Innovation Tech supports Vera House White Ribbon Campaign

Many thanks to the students and staff at OCM BOCES Innovation Tech High School for their fundraising efforts in support of Vera House's White Ribbon Campaign. Melody Lacayo, a Innovation Tech Student Ambassador, helped organize the fundraising efforts, which included selling wristbands and chocolate.

The efforts resulted in a $250 donation to Vera House for their annual campaign against domestic and sexual violence. Student Ambassador, Melody Lacayo, presented the donation to Vera House in April.

Congratulations and great job on a successful fundraising campaign. 

OCM BOCES STAR students at Homer Elementary learn about making healthy choices

Students in Mrs. Currie’s OCM BOCES STAR class at Homer Elementary School were recently posed with the question, "How do I make healthy food choices?"

Together in class, they learned about the food pyramid and how to use it as a tool for selecting healthy foods. Students also learned how to create a "My Plate" placemat and then had time to make their own to use at home. Their handmade creations are a reminder about portion sizes and types of food and it is hoped that they will lead to family discussions about the topics.

Students worked together on the project by first selecting informational books from the library and deciding on  the most important information. Research was shared with students throughout the school and a poster was made and displayed in the cafeteria to help others select healthy foods.

Teacher Ann Currie was pleased we the students' efforts saying, "We can identify foods from the food pyramid and select healthy foods to put on our plates. We can identify  junk food and know that we need to limit that type of food."

BOCES Solvay Middle School TEAM class supports Helping Hounds Dog Rescue

Students and staff from the OCM BOCES TEAM class at Solvay Middle School recently planned a service-learning project to support the Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in Dewitt. After learning about and researching the needs and characteristics of both wild animals and pets, the students determined how they could help the dogs in need at Helping Hounds. The service project encompassed the concepts of volunteering and donations while working on science, literacy, and daily living skills.

Students baked more than 100 dog biscuits, made braided fleece dog toys and ran a collection to benefit the rescue organization. Students and their families, as well as BOCES staff donated food, toys, and miscellaneous shelter items.

The service project ended with a culminating visit to the rescue organization to deliver their donations. While at Helping Hounds, students and staff had the opportunity to meet Bing, an enthusiastic (and grateful for the goodies) shelter resident. The students learned a lot about helping animals and had a great time all at once!

OCM BOCES students celebrate Earth Day at Rosamond Gifford Zoo Party for the Planet

On Saturday, April 18, two OCM BOCES students from Innovation Tech (Diane Wayman) and the Career Academy (Samantha Lamica) helped celebrate and bring awareness to Earth Day by attending and presenting information at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Party for the Planet.

The event, which was presented by Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in partnership with GreeningUSA's Sustainability Academy, was designed to educate attendees with a variety of informative presentations and displays.

The BOCES students created their own educational display with self-made materials about monarch butterflies. Diane and Samantha produced a striking display about the insect, whose population is decreasing, and handed out "save the monarch" stickers and milkweed seed packets. The students also made their own monarch butterfly cookies.

Attendees praised the young ladies' display for its professional and attractive appearance and complimented their educational handouts.

OCM BOCES Fashion Show is collaborative effort

OCM BOCES Cosmetology instructors and students held a very successful fashion show at the Lee G. Peters Career Training Center on Monday, April 20.  The event included students and staff from OCM BOCES Career Academy, Innovation Tech, Special Education and Adult Education programs, along with administration, office personnel and advisory committee members, making it a true collaboration!

Adult Education Carpentry Instructor John Sweeney and his students built a beautiful (and edgy)  arch designating the show's "runway" entrance.  A red carpet, wall and arch decorations, along with some upbeat music played by an event DJ, brought lots of excitement to the scene.

As the show went on, the school's halls filled with students and staff from the various OCM BOCES programs. Runway models were announced as they entered through the arch and walked or danced their way along the red carpet.

"The student models were clearly in the moment and very proud to be showing off their creative make up and  chosen fashions," said Linda Horton Cook, OCM BOCES Assistant Director of Adult and Continuing Education. " It was awe inspiring seeing them step out of 'student mode' and into a world that let each one shine, regardless of age or program," she added.

The idea for the fashion show originated from OCM BOCES Adult Education Cosmetology Instructor, Cindy Foran...in one of her dreams!  She captured the vision, shared it, and dared to accept the challenge of making it all happen.  

"I believe this event demonstrates the true spirit of OCM BOCES. Creative and caring educators, guiding and supporting students; inspiring confidence and courage," said Linda Horton Cook.

Many thanks to everyone who supported the event and (literally) helped a dream become reality!

New Vision Medical Careers students attend Leadership Conference

Many OCM BOCES New Vision Medical Careers students from Cortland's McEvoy Education Campus had the opportunity to attend the New York State Spring Leadership Conference for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and Health Workforce of New York (formerly AHEC.)

The conference was held in Syracuse from April 15 through 17. The students learned many things about the future of health careers and competed in health care events. This year the students placed in the following events:



Health Issues Exam:
1st place – Chelsea Breed from the Cortland Enlarged City School District
2nd place (tie) – Brooke Campbell from the Cortland Enlarged City School District

Medical Reading:
1st place – Mackenzie Prince from the Tully Central School District

Public Health:
3rd place team – Megan Cash from the Fabius-Pompey Central School District, Brooke Campbell from the Cortland Enlarged City School District and Courtney Randall from the DeRuyter Central School District

New York State Achievement Award Recipients:
Kiersten Hawks from the Homer Central School District
Megan Cash from the Fabius-Pompey Central School District
Lyudamila Levitskaya from the Cortland Enlarged City School District

Additionally, three students qualified for National Recognition in the Healthcare Issues Exam. Those students are:
Matthew Williams from the Marathon Central School District
Mackenzie Prince from the Tully Central School District
Brooke Guernsey from the McGraw Central School District

Congratulations to all student competitors! 

Annual meeting showcases collaboration through BOCES

OCM BOCES' 2015 Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 1 at the McEvoy Education Campus in Cortland, NY. The meeting gives OCM BOCES the opportunity to educate its 23 component school districts about the high quality services it provides, while fulfilling the legal requirement of providing those districts with information about the BOCES budget, which goes to vote on April 20.

Prior to this year's meeting, attendees were treated to a fabulous gourmet meal and an assortment of delectable desserts prepared and served by Culinary Arts students. Colorful Dr. Seuss-themed centerpieces (pictured left), created by Special Education students, graced each table.

The meeting began with a welcome by OCM BOCES Board of Education President Ann Wright and District Superintendent Jody Manning. Prior to the presentation of the 2015-2016 budget, attendees had the opportunity to view a video about OCM BOCES that showcased component district students, teachers and staff, and an informative presentation regarding the benefit and future of embedded career and technical education programs.

For  details on the OCM BOCES budget process and its 2015-2016 budget, view and download the Initial Budget booklet online.