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.