The OCM BOCES 2013-2014 Annual Report is now available

OCM BOCES and the educational community of Central New York have a regional vision for college, career and citizenship readiness. At the heart of the vision are three commitments: instruction that engages, culture that empowers, and technology that enables. As you look through this Annual Report you will see that programs and initiatives we have put into place this year are directly aligned with our regional vision’s commitments.  This year, more than ever, we have seen glimpses of the incredibly bright things that our students will have possible to them in their futures.

Click here to read the Annual Report.

Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute for 11th & 12th graders - App deadline Dec. 19th

The Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN) at the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES is currently seeking eligible 11th and 12th grade student applicants to participate in a unique leadership development opportunity. Hispanic/Latino juniors and seniors from Central New York school districts are invited to apply for a four-day leadership training, culminating with attendance at the 25th Annual Angelo Del Toro Puerto/Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany, NY. This is a free event.

Students are required to attend the three training sessions at OCM BOCES (Feb. 5, Feb. 26 and March 7, 2015) in Syracuse, NY and one session at the Onondaga County Legislative Building (March 17, 2015) in Syracuse, NY. Selected students will attend the Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany, NY from March 21 through 23, 2015. Please note that all dates are subject to change.

Training opportunities have been aligned with Common Core requirements and are designed to empower Hispanic/Latino students. Participants will have multiple opportunities to interact and network with positive role models, other New York State Hispanic/Latino students, government officials, state trainers, business and community leaders. Additionally, the selected student delegates will participate in a mock assembly and debate legislation at the Albany conference. Several senior scholarship opportunities will be available.

Interested students should complete a PRHYLI Syracuse Delegation Application and submit it by the December 19, 2014 deadline. All applications must be submitted with the required supplemental pieces in order to be considered. Supplemental materials include: a competed essay, a minimum of two PRHYLI Syracuse Delegation Recommendations, a current high school transcript, parental consent and principal/guidance counselor consent form, a completed Student Contract, a completed Parental Medical Consent (English) or Parental Medical Consent (Spanish) and a completed College Survey. All forms are available online by clicking here or on the OCM BOCES PRHYLI webpage at http://www.ocmboces.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=697#one.

The Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute is an innovative collaboration with the NYS Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force in conjunction with the annual SOMOS El Futuro conference, Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies, the New York State City Board of Education, and other agencies as appropriate. For more information, visit the Syracuse Delegation PRHYLI webpage at http://www.ocmboces.org
/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=697#one or contact Tanya Rosado-Barringer, coordinator, at 315-431-2664 or rbern@ocmboces.org.

OCM BOCES students to compete in 2015 Academic Bowl

A team of four students from the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Education Services (OCM BOCES) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program will compete at the 2015 Regional Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students on December 11-14, 2014 at the New York State School for the Deaf in Rome, NY.

The OCM BOCES team is made up of students Aruasy Barrios, Amy Christen, Jacob Sikorski, and Vannessa  Zurbruegg, and led by head coach and OCM BOCES Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program teacher Lisa Austin and assistant coach and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program interpreter Penny Killeen (pictured at right, standing left to right: Barrios, Christen, Sikorski, Zurbruegg. Seated, left to right: Austin, Killeen).

The Academic Bowl is an extremely competitive, annual competition sponsored by Gallaudet University. It consists of five Regional Academic Bowls and a National Academic Bowl, which aim to foster the pursuit of academic excellence, promote a spirit of academic competition and good sportsmanship and encourage social opportunities among students.

“Our students have been working and studying daily since the end of September in preparation for the competition. They’re very excited and looking forward to it,” says Austin.

The team will compete on Friday, December 12, from 9:45 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., and again on Saturday, December 13, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Their fellow students in the OCM BOCES Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program and the Solvay American Sign Language class will attend Friday’s competition to support and cheer them on.

The New York School for the Deaf is located at 401 Turin Street, Rome, NY.

For more information about OCM BOCES, its Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, and other educational opportunities for kids and adults, visit ocmboces.org.

Innovation Tech "offers students a unique learning experience"

OCM BOCES' Innovation Tech was profiled this morning in an article by Sarah Moses of the Syracuse Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. Read the full story here.

Innovation Tech is the first and only New Tech high school in Central New York, located at the Lee G. Peters Career Training Center in Liverpool. Plans are proceeding for a second facility, in Cortland County, to open in September 2016. Innovation Tech employs a project-based learning approach that engages students with authentic learning and meaningful collaboration.

Students work in teams to creatively solve problems, working hand-in-hand with businesses in the community. All students at Innovation Tech earn college credit, participate in internships, and give back to the community through service learning. It's an approach to learning that reflects the 21st Century and the global environment in which we live. Relevant and student-driven learning begins with teaching that is engaging and a culture that is empowering. At Innovation Tech, students become self-directed learners who no longer depend on teachers and textbooks in a search for a single, right answer. Students use technology on a regular basis and not just as a special event--each student uses their own laptop computer to connect them to the world and facilitate the research and creativity that they need to be successful in their future. Students work in teams on authentic projects to develop critical thinking and communication skills. Teamwork builds social skills and work ethic critical in today's business environment.

Innovation Tech operates with the understanding that the ways in which we work and communicate have changed and prepares students to live and work in our ever-changing world. Stay in touch with Innovation Tech at the Innovation Tech Facebook page. Read more about Innovation Tech on the OCM BOCES website here.

Being Smart about the Smart Schools Bond Act

On Tuesday, November 4, the New York Bonds for School Technology Act, Proposal 3, also known as the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014, was approved by New York state voters.

The measure, proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in his State of the State Address last January, was not without its detractors. While supporters argued that the bonds would help boost our students’ technological literacy, improve facilities and provide much-needed funding for high-tech infrastructure, others countered that any newly purchased technology would become obsolete well before the repayment of the debts, and that the sale of bonds up to $2 billion would serve to push the state even deeper into debt.

Whether you agree or not, every school district in the state soon will be able to accept one-time Smart Schools bond funding for technology. School district board members and superintendents will undoubtedly find it tempting to purchase laptops, tablets, interactive white boards and other technology for their students. We naturally want these things for every student in every classroom. Before we buy anything, however, it is time for some long-term planning.

First, we should apply some fundamental principles to our planning, beginning with the end in mind. This means that we don’t start by drawing up lists of the technology we want to purchase. That’s the last step. Instead, we should ask ourselves, “What are the goals we have for our students and for their futures? What do we want students to be able to do?” The answers to these questions will point us in the right direction.

Once we’ve identified the skills our students need in order to be college, career and citizenship ready, the next step will be to describe what it looks like when those students are being successful. We’ll want to see students effectively using technology to help them conduct relevant, authentic research as they solve problems and work on projects. In fact, the New York Smart Schools Commission makes this recommendation in their final report.

The last thing to do is to think about the purchases we can make with our allocation of Smart Schools bond money. We’ll want to think long-term rather than short-term as we plan our purchases. It doesn’t make sense to purchase technology that will be obsolete long before we stop paying for the bond. Think of it like buying a house. With a mortgage, you buy a house or improve the structure. You wouldn’t use the money to buy a TV or pay the cable bill. This is no different.

By beginning with the end in mind when planning for this money, we will be investing in the future of our districts and, most importantly, the future of our students.

J. Francis Manning, District Superintendent
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES


OCM BOCES McEvoy students attend Construction Career Day

Seventeen OCM BOCES Construction Technology students from the McEvoy Education Center in Cortland, New York, were among the nearly 600 others from 19 school districts in the 2014 Southern Tier of New York that recently took part in a day-long Construction Career Day.

The Southern Tier Construction Career Day held Wednesday, October 8, at the Broome County Highway Department facility in Chenango Bridge, featured exhibits by a variety of organizations and schools associated with the construction industry as well as trade displays and heavy equipment demonstrations. For many students, the hands-on experience included the opportunity for supervised operation of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks.

Construction Career Day is designed to introduce high school students to the career opportunities and unlimited potential for advancement within the construction industry. The event is organized by a consortium of groups, including the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the Broome County Highway Department, Broome-Tioga Workforce New York, Broome-Tioga BOCES and several local companies and trade unions involved in the construction industry.

The program is directly supported by the Federal Highway Administration through the NYSDOT, which provides a grant to help fund the program around New York state. The grant includes costs for busing, insurance and lunch. In addition, Broome-Tioga Workforce New York provides grant funding to offset costs associated with the event. There is no cost to participating schools.

2014 Greater CNY School Library System Annual Conference to be held Oct. 27

The 2014 Greater CNY School Library System Annual Conference will be held Monday, October 27, and will feature keynote speaker and 2014-2015 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President-elect Leslie Preddy, the “Innovative Educator” Lisa Nielsen and a variety of workshops aimed to give librarians, teachers, administrators and students the tools and insights they need to meet the media and information needs of the next generation.

The event will run from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool, New York.

This year’s conference carries the theme, “The Now Revolution in School Libraries,” and will also host information sessions on many topics including embracing the power of mobile devices, building a reading community, digital citizenship, apps for learning and creating augmented realities. School librarian poster presentations and more than 25 vendor tables and vendor presentations will also take place throughout the day.

Registration fees are $90 for current librarians, teachers and administrators, $50 for students. For more information and to register, visit: http://files.ocmboces.org/event/SLSconference/sls_conference.html.

The conference is sponsored by Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES, the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (formerly the Oswego County BOCES) and Syracuse City School Libraries, and co-sponsored by Central New York School Librarians (CNYSL) and the Central New York/Oswego County Teacher Center.

About Keynote Speaker Leslie Preddy

Leslie Preddy has been the school librarian at Perry Meridian Middle School in Indianapolis, Indiana since 1992. She is a past recipient of AASL’s Collaborative School Library Media Award and School Library Media Program of the Year. She is a former MSD of Perry Township Teacher of the Year and a 2010 finalist for Indiana State Teacher of the Year. She is a past president of the Association of Indiana School Library Educators (AISLE), a past general chair of the state’s Young Hoosier Book Award (YHBA) program and recipient of AISLE’s prestigious Peggy L. Pfeiffer Service Award. She has published more than 30 articles in professional journals, co-created online resources and has served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University, Indiana State University and IUPUI. Her book, SSR with Intervention: A School Library Action Research Project (Libraries Unlimited 2007), was named one of the Best Professional Books of 2007 by Teacher Librarian; and her book, Social Readers: Promoting Reading in the 21st Century (Libraries Unlimited 2010), was Highly Recommended by Library Media Connection. Her most recent book is School Library Makerspaces: Grades 6-12 (Libraries Unlimited 2013).

About Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES
For more than 60 years, Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES) has provided a wide array of services for its 23 component school districts in Onondaga, Cortland and Madison counties, and the Syracuse City School District. Program offerings include career and technical education, special education, alternative education and workforce preparation for adults. Instructional support offers professional development, science kits, library services and related programs for teachers and administrators. Our administrative services division offers opportunities for school districts to save money by working together through financial services, including cooperative purchasing and business office support as well as a regional energy services program, providing large-scale purchasing of natural gas and electricity for more than 160 school districts and municipalities. OCM BOCES District Superintendent J. Francis Manning works closely with the component districts as a liaison to, and agent of, the New York State Commissioner of Education.

OCM BOCES District Superintendent: 4+1 Pathway adoption is good news

The New York State Education Department and Board of Regents have heard from the community about the need to offer high school students different paths that give them options regarding their own learning and development and that better prepare them for the demands of life and work in today’s world. In recognition of the fact that “one size does not fit all,” we applaud the NYS Board of Regents’ recent action in adopting a “4+1 Pathway” model for students wishing to earn a Regents diploma. The “4” refers to a requirement of passing four Regents exams, while the “1” refers to options that students have for the fifth test.

The 4+1 model allows for different ways to meet the requirement of passing five Regents exams to graduate. The four required Regents examinations are English language arts, mathematics, science, and either US history or global history and geography.

For the fifth exam requirement, students will have the following Pathway options: Humanities: (one additional social studies Regents examination or approved alternative); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM): one additional Regents examination in a different course in mathematics, science or an approved alternative); Languages Other Than English (LOTE): a pathway assessment that could include a biliteracy; Career and Technical Education (CTE): an approved CTE pathway assessment following successful completion of a CTE program-approved pursuant, and; Arts: an approved arts assessment.

Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES has been working diligently with Central New York school districts in providing the leadership to facilitate and implement this much-needed change to our educational model. For all of our students in Central New York, we have a Regional Vision of Readiness that is founded on an uncompromising and relentless commitment to preparing them for college, career and citizenship – in other words, preparing our young adults for their future. At the heart of this vision are three commitments: providing instruction that engages, a culture that empowers and technology that enables. Central New York school districts are working together to increase the extent to which these three commitments characterize our schools. We are creating new regional schools, such as Innovation Tech High School in Liverpool, in which integrated project-based learning (PBL) courses, collaboration and technology are key in teaching and learning. PBL will be a significant component of all BOCES programs, as will increased internships, local business-embedded programs and the use of technology in ways that more closely mirror the world our students will enter after graduation. It is important to note that instruction will continue to be based on NYS Learning Standards and that students will continue to take all state-required exams (which are now changing as well).


This is good news for the students of New York. The provision of these choices is recognition of the fact that our current system of education in New York needs changing. This is a good first step. In the future, Central New York schools and districts will continue to advance a version of college and career readiness that is focused on the future rather than the past.

J. Francis Manning, district superintendent
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES

WSYR features OCM BOCES in report about 4+1 Pathways approval by the Board of Regents

Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES Career and Technical Education Director Phil Grome and Lab Tech Instructor Janet Clark spoke to WSYR in an October 21, 2014 news story about the Board of Regents recent approval of the 4+1 Pathways.

The Pathways model allows for different ways to meet the requirement of passing five Regents exams to graduate. The four required Regents examinations are English language arts, mathematics, science, and either US history or global history and geography. For the fifth exam requirement, students will have the following options: Humanities; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); Languages Other Than English (LOTE); Career and Technical Education (CTE), and; the Arts.

In the story, Grome explains that "the state is really calling for students to be career, college and citizenship ready. And it's a perfect fit for what we do here at OCM BOCES." Clark, speaking about career readiness and students in the OCM BOCES laboratory tech program, is quoted, "They learn all the techniques to have a very successful career in any type of laboratory field."

While the Pathways model was approved on Monday, October 20, the Board will still have to present the changes for permanent adoption at their January 2015 meeting.

To read the story, visit: http://www.localsyr.com/story/d/story/board-of-regents-approves-new-exam-options-for-hig/15694/VV1UD9jBg0GV7pOUmwRNMw.

Children's Village to close in June 2015

Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES recently informed impacted staff and families that its inclusive preschool program, Children’s Village, at East Syracuse-Minoa’s Park Hill School will close in June 2015 for financial reasons. The half-day program currently serves approximately 60 students with disabilities from various school districts in Central New York with a staff of 15 OCM BOCES employees.

The care day rate, set by the New York State Education Department, has not increased for OCM BOCES since the 2010-11 school year. Earlier this year, OCM BOCES administration met with the Onondaga County Executive’s Office to discuss the program’s financial situation and the need to close if additional funding was not made available.

“This difficult decision was made only after great deliberation,” said OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning. “Unfortunately, all of our program budgets needs to be self-sustaining and because of the stagnant rate of funding, this program could not do so. We are working to place all of our staff in new assignments and are readily available to help families find alternative appropriate programs for their children.”

The OCM BOCES Children’s Village Preschool Program at Park Hill Elementary School is one of only three BOCES preschool programs in New York state. All other BOCES preschool programs have previously closed for financial reasons.

Following is a list of preschool programs for students with special needs:

SPICE – Elmcrest Children’s Center (315/446-3220) 960 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13224  

Enable – Exploring Your World (315/475-1382) 1603 Court Street, Syracuse, NY  13208

Jowonio School (315/445-4010) 3049 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13224


Liberty Post (315/425-1004) 1045 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203

Little Lukes (315/701-1107) 5820 Heritage Landing Drive, East Syracuse, NY 13057

Main Street Early Education Center (315/218-2200) 205 S. Main Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212


Onondaga Central Preschool (315/552-5070) 208 Rockwell Road, Nedrow, NY 13120

OCM BOCES seeking high school juniors and seniors for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute

The Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN) at the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES is currently seeking eligible 11th and 12th grade student applicants to participate in a unique leadership development opportunity. Hispanic/Latino juniors and seniors from Central New York school districts are invited to apply for a four-day leadership training, culminating with attendance at the 25th Annual Angelo Del Toro Puerto/Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany, NY. This is a free event.

Students are required to attend the three training sessions at OCM BOCES (Feb. 5, Feb. 26 and March 7, 2015) in Syracuse, NY and one session at the Onondaga County Legislative Building (March 17, 2015) in Syracuse, NY. Selected students will attend the Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany, NY from March 21 through 23, 2015. Please note that all dates are subject to change.

Training opportunities have been aligned with Common Core requirements and are designed to empower Hispanic/Latino students. Participants will have multiple opportunities to interact and network with positive role models, other New York State Hispanic/Latino students, government officials, state trainers, business and community leaders. Additionally, the selected student delegates will participate in a mock assembly and debate legislation at the Albany conference. Several senior scholarship opportunities will be available.

Interested students should complete a PRHYLI Syracuse Delegation Application and submit it by the December 19, 2014 deadline. All applications must be submitted with the required supplemental pieces in order to be considered. Supplemental materials include: a competed essay, a minimum of two PRHYLI Syracuse Delegation Recommendations, a current high school transcript, parental consent and principal/guidance counselor consent form, a completed Student Contract, a completed Parental Medical Consent (English) or Parental Medical Consent (Spanish) and a completed College Survey. All forms are available online by clicking here or on the OCM BOCES PRHYLI webpage at http://www.ocmboces.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=697#one.

The Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute is an innovative collaboration with the NYS Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force in conjunction with the annual SOMOS El Futuro conference, Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies, the New York State City Board of Education, and other agencies as appropriate. For more information, visit the Syracuse Delegation PRHYLI webpage at http://www.ocmboces.org
/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=697#one or contact Tanya Rosado-Barringer, coordinator, at 315-431-2664 or rbern@ocmboces.org.

Emotional Intelligence: Why it Matters - Dr. Marc Brackett, Yale University, provides vital information to parents

On Tuesday, September 30 from 7:00 to 8:15pm at the Fayetteville-Manlius High School Auditorium, OCM BOCES will be playing host to Marc Brackett, Ph. D., director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence uses the power of emotions to create a more effective and compassionate society. 

Dr. Brackett will speak to parents and educators about the role of emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, relationship quality, and mental health, as well as the influences of emotional intelligence training on student and educator effectiveness, bullying prevention, and school climate. 

Marc also is working with Facebook on a large-scale research project designed to both prevent and decrease online bullying.

Click here to download the event flier.

Click here to visit the OCM BOCES Youth Development website.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for OCM BOCES Innovation Tech – the area’s first New Tech High School

On Wednesday, September, 17, OCM BOCES held a grand opening/ribbon cutting to present Innovation Tech, Central New York's FIRST New Tech High School, to the community.

Several people were on hand to help OCM BOCES celebrate the innovative new school to Central New York. Pictured: New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe helped OCM BOCES Board President Ann Wright and several Innovation Tech students cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Innovation Tech, created out of the recognition that students need to be prepared with 21st Century skills for life and work in our changing world, is the first of its kind in Central New York. Innovation Tech provides an empowering culture, with learning that is relevant, student-driven and embraces modern learning and the global environment in which we live. There are more than 130 New Tech schools in 23 states across the country.

“New Tech Schools are redefining secondary education,” said Jody Manning, district superintendent for OCM BOCES. “Students become self-directed learners who no longer depend on teachers and textbooks in search of a single, right answer. They use technology on a regular basis, not just for special projects.”

Innovation Tech is an important part of the Central New York Regional Vision for College, Career, and Citizenship Readiness. Our regional vision is founded on an uncompromising and relentless commitment to preparing students for college, career and citizenship – in other words, preparing students for their future. At the heart of our regional vision are three commitments: instruction that engages, culture that empowers, and technology that enables.

Click here to read the Eagle Star-Review article on Innovation Tech.

Visit the Innovation Tech website to learn more.

Students begin OCM BOCES Media Marketing Communications program at WCNY

This year, OCM BOCES is excited to welcome students in an exciting new program, an embedded CTE Media Marketing Communications program at WCNY.

OCM BOCES’ innovative, new, hands-on Media Marketing Communications program at WCNY will provide high school juniors and seniors with an in-depth overview of their field by placing them in an actual work environment outside of school.

Each day, students attend class at WCNY where they will work with WCNY professionals to learn, firsthand, the ins and outs of a public media company that operates across multiple platforms…TV, radio, print, web and social media. Students will be learning and working in studios, conference rooms and even a simulated city – all part of WCNY’s new Broadcast and Education Center.

Students in the OCM BOCES Media Marketing Communications class have the opportunity to earn up to 21 college credits through concurrent enrollment and/or college articulations.

During the previous school year, OCM BOCES began implementing embedded CTE programs in private businesses with a Physical Therapy program at Sports Center 481 and an Automotive Technology program at Driver’s Village.

When asked about the benefits of such a setup, OCM BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Colleen Viggiano, said, “It really is a win, win for the worksites and our students in that the companies have a chance to see the students at work and the students learn exactly what will be expected of them by being completely exposed to the industry.”

Students interested in exploring OCM BOCES Media Marketing Communications program at WCNY should talk to their high school guidance counselor or contact OCM BOCES Guidance Counselor at 315-433-2635.

Pictured above: On September 15, OCM BOCES held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their Media Marketing Communications program at WCNY.

Innovation Tech - CNY's first New Tech High School - has opened

OCM BOCES Innovation Tech – Central New York’s first New Tech High School ­– has opened its doors for the 2014-15 school year. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 10 a.m.

Innovation Tech, created out of the recognition that students need to be prepared with 21st Century skills for life and work in our changing world, is the first of its kind in Central New York. Innovation Tech provides an empowering culture, with learning that is relevant, student-driven and embraces modern learning and the global environment in which we live. There are more than 130 New Tech schools in 23 states across the country.


“New Tech Schools are redefining secondary education,” said Jody Manning, district superintendent for OCM BOCES. “Students become self-directed learners who no longer depend on teachers and textbooks in search of a single, right answer. They use technology on a regular basis, not just for special projects.”


Innovation Tech is an important part of the Central New York Regional Vision for College, Career, and Citizenship Readiness. Our regional vision is founded on an uncompromising and relentless commitment to preparing students for college, career and citizenship – in other words, preparing students for their future. At the heart of our regional vision are three commitments: instruction that engages, culture that empowers, and technology that enables.


Click here for more information about Innovation Tech.

Students are back to school for the 2014-15 school year!

Thousands of OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE), Special Education and Alternative Education students began their 2014-15 school year on Wednesday, September 3, 2014. Through its Student Services division, OCM BOCES provides programs and services for students of all ages and abilities.

Find out more about the variety of educational programs available for students through OCM BOCES by visiting our student programs section of our website. 

OCM BOCES students fight cancer with Alex's Lemonade Stand

For the sixth year in a row, students in Lisa Austin’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing class at North Syracuse Junior High School, a part of OCM BOCES Special Education Summer School, have created a lemonade stand to raise money for a great cause! During the school's summer program several years ago,  Ms. Austin was teaching her students about money and the importance of giving back and thought a Lemonade Stand would be a great way to teach students about both concepts.  After researching, and finding several books on the topic, Austin came across the book Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand.


The book, about giving back and helping others, talked 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, now a national organization, has raised more than $30 million dollars in the fight against childhood cancer...part of that money coming from right here in Central New York!

In the past years, OCM BOCES students have raised thousands of dollars at their lemonade stand. This year's lemonade stand at North Syracuse Junior High School was held on Friday, August 1, 2014. 

Click here for more information on the OCM BOCES students' lemonade stand.

Congratulations OCM BOCES 2014 Alternative Education Program Graduates

OCM BOCES has several alternative education programs for students who may have experienced difficulties attaining school success within traditional settings. Our alternative education programs provide unique academic opportunities within smaller, supportive settings. In 2014, nearly 70 students from component school districts successfully earned their high school diplomas through OCM BOCES alternative education programs at the Career Academy in Liverpool, Cortland Alternative High School and Onondaga Alternative High School. Congratulations to all 2014 OCM BOCES alternative education program graduates!

About the OCM BOCES Career Academy – OCM BOCES opened the doors to their Career Academy in September of 2006 with the goal of providing students an opportunity to explore different career paths while completing their academic course work to graduate from high school with a CTE Endorsement. Career themes are woven into academic courses to make them more meaningful and engaging. The program inspires leadership and confidence in students as they become motivated to take ownership of their learning. Twenty-nine students made up the Career Academy Class of 2014.

About Cortland & Onondaga (STARS) Alternative High Schools – Through the Cortland Alternative School and the STARS Program, 32 students earned their high school diplomas in June of 2014. Many of these students overcame great obstacles to meet New York State graduation requirements, and also met program requirements in the areas of personal growth, community contributions and lifelong learning.

2014 Alternative Education Graduates:

Career Academy: Ashley Ambriati (North Syracuse CSD), Taylor Anderston (North Syracuse CSD), McKayleigh Anderson-DeJohn (Liverpool CSD), Megan Barber (North Syracuse CSD), Thomas Beane (North Syracuse CSD), Adam Birkmier (Liverpool CSD), Marissa Bourgeois (North Syracuse CSD), Joshua Coon (Marcellus CSD), Dylan Corkran (Liverpool CSD), Rayne Coughlin (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD), Christina Dano (North Syracuse CSD), Nina Devine (Baldwinsville CSD), Shane Daniels (LaFayette CSD), Jayson Doupe (LaFayette CSD), Kaelyn Dowd (Liverpool CSD), Kyle Duffy (North Syracuse CSD), Brandon Eichholtz (East Syracuse Minoa CSD), Shelby Ellsworth (North Syracuse CSD), Kassondra Gloska (North Syracuse CSD), Karmella Gridley (North Syracuse CSD), Jeremy Grubbs (Baldwinsville CSD), Nicholas Losurdo (North Syracuse CSD), Vincent Mauro (Liverpool CSD), Nicholas Losurdo (North Syracuse CSD), Marina Mazzaroppi (North Syracuse CSD), Ben Miner (Baldwinsville CSD), Shane Moore (North Syracuse CSD), Alexxis Otts (North Syracuse CSD), Samson Ruiz (North Syracuse CSD), Tara Sanderson (Liverpool CSD), Eldin Smith (North Syracuse CSD), Destiny Sparks (North Syracuse CSD), Paige Szymanak (North Syracuse CSD), Sydney Timpano (West Genesee CSD), Jenna Thomas (Baldwsinsville CSD), Mary-Margaret Wright (Baldwinsville CSD) and Hailie Ziparo (Liverpool CSD).

Cortland Alternative School: Jamie Coville (Homer CSD), Samantha Kemp (Tully CSD), Amanda Kurtz (Tully CSD), Marlena Magyar (LaFayette CSD), Racheal Mierke (Homer CSD), Rebecca-Lynn Nelson (Fabius-Pompey CSD), Brian Rahrle (Tully CSD), Brenden Rainbow (McGraw CSD), Garrett Shute (Tully CSD), Jacob Stanley (Homer CSD), Tyler Thomas (DeRuyter CSD), Kimberly Wendel (Cortland Enlarged SD) and Logan Youngs (Homer CSD).

Onondaga Alternative High School (STARS): Chase William Cowen (Liverpool CSD), Michael Patrick Crowe (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD), Robert Daucher (Liverpool CSD), Alexander Delpriore (North Syracuse CSD), Dakota Tyler Dunkin (Solvay UFSD), Mary Elizabether Eustice (Baldwinsville CSD), 
Ian Fleming (Liverpool CSD), Nicholas Fontanella (Liverpool CSD), Jacob Thomas Hutcheon (Marcellus CSD), Alexander Thomas Irwin (Liverpool CSD), Ariel Josephine Kimbrough (North Syracuse CSD), Alicia C. Leach (Marcellus CSD), Paige McClusky (North Syracuse CSD), Spencer Surrette (Marcellus CSD), Melissa Fauzia Tikaram (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD), Craig Trudell (Onondaga CSD) and Seth Andrew Washo (Fayetteville-Manlius CSD).

Regional Summer School programs commence

OCM BOCES 2014 Regional Summer School programs for 7th - 12th grade students are taking place at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Cortland High School, Fayetteville-Manlius Eagle Hill Middle School and West Genesee High School.

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

OCM BOCES/Driver's Village receive PEB "Partnership of the Year" award

On May 29, 2014, OCM BOCES proudly accepted the “Partnership of the Year” award from Partners for Education and Business (PEB) at the group’s annual awards breakfast at Syracuse’s Palace Theater.

PEB selected OCM BOCES and Driver’s Village to receive the honor for the unique collaboration of OCM’s Embedded Automotive Technology Program at Driver’s Village.

Representatives (pictured above) from BOCES, including Assistant Superintendent Colleen Viggiano, CTE Director Robert Leslie, classroom instructor Erick Dodge and student Bryan DeGone were present at the ceremony, along with David Hall, Driver’s Village Fixed Operations Manager, to accept the recognition.

During the ceremony, BOCES’ first of its kind embedded program was publicly applauded for the unique and innovative opportunities afforded to its students. PEB representatives spoke about the important role that such collaborations have in advancing the career preparation of youth in Central New York.

In addition to OCM BOCES and Driver’s Village being selected for recognition, OCM BOCES Embedded Automotive Technology student, Bryan DeGone from the Baldwinsville Central School District, was one of two students selected by PEB as their Student of the Year. Bryan was selected for the honor along with Jennifer Corbacio, a student from Henninger High School. The two (pictured below) were singled out at the ceremony, from seven student nominees, to receive the award.

PEB representative’s praised Bryan for his motivation, positive attitude, hard work, and commitment to maintaining good grades while participating in extra-curricular activities and continuing outside employment. Bryan is a member of SkillsUSA and the National Technical Honor Society.

Additionally, he participated and placed in the Ford AAA skills contest and the New York State Skills USA competition.

Hundreds of adult graduates recognized during 31st annual Adult Literacy Celebration

On  Wednesday, May 21, 2014, OCM BOCES held its 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation for Syracuse and Cortland graduates. The celebration took place at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.  Hundreds of graduates from the OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and other literacy programs were recognized for their accomplishments.

Student testimonials were given by Laura Tarbell and Eric Steger, both OCM BOCES students, to illustrate their personal and educational struggles prior to coming to BOCES and the successes they have achieved as a result of their educational experiences with BOCES. Jesse Lyles, another OCM BOCES student and a United States Army Veteran who served in the Korean War, said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Laura Tarbell, a student of Celia Volbrecht, attended GED classes at OCM BOCES during the 2012-2013 school year. Prior to attending classes, she was employed in the health care and food service fields for 35 years. While she did not pass the GED exam the first time she took it, and despite the many obstacles in her way, she was determined to complete the program. With the support of classmates, friends and teachers, Laura worked hard to reach her goal. Laura’s teacher, Celia, is proud of her student’s determination and says that, “Laura was an inspiration to her classmates to not give up and pursue their goals. She is now employed and is interested in obtaining her LPN license.”

Eric Steger, age 26 of Cortland, NY, is a student of Lori Pallone at the OCM BOCES Cortland program. He is a recent graduate of the National External Diploma Program. Born in Honduras, Eric was adopted by an American family at 18 months of age and grew up in Cortland, but has also lived in many other cities, including Binghamton and Syracuse. He is currently a shift leader at a Dunkin Donuts Restaurant in Cortland, NY. Eric plans to continue his education by earning a trade certificate and hopes to eventually own his own business.

Jesse Lyles, age 68 of Syracuse, NY, is a United States Army Veteran. He was born in Auburn, Alabama in 1946, dropped out of high school and was drafted by the army in December 1968.  After basic training, he served in Port Richie, Maryland, and then in Korea from 1969 to 1970 where he was a heavy truck driver and ammunition specialist. In 1971 he came to Syracuse, NY and obtained employment at Chrysler.  He worked at Chrysler from 1971 until 2001 as a machinist and a fork lift operator. He began high school equivalency classes at OCM BOCES in June of 2013. When his instructor at BOCES found out he had served in Korea, she told him about New York State’s “Operation Recognition” Program, which awards high school diplomas to veterans who had served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War. Jesse got together the necessary paperwork, and within a short time he received his high school diploma from the Syracuse School District. Jesse is married, has one son who lives in Florida, and he still resides in Syracuse with his wife, Tammy.

Additionally, BOCES recognized Jena Kablecik as the NYACCE Student of the Year and Onondaga Community College’s (OCC) Outreach Partnership Team as their 2014 Partner in Literacy. Dave Wall, the college’s Director of Corporation and Public Partnerships accepted the recognition on behalf of himself, Sheila Osborne and Barbara Dennehy.

For more information on the 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.

Pictured above: Eric Steger leads the graduate procession into the SRC Arena.

Pictured above: Graduates proceed into the SRC Arena for the OCM BOCES 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration.

Pictured above: Senator John DeFrancisco addresses graduates and family members at the ceremony.

Pictured above: Graduates cross the stage at SRC Arena and receive congratulations from OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning and other staff.

87 students from local districts inducted into National Technical Honor Society

On Thursday, May 8, 2014, 87 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: OCM BOCES New Vision Criminal Justice Program students that were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society on May 8, 2014. Left to right (back row): Alex Hinman (East Syracuse Minoa), Tyler Heggelke (West Genesee), Sean McAndrew (East Syracuse Minoa), Tim Fletcher (West Genesee), Aaron Wintermute (Tully) and Andrew Bukowski (North Syracuse). Left to right (front row): Nadasia Blackman (Westhill), Samantha Worall (Marcellus), Brieana Mulroy-Robbins (Westhill), Jacob Pitman (Tully) and Kristyn Drake (Tully).

Following is the complete list of students inducted for membership in 2014 by their home school districts:

Baldwinsville Central School District: Paige Bell, Bridget Cleeton, Julie Cole, Shane Cole, Bryan DeGone, Philip Dressel, Jenna Griffo, Lane Guanciale, Samantha Hawks, Rebekah McCarthy, Benjamin Miner and Marissa Waxenfeld.

Cazenovia Central School District: Yesenia Rodriguez-Abelar.

Chittenango Central School District: Brittanne Handzel, Emily Keller, Mitchell Mahosky and Duncan Preeman.

East Syracuse Minoa Central School District: Brandon Eichholtz, Alex Hinman, Sean McAndrew and Senada Salkic.

Fayetteville Manlius Central School District: Vi Nguyen.

Jamesville Dewitt Central School District: Ramil Fazliyev, Salwa El-Hindi and Joshua McMahon.

LaFayette Central School District: Christie Daniels and Mikhail Kenealy.
Liverpool Central School District: Kristen Basile, Nicholas Bayley, Kyle Bezner, Ruth Feliciano, Lucas Floyd, Danielle Morrow, Kayleigh Nett, Joshua Previte, Jessica Stafford and Carissa Sterling.

Marcellus Central School District: Maggie Chilson, Alyssa Serafino and Samantha Worall.

North Syracuse Central School District: Taylor Anderson, Rolland Beard, Joseph Bell, Marissa Berardi, Andrew Bukowski, Kayla Curtis, Kimberly Curtis, Ashley Fiorino, Makenzie Gransbury, Nicole Isgar, Kayleigha Kline, Amy Knickerbocker, Gabrielle Larson, Syia Mayes, Nora Mere, Trevor Northrup, Max Parsons, Michael Peck Jr., Candace Segars, Eldin Smith, Zachary Smith, Fatija Spahic, Paige Szmanak, Roy Young and Brittany Zangari.

Onondaga Central School District: Jonathen Horstman, and Stephanie Horstman.

Solvay Union Free School District: Corinne Gessini.

Tully Central School District: Kristyn Drake, Jacob Pitman and Aaron Wintermute.

West Genesee Central School District: Gianna Branca, Timothy Fletcher, Daniel Gabriel, Tyler Heggelke, Nicholas Mulpagano, Rachelgrace Oliver, Kayleigh Precourt, Karissa Simko and Schuyler Wolfram.

Westhill Central School District: Nadasia Blackman, Lindsey Delles, Mark Fagan, Kara Lawn, Haley Moran, Brieana Mulroy-Robbins and Jennah Shaffer.

OCM BOCES School Library System Honors 2014 Administrator/Advocate of the Year

On Wednesday, May 14, 2014, OCM BOCES presented their 2014 School Library System Administrator/Advocate of the Year award to two deserving individuals; Eric Larison, the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction with the Solvay Union Free School District and Thomas Piatti, a principal at Chittenango Middle School in the Chittenango Central School District. 2014 was the first year ever that the award was given to dual recipients.

The award is presented annually to an educational administrator/library advocate the OCM (Onondaga, Cortland, Madison) region who has made significant contributions to school librarianship.

Eric Larison (pictured above) is a seasoned educational administrator whose support of school libraries is noteworthy. He puts schools libraries front and center and encourages full integration of the school library into instruction. He sees school libraries at the center of research and career and college readiness for students. Eric supports the Library Learning Commons model and the libraries were the first places in the district’s schools to be wireless.

Tom Piatti has been at Chittenango Middle School for eight years; three as Vice Principal and five as Principal. He has used his leadership in both roles to promote the school library and to energize staff and encourage their collaboration and innovative thinking.  Tom supports common planning periods in the school library, has been essential in bringing new technology to the school in the form of iPads, Kindles, ebooks and also leads the school’s tech committee.

OCM BOCES School Library System Coordinator Marcie Mann is pleased to honor the two with the Administrator/Advocate of the Year Award. She said, “This is the first time the award was given to more than one person in the same year. But both of these nominees are so outstanding and have made huge strides toward advancing the school libraries in their district. It is an honor to recognize them both!”

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

Tom Piatti with Chittenango Middle School Library Media Specialist Marilyn Natke.

21 local Hispanic students attend Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute through OCM BOCES

Through the OCM BOCES Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN,) 21 local Hispanic students recently had the opportunity to attend the 24th Annual Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI) in Albany, NY.  The PRHYLI introduces Hispanic high school students to New York State’s legislative process and civic issues affecting the Latino community while fostering such skills as debate, citizenship and leadership.

The event is a collaborative effort among Regional Bilingual Education Resource Networks, The NYS Education Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies, The NYC Department of Education and the NYS Assembly’s Hispanic Task Force.



The 21 Hispanic students were selected from the following nine mid-state high schools:

Cicero-North Syracuse High School: Aaliyah Muolo Vergara;

Fowler High School: Moises Gracciano, Mario Cabral, Neyshmaire Meléndez, and Abigail Rivera;

Liverpool High School: Yaritza Bague;

Corcoran High School: Yadimar Narvaez and Alondra Peña-Merced;

Henninger High School: Alia Anamaria;

Jamesville-DeWitt High School: Ana Carolina Piedra;

Proctor High School: Jennifer Difo and Lorena Difo;

Ithaca High School: Lilia Escobedo, Félix Fernández-Penny, Alejandra Flores Ramírez, Eitan Mizrachi, Vanessa Navarro Rodríguez and Belén Santa Ana; and

Solvay High School: Karissa Benz, Mahalia Rivera and Kevin Vreeland.

Event chaperones were Ofelia Villareeal and Barb Bergman, led by Sally Doran of the Mid-State RBERN. These students formed the Syracuse Delegation and trained together for four days at La Casita Cultural Center in areas directly linked to the Common Core Learning Standards and the New York State Social Studies Standards, assisted by Ed Thater. The ultimate goal of the trainings is to carry out a mock assembly while practicing their leadership skills.

Approximately 206 Hispanic students from a total of eight total delegations from across New York State met for the culminating three-day event on March 22 through 24. This year's team building activity, “Frame and Re-Frame Leading from Understanding,” led by Giselle O. Martin-Kniep, President of Lerner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd., was held at the Albany Desmond Hotel. The students were split into groups, given guidelines and criteria and challenged to dig deep, discuss then create presentations that would inform, inspire and change the way people think about bullying. Our students Jennifer Difo and Alia Anamaria were moderators of the general session on Saturday.

Regent Betty A. Rosa from New York City/Bronx spoke to the students as well as the Associate Commissioner for the State Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Language Studies, Angélica Infante-Green, who commended the students for their interests, accomplishments and hard work. A fantastic speaker, Barbara Coloroso offered an inspirational presentation on bullying and each student received her book: The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander.

Once in the Assembly Chambers of the State Capitol building, the group debated five bills that are currently before the Assembly. During opening ceremonies,  Féliz Fernández-Penny with the Syracuse Delegation, performed an exceptional A capella version of the Puerto Rican National Anthem. During the awards banquet that followed, 35 seniors were awarded scholarships on a competitive basis for their achievements and performance. The Syracuse Delegation had two winners: Vanessa Navarro and Eitan Mizrachi. In addition, one student per delegation was nominated “outstanding delegate.” A “Delegate of the year” is chosen by a select panel of evaluators over the course of the weekend; the Syracuse Delegation's Ana Carolina Piedras, who also had the role of Majority Leader this year, came in 2nd place! What an honor!

Students were escorted to the simultaneously held adult conference, “Somos Uno,” an organization dedicated to the dialog of Hispanic issues and policy making representing all aspects of government, business, and community. There they heard from NYS Assemblymen such as Phil Ramos and Félix Ortíz. Rounding out this life-changing weekend, the students had an educational opportunity to learn about Latin music “From Africa to New York: Latin Music in the New World” by Dr. José Cruz; they danced to Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Regetón!  And finally, The Jerk Whisperer, Dr. Stephen “Bird” Birchak from the College of Saint Rose, Albany, offered a truly remarkable presentation on bullying that will not be forgotten by any who was present. Dr. Bird was so inspirational you could hear a pin drop. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for high school Hispanic students of New York State.

For information on applying for next year's Syracuse Delegation, e-mail Sally Doran at sdoran@ocmboces.org or call 433-2664 for details.

OCM BOCES Students compete and place in State Skills USA Competitions

Congratulations to the OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) students who recently competed and placed in the State SkillsUSA competition. Held at the New York State Fairgrounds in April, this annual competition gave OCM BOCES the opportunity to compete against other schools from across the state in timed technical, trade and leadership contests.

Students from the OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus in Cortland are pictured in the group photo. 


The OCM BOCES students who placed in the competition are:

1.    Bryan DeGone, OCM BOCES Automotive Technology senior from the Baldwinsville Central School District – 2nd place in Automotive Service Technology category

2.    Vi Nguyen, OCM BOCES Cosmetology senior from the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District – 3rd place in the Nail Care category

Following is the complete list of OCM BOCES students that competed in the State SkillsUSA competition:

From the Baldwinsville Central School District:
Paige Bell (Health Knowledge Bowl)
Bryan DeGone (Automotive Service Technology)
Connor Oakes (Medical Math)


From the Cazenovia Central School District:

Yesenia Rodriguez (Cosmetology Junior)

From the Cortland Enlarged City School District:

Alizabeth Knout (Medical Math)

Hunter Moore (Photography)

Nichole Nichol (First Aid/CPR)

Brandon Reynolds (Digital Cinema Production)

From the DeRuyter Central School District:
Breanna Hare (Job Demonstration)

From the Homer Central School District:

Tyler Purvis (Auto Maintenance)

Josh Stevens (Auto Collision Repair)

From the Fayetteville Manlius Central School District:

Vi Nguyen (Nail Care)

From the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District:
Salwa El-Hindi (Early Childhood Education)

From the Liverpool Central School District:

Miranda Harrington (Nail Care Model)

Josh Ptaszek (Basic Vehicle Maintenance)

From the Marathon Central School District:

Marjorie Torres (Extemporaneous Speaking)

From the Marcellus Central School District:
Gabby Coon (Restaurant Service)

From the McGraw Central School District:

Ben Ackley (Digital Cinema Production)


From the North Syracuse Central School District:
Crista Baird (Food Prep Assistant)
Mackenzie Lanaux (Health Knowledge Bowl)

Kristin Rogers (Health Knowledge Bowl)

From the Tully Central School District:

Samantha Crawford (Culinary Arts)

Katie Spaulding (Promotional Bulletin Board)

From the West Genesee Central School District:
Jessica McCarthy (Commercial Baking)

Sydney Timpano (Job Demo A)

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.

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

Pictured below are some students from the OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus during the State SkillsUSA competition. Many thanks to advisors Heather Hardke, Dale Gendron and Tonya Komar for submitting photographs.

OCM BOCES hosts local conference on USDA's "Smart Snacks in Schools" guidelines

As school districts across the state and nation are looking for healthier alternatives to typical candy bar and potato chip filled vending machines in order to meet new healthy snack regulations that will take effect on July 1, 2014, a group of local agencies is working together to provide assistance.

On Thursday, May 1, 2014, the Healthier Central New York Challenge will take place at the OCM BOCES Rodax 8 building (6820 Thompson Road in Syracuse) conference center. The event is a collaborative effort of Healthy Schools NY programs at OCM, OHM and TST BOCES, Action for Healthy Kids, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Dash NY, Fuel up to Play 60 and Hunger Solutions New York.

Mary Joan McLarney, a Registered Dietician/Nutritionist with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Northeast Regional Office, will talk about the organization’s new competitive foods regulations and Kathryn Hoy, of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs, will discuss smarter lunchrooms in schools.

The event, which has been designed to provide assistance and ideas for local food service personnel, school district administrators and district staff, will take place from 9:00 a.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) until 2:00 p.m. and is free of charge. Join local, state and federal experts in school wellness and discover best practices, get a better understanding of the link between health and academics, learn how to write a funded grant proposal and network with local schools and organizations.

Stacy McNeill is the OCM BOCES Healthy Schools NY coordinator and as such, works extensively with school district personnel regarding federal, state and local wellness guidelines. She said, “We have been working together to ensure that students across Central New York have access to healthier foods and increased physical activity in our efforts to optimize wellness and academic success as well as reduce obesity and the chronic diseases associate with it. In order for our schools to be able to offer healthier choices to their students and meet new federal guidelines, we are providing this conference with a special focus on local success stories. We want our districts to have access to sustainable ideas and resources in an effort to make this transition to a healthier school culture as seamless as possible.”

According to the USDA, the new healthy snack regulations will take effect July 1. For more information, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition's Smart Snacks in Schools website.