CTE Hall of Fame Nominations accepted through May 15

The Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES is accepting nominations for its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Hall of Fame through Thursday, May 15, 2014. 

The Hall of Fame was established in 2011 to honor individuals who have graduated from our Career and Technical Education programs and who demonstrate leadership in their field. Each year, nominations are solicited and reviewed by a subcommittee made up from our OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee. The committee reviews the nominations for the following qualifications:

1. OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education Graduate;
2. Engagement in an occupation related to the program completed at OCM BOCES;
3. Demonstrate leadership in his/her field;
4. Exercise civic responsibility.

The winners of the award will have a commemorative plaque placed in the "Hall of Fame" in their respective campus of graduation.

Current members of the OCM BOCES Alumni Hall of Fame are:
Keith Standish (Inducted 2011 - McEvoy Campus)
Leah Estock (Inducted 2011 - Henry Campus)
Dave Ryder (Inducted 2012 - Henry Campus)
Kevin McMahon (Inducted 2012 - McEvoy Campus)

By identifying successful graduates, we hope to provide positive role models for current students, while making the public aware of the accomplishments of our former students and the potential for success through the high quality programs offered by OCM BOCES.

To be considered for the OCM BOCES Alumni Hall of Fame, individuals must be a graduate of an OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education program, must currently be engaged in a career related to their program of completion at BOCES, must demonstrate leadership in their field and show civic responsibility.

For more information on the OCM BOCES Alumni Hall of Fame, contact Director of Career, Technical and Adult Education, Robert Leslie at 315/431-8407 or by email at rleslie@ocmboces.org.

Click here to download a nomination form.

New Tech High School student-created video

Click on the video link below to watch a student-created video about New Tech. OCM BOCES is bringing New Tech to Central New York through Innovation Tech.

We are OCM BOCES video

Click on the box below to play a video about OCM BOCES

Deaf athlete reads to and teaches students

Matt “The Hammer” Hamill is a deaf American amateur wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter. Matt was a three-time NCAA Wrestling Division III National Champion from 1997-1999 while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He is currently a fighter for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and takes time to visit schools to speak with young people. 

During the month of March, Matt came to Solvay High School through the help and support of Le Moyne College’s American Sign Language class in connection to the literacy incentive, Read Across America. While at Solvay High School, Hamill read and signed the story Ferdinand the Bull to the students. He also gave a presentation on his life and the many challenges he has faced and overcome due to his hearing loss. 

OCM BOCES Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Lisa Austin, helped arrange Matt’s visit to the school and was very pleased with the students’ reception of him. She said, “The students enjoyed having a famous athlete come and sign a story to them. Hamill really encouraged the students to strive for their dreams and to not let anything stand in their way of what they want to accomplish in life. He was very inspirational.”

After his presentation, Hamill signed autographs, took pictures with the students and spoke to them on a personal level. The day was a complete success.

A new kind of high school coming to Central New York - Innovation Tech to open in September 2014

The world has changed. Work has changed. Technology has changed. Communication has changed. The pace of the world has changed. But for the large part, schools in Central New York have stayed the same. Until now that is. In September of 2014, Central New York will open the doors to Innovation Tech, the area’s first-ever New Tech High School. 

While there are more than 130 New Tech schools across the country, Innovation Tech will be the first in Central New York and will be located at the Lee G. Peters Career Training Center in Liverpool.

Innovation Tech is a school that understands the changes that are rapidly taking place in the world and recognizes and supports the need to be prepared with 21^st Century Skills for life and work in our changing world. 

Innovation Tech provides an empowering culture, with learning that is relevant, student-driven and truly reflects 21^st Century Learning and the global environment in which we live. 

“Without a doubt, 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 a search of a single, right answer. They use technology on a regular basis, not just for special projects.”

At Innovation Tech, the approach to learning begins with teaching that is engaging, utilizing a project based learning approach. 

Karen Clark has been the OCM BOCES Director of Alternative Education for seven years and is excited about her role in bringing Innovation Tech to Central New York. She said, “This model truly engages students through a technology-based approach to solving real world problems by employing business partnerships for authentic learning and meaningful collaboration.”

At Innovation Tech, students work in teams on authentic projects to develop critical thinking and communication skills. Teamwork builds social skills and encourages the strong work ethic that is absolutely critical in today's business environment. Teams embrace the talents and perspectives that each team member brings to the project.

All students at Innovation Tech earn college credit, participate in internships, and give back to the community through service learning. The program is available for students in grades 9-12. 

Students are invited to apply through their home school district administrator of school counselor. School districts identify their pool of candidates for Innovation Tech. If needed, a lottery system is employed when the number of candidates exceeds the availability of seats at Innovation Tech. Once applications are reviewed, all potential candidates and their families will have an interview with staff from Innovation Tech. Enrollment is limited. If a student is selected to enroll at Innovation Tech, he/she will participate in orientation activities prior to the first day of school.

BOCES is holding an information night for parents and students interested in Innovation Tech at the school (4500 Crown Road) in Liverpool from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 9. Interested students should also talk to their school guidance counselors for more information. 

For additional information about Innovation Tech, visit us online at innovationtech.us. 

Click here to watch the News Channel 9 video news story about Innovation Tech.

Click here to read the Syracuse.com 3/27/14 article on Innovation Tech.

Click here to read the letter to the editor about Innovation Tech from District Superintendent Jody Manning. 

OCM BOCES Annual Meeting - April 2

OCM BOCES will hold their 2014 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Irvin E. Henry Campus (6820 Thompson Road) in Syracuse. The Board of Cooperative Educational Services will present its tentative administrative, capital and program budgets for 2014-2015 to the trustees and members of the boards of education of component school districts in attendance for their review.

The following are summaries of the tentative administrative, capital and program budgets. The amounts stated are based on current estimates and may be subject to change. Copies of the complete tentative administrative, capital and program budgets are available for inspection by the public between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the reception areas at:

the LGP Career Training Center (4500 Crown Road) in Liverpool, and the McEvoy Education Center (1710 NYS Route 13) in Cortland and

at the Office of the Clerk at the Irvin E. Henry Campus Administration Building (6820 Thompson Road) in Syracuse.

OCM BOCES Adult Literacy Celebration - May 21, 2014

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm, OCM BOCES will hold its 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation for Syracuse and Cortland graduates. This year’s celebration will take 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 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. OCM BOCES will also recognize their 2014 Partner in Literacy.

The public and media are asked to mark their calendars and plan to attend this celebration. For more information on the 31st Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.