from the parking lot, it provides a convenient and welcoming environment for all.
According to Tracy Magie, Principal Account Clerk for the CBO, the new office space allows the CBO to work more collaboratively with the other departments. “Forging these work relationships further enhances our ability to support our component districts. We can now become more of a "one-stop-shop" and offer a more seamless customer service product," said Magie.
The Offices & Conference Center houses the district superintendent’s office, business office, central business office, human resources, model schools, arts in education, school improvement, telecommunications support, school library system, technology, communications, the comprehensive adolescent pregnancy prevention (CAPP) program, and the Sullivan County Teacher Center.
"The Instructional Support Services Department is very excited about our new space," said Maria Sommer, Director of Curriculum and Instructional Support Services. "Our team is back together again, all in one space, on one floor. This proximity builds stronger relationships and provides for informal discussions that spark creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie in a way that wasn't possible in our old space."
With almost 14,000 sq feet, the new facility can accommodate the expansion of management and support services BOCES offers to its component school districts. For the Central Business Office (CBO), which provides accounting, accounts payable, attendance, payroll, budgeting, and Wincap support services for eleven school districts across the state, the space allows the division to position its staff to bolster teamwork and enhance functionality.
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Central Business Office
Beaverkill & Willowemoc Conference Rooms
Neversink Conference Room
When asked about the conference center, Ms. Sommer described how the conference rooms are named after local rivers to pay tribute to geographic elements distinct to Sullivan County's heritage. The center has two conference rooms called the Beaverkill and Willowemoc that merge to form one large conference area. Both rooms are equipped with the latest conferencing technology and have large screens on multiple walls so everyone can see comfortably. There is also a smaller conference room, the Neversink, set up as an active learning space. It includes flexible seating, multiple screens, and conversation corners for breakout discussions. Best of all, it is accessible directly from the parking lot and is entirely self-contained, making it perfect for late afternoon, evening, and weekend meetings. Sullivan BOCES Offices and Conference Center will provide our districts with the resources and support services that they need. It is a warm, welcoming, well thought out space which will serve the school districts of Sullivan County for many years to come.
Human Resources
Executive Offices Instructional Support Services
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Human Resources Instructional Support Services
Technology
SULLIVAN BOCES OFFICES & CONFERENCE CENTER
BEFORE & AFTER
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CAREER & TECH CENTER PARTNERS WITH WJFF TO COMPLETE RENOVATION WORK
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BROADCASTING/MUSIC PRODUCTION GIVES STUDENTS NEW CAREER CHOICES
The Career & Tech Center rolled out the new Broadcasting/Music Production program this year. With only six weeks into the program, the class is engrossed in hands-on training to learn industry basics in radio, commercial projects, and live musical recordings. According to Carl Allen, Monticello CSD, “I was so excited to come to Career & Tech. I have always found music interesting, and the program offers so many things that will help me in the future. I like to write music and create different beats, so coming to the Broadcasting/Music Production Program is perfect. I love having the freedom to be as creative as I want with my assignments and learning hands-on." THE EDGE | PAGE 11
Upon completion, the students will have a solid understanding of audio production terminology, techniques, how to operate and maintain audio equipment, use instruments, microphones, and digital audio workstations to create recordings. “This program is an exciting opportunity for our students. We are hoping that our students will be able to use what they learn to open up doors into an industry that has so many job options,” said Paul Maoploski, Broadcasting/Music Production Instructor. To provide students with an optimal learning environment, Sullivan BOCES has partnered with WJFF to locate the program at their new facility (formally Catskill Harvest) on Route 52 in Liberty. “I am excited to have the opportunity to have the WJFF studio as my classroom. The experience, exposure, and networking opportunities will help so many students,” added Allen. The Career & Tech Center is also working with WJFF to build their new facility. The Construction Tech program is converting the existing space into a studio area, offices, and classroom, and the Natural Resources program is working to transform the property’s existing landscaping into an area that will better suit the station’s needs. "We are thrilled to work with BOCES and provide opportunities for students to get exposure and real life experience," said Tim Bruno, General Manager at WJFF. “We are excited about our partnership with WJFF,” said Jeff Molusky, Executive Principal at the Career & Tech Center. “The demolition and site work that our Construction Trades and Natural Resources programs are able to accomplish for WJFF will lay the groundwork for what we hope to be a long-standing collaboration which will include events, programming, internships, and future careers for Career & Tech students at Sullivan BOCES.”
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DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? THE CAREER & TECH CENTER AT SULLIVAN BOCES CAN HELP WITH THAT DECISION Over the next couple of months, 10th-grade students
In some cases, it actually helps students realize
will have the opportunity to choose to attend the
that they don't want to do that job - but they find
Career & Technical Education Center for a half-day
a different path they are passionate about and
program during their junior and/or senior year.
want to follow.
For many students, the decision is easy. They know
Regardless of their reason, the students who
that the training they will receive at the Career &
attend the Career & Tech Center leave high school
Tech Center will benefit them in many ways.
with skills, work ethic, experience, values, and a
Exposure to careers associated with the CTE
vision for their future - making them ready to enter
program
secondary education, the workforce, or the
Industry-standard training
military.
Experience working in the field of choice Networking opportunities
According to Justin Sherota, Monticello CSD,
Skills & Knowledge of areas of study before
"I came to the construction tech program to
entering secondary education or the workforce.
further my skills and education in carpentry, electric, and plumbing. It was the best decision I
For others, the Career & Tech Center is a place where
have made because it allows me to work and hone
they can explore careers based on their interests to
my skills while making some money to save for
help them find a career path they want to pursue.
college."
PROGRAMS OFFERED Allied Health
Early Childhood Education
Animal Science
Health Occupations
Auto Body
Innovative Design
Automotive Technology
Natural Resources
Broadcasting & Music Production
New Vision Health Academy
Construction Technology
Public Safety Services
Cosmetology
Welding
Give Us A Call! The Career & Tech Center welcomes students, parents and school districts to come and learn about the programs available at the Career & Tech Center.
Culinary Arts For more information call (845) 295-4152 www.scboces.org/CTE THE EDGE | PAGE 14
15 Sullivan Avenue, Suite 1W Liberty New York 12754
YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY BEGINS AT SULLIVAN BOCES
WHERE FUTURES BEGIN & DREAMS ARE ACHIEVED!
T
(845) 295-4000 | SCBOCES.ORG