| Volume 51, Issue 1 September 2016 |
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Extended School Year Program Keeps the Learning Going Strong
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ESY student Emma Weinstein, with teacher aide Shadieq Desland, all ready for the Olympic parade and festivities.
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While most students and teachers spend their summers away from the classroom, those in BOCES' Extended School Year Program keep busy through the summer months, working hard to ensure that skills learned during the school year are retained. And while much of the ESY daily schedule mimics the other ten months of the year, teachers and staff make a concerted effort to put a "summer spin" on things, keeping the learning light and enjoyable.
"We try to make it a little bit more fun," said Christina Egan, ESY Coordinator, as she described a typical day in the six-week program. "The students love the trips we take to work on social skills, such as going bowling or to the movies. Just being out in the community is a great opportunity for them to learn and they have a lot of fun at the same time." Students also enjoy the program's many themed events, such as Spirit Week, Pajama Day and Crazy Hat Day.
One very exciting project that began this summer and will hopefully continue into the school year is the creation of a Dale Chihuly-inspired chandelier/sculpture. ESY students, directed by teacher Roberta Tuttle, collaborated to create a sculpture out of recycled water bottles, food coloring and Modge Podge sculpting material. Students of all ability levels were included in the process and, while not complete, the sculpture is already spectacular.
Another wonderful activity that was enjoyed by students and staff alike this summer was the ESY Olympics, which involved learning about different countries, participating in a Passing of the Torch ceremony and parade, and taking part in a variety of sporting events, such as a Bean Bag Toss, Olympic Ring Toss and Skill Ball.
The ESY program serves students from Walden, Pines Bridge, Fox Meadow and the Local School Buildings Program. Staff includes BOCES staff, as well as some BOCES retirees and staff from related agencies in the area.
"There is a different energy here over the summer," said ESY Coordinator Marianne Rodriguez. "Since we are mainly reviewing and maintaining skills that have been learned during our regular school year, we are able to have a little more fun with the students, and that is something everybody enjoys."
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Teacher Roberta Tuttle works on a collaborative sculpture with students in the ESY program.
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Summer "Spruce Up" for Building E
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Ventilation in the kitchen at Building E, currently being prepared to receive students, has been updated, part of the final phase of PNW BOCES' capital improvement project.
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Building E, which houses the student-run restaurant, The Educated Palate, as well as culinary, masonry and auto mechanics classes, underwent important renovations this summer, projects comprising the final phase of PNW BOCES' capital improvements project.
"As long as the building was vacant, O & M had a great opportunity to go in and make modifications to respond to the building's changing needs," said Director of Facilities Kathy Cerreta.
Summer projects included those that are noticeable and those that are more "behind the scenes." Among the improvements that will be immediately apparent are upgrades to bathrooms and locker rooms and the opening up of the Educated Palate's dining room. According to Kathy, the changes will "create a more pleasant dining experience for our guests and a better educational workspace for our students."
Other projects that may not be as evident, but are nonetheless extremely important, include the recoating of the building's roof, new gutters and installation of additional ventilation in the kitchen.
BOCES' IT department also made important technological improvements to the building. "We tripled the wireless coverage in the building and rewired the facility to improve the overall technology experience for students, teachers and guests," said Jamie Molina, Director of information Technology. "This will allow for more flexibility in classroom set-ups and is in line with our overall focus on making technology more available via infrastructure upgrades."
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Opening Day Honors--
Distinguished Excellence Awards were presented during Opening Day Ceremonies on September 1, the annual employee gathering that kicks off the new school year. New PNW BOCES Superintendent Dr. James Ryan addressed the staff, noting that "the strength of our organization is in the people sitting in this room."
Distinguished Excellence Awards were presented to (in photo, above, left to right): Steven DeFino, Brian Bucchignano, Alanna Donohue, Carolyn Schneider, Catherine Pascarelli, Dr. Marla Gardner, Mona Kelly, Maria Biagini, Patricia Herbold, Neil Boyle, Debra LaPadula, Janice Belloise (Neil, Debra and Janice received a Team Award for the Guidance & Child Study Center) and Philip Nouvion.
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PNW BOCES' mini-camps were in full swing this summer, with middle and high school students learning about everything from auto mechanics and animation to sports medicine and hair styling.
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Virtual Suggestion Box
As part of the Future of BOCES Taskforce initiative, please be reminded that you are welcome to share your ideas and suggestions to boost morale and improve our collective work by using our virtual suggestion box. To access the box, go to the BOCES website at
http://www.pnwboces.org/
(click the employees tab and then suggestion box)
or go directly to:
http://www.pnwboces.org/SuggestionBox/Default.aspx
The virtual suggestion box is checked on a daily basis and all suggestions are carefully reviewed and considered. Suggestions of merit that are acted upon are highlighted in the BOCES Reporter.
Thanks again to all those who have used the virtual suggestion box, and keep the new ideas coming!
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Kathleen Hanlon, Teacher, Pines Bridge.
Linda Hoos-Mastrogiacomo, Food Service Helper, Walden.
Sylvia Siciliano, Senior Office Assistant, School Services Building.
Christina Giorgio, Adult Education Instructor, Michael J. Dibart Center.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE:
The following employees had perfect attendance for the 2015-2016 school year.
Dr. Lynn Allen
Gloria Vazquez
Will Brightman
Tom Houlahan
Raina Schild
Robert Stanford
Wesley Curtis
Jean Giordano
Michael Marchionna
Stella Marchionna
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September
Birthdays
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Donna Ardovini, Thomas Barker, Sabrina Beringer, Daniel Cahill, Michael Colvin, Marie Cortissoz, Colleen Cox, LeeAnne Damin, Teresa DeBellis, Liane Delgado, Mark Endres, Francesca Fernandez, Amy Gasparini, Eric Giancola, Elizabeth Gilmore, Christine Giorgio, Jessica Gurka, Laura Herzegovitch, Randy Hill, Christina Holic, Aubrey Johnson, Jeannine Killenberger, Tara Konstantakopoulos, Brent Lagan, Suzanne Low Pratt, Jamie Molina, Ann Moreno, Lynn Nole, Thomas Oakes Jr, Maria Pontbriand, Glenda Rivas, Kathleen Rochet, Josephine Scala, Raina Schild, Marcella Schoepf, Christopher Schofield, Toni Stiller, Lisa Taylor, Jason Tobacco and Anita Worth.
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We hope you've enjoyed receiving the
BOCES
Reporter
as an email newsletter.
Our goal is to make the news and views of BOCES staff easily accessible to you.
Let us know what you think. Suggestions and comments are always welcome. Karen Hoffman, editor: [email protected] or ext. 232 ______________________________________  BOCES Reporter
Dr. James M. Ryan,
Superintendent
Valerie Laudato,
Designer
Click here to visit www.pnwboces.org |
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