OCM BOCES program receives PEB Partnership of the Year award; Four students receive Student of the Year nominations

The Media Marketing Communications program at Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES) received the Partnership of the Year Award from Partnership for Education and Business, Inc. (PEB) at the organization's Annual Awards ceremony held June 10 at Le Moyne College. Additionally, four OCM BOCES students, Kimberly Cusson (Culinary Arts), Alizabeth Knout (Health Occupations), Hunter Moore (Graphic Communications) and Kristin Rogers (Laboratory Technology) were recognized at the event for receiving prestigious Student of the Year nominations.

L-R: Debbie Stack, Director of Education and Community Engagement, WCNY Public Broadcasting; Colleen Viggiano, Assistant Superintendent, OCM BOCES; Phil Grome, Director of CTE, OCM BOCES; Michael Kaminski, OCC Instructor/Department Co-Chair Electronic Media Communications

The PEB Partnership of the Year award is given to successful partnerships that have clear and well-understood goals, are committed to continuous improvement, are characterized by curriculum which integrates academic and workplace skills, and demonstrates the partnership’s effectiveness through documentation of outcomes. The Media Marketing Communications Program is a partnership between OCM BOCES, WCNY, and Onondaga Community College. There are currently 10 students in the program, which began at the start of the school year in September 2014.

The two-year program offers a rigorous high school and college level of study that pairs hands-on learning in a real world setting at WCNY, Central New York’s public media organization. WCNY’s Broadcast and Education Center serves as a 21st century classroom for students under the instructional guidance of OCM BOCES, Onondaga Community College and WCNY professionals. In this course, students work alongside WCNY staff on projects across TV, social media, radio, web and print platforms, learning firsthand the fundamentals of the work of broadcast media, marketing and communications.

L-R: Kristin Rogers, Alizabeth Knout, Hunter Moore (not pictured: Kimberly Cusson)

Another integral component of the program is the dual credit courses offered through Onondaga Community College, where students begin building their transcript by taking college courses on-site with college instructors. Students are also eligible to earn a Career & Technical Education Endorsement on their diploma by successfully passing an industry-based technical assessment.

“The awards are intended to increase the quality and effectiveness of school/business partnership activity in the CNY region in order to enhance the career preparation of our students," says PEB Executive Director Joe Vargo. "At the same time, the awards provide an opportunity to recognize the level of commitment that many schools and businesses share for the benefit of youth in our community."

PEB’s Partnership of the Year Award has been a traditional part of PEB’s awards for more than 20 years.  PEB was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1993, one of its original programs was the “Adopt-a-School” program—a partnership between local businesses and organizations and schools within the Syracuse City School District.  For more information about PEB, visit their website, macny.org/partnersforeducationbusiness.aspx. For more information about OCM BOCES, visit ocmboces.org.

OCM BOCES District Superintendent accepts 2015 NYSAWA Giacobbe Award on behalf of 23 component districts

On Sunday, March 22, 2015, OCM BOCES District Superintendent J. Francis Manning was presented with the 2015 Maxine Giacobbe Award from the New York State Association for Women in Administration (NYSAWA) at its annual symposium in Albany, N.Y. NYSAWA Award Committee Chair Dr. Jennifer Schulman presented the award at an award reception and dinner held at Albany's Desmond Hotel.

Mr. Manning accepted the award on behalf of OCM BOCES 23 component school districts and the collective work for all students in Central New York. 

The award, named for NYSAWA’s first executive director, is presented annually to a person who demonstrates exceptional work with children from diverse populations, including children of color, to reduce gender inequalities and promote outstanding achievement for children of color.

Manning, nominated for the award by Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District Superintendent Dr. Corliss C. Kaiser, has a career in educational administration spanning more than 25 years. Prior to taking on the highest leadership role at OCM BOCES in August 2012, he had served as a school superintendent, business administrator, building administrator and teacher in various districts.

Manning’s ability to work collectively and collaboratively with students and staff in one of the big five school districts in New York state as well as with OCM BOCES’ 23 component districts, has been exemplified through the leadership initiatives he has implemented to improve the success of diverse populations. Most recently, Manning led OCM BOCES in the establishment of Innovation Tech High School, a non-traditional high school designed to provide authentic experiences for students through collaborative and hands-on learning. He has been instrumental in assisting his constituent superintendents with responsive activities to help them carry out their duties.

Manning created partnerships with several colleges in the area and has been involved with several community-based organizations, such as the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), the School Alliance for Continuous Improvement (SACI), and the Career and Technical Education External Review Committee.

A passionate leader and a risk-taker, Manning who puts the needs of students, and most especially, children from diverse populations, at the forefront of his actions.

Additional details are available on the NYSAWA event website for anyone who would like additional information about the Symposium.

The New York State Association for Women in Administration was established in 1990 to address the lack of women in educational leadership positions. It was the genesis of a group of individuals who met to develop at statewide network, now known as NYSAWA. This group determined to create programs to identify and promote women in leadership.

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.

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.

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!