OCM BOCES Facilities Referendum - January 23, 2014

The Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES has an opportunity to purchase the former Nationwide
Building in the Town of Salina. This acquisition means no additional cost to our districts.

Currently, OCM BOCES owns two facilities and leases eight more. A building purchase reallocates some of the current rental budget and allows those funds to be used to buy this building.

There is a Referendum Vote on this purchase on January 23, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voting locations are:

Lee G. Peters Career Training Center (4500 Crown Road) in Liverpool,
Henry Campus Administration Building (6820 Thompson Road) in Syracuse, and
McEvoy Education Campus (1710 NYS Route 13) in Cortland.

Eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, age 18 and older, who have resided within the OCM BOCES region at least 30 days prior to the vote.

Click here to download an application for an absentee ballot.

OCM BOCES is presenting information about the referendum to component district Boards of Education on the following dates:
January 6, 2014 - Baldwinsville Central School District
January 7, 2014 - Homer Central School District
January 8, 2014 - DeRuyter Central School District

Download the OCM BOCES Facilities Referendum fact sheet here for vote and project details.

2012-2013 Annual Report available online

The OCM BOCES 2012-2013 Annual Report is available online. Click here to view/download a PDF version of the publication.

State Education Department looks at OCM BOCES collaboration with Le Moyne College on leadership development

Good schools depend on good teacher leaders and good administrators. Through its Division of Instructional Support Services, OCM BOCES has begun the Central New York Leadership Development Program (CNYLDP), a joint initiative with Le Moyne College, as part of efforts to support existing leaders and encourage and develop future leaders.

On Monday, December 9, 2013, Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett, New York State Education Department (SED) Assistant Commissioner for Teacher and Leader Effectiveness and SED Project Coordinator Melissa Greene, will visit the area to learn about OCM BOCES and Le Moyne College’s CNYLDP collaboration.

The CNYLDP provides a combination of instruction and coaching/mentoring for three different audiences: teacher leadership, building leadership, and district leadership. Participants engage in initiatives with colleagues from other school districts, bringing richer ideas that will impact their analysis and problem solving. The format allows weekly feedback from mentors and monthly presentations by adjunct professors who are current practitioners in the field. CNYLDP is designed to complement and integrate ongoing professional development initiatives while providing a sustained focus on leadership development.

OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning is pleased the SED is looking at the collaboration as a model. He said, “BOCES is about success…not just the success of students, but of teachers and administrators as well. We believe that this collaborative endeavor will strengthen our area’s existing leadership as will nurture future leadership. We are excited to have SED here looking at the program as a model for others.”

Cosmetology students participate in Veteran's Day Expo

OCM BOCES senior cosmetology program students from the Irvin E. Henry campus were recently invited to participate in the November 9 Veteran's Day Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds. A booth was set up for the nine students who attended to do face-painting for the event's attendees. The students were excited to participate and even wrote literacy reflection papers citing some of their thoughts.

One student, Tori, met two young refugee twin brothers who came to America just a year ago and were accompanied to the event by a veteran. After the boys had their faces painted, Tori learned that it was the first time they had ever been able to have it done. Tori said, "They were so excited as [I] finished an American Flag on their faces. It was the most memorable part of the day."

She also said, "I had a great time meeting many veterans, who have done their job to keep our country safe."

Another student named Kayleigh met a six year boy who asked to have an American Flag painted on his face. He told Kayleigh that although his father was on active duty and " I know daddy can't see me, but now I can match him."

Marissa, another student, wrote "When I was at the expo I thought about how my grandpa who was in the coast guard, and how he was on a ship headed to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When he talks about it he gets teary eyed and chokes up."

The students did a great job face-painting and learned a great deal about American History at the same time. They came away with an appreciation for their country and for those who served.

Many thanks to the students who participated: Micala Wittherbee, Emily Keller, Mckenzie Gransbury, Kayleigh Nett, Talia Iglesias, Tori Galizia, Vi Ngugen ,Marissa Beradi and Vivian Bakowski.

WCNY to host first Common Core program with N.Y. education commissioner Nov. 7

WCNY news
by HALEY DUBNOFF
November 1, 2013

WCNY will host the first of four scheduled televised public forums on new New York Common Core education standards at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. The forum will be broadcast on WCNY-TV and streamed online at wcny.org as it happens live before a studio audience at WCNY’s Broadcast and Education Center in Syracuse.

New York State Education Commissioner Dr. John B. King Jr. and Anthony Bottar of the New York State Board of Regents will answer questions from parents, teachers, administrators and others who will make up the studio audience. Susan Arbetter, WCNY’s news and public affairs director and host of WCNY’s weekday “Capitol Pressroom” radio program, will moderate the discussion.

The initial hour-long program will be followed by an additional half-hour discussion with King and Bottar that will continue live on www.wcny.org. That half-hour discussion will be televised on WCNY’s “Insight” news and public affairs show at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8.

Individuals interested in attending the forum in the WCNY studio should complete the online form available at www.wcny.org/television/common-core-forum. Seating is limited, and online registration is not a guarantee of a seat.

Common Core standards and the educational reforms that have followed since their implementation in 2012 have divided educators. The standards emphasize critical thinking and so-called deep learning. New York is one of the first states to begin testing on the benchmarks.

When the state education department fielded complaints about poor communication related to Common Core, King scheduled a series of town hall meetings for this school year. When angry parents and professionals disrupted the first event in Poughkeepsie in mid-October, King cancelled the series. The state responded by scheduling four televised public forums on Common Core.

BOCES offering Dignity Act New York State Certification Course

This fall, OCM BOCES is offering Dignity Act New York State Certification courses, which are required for anyone seeking a new NY State Education certificate. The course will consist of two classes: one online and one in person, for a fee of $100.

Anyone interested in taking the course should register on-line, complete the on-line class, and will then be able to register for the in-person class. The $100 course fee can be paid with a credit/debit card at the in-person class. Specific details regarding required documentation necessary at the in person class are available online at http://dignity.ocmboces.org/.

The OCM BOCES Dignity Act Certification course will address the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination, including but not limited to those acts based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex. It will also cover the identification and mitigation of harassment, bullying and discrimination; and strategies for effectively addressing problems of exclusion, bias and aggression in educational settings.

Institutes of Higher Education can host a certification class at their facility, secure at least 20 students and not more than 60 students and OCM BOCES trainers will train their group for $75 per student.

For a listing of course dates in Syracuse and Cortland or to find out more, visit http://dignity.ocmboces.org/.

OCM BOCES embeds two CTE programs in local businesses

Kachelah Flournory is a junior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School in the North Syracuse Central School District. She has been playing softball for eight years and will be trying out for her school’s varsity girls’ softball team this year. Kachelah has learned a lot about her sport over the eight years she’s been playing…and through it, she has also learned about the career that she wants to pursue – physical therapy.

Thanks to the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES and one of two new programs they are offering this year, Kachelah is able to get a head start on the training she needs for the career she wants. She is one of a handful of students enrolled in OCM BOCES new Physical Therapy program embedded in the Strength in Motion training facility in East Syracuse, NY. OCM BOCES also began a second embedded program this year – an Automotive Technology program at Drivers Village in Cicero, NY.

This is the first time ever that OCM BOCES has housed any of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs right at a business. Robert Leslie, who is the OCM BOCES Director of Career and Technical Education, is excited about the new offerings and the unique learning opportunities it is now providing to students. “BOCES has been working with local employers for many years and because of the strong relationships we’ve established, our students have been able to do internships and job shadows with them. But this is the first time ever that our students are actually going to class right at the worksite where they are completely immersed in every aspect of the career.”

The OCM BOCES PT course will give students the knowledge and technical skills needed for an entry-level position in the physical therapy field, and it will also offer a path to entering higher education in a PT or physical therapy assistant college program. Through an agreement with Onondaga Community College, students in the class will actually earn 13 college credits; six in English, three in psychology and four in anatomy and physiology.

Carol Gaspo, an adjunct reading professor with Onondaga Community College (OCC,) is teaching the OCM BOCES PT students as part of their high school curriculum. Carol is teaching the students more than just reading, she is teaching them to be prepared for college. Carol says that she would like to see the course material she teaches become a part of every high school curriculum. She said, “These students are learning organization, independence, critical thinking, note-taking and other skills that are critical to their success in college. The fact that they are coming out of high school with these skills puts them steps ahead of other students applying for the same spot in a college program.”

As BOCES began developing the PT program, it worked with Onondaga Community College (OCC) to align its new curriculum with the institution’s Physical Therapy Assistant program. Shannon Patrie, OCC’s Associate Vice President of Enrollment Development, notes that their PTA program is highly competitive. Nearly 300 students applied to the school’s PTA program in 2013 and only 46 of those applicants were offered spots in the program. 

Because OCM BOCES PT students will already have earned college credits through the high school program, Patrie says they will have an advantage over other applicants. “When we look at applications and see that these students have basically already completed their first semester, that definitely gives them an edge.”

As for employers looking to hire new personnel with high-level skills and training on the latest equipment available, students from the OCM BOCES embedded programs also have an edge. Although students learn their coursework in a classroom setting right at the Strength in Motion or Drivers Village facilities, they also have the ability to utilize the company’s equipment and learn proper usage.

Erick Dodge is the OCM BOCES Automotive Technology program instructor at Drivers Village. He has been teaching auto technology at OCM BOCES for 13 years. Until this past September, Erick taught his students in a small classroom and garage at the OCM BOCES Henry Campus in Syracuse.

Erick is glad to be a part of the new BOCES program for a number of reasons but he says that he sees one of the biggest advantages of the new setup as having the students be a part of a real work setting. He said, “Some of the challenges that we’ve faced in the past have included being able to stay current with technology and having enough vehicles and equipment for 20 students to work on at the same time. With the program being here [at Drivers Village,] I believe that I can offer students more of a real world learning environment and they have real potential to land a job.”

The students enrolled in new embedded CTE programs will spend a large portion of their 2013-14 school year in very different settings than their peers. Kachelah, who hopes to eventually go to West Virginia State University for their PT program, talks about the different learning environment by saying, “At first it was a little weird but then I realized that I was able to learn faster because we have a small class. I know that I’m getting ahead [because of this class] and that it will be easier for me to stay ahead in college.”

OCM BOCES is grateful for its new partnerships with Drivers Village and Strength in Motion, and especially for the opportunities its students have with the programs being housed at the facilities. Robert Leslie talked about the importance of providing students with access to equipment that would not be possible if not for the partnership. “These facilities have top notch, state of the art equipment that BOCES could never supply on its own. If our school had to purchase and maintain these machines, it would be financially impossible to run the programs. But because of our new partnerships, students are learning about the latest equipment available while they are completely immersed in what will be their work environment.”

For more information about the OCM BOCES Physical Therapy or Automotive Technology programs, contact OCM BOCES Counselor, Melissa Muller at 315/431-8407.

Top photo: Kachelah Flournory, an OCM BOCES Physical Therapy Professions program student from the North Syracuse Central School District, instructs her classmate, Fay Coffey from the Baldwinsville Central School District, on how to properly use a piece of equipment.















Pictured: OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning (right) and Drivers Village Owner Roger Burdick cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening of OCM BOCES new Automotive Technology classroom at Drivers Village. OCM BOCES Automotive Technology students and Drivers Village staff watch and help celebrate the partnership between OCM BOCES and Drivers Village.

Pictured: Students in the new OCM BOCES Automotive Technology program class at Drivers Village stand with their instructor, Erick Dodge, in front of one of the company’s maintenance garage car lifts.

OCM BOCES Deaf Program lemonade stand in 5th year

This past summer, the OCM BOCES Special Education Summer School Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program celebrated their 5th anniversary of holding a lemonade stand to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The project began all those years ago when teacher Lisa Austin, was working with her students about money and the importance of giving back. Lisa thought a lemonade stand would be a great way to teach students about both concepts.

Upon researching the topic, she came across the book Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand. The book, about giving back and helping others, tells about Alex Scott, a little girl with cancer who set up a lemonade stand to help doctors find a cure for the disease. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a national organization, has raised millions of dollars in the fight against childhood cancer...part of that money coming from right here in Central New York!

For the first time, this year’s lemonade stand was turned into more of an event than in the past, expanding to include face painting, bubble activities, games and crafts. Additionally, there was a quiet corner for teachers to utilize and read the story of Alex with their students.

Ms. Austin is especially excited that the students achieved their increased monetary goal, raising $1,000 for the Lemonade Stand Foundation. She said, “This year it was a huge success! We hope to do just as well next summer school!”

Congratulations to Lisa Austin and her students for a job well done! Watch online news coverage of the lemonade stand on WSYR’s Bridge Street program at http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=4177984&navCatId=20640.

For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit their website at https://www.alexslemonade.org/.

Sun shelter at McEvoy Lets ­students experience nature

This past spring in the gardens at the OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus, flowers weren’t the only things starting to grow. A beautiful new sun shelter was taking shape, thanks to the collaborative efforts of OCM BOCES, Racker Centers, two local construction companies and the Tully Rotary Club.

The Children’s Garden at the OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus, now in its 14th growing season, was begun as a group effort by Susan Thomas, Turning Point Day Treatment Program Director, and many students and staff at the OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus. Students were directly involved with garden’s design in order to promote working with nature, health and wellness, acts of generosity and belonging to their school.

Through the years, the need for shade within the garden became evident, as many of McEvoy’s students cannot be in the sun for prolonged periods of time. A collection was started to fund the building of a structure in the garden. After a lot of hard work, the sun shelter was recently erected on a rainy day this past June. In addition to the shade it offers, it is hoped that it will provide a place of reflection and healing for students as they visit the garden.

The vision for the shelter is that it will be therapeutic, fostering healing and promoting learning for students, staff and visitors.

Special thanks are due to Tim Bearup, a local builder and owner of Bearup Construction, Byran Bartholomew, a BOCES construction trades program graduate and local business owner, the Tully Rotary club, and construction trades and Career Explorations students, who all came together to build the shelter.

The OCM BOCES Turning Point Day Treatment Program is a part of Racker Centers Counseling for School Success programs, licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health. OCM BOCES employs Racker Centers’ mental health professionals to help support their students in the Turning Point Program.

16th Annual Jack Gallaher Memorial Golf Tournament

The 16th Annual Jack Gallaher Memorial Helping Hand Fund Scholarship Golf Tournament to benefit OCM BOCES adult education students, was held on Wednesday, August 21 at the Links at Sunset Ridge in Marcellus.

Jack Gallaher was a Deputy Superintendent at OCM BOCES for nearly 20 years and was a great supporter of adult education and training. Upon Jack’s retirement in 1997, Dr. Daniel Elstein established the Helping Hand Fund was in Jack’s honor. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships and other financial assistance to adult education students lacking the means to begin, complete, or continue training so they might be able to enter or reenter the workforce with viable skills. Each year, the fund provides varying amounts of assistance to deserving OCM BOCES students. In 2013, eighteen students were given scholarships from the fund, allowing them to complete programs with OCM BOCES.

For more information, download the brochure. Donations to the fund are graciously accepted.

170 Adult Students graduate from OCM BOCES Syracuse-area training programs

On Tuesday, July 30, 2013, the accomplishments of nearly 200 adult students were celebrated as they completed OCM BOCES training programs.

Students were recognized for completing the following OCM BOCES adult education programs: CAD, Manufacturing Technology (a new program), Central Service Technology, Cosmetology, Office Technology, HVAC-R, Welding, Construction Trades, Pharmacy Technology, Electrical Maintenance Technology, Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting.

For more information about adult education and training programs in the Syracuse area, call 315/453-4455 and in the Cortland-area, call 607/758-5111

Adult Cosmetology students will perform “confidence makeovers” for Huntington Family Center Participants

On Thursday, July 25, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., students and staff from the OCM BOCES Adult Education Cosmetology program will be giving free makeovers to participants of Huntington Family Center support programs. The event will take place at the OCM BOCES Lee G. Peters Career Training Center (4500 Crown Road) in Liverpool. Recipients of the makeovers are men and women who have struggled with social and economic hardships. It is hoped that the physical transformations will inspire emotional transformations as well, leading to improved outlooks and increased self-esteem.

OCM BOCES is hosting the “confidence makeover” event in collaboration with ProLiteracy’s Literacy for Social Change (LSC) initiative. LSC is a unique program that enables facilitators within community literacy programs to combine literacy and cutting-edge strategies for human development and problem solving. The agency will be on hand at the event to conduct pre-and post- makeover surveys with participants to gauge how the event impacted them.

OCM BOCES Adult Education Cosmetology Program is donating all of the supplies, costs, equipment and times. During the event, OCM BOCES will also hold an open house in order to give makevover participants and the public the opportunity to tour all adult education classes and learn about its many vocational programs.

OCM BOCES Literacy and Adult Education Program Coordinator Mari Ukleya said, “I’m excited that our adult cosmetology students can be a part of this event. Even more though, the students are excited to be using their skills for such a great cause. We’re looking forward to seeing the physical and emotional transformations.”

For more information about adult education opportunities through OCM BOCES, visit their website at www.ocmboces.org and click on the adult programs tab.
Huntington Family Centers provide human services to those who face economic and social adversity. It works with people based on their social backgrounds and works to build pride and a sense of self-esteem in their community.

Regional Summer School program information

OCM BOCES 2013 Regional Summer School programs for 7th - 12th grade students are taking place at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Cortland High School, Fayetteville-Manlius High School and West Genesee High School.

All information regarding individual programs is available on the OCM BOCES Instructional Support Services website by clicking here.

Health Occupations student from Chittenango High School receives CTE award

Congratulations to Alayna Arno, an OCM BOCES Health Occupations student from the Chittenango Central School District, who recently received an award from her home school for academic excellence at OCM BOCES. Alayna received the award during the Chittenango High School awards ceremony on Thursday, May 30 for having the highest grade point average over the two years she attended OCM BOCES.

Alayna's plans are to attend Onondaga Community College for a year beginning in the fall, and to then transfer to Gardner Webb University to receive her nursing degree.

Mindy Akers, who is Alayna's teacher at OCM BOCES said, "Alayna is an excellent student and relates to the patient with kindness and empathy."

Congratulations Alayna!

OCM BOCES students place in Ford/AAA competition

Congratulations to OCM BOCES automotive technology students Joshua Hildreth, from the Baldwinsville Central School District and Tyler Shepard from the Cazenovia Central School District for recently placing second in the  Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition held at Morrisville State College on May 14.

Hildreth and Shepard competed against nine teams from around the state to diagnose and repair several automotive problems in 90 minutes. To qualify for the hands-on competition students had to take a written exam. Only 10 of the highest scoring two-person teams in the state qualified for the hands-on competition.

For their second-place finish Hildreth and Shepard each received a trophy and several scholarships, including $1,500 from the Ford Asset program and $5,000 from Universal Technical Institute.


Congratulations Joshua and Tyler!

Automotive Technology Student wins North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce award

Congratulations to Joshua Fay, an OCM BOCES automotive technology senior from the North Syracuse Central School District,  for recently having won the BOCES student award from the North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. Joshua was presented with a certificate of recognition and a check for $50 at the Chamber's monthly meeting and student awards' ceremony on May 21.

Joshua was nominated for the recognition by his guidance counselor at Cicero-North Syracuse High School and during the ceremony, was commended for his excellent attendance and attitude and his hard work and preparation for classes.

Joshua serves as the chief of junior firefighters at the Hinsdale Fire Department in Mattydale, NY. He plans to attend either Morrisville or Onondaga Community College in the fall to major in automotive technology.

Above photo: Joshua (left) was presented with his award, which was sponsored by North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars, by Robert Crabtree, a member of Dollars for Scholars and the North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

Accomplishments of literacy program graduates recognized at 30th annual ceremony

On Wednesday, May 22, OCM BOCES held its 30th Annual (Syracuse-area) Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the Palace Theater in Syracuse. Hundreds of graduates from  OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and literacy programs attended and were recognized for their accomplishments in front of their families, friends and the community.

Emotional and inspirational testimonials were given by graduating students Ilhan Gowdha and Muhaimin Muhammad.

Ilhan Gowdha, originally from Somalia, has lived in Syracuse for just over one year. Before coming the United States, she spent two years in Kenya, where she was a representative for Somalian refugees. This included counseling victims of violence, and disseminating information and resources to her community. She  also performed interpreting duties for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after moving to Syracuse in February 2012, she enrolled at OCM BOCES and obtained her GED in March of 2013. She currently volunteers at the Northside Learning Center, and is very active in the Syracuse community. Ms. Gowdha plans to take pre-med classes at Syracuse University starting this summer.

Muhaimin Muhammad a native of Newark, New Jersey, is the second oldest of 13 children, son of Muntaqim and Latifah Muhammad. In 2000 Muhaimin moved to Rochester, New York. For the past 12 years, he has been a devoted and loving husband to Alnisa Muhammad and a loving and compassionate father of four children - two daughters, 21 year-old Khadijah and 20 year-old Haneefah Muhammad, and 13 year-old twin boys, Muhaimin and Samad.  He is also a grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren, whom he adores very much. Muhaimin is a very determined and hard working person. While he admits he has stumbled many times, he never gives up, finding strength within himself, GOD, and his family.

OCM BOCES also recognized the Onondaga County Department of Correction as their 2013 Partner is Literacy and Reginald Dennis, a 2012 OCM BOCES graduate, was acknowledged for having been named by NYACCE (New York Association for Continuing/Community Education) as a student of the year for 2013.

Congratulations to all graduates!

Syracuse-area Adult Literacy Celebration - Wednesday, May 22

This Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., OCM BOCES will hold its 30th Annual (Syracuse-area) Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the Palace Theatre (2384 James Street) in Syracuse. Hundreds of graduates from the OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and other literacy programs will be invited to attend and be recognized for their accomplishments.

Student testimonials, illustrating their personal and educational struggles prior to coming to OCM BOCES, will be given by Ilhan Gowdha and Muhaimin Muhammad.

Ilhan Gowdha, originally from Somalia, has lived in Syracuse for just over one year. Before coming the United States, she spent two years in Kenya, where she was a representative for Somalian refugees. This included counseling victims of violence, and disseminating information and resources to her community. She  also performed interpreting duties for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after moving to Syracuse in February 2012, she enrolled at OCM BOCES and obtained her GED in March of 2013. She currently volunteers at the Northside Learning Center, and is very active in the Syracuse community. Ms. Gowdha plans to take pre-med classes at Syracuse University starting this summer.

Muhaimin Muhammad a native of Newark, New Jersey, is the second oldest of 13 children, son of Muntaqim and Latifah Muhammad. In 2000 Muhaimin moved to Rochester, New York. For the past 12 years, he has been a devoted and loving husband to Alnisa Muhammad and a loving and compassionate father of four children - two daughters, 21 year-old Khadijah and 20 year-old Haneefah Muhammad, and 13 year-old twin boys, Muhaimin and Samad.  He is also a grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren, whom he adores very much. Muhaimin is a very determined and hard working person. While he admits he has stumbled many times, he never gives up, finding strength within himself, GOD, and his family.

OCM BOCES will also recognize the Onondaga County Department of Correction as their 2013 Partner is Literacy at the celebration. Commissioner Timothy Cowin and Assistant Commissioner Dan Boyle will accept the award during the ceremony. For more information on the 30th Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.

OCM BOCES students inducted into National Technical Honor Society

On Thursday, May 9, sixty-nine Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from the OCM BOCES Henry Campus were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Students that qualify for induction into the technical honor society represent the “best of the best” in CTE programs. In order to be inducted into the technical honor society students must have an 85 average or higher, 12 or fewer absences from their program for the year and receive a teacher endorsement.

Students must also demonstrate attributes that include: respect, honesty, skill, responsibility, leadership, service and citizenship. Congratulations to the students and their families!

Pictured above are Josh Fay (left) and Richard Piccolo, both students from the North Syracuse Central School District.

Following is the complete list of students inducted for membership in 2013 by their  home school districts:

Baldwinsville Central School District - Emily Arthur, Daniel Belair, Katrina Crump, Rachel Dattler, Joseph Granholm, Joshua Hildreth, Scott Jordan, Eric Shorney, Courtney Spraker, Christian Thompson, Cody Young;

Cazenovia Central School District - Darren Mihaich;

Chittenango Central School District - Alayna Arno, Kaleen Cole, Katelyn Graham, Alexis Mackey, Cody Nicholas, Dristin Snyder, Olivia Swieton, Jon-Luc Turk, Brandon Woodward;

East Syracuse Minoa Central School District - Karly Kwasigroch;

Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District - Richard Davies, Amanda Markert, Thawm Van;

Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District - Maya Bey;

LaFayette Central School District - Kayla McElhannon;

Liverpool Central School District - Robert Cussen, Hope Downey, Amber Heisey, Amber Holdsworth, Alexa Mentel, Courtney Morse, Gabriella Sgroi;

Marcellus Central School District - Elizabeth Burke, Jeremy Dietz, Justin Smith;

North Syracuse Central School District - Christine Beckhusen, Brooke Bliss, Kathryn Buckley, Kaela Chesebro, Michelle Cross, Miranda Downey, Joshua Fay, Sarah Fike, John Flanagan, Adam Giordano, Nathan Hallatt, Ashley Hart, Samantha Holzapfel, Marina Locastro, Faith Paskell, Richard Piccolo, Elisabeth Pucello, Matthew Toia, Jessica Wanke, Charles Yancey;

Solvay Union Free School District - Micah Blanchard, Peter Casimiro, William Chasteen, Keith English;

Tully Central School District - Mikayla Baker, Gary Bradley, Leah Simon, Kelsey Wheeler;

West Genesee Central School District - Juliana Defio; and

Westhill Central School District - Nicholas Herholtz, Krista Johnston, Kayla Valenza.

 

Pictured: Joe Granholm from the Baldwinsville Central School District receives his certificate for the National Technical Honor Society.

Pictured: Several of the OCM BOCES New Vision students that were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Pictured: Students inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) read their pledge after being presented with their new membership items. The NTHS pledge is:
"As a member of the National Technical Honor Society, I pledge to maintain
the highest standard of personal conduct.
I will apply myself to continue a record of scholastic achievement,
and I will strive for excellence in all aspects of my education.
I will invest my talents, my skills, and my knowledge in a career of my own choosing,
and shall always endeavor to uphold my obligations as a citizen of my community and my country."

OCM BOCES students compete and place in New York State Skills USA Leadership Competition

Approximately 2,000 students from across the state recently came together at the New York State Fairgrounds to compete in this year’s state SkillsUSA competition. 40 students from OCM BOCES were among those competitors, and earned six medals home for the school. The OCM BOCES students who placed in the competition are:

1.    Megan Howard, OCM BOCES Health Occupations Technology senior from the Cortland Enlarged City School District – 1st place (State Champion) in Nurse Assisting category (qualified for national competition)

2.    (Pictured above during the competition) Alexa Mentel, OCM BOCES Pastry Arts senior from the Liverpool Central School District – 1st place (State Champion) in the Commercial Baking category (qualified for national competition)

3.    Tyler Myers, OCM BOCES Automotive Collision Technology senior from the Baldwinsville Central School District – 3rd place in Collision Repair category

4.    Aaron Negus, OCM BOCES Computer Technology junior from the Westhill Central School District – 3rd place in the Computer Maintenance Technology category

5.    Jack Ryan, OCM BOCES Computer Technology senior from the Homer Central School District – 2nd place in Customer Service category


6.    Tyler Shepard, OCM BOCES Automotive Technology senior from the Cazenovia Central School District – 3rd place in the Automotive Service Technology category

About Skills USA: Skills USA is a national organization serving teachers and high school/college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. The organization provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development and builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills.

The complete list of OCM BOCES student participants is provided in the previous article about the competition.

For more information about OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education Programs, contact Robert Leslie at 315/431-8407.

Students compete in New York State SkillsUSA Leadership Competition

Approximately 40 students from the OCM BOCES Henry and McEvoy Education campuses in Syracuse and Cortland joined thousands of other Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from across the state for this year’s New York State SkillsUSA competition. The competition was held at the New York State Fairgrounds on Thursday, April 25. During the contests, students competed with their peers using the knowledge and hands-on skills they have gained through their CTE courses.

OCM BOCES students who competed in New York State SkillsUSA are:
From the Baldwinsville Central School District:
Emily Arthur (Job Skills Demo)
Daniel Belair (Internetworking)
Paige Bell (Occupational Health & Safety)
Sarah Brown (Related Technical Math)
Jenna Griffo (Job Interview)
Tyler Myers (Collision Repair Technology)

From the Cazenovia Central School District:
Tyler Shepard (Automotive Service Technology)

From the Chittenango Central School District:
Kaleen Cole (Nail Care Model)

From the Cincinnatus Central School District:
Anthony Allen (Restaurant Service)
Lacy Crane (Culinary Arts)

From the Cortland Enlarged City School District:
David Hines (Automotive Service Technology)
Megan Howard (Nurse Assistant)
Irina Khrushch (Delegate)
Darien Ostrander (Job Skills Demo)
Eleni Stewart (Commercial Baking)

From the Homer Central School District:
Chaylyn Cleveland (Job Interview)
Dylan Chochran (Food Prep Assistant)
Connor Munn (Computer Maintenance)
Jack Ryan (Customer Service)

From the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District:
Karly Kwasigroch (Health Knowledge Bowl)

From the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District:
Maya Bey (Nail Care)

From the Liverpool Central School District:
Alexa Mentel (Commercial Baking)

From the North Syracuse Central School District:
Crista Baird (Food Prep Assistant)
Michelle Cross (Health Knowledge Bowl)
John Flanagan (First Aid/CPR)
Samantha Holzapfel (Health Knowledge Bowl)
Kaylie Laflair (Job Skills Demo)
Joshua Sackett (Employment Application Process)
Jessica Wanke (Health Knowledge Bowl)
Nicolette Wing (Cosmetology)

From the Solvay Union Free School District:
William Chasteen (Culinary Arts)
Karen Harris (Early Childhood Education)
Cody McCarthy (Automotive Refinishing Technology)

From the Syracuse City School District:
Kevin Hernandez (Customer Service)

From the Tully Central School District:
Michael Spain (Collision Repair)

From the West Genesee Central School District:
Roman Hevko (Restaurant Service)

From the Westhill Central School District:
Aaron Negus (Computer Maintenance Technology)

Pictured above: Alexa Mentel from the Liverpool Central School District will compete in the New York SkillsUSA competition in the Commercial Baking category. She is pictured above practicing her cake decorating skills before the regional-level SkillsUSA competition in February.

For more information about OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education Programs, contact Robert Leslie at 431-8407.

OCM BOCES Students Awarded with Tools for Success

Congratulations to the 12 OCM BOCES Automotive Technology and Automotive Collision Technology students recently recognized for their outstanding achievements through Snap-On Tools for Success awards program. The students, selected by their OCM BOCES classroom instructors for their excellent automotive technology, math and science skills, as well as outstanding classroom participation, attendance and attitude, each received a certificate of excellence and a Snap-On Tools screwdriver, valued at over $50. Of the four from each classroom, one student was chosen to receive a black-handled screwdriver award, representing the “best of the best” in their field.

The following OCM BOCES students were recognized with Tools for Success awards. Those marked with an * were selected for the black-handled screwdriver award:

Automotive Collision Technology (Instructor, Matthew McGiveny):
David Bird (Baldwinsville Central School District)
Austin Lyke (Baldwinsville Central School District)
Jeffrey Rivers (Solvay Union Free School District) 

*Koty Schwenn (North Syracuse Central School District)


Automotive Technology (Instructor, Samuel Azria):
Muhammad Qubaisy (Jamesville DeWitt Central School District)
*Eric Shorney (Baldwinsville Central School District)

Zachary Williams (Marcellus Central School District)
Brandon Woodward (Chittenango Central School District)

Automotive Technology (Instructor, Erick Dodge):
Brad Delavan (Jamesville DeWitt Central School District)
Joe Granholm (Baldwinsville Central School District)
*Justin Hildreth (Baldwinsville Central School District)
Nick Romeo (Baldwinsville Central School District)

For more information about the OCM BOCES Automotive Technology, Automotive Collision Technology or other Career and Technical Education Programs, contact Robert Leslie, Director of Career, Technical and Adult Education at 315/431-8407.

Pictured above: OCM BOCES Automotive Collision Technology Instructor Matthew McGiveny shakes hands with his student, David Bird from the Baldwinsville Central School District.

Pictured above: The complete group of student award winners for the 2013 Snap-On Tools for Success Awards program at OCM BOCES.

Adult Literacy Celebrations being held in May

Be sure to mark your calendars now for two upcoming events honoring the accomplishments of OCM BOCES adult education program students. 

On Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m., the OCM BOCES Center for New Careers (in Cortland) will hold their Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the McEvoy Educational Campus (1710 NYS Route 13) in Cortland.
On Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m., OCM BOCES will hold its 30^th Annual (Syracuse-area) Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the Palace Theatre (2384 James Street) in Syracuse. 

Hundreds of graduates from the OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and other literacy programs will be invited to attend and be recognized for their accomplishments. 

Several student testimonials, illustrating personal and educational struggles prior to coming to OCM BOCES, will be given during the ceremonies. OCM BOCES will also recognize their 2013 Partners in Literacy.

The public and media are asked to mark their calendars and plan to attend these celebrations. For more information on  OCM BOCES adult education programs, call 315-453-4466 (in Liverpool) or 607-758-1111 (in Cortland.)

Cazenovia High School Principal to be honored by OCM BOCES

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013, OCM BOCES will present Eric Schnabl, Principal of Cazenovia High School with their 2013 School Library System’s Administrator/Advocate of the Year award. The ceremony honoring Schnabl will take place at the OCM BOCES Henry Campus Rodax 8 Conference Room at 12:00 noon. 

The intention of the award is to honor an educational administrator or library advocate in the OCM (Onondaga, Cortland, Madison) region who has made significant contributions to school librarianship. 2013 is the first year that the award will be presented to a school building principal. Mr. Schnabl has demonstrated innovative administrative initiatives in the area of school libraries and the importance of the library connection to instruction.

Schnabl was nominated for the award by Vicki Reutter, a librarian for Cazenovia High School. In her nomination letter, she commended Mr. Schnabl for not only advancing the high school’s library program, but also the school’s educational standing.

With Mr. Schnabl at the helm, Cazenovia was ranked third for academics in Upstate New York by Business News and was awarded the 2012 NAAE Outstanding Secondary Agriculture Program, named the 2011 Model School for Project Lead the Way, ranked 154 in New York state high schools by U.S. News & World Report, and named an Outstanding Secondary School by the U.S. Department of Education, Mrs. Reutter writes.

In her letter, Reutter also highlights Mr. Schnabl’s ability to recognize the importance of a library media specialist in helping a school adjust to the curricular demands created by the new Common Core Standards. “Basically, I feel he has been a strong literacy advocate for our school, and has definitely supported my program on a daily basis,” Mrs. Reutter said. “We've had budget cuts and staff cuts, and I know he has taken these to heart and tried to come up with creative solutions.”

As an example, Mrs. Reutter cited the principal’s decision to approach teachers’ aides with an innovative idea for library staffing.

"His interpersonal skills paid off when we had staff cuts and there was no one to staff the library after school," Mrs. Reutter wrote in her nomination letter. "Mr Schnabl went literally door to door asking staff members to adjust their hours to cover the library, and was successful finding an aide to agree."

When Cazenovia High School English teacher Christie Brenneck needed additional copies of a novel that was added to the curriculumn, Mr. Schnabl came to the rescue. "Previously, the 12th grade teachers had taught different units at different times in order to share books, but we were still short," Mrs. Brenneck said. "As we had no funds for additional books that year, Eric went to Barnes & Noble and came in the next day with two bags filled with books for my students."

OCM BOCES Superintendent J. Francis Manning will present the award to Mr. Schnabl during the May 8 award ceremony. 

“His program support, moral support and respectful treatment of students, staff and teachers are just a part of his hopeful and positive nature, making it a pleasure to work with him,” Mrs. Reutter said.

For more information about the OCM BOCES School Library System or their Administrator/Advocate of the Year Award, contact Marcie Mann, Interim School Library System Coordinator at 315/433-2665. 

Cosmetology Students Hit the Runway for Beautiful Me Hair Show

The “Beautiful Me” competitive hair show was recently held at Barbagallo’s Restaurant in East Syracuse. OCM BOCES senior cosmetology students from the Irvin E. Henry Campus hosted and participated in the show as runway models. 

Senior cosmetology students competed in four categories and were judged by members of the Cosmetology Community Advisory Board. The competition categories were Fantasy, Generations, Exotic Jungle and Romance. Students competed by designing and creating hairstyles, makeup and clothing choices using their fellow students as models.

At the show, the students presented their designs by walking a runway in front of a live audience in order for the designs to be judged.

Congratulations to the following students for placing in the competition:

Katelyn Graham (Chittenango High School) - first place in the Fantasy category
Amber Holdsworth (Liverpool High School) - first place in the Exotic Jungle category

Carra Morre (West Genesee High School) - first place in the Romance category

Elisabeth Thomas (Fayetteville-Manlius High School) - first place in the Generations category

Maya Bey (Jamesville-DeWitt High School) - second place in the Romance category
Scott Jordan (Baker High School) - second place in the Generations category
Courtney Spraker (Baker High School) - second place in the Fantasy category
Kayla Valenza (Westhill High School) - second place in the Exotic Jungle category

Cara Jordan (Cicero-North Syracuse High School) - third place in the Romance category
Rachel Knapp (Baker High School) - third place in the Exotic Jungle category
Marina Locastro (Cicero-North Syracuse High School) - third place in the Generations category
Daisia Noboa (Solvay High School) - third place in the Fantasy category

Stephanie Azocar (Liverpool High School) - fourth place in the Romance category
Danaysia Rucker (Cicero-North Syracuse High School) - fourth place in the Exotic Jungle category

Courtney Bevard (Fayetteville-Manlius High School) - fifth place in the Exotic Jungle category
Alisa DiMaria (Cicero-North Syracuse High School) - fifth place in the Romance category

For more information, please contact Annemarie Morabito, OCM BOCES Cosmetology Instructor at 431-8508. 

Recognizing OCM BOCES graduates who have gone above and beyond

OCM BOCES is currently seeking nominations for their Career and Technical Education (CTE) Alumni Hall of Fame. Nomination forms are available in the main offices of OCM BOCES’ CTE buildings and are available for download by clicking here. In order for candidates to be considered for induction in 2013, nomination forms and all supplemental materials must be received by OCM BOCES Director of Career, Technical and Adult Education, Robert Leslie, no later than Friday, April 19, 2013.

One graduate from the OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus in Cortland and one graduate from their Henry Campus in Syracuse will be selected by the CTE Advisory Committee to be honored at their respective campus’ completion ceremony in June. The winners will also have a commemorative plaque placed in the "Hall of Fame" at their respective campus of graduation.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals who have graduated from OCM BOCES programs and who demonstrate leadership in their field. By identifying successful graduates, the hope is to provide positive role models for current students, while making the public aware of the accomplishments of former OCM BOCES students and the potential for success through the high quality programs offered by the organization. 

OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning said, “As school districts across the United States work to align their curricula with Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS,) it is becoming essential to provide lesson content connected to the real world. Career and technical education programs provide an ideal opportunity for that relationship to occur.”

Manning added, “CTE programming provides students with a Regents high school diploma, backed by the academic proficiency, technical skills, knowledge and training they need to succeed in college and future careers. The hands-on work that CTE students complete, provides them opportunities to directly apply problem-solving, reasoning, communication and mathematical skills that they will use throughout their lives.”

Each year, thousands of CTE students graduate from high school with their career goals at the forefront of their minds, equipped with the academic, leadership and job skills to help them down their chosen career path. These students know exactly where they are and where they will go next to further their academic and hands-on education and training. The OCM BOCES CTE Alumni Hall of Fame was established to honor such individuals who graduated from OCM BOCES and who demonstrate leadership in their field.

Alumni Hall of Fame nominations are solicited and reviewed by a subcommittee made up of members from the OCM BOCES CTE Advisory Committee. In order to be considered for the award, nominees must have graduated from an OCM BOCES CTE program, they must be engaged in an occupation related to their program of completion at OCM BOCES, they must demonstrate leadership in their field and they must exercise civic responsibility.

Nomination forms for the OCM BOCES Alumni Hall of Fame are available in the main offices of OCM BOCES’ CTE buildings and online at www.ocmboces.org. In order for candidates to be considered for induction in 2013, nomination forms and all supplemental materials must be received by OCM BOCES Director of CTE and Adult Education, Robert Leslie, no later than Friday, April 19, 2013. For more information, please contact Robert Leslie at 315/431-8406.

Following is a listing of CTE Programs at OCM BOCES:

Thompson Road Campus in Syracuse

Automotive Body Collision Technology 

Automotive Technology 

Certified Nurse Assistant 

Computer Technology 

Construction Technology 

Cosmetology 

Criminal Justice/Police Science 

Culinary Arts 

Early Childhood Education 

Floral Arts 

Graphic Communications 

Health Occupations 

Medical Laboratory Technician 

Pastry Arts 

McEvoy Campus in Cortland

Automotive Collision Technology

Automotive Technology

Construction Technology

Graphic Communications 

Cosmetology 

Computer Technology 

Culinary Arts 

Criminal Justice 

Health Occupations 

OCM BOCES students among millions from across the world to participate in World Education Games

On Tuesday, March 5, 2013 and Wednesday, March 6, 2013, more than 100 OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) students at the Irvin E. Henry Education Campus in Syracuse, are participating in online World Math Day activities with millions of others from across the world. This is the first year that OCM BOCES students have participated in the event, which is part of 3P Learning’s World Education Games. 

The games allow students to compete online with others from across the world. According to a press release, students from 236 countries and territories are expected to compete in the 2013 World Education Games. 

Each student registered receives a unique username and password allowing them to play whenever they are available during the official game period. When students sign-in, the program picks real opponents from around the world for them to compete against. Each game lasts just 60 seconds with the goal of answering as many math questions correctly as possible. 

The actual Math Day competition takes place whenever the date anywhere in the world is March 6. For students at OCM BOCES, that means competition can begin at 5:00 AM on Tuesday, March 5 and will continue through 5:00 AM on Thursday, March 7. OCM BOCES CTE students will compete as part of their applied math classes on Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM and from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM each day. 

Teachers at OCM BOCES are excited about participating in the games this year saying, “Participating allows students to have fun doing math and helps address the need for mental math practice so students aren’t always reaching for their calculator to do basic math computations.”

During the competition on March 5, students from OCM BOCES answered almost 12,000 questions correctly, which is more than all the questions they answered correctly during the previous two weeks of practice! Great job!

OCM BOCES students compete in the World Math Day competition on March 5, 2013.

Students use a map to select their opponents from around the world.

Each competition lasts for 60 seconds with students answering as many questions as possible before selecting new opponents. 

Students are able to see their progress in comparison to their opponents as they answer questions.