Announcements

Dutchess BOCES Highlights for April 2008

Alternative and Special Education

A group of fifteen BETA students and two teachers attended Rachel’s Challenge assembly program at Arlington High School on April 9. Rachel’s Challenge is a school assembly and training program that was birthed out of the April 20, 1999 Columbine High School tragedy, and is named for Rachel Joy Scott, the first person killed at Columbine. Rachel’s acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. Rachel's Challenge is committed to Rachel Scott’s desire to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.

SPC student Sara Costigan and staff members Barbara Mauer and Ray Campanero were guests on the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Radio Disney Show on March 27. Costigan performed “Over the Rainbow” and “The Water is Wide,” with guitar accompaniment by Mauer and Campanero. Costigan’s vocal performance was aired on Cumulus radio stations on March 30. All those in attendance during the radio interview were extremely impressed by Costigan’s wonderful voice. This was also a great opportunity to discuss our PEACCE program and its benefits to the community. Congratulations, Sara!

On April 8, several students participated in an Art Event in the Curriculum Center at BETA. ER Model School Staff Specialist Susannah Renzi and BETA Art Teacher Jeanette Straebler connected live to the Albany Institute of History and Art where an art history teacher presented an interactive lesson on portraits throughout the ages. Students were able to see how the style and content of historical paintings and photographs of people were influenced by the culture of the times in which they lived. With the distance learning technology in place at BETA, teachers of all subjects hope to plan more on-site "field trips" in the future.

On Friday, March 14, BETA Art Teacher Jeanette Straebler, fourteen BETA art students, two New Paltz college interns, and two staff visited Dia:Beacon, a museum for Dia Art Foundation's renowned collection of art from the 1960s to the present. Straebler stated it was a wonderful experience for everyone.

This year, ten BETA students are enrolled in a six-week course entitled Introduction to Building Technology at our Manufacturing and Technology Institute. Students who successfully complete the coursework will graduate in June and receive a certificate of completion for their efforts.

A school resource officer from the Spackenkill school district will visit BETA in the near future to present three one-hour sensitivity workshops on the topics of bullying and harassment.

At the request of the Student Senate, SPC began its first Academic Honor Roll. Twenty-four students received recognition for their accomplishments. Congrats to our SPC honor students!

Laura Cahill, Assistive Technology Specialist at SPC, reports that the Assistive Technology Services at Dutchess BOCES has developed an exciting new relationship with Crick Software. Crick Software is solely focused on producing innovative educational software, concentrating on software tools for literacy. Crick Software promotes the inclusion of children of all abilities by creating flexible products that can be tailored to the needs of individuals. Dutchess BOCES has been named a Clicker Center, one of just nine in the state. As a Clicker Center, Dutchess BOCES Assistive Technology Services receives all of the software titles within the Crick catalog. This allows the BOCES and component district staff to preview the products and learn about the programs directly, at no cost. Crick’s software titles are offered for half price through Clicker Centers. The Crick Software titles are an invaluable addition to the Assistive Technology Lending Library program offered through the Assistive Technology Services.

The Community Based Classroom at Red Oaks Mill attended a free makeover session at the Clinique counter at Macy's. The girls learned skin care and how to pick makeup colors that go well together. Students who attended with their teacher, Erin Scott, were Debra Clearwater, Jennann Rodriegez, Melissa Furman and Toni Rygiel.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? TRANSITION PLANNING SERVICES - PARENT INFORMATION SERIES

Are you a parent or family member of a middle or high school aged child with an IEP/ 504 Plan? Do you have concerns about supports and services available after graduation? Join us for this FREE workshop!

Location: Dutchess BOCES BETA, 900 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Registration: Contact Marilyn McGaulley at 486-4840 x3058 or e-mail marilyn.mcgaulley@dcboces.org

Tuesday, April 29 ~ 6:30-9:00 PM: TRANSITION RESOURCE FAIR

Representatives from adult agencies and post-secondary institutions will be available to share information about services and programs available to young adults.

Business Services

Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Linda Poleski, Director of Alternative and Special Education Norah Merritt, and Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Linda Heitmann are visiting our component school districts. This trio is meeting with school business officials to share information and answer questions about the programs and services of Dutchess BOCES.

As we move ahead with our capital project initiative, many pieces must come into play. Thanks to Budget Assistant and Purchasing Agent Debbie McAllister for the work she did in creating the Request for Proposal (RFP) Document for architect and engineering services. Once the proposals were received, Staff Specialist for Business Services Kelly Seibert conducted a condensation of RFPs for review by the Dutchess BOCES Board of Education.

As we move forward with using Wincap, we must keep current on the program’s capabilities. Recently, Dutchess BOCES Wincap administrators Lois Schwarze, Mary Grunow and Matt Carr attended a Wincap meeting in New Paltz, specifically to learn more about the Human Resources and Payroll modules.

This year’s Dutchess County Contract Analysis Book was designed in a new format. Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Linda Poleski, Consultant Patricia Richardson, and the Dutchess BOCES CGR staff were instrumental in the successful development and production of this book.

Career & Technical Education

SkillsUSA continues to provide excellent community service! Some of their accomplishments for 2007-2008 include working at the Lunch Box in Poughkeepsie, organizing Blood Drives, sending goodie packages to our soldiers in Iraq, coordinating dinners for veterans, participating in Toys for Tots campaign and the Coat and Clothing Drive, and helping children with special needs make arts and crafts. Congratulations to SkillsUSA students and staff for their continued efforts.

Deputy Superintendent Clare Garvey is pleased to announce that Adult Basic Education Teacher Tammy Hasbrouck has been selected as New York Association for Continuing/Community Education’s (NYACCE) 2008 Teacher of the Year. Hasbrouck will be honored during the 57th Annual NYACCE Conference at its luncheon on Monday, May 5 at the Marriot Hotel in Albany. This is a wonderful recognition for Tammy and our Adult Education Program. NYACCE is the leading statewide association that provides information, services and support for professionals serving the needs of lifelong learners in New York State. Congratulations, Tammy!

CTI Principal Mitchell Shron reports that fifteen new articulation programs are offered at our Career & Technical Institute. Check out the list on the CTI website.

Congratulations to all those who participated in the Literacy Connections of Dutchess County’s Sixteenth Annual Spelling Bee recently held at Vassar College. Spelling Bee participants include students, staff and Interact Club members from CTI and BETA. There was three-way tie for “Best High School Team”, with CTI being one of them. Congratulations to Daniel Quartuccio and Gareth Gayomba for this accomplishment!

On Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Career & Technical Institute will host its second Community Open House entitled Explore a Future Career! The day includes fun hands-on activities for children and career information session for parents. CTI Principal Mitchell Shron is very pleased to offer this event to the community.

CTI Instructor Mark Angevine is supervising his Environmental Studies class with its participation in the Hudson River Tributary Eel Distribution and Density Assessment Program. The project involves participants from Dutchess BOCES, Bard College, Bard College at Simon’s Rock and the Hudson River Estuary Program. A long-term monitoring effort identifying the distribution and density of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) in tributaries to the Hudson is needed to inform management actions including identifying sites for eel passage, dam removal or stream protection measures.

Central Office

At the March 28 Association of Career and Technical Educational Administrators Association (ACTEA) annual meeting in Albany, Dutchess BOCES Deputy Superintendent Clare C. Garvey was named recipient of ACTEA’s highest award, the 2008 Sidney Platt Medal of Honor. Garvey received this lifetime achievement award as a leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE) in New York State. The award is given to individuals who have advanced the aims and objectives of Career and Technical Education in the interest of fostering high standards of excellence in quality programs, while demonstrating superior leadership and effectiveness in the development of viable Career and Technical Programs in NYS. Garvey was recognized for being a leader, a mentor, and a source of support, with a proven track record of going the extra distance for the benefit of CTE students. Garvey has been a driving force in career and technical education during her tenure as an administrator. Congratulations, Clare!

Deputy Superintendent Clare Garvey is very pleased with the outcome of the Superintendent’s “Wellness” Conference Day held on March 5. Reports from division administrators and staff evaluations were excellent! Sincere thanks to the Superintendent’s Day Planning Committee and all those who helped plan sessions for that day, and to our facilitators and presenters.

The Spirit of Dutchess County Awards will once again honor the dedication of volunteers who have served the community this past year. United Way of Dutchess County is proud to honor these selfless champions of our community by presenting the 2008 Spirit of Dutchess County Awards. Please consider nominating any volunteer champion(s) from Dutchess BOCES and send in your nominations – the deadline is May 5. In addition to the adult and youth awards, a “group” award will be presented. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Gia Coratti, Associate Director for Campaign & Events at 845-471-1900, extension 121, or via email at gcoratti@unitedwaydutchess.org.

As we conclude the observance of our “golden” anniversary this year, Dutchess BOCES received a letter of congratulations from New York State Assemblyman Kevin A. Cahill commending us for our devotion and commitment to provide quality educational services to the community for the past fifty years.

Communications & Grants Research

Three cheers to our dynamite clerical support staff! Since 1952, the last full week of April has been designated Administrative Professionals Week (formerly called Secretaries Week) by the International Association of Administrative Professionals. This year Administrative Professionals Week is April 20-26, with Administrative Professionals Day observed on Wednesday, April 23. Administrative professionals master technology, effectively utilize their interpersonal and communication skills, manage projects and organize the office, apply their creativity to solving problems and, most importantly, have the willingness to learn and accept new challenges. They are vital contributors in our team-orientated organization and are key frontline public relations ambassadors for our organization. Thank you to the many hard working and very talented individuals who provide us with great support on a day-to-day basis!

On Friday, February 29, Dutchess BOCES participated in the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, collecting a total of $710. On Saturday, March 8, over forty Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) students participated in the AHA Walk, raising a total of $2,200. Many, many thanks to all those who contributed and participated in these events!

Staff Specialist for Web Services Jeff Rouse reported that Spackenkill created an online community survey via a tool available to them as a subscriber to our Web Services COSER. The survey asks for feedback on district goals and plans for the future, especially as they relate to ideal class sizes and potential school reorganization. Within the first week of announcing the survey's availability, the district has received over 300 responses.

Kids Expo 2008 was held in Poughkeepsie on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6. At the Dutchess BOCES booth, the activity was entitled “Picture Your Future.” Children were given the opportunity to draw a picture depicting what career they wanted to pursue. The children's artwork was scanned and can be viewed on the CTI webpage http://www.dcboces.org/CTI/kids_expo_2008/. Our presence at this event is just another way to reach out to our children and spread the word about the programs and services offered by Dutchess BOCES. Special thanks to CTI’s Mitchell Shron and several of his staff members and students for volunteering to assist at our booth. In addition, thanks to Anna Marie Martino and Jackie Cardascia for organizing the booth.

REMINDER: Nominations for the Employee Recognition Awards Program are due to the District Superintendent’s office by May 1. This program recognizes exemplary performance of staff members that represents a level of service significantly over and above their specific job responsibilities. Please refer to the program guidelines located in your Employee Handbook for the nomination form. Don’t forget – you can nominate more than one person! This year’s Dutchess BOCES Employee Recognition Day is on Wednesday, May 7.

Educational Resources

Dutchess BOCES Educational Resources is pleased to announce Schools That Change! This six-session reading circle based on Dr. Lew Smith’s book, Schools That Change - Effective School Leadership, is designed for all building and district level administrators. Participants will learn how schools/districts can realize substantive change that supports a culture of learning, teacher development, and enhanced student achievement. Session One begins on April 29 and will run from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Author Smith will join us and host the kick-off session. For information, contact Jodi DeLucia at 486-4840, extension 3114, or email jodi.delucia@dcboces.org.

We have created a new full Professional Development workshop catalog in Educational Resources. The new layout is designed to be both helpful and user-friendly for districts making informed professional development decisions for their staff. The printed catalog offers a comprehensive guide to professional development courses, and any page of the online catalog can be printed on its own as a complete workshop brochure, including topics and outcome expectations for each workshop.

Educational Resources School Library Systems has a new informative website - http://www.dcboces.org/library. This new and exciting information should be shared with all school librarians.

Educational Resources is excited to announce the availability of Instructional Coaches for the 2008-2009 school year. Coaches can be purchased by the .1 FTE (half-day per week) in areas including but not limited to literacy, mathematics and technology integration.

ER’s Coordinator of Data Services and Cooperative Programs Daren Lolkema reports that two major projects are slated to begin in July 2008. One is Centralized Backups and the other is Email Archiving. Centralized Backup will take the tape drives out of the districts’ servers and remove all manual intervention on the districts’ behalf of maintaining their software backup needs. Backing up files will now occur over the Dutchess BOCES network to a central repository in our Network Operating Center (NOC). Email Archiving is a solution where all email messages within a participating district will be stored in our BOCES NOC. This will bring districts into compliance with new Federal regulations stating that all organizations, when notified of pending litigation, should be able to store all email records for the entire period of litigation. These organizations must also be able to retrieve email records requested by the court in a timely manner. Currently, no school districts in Dutchess County are able to provide such a service.

SPC Special Education Coordinator for District Classes Lawrence Mautone sends congratulations and thanks to ER Staff Specialists Suzannah Renzi and Angelo Urrico for their hard work and efforts in providing services under Model Schools.

Human Resources

The Dutchess BOCES Seventh Annual Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Public School Educator Job Fair was held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Arlington High School. The day was a success with 763 candidates in attendance. Participating districts included Arlington, Dover, Pine Plains, Poughkeepsie, Wappingers, Highland, Rondout, and Dutchess BOCES. Special thanks to Sue Glienke, Joan Goldhammer, Linda Layton, and Janet Quade for coordinating the activities for the day. In addition, thanks to Judy Paolercio, Cathay Rinschler, Nancy Robishaw, Cathy Rothschild, and Karen Runza for their efforts the day of the job fair. Next year’s job fair is scheduled for February 28, 2009.

Human Resources Administrator Matt Carr welcomes Dover Union Free School District to the Dutchess BOCES Medicaid COSER for 2008-2009.

DUTCHESS BOCES DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT RECEIVES SIDNEY PLATT MEDAL OF HONOR

At the March 28 Association of Career and Technical Educational Administrator's Association (ACTEA) annual meeting in Albany, Dutchess BOCES Deputy Superintendent Clare C. Garvey was named recipient of ACTEA’s highest award, the 2008 Sidney Platt Medal of Honor. Garvey received this lifetime achievement award as a leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE) in New York State. The award is given to individuals who have advanced the aims and objectives of Career and Technical Education in the interest of fostering high standards of excellence in quality programs, while demonstrating superior leadership and effectiveness in the development of viable Career and Technical Programs in NYS. Garvey was recognized for being a leader, a mentor, and a source of support, with a proven track record of going the extra distance for the benefit of CTE students.

Garvey has been a driving force in career and technical education during her tenure as an administrator. After a successful career as a nurse in New York City, Garvey moved to Dutchess County and in 1984 became the coordinator for nursing and health service programs at Dutchess BOCES. In 1993, she became director of occupational and adult education, the first woman in New York State to hold that title. By 2003 she was the assistant superintendent for educational services, and was made deputy superintendent of Dutchess BOCES in 2005. In her various roles, Garvey has been highly instrumental in bring career and technical education to the forefront of educational issues in New York State and beyond. She was vice president of ACTEA for two years and president for two years. During her tenure as president, Garvey spearheaded the effort to get the State Education Department to recognize CTE students with the CTE Regents endorsement, greatly enhancing the reputation of Career and Technical Education in New York State. On both the state and national level, she was part of the lobbying process to secure funding for CTE through the Vocational and Applied Technologies Education Act. 

Dutchess BOCES Highlights for February 2008

 

Alternative and Special Education

On January 31, Alternative High School students participated in a new symposium at Dutchess Community College entitled "Money Matters: Cash for College". Workshops included Show Me the Money (tips for managing finances while in school), When I Grow Up I'm Going to Be . . . (how to choose a career and expected starting salaries for various careers in the Hudson Valley) and Playing a Successful Hand: Finding and Getting Your Scholarship. The presenters and organizers specifically lauded the Dutchess BOCES Alternative High School students for their active participation and interest in the workshops. They were clearly interested in the subject matter and asked thoughtful questions. Kudos to our students and special thanks to the Academic Services staff from Dutchess Community College and Dutchess BOCES staff Sandra Callahan, Kathleen Garrison, Kathy White, and Marilyn McGaulley.

Mark Hoops, Assistant Attorney General from the New York State Attorney General’s office, will present at the Salt Point Education Center for two information sessions on Internet safety. Students from grades one through three will attend the Internet Safety assembly in the morning and students from grades four through eight will attend in the afternoon.

Coordinator of Special Education Lawrence Mautone and BETA’s Community Based Teacher Roger Risko are working closely together to expand our work-based programs. This program has grown such that a new bus is needed to provide student transportation. As we finish work on the paperwork to purchase a new bus, one is on loan from Leonard Bus Company. Sincere thanks to Kelly Seibert for help with setting up the loaner bus.

More Good Deeds! BOCES District classroom teacher Erin Scott is pleased to announce that during the month of January, her class mailed out 1,200 letters for the Hudson Valley Special Olympics. Students in this Reds Oak Mill satellite classroom folded, stuffed and checked labels for the letters. The students also created valentine cards and packages to send overseas to a soldier who is a member of the Red Oaks Mill Fire Department.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? TRANSITION PLANNING SERVICES - PARENT INFORMATION SERIES

Are you a parent or family member of a middle or high school aged child with an IEP/ 504 Plan? Do you have concerns about supports and services available after graduation? Join us for one or all of our FREE workshops! Location: Dutchess BOCES BETA, 900 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Registration: Contact Marilyn McGaulley at 486-4840 x3058 or e-mail marilyn.mcgaulley@dcboces.org

Tuesday, March 4 ~ 6:30- 8:30 PM: INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF ADULT SERVICES
Transition Services: Overview of Person-Centered Planning as a tool for developing the transition plan within the IEP. Developmental Disabilities: Overview of services available through the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities including Eligibility, Family Supports, Service Coordination, Recreation, Respite, Home and Community Waiver and Clinical.

Tuesday, March 18 ~ 6:30-8:30 PM: EMPLOYMENT / POST-SECONDARY SUPPORTS
VESID Services (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities): An overview of services available to assist persons in obtaining employment/training in the community including eligibility and development of an Individual Plan for Employment. Post High School Supports for Students with Learning or Emotional Challenges: College Disability Services, Self-Advocacy and Supported Education. Employment and Day Supports: Information about levels of employment including Job Coaching, Supported Employment, Enclaves, Day Habilitation, Volunteer Services, and Vocational Case Management.

Tuesday, April 1 ~ 6:30-9:00 PM: LONG TERM NEEDS
SSI and other Benefits: What are they? How, when and why to apply. Residential Options: What are they and are they right for my family member? Learn about the steps involved in obtaining residential service. Guardianship and Special Needs Trusts: How to protect your child’s rights and property when they become adults.

Tuesday, April 29 ~ 6:30-9:00 PM: TRANSITION RESOURCE FAIR
Representatives from adult agencies and post-secondary institutions will be available to share information about services and programs available to young adults.

The breakfast incentive partnership continues with CTI and BETA. BETA teachers nominate top students each month, from which ten to twelve students earn the title of “student of the month.” These students ride on a bus to CTI and are served a breakfast prepared for them by CTI’s Culinary Arts program students. Students from both programs benefit from this great partnership!

To raise awareness, Astor counselors are visiting each class at BETA to present information to students about sexual harassment. Individual counseling and instruction is also available as needed. BETA Principal John Jeffrey is very pleased to announce that several BETA students completed Regents week testing with an extremely high success rate. One student even scored a 99. Congratulations to staff and students for this academic achievement!

CGR’s Jeff Rouse and SPC’s Denise Traver were instrumental in putting together a data collection system that is used by our administrators at each Committee on Special Education (CSE) meeting to input annual review information. This information will be valuable in planning programs and related services for summer and fall 2008 special education classes.

Business Services

New this year – the 2008-2009 Dutchess BOCES Services Guide includes unit costs and related pricing information. Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Linda Poleski announced that she received very favorable responses from the school districts’ school business officials about the 2008-2009 Services Guide. This group noted that having the costs listed in the guide was very helpful to them. Many thanks to everyone who assisted with compiling this information.

Our Food Service Department now has available a new Staff and Catering menu. Please contact Staff Specialist for Business Services Kelly Seibert at 486-4800, extension 228 or Cook Manager Mark Graffam at 486-4800, extension 408 for additional information.

Career & Technical Education

The Career & Technical Institute (CTI) rolled out its pilot program entitled Multi-Occupation Exploratory Program with great success! This program began in late January, with 9th and 10th graders or students who are 14 to 16 years old. The ½-year program course covers an introduction to various CTE classes. CTI teacher Julie Puig is very excited about this new class, which is expected to run as a full-year program starting in September 2008.

The Licensed Practical Nursing Program (LPN) class began in January 2008 with an enrollment of forty adult students – an increase from the last LPN program class that had twenty-five students. There are stringent requirements to get into this program. CTI Principal Mitchell Shron reported that 100 people tested for the program and forty-seven were eligible for the class.

When a student needs assistance, Dutchess BOCES is there to help! Many thanks to BETA’s Roger Risko for making special arrangements to transport a Beacon student to CTI. In addition, our transportation contractor A&E Transport also deserves kudos on this one. It was indeed a great example of a cooperative effort!

New Visions Programs Offer HS Juniors Fast Track to College Study in Education, Health, and Law:
High school juniors interested in exploring careers in education, healthcare, or law are invited to attend an open house to learn about the New Vision Programs offered at Dutchess County BOCES Career and Technical Institute (CTI). The event will be held on Wednesday, February 27 at 12:10 p.m. in CTI’s Conference Room 301. Faculty and students from the New Vision Education, Law, and Healthcare programs will describe the programs and answer questions. New Vision programs offer high-school students a hands-on opportunity to explore potential career interests while earning high school credits for senior English, participation in government and economics. In addition, New Vision students have the opportunity to earn twelve credits from Dutchess Community College. For more information students may talk to their high school guidance counselor, call CTI at 845-486-8001, or visit our website at http://www.dcboces.org

Central Office

District Superintendent Dr. John C. Pennoyer is slated as one of the keynote speakers at the March of Dimes Franklin Delano Roosevelt Student Convocation on February 26. Dr. Pennoyer will present information about the March of Dimes, birth defects, infant mortality, and premature birth, and will stress the organization’s emphasis on youth involvement and volunteerism. In addition, Dr. Edmund La Gamma, a graduate from New York Medical College, will address the students. Dr. La Gamma has been in the profession for over thirty years, practicing Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Pediatrics in Hawthorne, Stony Brook, and Valhalla. This year, March for Babies is on April 27 at many locations in New York, one being the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library, 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park. For more information, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org

Branching out to assist in our vision and mission, a dynamic and cutting-edge group entitled The Enterprise Group is now in place at Dutchess BOCES. District Superintendent John C. Pennoyer felt strongly that Dutchess BOCES needed a committee comprised of staff, students, and parents that would work through an open forum process to explore new ideas, strategies, and educational trends. The development of the Group began over eighteen months ago and its initial members were chosen by inquiry and invitation. The Group meets once a month to discuss ideas and strategies aimed to improve the overall quality and diversity of services for the everchanging needs of Dutchess BOCES’ customers. BETA’s Roger Risko, Community-Based Teacher of Career & Technical Education, heads up the Group. Joining Roger on this committee are Riane Benson, Roberto Bonefont, Bob Butler, Matt Carr, Sue Carr, Tracy Gartelmann, Clare Garvey, Steve Lawson, Anna Marie Martino, Marilyn McGaulley, Norah Merritt, Walt Niemiec, Corrinne Pahlck, Bill Parlapiano, Linda Poleski, Julie Puig, Lois Schwarze, Linda Way, Kathy White, and Richard Wiesenthal. The Enterprise Group will organize an annual selfassessment review process to measure the effectiveness of its submitted suggestions. Want to read more about The Enterprise Group? Do you have an idea or proposal that would benefit Dutchess BOCES and its customers? If so, visit their new web page at http://www.dcboces.org/enterprise Developed by Staff Specialist for Web Services Jeff Rouse, this page contains information about the Group, proposal submission, and includes a flow chart that shows how a proposal is received and processed for consideration. If you are interested in becoming a member of this group or you have specific questions, please contact Roger Risko at 486-4840, extension 3055 or e-mail roger.risko@dcboces.org

Communications & Grants Research

It is with great pleasure that CGR again collaborated with CTI to produce a 30-second television commercial spot for the upcoming Dutchess BOCES Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Public School Educator Job Fair. CTI’s Steve Lawson and his Video Production students assisted with this project. The commercial spot appears during the month of February on your local Cablevision network channel. The spot runs on their system 100 times during February and early March. More plays may be seen during Cablevision’s local programming on Channel 18, Cablevision News, Meet The Leaders, and Sports Scene. Many thanks to Cablevision’s Roger Connor for his assistance in scheduling this spot on their February Broadcast Calendar. This commercial was sponsored by Cablevision Television.

The American Heart Association launched Go Red for Women – a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of heart disease as women’s #1 killer. On Friday, February 29, Dutchess BOCES will Go Red for Women. For only $5, you show your support for this cause by wearing jeans and/or red to work that day along with your RED DRESS LAPEL PIN that you will receive. If you would like to donate $5 and participate in Go Red for Women, please give your donation to your building representative no later than Thursday, February 28. Remember this is for a great cause! In addition, we need volunteers for the American Heart Walk that will take place on Saturday, March 8 at Vassar College. All you need to do is collect donations from individuals and walk. It’s that easy! Come out and walk for a worthy cause. If you are unable to walk, please sponsor a walker. Ask your AHA building representative for a collection envelope or register on the Heart Walk website at http://www.heartwalk.kintera.org/Poughkeepsie

Educational Resources

Educational Resources is pleased to be hosting a one-day overview session on Value-Added Analysis on Thursday, February 28, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. For additional information, please contact Linda Holloway at 845-486-4840, extension 3033, or register online at http://www.dcboces.org/professionaldevelopment

As Regional Scoring comes to a close, Educational Resources would like to extend a thank you to several of our teachers from the Salt Point Center Education Center for lending a helping hand. We appreciate the collaboration showed by Special Education and appreciate the time and effort on the part of these teachers.

Model Schools professional development workshop attendance has increased this year by over 60% thanks to our skilled staff specialists and increased marketing efforts.

Summer Scholars 2008 planning has begun! We are excited to welcome Dr. Richard Reitano as our new Summer Scholars Program Administrator. Dr. Reitano is a highly recognized educator, Professor of Government at Dutchess Community College (DCC), and Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Vassar College. He is the recipient of DCC’s first Endowed Chair for Excellence in Teaching established by the college’s Foundation.

The Educational Resources website offers its users the opportunity to be notified via e-mail of upcoming events and interest group communications. Visit the ER website at http://www.dcboces.org – click on Professional Development Catalog.

The Ninth Annual Fall Into Books Children’s & Teen Literature Conference took place on Friday, November 2 at Mount St. Alphonsus Retreat Center in Esopus, NY. There were 196 school and public librarians in attendance from a six-county area (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster). Participants attended two pre-selected book discussion groups during the day. In the morning, Patricia Eyer gave a stimulating keynote presentation on Kamishibai (Japanese Storytelling). The afternoon consisted of a wonderful presentation by author Richard Peck. This conference is co-sponsored by the school library systems (Dutchess, Orange/Ulster, Rockland, Ulster, and Sullivan) and public library systems (Mid-Hudson and Ramapo-Catskill).

Human Resources

Human Resources Administrator Matt Carr commended CGR’s Public Information Officer Karen Unger for the wonderful article she put together about two of last year’s job fair candidates – Anthony DelGreco and Bonnie Hart. Both individuals were hired by the Wappingers Central School District as a direct result of the 2007 Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Public School Educator Job Fair. DelGreco and Hart currently work at John Jay High School, DelGreco teaching social studies in the special education department and Hart as Assistant Coordinator for Special Education. Though DelGreco started out studying law enforcement and planned a career in law, he switched career paths and became an educator. Does he regret his loss of anonymity and lower pay? Not for a minute! He feels he is definitely in the right place—and credits the Job Fair for getting him there. He has this advice for those pursuing a career in education: “If you are teaching for the summers off, don’t bother. If you want to be a part of something, create change and do something more than collect a paycheck, then teaching may be for you. It’s not a job; it’s a life choice.” Bonnie Hart also believes in the importance of the BOCES Job Fair. “I often need to find teachers with specific sets of skills. I look for a pool of candidates, as I may have openings at the time of the Job Fair and then more through the summer right up to the start of school. The district may get over 500 applicants. It is hard to tell from a paper résumé the qualities I need, but at the Job Fair, I am meeting candidates face-to-face and getting a snapshot of the candidate’s personality, which makes a big difference.“

REMINDER: The Dutchess BOCES Seventh Annual Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Public School Educator Job Fair is Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Arlington High School. For registration and information, go to the Dutchess BOCES website at http://www.dcboces.org Pre-registration for the job fair will be available on the Dutchess BOCES website through February 25. Enhancements to our online application system have been a real plus thanks to the efforts of Web Services Staff Specialist Jeff Rouse.

Enhancements include the direct submission of candidates’ résumés and cover letters, and the districts’ ability to send out an automatic acknowledgment letter to prospective candidates.

Dates to Remember

February 29: Dutchess BOCES Go Red for Women Day

March 5: Superintendent’s Conference Day

March 8: American Heart Walk – Vassar College

March 12: Dutchess BOCES Board Meeting

March 21-25*: Spring Recess April 9 Dutchess BOCES Annual Meeting

April 14-18: Spring Recess

April 29: Component District Boards Vote on the BOCES Budget

*Offices Closed March 21 for Good Friday Quotable

Transition Planning Services Workshop

OMRDD ELIGIBILITY: What School Psychologists and CSE Chairpersons Need to Know

Target Audience: School Psychologists, CSE Chairpersons/Members, School Social Workers, Transition Coordinators, and Special Education Teachers working with students with developmental disabilities, Adult/Children’s Agency Representatives

Sponsored by the Dutchess Transition Network, Taconic DDSO, and Dutchess BOCES, this important workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO), 38 Firemen’s Way, Poughkeepsie.

A major component of transition planning for students with developmental disabilities includes identifying who will provide and fund the adult services they might need to live and work in their communities. Before any service can be provided (e.g. case management, residential, recreation, respite) individuals must be deemed ELIGIBLE by the Taconic DDSO. The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities has very specific guidelines that must be met to determine eligibility. Often this is not a simple or easy process for families, but the outcomes can have life-long implications. In this workshop, Dr. Russell Karasik will review and discuss the documentation and testing required for our students in Dutchess County to receive any OMRDD funded service.

The program is free. For further information or for registration please contact Marilyn McGaulley at 845-486-4840 x 3058 or email marilyn.mcgaulley@dcboces.org.

 

Area Students Participate in Scholastic Bowl

(From the Harlem Valley Times 12/27/07)

Students from Webutuck, Dover and Pine Plains have been competing against other local schools in Scholastic Bowl challenges at Dutchess Community College over the past couple weeks.

The Scholastic Bowl is a Dutchess County BOCES cooperative service for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. There are four tournaments held per year, which consist of ten-minute rounds.

This month, sixth grade students from Dover Middle School and Eugene Brooks Middle School competed in the event on Dec. 11. Seventh- and eighth-grade representatives from those schools, as well as Stissing Mountain Middle School, participated in the Scholastic Bowl on Dec. 19.

The bowl is a county-wide event which brings local schools in for a game show-style activity to answer questions that incorporate various aspects of the curriculum. The questions are challenging and recommended for students with high academic ability. The idea of the Scholastic Bowl is to challenge students' minds with questions that require them to think quickly and make decisions. It also allows students from different parts of the county to meet with one another and make new friends. The emphasis is not on the competition aspect of the game, but rather on the intellectual and social aspects.

Schools often gather teams and practice together a few weeks before each challenge.

"The kids like that there are no trophies, and it's not super competitive," said Webutuck Scholastic Bowl advisor Jean Roccanova. "It's more for fun, and they appreciate that."

"The students really enjoy the difficulty of the questions," said Dover Scholastic Bowl advisor Mike Horn. "They have a lot of fun every time they go, no matter who 'wins.'"

Another part of the challenge is that the students must go up on a stage to introduce themselves and their coach to the other teams who are participating. Students often become rather nervous, but Roccanova believes that it is just another learning experience for them.

"I think it's a good experience to be in a public spot like that," she said. "It's an important part of becoming comfortable with speaking in front of other people, which they'll have to do many times in their lives."

The Scholastic Bowl began 22 years ago when two local teachers, Richard Lahey and William Panuska, brought teams from their two schools together to face off in a Scholastic Bowl challenge. Since then, the two teachers have retired and brought in 10 schools to participate in the challenges.

Stissing Mountain Middle School has been sending students to the event for the past 10 years. Ryan Orton, a 2004 graduate of Stissing Mountain High School, participated in the school's first event as a sixth-grader in 1997 and has fond memories of the Scholastic Bowl.

"One year we won, and we were so ecstatic. We beat Arlington and Spackenkill," Orton said while reminiscing about the bus rides to and from the competitions.

"It's a fantastic program. It's great for students, and it helped me throughout high school and college. It builds a good foundation for learning," he said.

This month, the Pine Plains seventh- and eighth-grade team consisted of Nathan Badore, Zachary Badore, Abigail Arsenault, Ethan Arsenault, and Robert Galm.

The Webutuck sixth-grade team included Justin Agostini, Samantha Boyles, Brenda Calderon, Phairah Dickinson, Mariah Ruiz, Taylor Russo, Courtney Spaulding, and Victoria Woodruff. The Webutuck seventh- and eighth-grade team consisted of Jack Collins, Alex Frank, Shane Moschillo, Alejandra Rivera, and Veronica Zill.

The Dover seventh- and eighth-grade team included Samantha Jackson, Gina Castellano, Andrea Setaro, Chris O'Dell, James Candoneri, Shawn Doolittle, Rebecca Castagna, Janine DeVera, Nick Kohomben, Thomas Marston, Peter Sander, Anders Hade, Carmel Joseph and Dara Pucci. The Dover sixth-grade team included Melissa Ketchin, Steven Doolittle, Eric Rosenkranz, Alecia Castellano, Zef Batag, Matt O'Dell, Rebecca Nguyen, Isabella Quinones, Russell Hanusik, and Nick Luber.

Dutchess BOCES Highlights for December 2007

Alternative and Special Education

Coordinator of Special Education Lawrence Mautone is proud to report that Justin McArthur (Arlington) and Jonathan DeGaetano (Wappingers) received Student of the Month awards from the Poughkeepsie Rotary at a luncheon held at Christo’s on November 29.  BETA’s Principal John Jeffrey also reported that Sean Morrison (Hyde Park) and Richard Cannon (Beacon) were honored as Students of the Month by the Rotary.

BETA’s new Curriculum Center is up and running, and includes a wealth of instructional materials.  Through the center’s distance learning lab, the students can participate in DL classes as well as experience virtual and live field trips.  Please contact John Jeffrey at 486-4840, extension 3047 for additional information.

Several BETA students had the opportunity to take a trip to the Museum of Natural History in New York City.  Twenty-five students earned incentives each month that qualified them to participate in this field trip.

Ronald Fraleigh (Rhinebeck), a student in Maureen Moloney's BOCES class at Unionvale Middle School, received an honorable mention award for his participation in the 14th annual Magnetic Levitation Competition that was held at Dutchess Community College on November 15.  Fraleigh built a car that ran on electric rails.

Four Dutchess BOCES teachers, Lisa Poplawski, Ann Banas, Krystle Hass, and Jessica Lane went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in late November to attend a two-day training conference on the TEACCH Autism Program.

Directors Norah Merritt and Anna Marie Martino collaborated on a marketing project to develop a public relations kit for Alternative and Special Education.  Both individuals gave positive feedback about working together on the project and gave special kudos to CGR’s Cherie Kocsis for her hard work to develop such a professional looking set of collateral materials.

The students and staff at SPC are busy rehearsing and preparing for this year’s holiday spectacular.  This year’s event is entitled The Silver Screen Holiday Celebration and will take place on December 19 at 1:00 p.m.

SPC Principal Doug Damiani is pleased to announce that a new Alternative Day Treatment class was opened at SPC. In addition, Damiani was very happy to report that SPC’s Parent/Teacher Conferences were held on a November afternoon and were very successful.

Anthony Ingrahm, a student in Jim Baker’s class, is joining the Arlington JV Wrestling team for the second year.  Last year, Ingrahm was designated as Most Improved Wrestler.  Ingrahm is a dedicated athlete and has proven that he has what it takes to participate in such a demanding sport.  Great job Anthony!

The Honors Café is now open! SPC students who earn a designated amount of tokens through the “token economy system” may go to the café for lunch.  Reservations are required for only $50 “BOCES Bucks.”  The students who have enough money may enjoy eating in the café once every four days.

TRANSITION PLANNING SERVICES WORKSHOP

Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) Eligibility:
What School Psychologists and CSE Chairpersons Need to Know
Where:  Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO), 38 Firemen’s Way, Poughkeepsie
When:  Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Cost:  Free

A major component of Transition Planning for Students with Developmental Disabilities includes identifying who will provide and fund the adult services they might need to live and work in their communities.  Before any service can be provided (e.g. case management, residential, recreation, respite), individuals must be deemed ELIGIBLE by the Taconic DDSO.  The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities has very specific guidelines that must be met to determine eligibility.  Often this is not a simple or easy process for families, but the outcomes can have life-long implications.  In this workshop, Dr. Russell Karasik will review and discuss the documentation and testing required for our students in Dutchess County to receive any OMRDD funded service.  The workshop is sponsored by Dutchess Transition Network, Taconic DDSO, and Dutchess BOCES.  For registration or further Information contact Marilyn McGaulley, LMWS at 845-486-4840 x3058 or send an email to marilyn.mcgaulley@dcboces.org. The target audience for this workshop includes School Psychologists, CSE Chairpersons/Members, School Social Workers, Transition Coordinators, Special Education Teachers of students with Developmental Disabilities, and Adult/Children’s Agency representatives.

The first BETA art field trip of the school year took place in late October. Thirteen students accompanied by Jeannette Straebler, Ms. Kennedy, and Ingrid Kern went on a tour of the Storm King Art Center in Mountainville.  The day was clear, warm, and sunny, just right for a trip to an outdoor sculpture park.  Storm King has 500 acres of beautifully landscaped rolling hills, fields, and valleys filled with large sculptures made from wood, metal, and stone. After a walking tour with a guide, the students took a thirty-minute tram ride around the park. Many students chose their favorite sculptures on the tour. Finally, the students enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds before heading back to school. Everyone involved had a great day!

A new Rotary Interact Club sponsored by Poughkeepsie South Rotary was formed at Spackenkill High School! For the beginning project, the students asked the Spackenkill High School students to assist with donations of toiletries for preparing “goodie bags" as a small welcoming gift to the residents at the Grace Smith House. Since many families leave without preparing to pack personal belongings, these gifts would show them that people care and give them things that they need at the same time. The Interact Club students elected Brandon Reed as President, Osika Davis as Vice President and Roberto Correa as Secretary. Vassar College Fieldwork Coordinator Betsy Kopstein came to congratulate the BOCES students for their compassion and interest in helping others both locally and internationally.  Future projects include adopting a family and helping the ASPCA.  The Spackenkill Club is looking forward to an active year with Rotary!

Starting this fall, the Work-Based Learning Program of job interns from the Special and Alternative Education classes have seven new businesses to add to the thirty-plus employer training sites. Joining the list is Giacomo's Restaurant, Williams Hardware Express, Merritt Books, Hannaford's, Dutchess County Board of Realtors, Houlihan/Lawrence Realty Center, and the Pine Plains Animal Hospital. These employers are very pleased with the work performance and enthusiasm of our BOCES students, and compliment the BOCES organization for providing an opportunity for the students to receive job and career training.

The students in the Dutchess BOCES Community-Based Program, based in Red Oak Mills, which serves young people with disabilities ages 18 to 21 by providing training in life skills, have run two successful community service activities in November.  Teacher Erin Scott reports that the students collected thirteen bags of food for the food pantry at St. Mary's in Wappingers Falls.  First, the students made lists of the foods that would be best for the food pantry, then they created signs and stood outside of the Shop Rite Supermarket on Route 9 requesting donations.  A special thank-you goes to the folks at Shop Rite for their assistance. The students collaborated with Karate for Kids in Red Oak Mills to collect toiletries, clothing and edible treats to send via Operation Defending the Troops to soldiers serving overseas.  The students packed eight boxes full of gift items.  In December, the students will be creating holiday cards for troops serving overseas and sponsoring a blanket and coat drive for area families in need.   What a positive example of programming that combines education in essential life skills plus community service!

SPC’s Joanne Pinnelo Kaley continues to serve on the Board of Managers at the Children’s Home in Poughkeepsie. The Board of Managers is an active, working board, which is responsible for adopting policies, guiding organizational development, and overseeing financial management. Joanne’s expertise in the area of social work and the BOCES program in particular is an invaluable asset to this Board.

Four teachers from schools in Dutchess County were honored with Gold Star Awards at the 70th annual teachers’ open house and silver tea held recently at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie.  BETA’s Jeanette Straebler and SPC’s Robert Orlando were two of them!  Congratulations Jeanette and Robert for receiving this wonderful honor!

Several classes at SPC will enjoy the companionship of four-legged, furry animals.  The Reading Education Assistance of Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method:  reading to a dog.  R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.  We are excited that the R.E.A.D. dogs will visit a class at SPC every third Tuesday of each month.

Under the direction of BETA Art Teacher Jeanette Straebler, BETA student artwork was on exhibition at the New York State Council of School Superintendents’ Fall Conference in Saratoga Springs.  Artwork on display was created by Catherine Lugones (Wappingers), Erica Cordier (Red Hook), and Christopher Manley (Arlington).

Writing with a Twist, facilitated by BETA’s Darlene Rivais, is a literary journal project of Dutchess Alternative High School and funded by the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.  Thanks to a generous gift in honor of David Kennon Moody, almost thirty students at Dutchess Alternative High School are participating in a writing project combining gentle yoga with guided writing exercises.  Each student will explore the process and craft of creative writing across genres, learn to offer constructive suggestions to fellow writers, and revise at least one piece of writing for publication in a literary journal. In addition, students will learn the business aspects of publication, from submission to public readings and marketing.  The intention is to become a self-funding program in the future.

Business Services

Each year, our staff is asked to put together their program budgets for the upcoming school year. Assistant Superintendent Linda Poleski would like to thank the many Dutchess BOCES divisional staff as well as her Business Office staff for their assistance in this budget cycle.  New this year – the 2008-2009 Dutchess BOCES Services Guide will include unit costs and related pricing information.   

Career & Technical Education

The Career & Technical Institute (CTI) will pilot a new program entitled Multi-Occupation Exploratory Program.  This program will begin on January 28 and is intended for 9th and 10th graders or students who are 14 to 16 years old.  The course work will cover an introduction to the various CTE classes.

On December 1, eleven students from LaGrange Middle School and West Road Intermediate School participated in the third annual cookie bake – specifically for US troops stationed overseas. CTI’s Julie Puig generously volunteered her time and expertise to assist these students in this community service project.  Many other members of the CTI faculty generously donated tins and other containers in which to pack the cookies for shipment.  Over 1,722 cookies were sent to our troops.  What a great way to show true holiday spirit!

At the December 3 Superintendent’s Conference Day, CTI staff participated in the STEPS training program.  Before this conference day, CTI staff Dan Tierney, Steve Lawson, and Peg Strickler attended a six-day training workshop in the STEPS program.  From this training, Tierney, Lawson, and Strickler became facilitators and subsequently provided the STEPS training for the CTI staff.  STEPS integrates reading into Career & Technical Education courses.  This session generated a lot of excitement and interest among the CTI staff.

Last May, several CTI students participated in the First Annual Hudson Valley Youth Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds by constructing a small building that later was designated as the souvenir shed at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. This spring, teams of students from the carpentry, welding, electrical, and plumbing classes have plans to build a sugar shack.

Fifty-seven Poughkeepsie City School Districts sixth graders got more than a taste of the career programs available at the Career and Technical Institute on November 19.  Students received an interactive tour – from learning to care for patients in health services, donning safety gear in engineering and technology, and using a microphone on a boom in media arts/video production, to serving as taste testers for cookies being prepared in culinary arts and restaurant management.

Central Office

Deputy Superintendent Clare Garvey is very pleased with the outcome of the Superintendent’s Conference Days held on November 6 and December 3.  Reports from division administrators and staff evaluations were very positive.  Sincere thanks to the Superintendent’s Day Planning Committee and all those who helped plan sessions for both days, and to our facilitators and presenters for their participation during the course of each day.

The New York State Legislature and Governor Eliot Spitzer enacted a law designating an annual celebration date of the third Tuesday in November as NYS School-Related Professional Day.  We sincerely congratulate all of our school-related professionals and thank them for their true dedication to Dutchess BOCES and to their profession!

Communications & Grants Research

GRANTS INFORMATION:  K-12 Science Teachers: Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers
A partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, USA., Inc., and the National Science Teachers Association offers the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers – grants to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in the school or school district.  Categories are Physical Science, Environmental Education and Integrating Literacy and Science.  Fifty large grants and a minimum of twenty mini-grants totaling $550,000 will be awarded. Proposals are submitted online with a deadline of January 28, 2008. Go to www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry for more information and the online form.

At Dutchess BOCES, we have earned a reputation for caring about the communities where we work and live.  For our Dutchess BOCES 2007 United Way Campaign, we collected a total of $6.492.50!  Many thanks to all those who contributed and to the hard work of our United Way Building Team Captains.

Educational Resources

Educational Resource’s Model U.N. program continues to grow!  On November 1, our first session for the 2007-2008 school year, Model United Nations – “The Crisis in Darfur,” was a success!

Educational Resources continues to support leadership in Dutchess County schools. Through the Australian and United States Services in Education (A.U.S.S.I.E.) partnership, Educational Resources was excited to host “The Principal as Literacy Leader” for districts participating in A.U.S.S.I.E.

Attendance is growing for Educational Resources Coordinator Meetings. Sessions for Foreign Language, Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science are scheduled for the future. 

The Professional Learning Community (PLC) Initiative in Dutchess County continues.  Educational Resources is currently supporting work in component districts and will be offering sessions at the BOCES in the spring.

Educational Resources Coordinator Daren Lolkema congratulates our two new Model Schools Staff Specialists Susannah Renzi and Angelo Urrico for their hard work.  Renzi and Urrico are a great team and are receiving very positive feedback from Dutchess BOCES staff as well as our component school districts. 

The Educational Resources website offers users the opportunity to be notified via e-mail of upcoming events and interest group communications.  Visit the ER website at www.dcboces.org – click on Professional Development Catalog.

Facilities & Operations

The Facilities & Operations department staff is working together with CTI teachers and students in the carpentry and plumbing classes to complete some renovations in the CTI building.  Working collaboratively gives our CTI students first-hand experience in these technical areas and assists the F&O staff with completing the many work projects they have.

Human Resources

A College Deans/Career Counselors meeting was held on November 8.  This was a good opportunity to discuss the challenges that we all face in providing children with the most efficient education possible.  Over twenty professionals from various higher education institutions, local businesses, and local school districts participated.  Human Resources Administrator Matt Carr thanked all those who participated and stated that the group agreed to meet again in the future. 

The Seventh Annual Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Public School Educator Job Fair is scheduled for March 1, 2008.  Pre-registration for the job fair will be available on the Dutchess BOCES website beginning December 21 and will run through February 25.  This year’s fair will once again be held at the Arlington High School in Lagrangeville.

 

Dutchess BOCES Highlights for October 2007

Alternative and Special Education

Dutchess BOCES Intensive Day Treatment Program, in conjunction with Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, is offering a six-week program that will provide parents with problem-solving techniques for a variety of parenting situations.  The program began on Monday, October 15.  Subsequent program dates are planned for Mondays, October 29, November 5, 19, 26, and December 3 from 6 to 8 pm at the Dutchess BOCES Salt Point Education Center, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie, NY.  This program is free of charge; refreshments provided.  To register or for questions, contact Donna Elkin, LCSW-R at 845-483-3996.

Under the direction of SPC’s Paula Goehring and Barbara Mauer, a group of eighth graders learned Family and Friends Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  Goehring and Mauer received their training to be instructors from Alamo Ambulance Service of Poughkeepsie.  Alamo follows the American Heart Association’s methods of teaching CPR and First Aid.  Seven students signed up for the first session and were given a brief overview of the program.  Three students commented about the program – “If something were to really happen, I’d be prepared.”  “My brother is having a lot of problems with muscular dystrophy and I want to be ready to help if I need to.”  “It’s a good thing to know and it’s something that’s important.  My two-year old sister chokes on things sometimes and I could help.”

The first Get Healthy Challenge Salt Point Stride was held on October 5.  Students in grades kindergarten through fifth participated in the challenge – to walk for one hour and collect stickers that were placed at each station around a three-quarter mile course on the Salt Point Campus grounds.  Approximately eighty students, thirty-six staff, and four parents participated.  One class tackled the course five times in one hour!  Many thanks to SPC’s Barbara Mauer and Paula Goehring for organizing this great event.

Kathy White, Business Teacher at BETA’s Alternative High School, attended the Business Teachers Association of New York State’s 55th annual conference held on October 11-12 in Albany.  The conference attracted over 300 business and marketing teachers from high schools and colleges located in New York State.

BETA’s Sal Rosa reported that six students are participating in a weight loss program.  So far, the students lost a combined total of 110 pounds, and two of the six students each lost twenty-five pounds!  Rosa started the students on this program by explaining ways to eat right, times to eat, water intake, and shared other common knowledge about how to lose weight.  Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Need to relax?  Interested in Yoga?  BETA’s Darlene Rivais is conducting beginner to intermediate Yoga classes at BETA on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.  Anyone is welcome to attend – please bring a floor mat.  For more information, e-mail Darlene at darlene.rivais@dcboces.org.

Business Services

This year, Dutchess BOCES is pleased to welcome two additional districts to the E-rate Service.  Dutchess BOCES coordinates E-rate reimbursement filing for school districts. BOCES files applications with the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company for E-Rate discounts for eligible telecommunications services. The discounts are based on student population for grades K-12 and the percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program. Program participants receive discounts on expenditures for various telecommunications services. 

Linda Poleski commended Kelly Seibert for his work on many Business Office projects.  Poleski said that Seibert is a great asset to her Division and is pleased to have him as part of the Business Office team of excellent employees.

Career & Technical Education

Do you love animals? Have you dreamed of earning a living by helping to keep animals safe, happy, and healthy? If so, then consider the new Veterinary Assistant Career Certificate Program now offered through the Adult Programs of Career & Technical Education at Dutchess BOCES.  This 485-hour online program was developed to teach you everything you need to know to jump into this rewarding field.  Students can take this online course from the convenience of their home or office, anytime day or night.  For more information about this program that is a part of a growing catalog of online courses, contact Dutchess BOCES at 845-483-3640.  To register for this course or other online courses, visit www.ed2go.com/dcboces

According to Howard J. Goldsmith, State Education Department Office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education Office, several of the Dutchess BOCES career and technical education (CTE) programs re-approval applications for the 2007-2008 school year have been approved.  District Superintendent John C. Pennoyer received congratulatory letters announcing the successful completion of the re-approval process for CTI’s Small Engine Technology and Culinary Arts instructional programs, and approval for the Welding and Fabrication instructional program.  The programs also received approval for one unit of integrated English Language Arts.  The re-approval remains in effect until June 30, 2012.  Technical endorsements may be added to the diplomas of students completing this program for this re-approval period beginning with the graduating class of 2008. 

On Tuesday, September 25, CTI’s Culinary class was fortunate to have as a guest speaker one of the most famous chefs in America, Fritz Sonnenschmidt. Chef Sonnenschmidt is one of the very few Certified Master Chefs in the world. He retired as Culinary Dean of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 2002 after thirty-four years with the college. In addition to teaching, Sonnenschmidt served the CIA as department chair for garde manger, meat operation, first year cooking, and as associate director of Continuing Education. He also founded the Gourmet Society student organization. Sonnenschmidt was one of three chefs designated as the CIA's Heritage Professors on September 8, 2006. Sonnenschmidt has remained active in his retirement, acting as CIA Ambassador and representing the college at events around the world.  The Dutchess BOCES CTI Culinary students were thrilled to be able to watch Chef Sonnenschmidt as he demonstrated some of his finest culinary techniques.

Clare Garvey attended a graduation in Montrose wherein fourteen veterans received certificates of completion for their participation in “No Man is an Island”.  This program was a joint venture between Dutchess BOCES and the Veterans Administration, providing computer training to veterans.  Each veteran expressed thanks for having such a great opportunity and learning experience.

Central Office

At Dutchess BOCES, we have earned a reputation for caring about the communities where we work and live.  The Dutchess BOCES 2007 United Way Campaign began October 1 and runs through October 26.  This year’s theme is “I can help.”  We hope that every employee will share in this important campaign drive.  Last year, Dutchess BOCES raised $7,503.35!  This year our goal is to raise at least $8,500.  Please return your pledge form to your respective United Way Building Team Captain.

The Wellness Committee has reconvened for the 2007-2008 school year.  This year, an assessment tool will be available to staff to assist in setting goals and moving our Wellness Policy forward.  Dutchess BOCES will complete a School Health Index, which is a wellness self-assessment tool and planning guide that schools are recommended to complete.  Health topics include physical activity and education, nutrition, tobacco use preventions, asthma, unintentional injury, and violence prevention.

The Mid-Hudson Schools Study Council held their annual Awards Banquet on October 10 at Anthony’s Pier 9.  Congratulations to Roger Risko and Kathy Riisenberg for being recognized at this most prestigious event.

On October 17, our office/clerical support staff attended a half-day in-service workshop in CTI’s Conference Room 301.  Training consultant Jeff Olefson shared his expertise about delivering excellent customer service.  Other topics included information about GroupWise, Dutchess BOCES letterhead and logo use, Ergonomics, and more.

For the sixteenth year in a row, school boards in New York State are being celebrated for their commitment and dedication.  Governor Eliot Spitzer has declared October 22 – October 26 to be School Board Recognition Week.  We sincerely thank our Dutchess BOCES School Board members for their service to our BOCES!

Communications & Grants Research

The Public Information Service continues to grow!  Beacon City School District increased its service with a request for an hourly Public Information Officer who will assist them by providing coverage of their school events, taking photographs, writing press releases, and other related tasks to enhance their public relations efforts.  In addition, this person will provide assistance in the same way to divisions in Dutchess BOCES, as needed.

Dutchess BOCES will have a presence at the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce Showcase of Champions in more than one way.  We will have a booth to inform Showcase attendees about our programs and services.  In addition, Dutchess BOCES students have been invited to attend the event.  Kathy White’s BETA Business class and CTI’s SkillsUSA will represent Dutchess BOCES and explore the various business opportunities at the Showcase.

Want to see a Broadway show at a reduced price?  Contact the Communications & Grants Research Office to find out about various discount theatre ticket coupons we have available through the School Theatre Ticket Program.  Call Jackie Cardascia at 486-8051 for more information.

The Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce is assembling member-related information to fill its Centennial Time Capsule that will be buried at the Anderson Center for Autism in late fall.  As a contribution to the time capsule, Dutchess BOCES submitted our 2006-2007 Annual Report.

As of the first day of this school year, the Career & Technical Institute has a new look to its website thanks to the efforts of CGR’s Jeff Rouse and Cherie Kocsis and CTI’s Steve Lawson. 

Educational Resources

The Educational Resources Division is pleased to announce its 2007-2008 Professional Development Workshops.  A variety of excellent PD opportunities are available in the areas of Leadership, 21st Century Literacy, Grants, Quality Teaching, Developing Positive School Environments, and Bridging the Data Gap. In addition, a variety of On-line Professional Development courses are available.  For more information, contact Linda Heitmann at 845-486-4800, extension 202.

Educational Resources will be hosting a series of countywide program coordinator’s sessions addressing current educational issues.  Program Coordinators are invited to attend and discuss items such as best practices, NY State regulations, and current research.  Coordinator meetings are in the areas of Foreign Language, ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.  For more information, contact Jodi DeLucia at 845-486-4840, extension 3114.

Educational Resources is pleased to announce its new website.  This inter-divisional collaboratively developed website offers users professional development information, instructional resources, and communication tools unavailable until this time.  Now, a user can log in to the most up to date information obtainable on upcoming workshop opportunities, educational issues, and state and local initiatives.  In addition, users will be able to communicate directly with other members of their interest groups about their craft and their professional interests.  The website even offers users the opportunity to be notified via e-mail of upcoming events and interest group communications.  Visit the ER website – click on Professional Development Catalog.

ER welcomes all of our Australian and United States Services in Education (AUSSIE) Principals to the Principal as Literacy Leader that is co-sponsored by ER and AUSSIE.  In addition, Educational Resources welcomes Red Hook as a new AUSSIE district partner. 

Right before school started, Educational Resources Mari Huber donated sixteen inches of her long, beautiful hair to Locks of Love.  Her haircut took place at Dazzles Hair Salon in Fishkill, and her hair was forwarded to Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age eighteen suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.  They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses they provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Upcoming ER Events:

• Principal’s Workshop on Test Security Procedures – Thomas Schoek & Michael Drozdowski. 
  October 22 at 9 am; Ulster BOCES Conference Center
  
• Breaking Ranks:  Strategies for Leading Reform – Michael Keany. 
  November 19 (9 am – High School; 12:30 pm – Middle School); Henry Wallace Center in Hyde Park
• Model Schools Fall 2007 Concurrent Sessions (free to Model Schools Districts).  For more information and registration, visit www.dcboces.org/professionaldevelopment
  
• 2007-2008 Gifted Events.  Scholastic Bowl, Math Carnival, Scholastic Match-up, Teamwork Counts, and Model United Nations General Assembly for Global History and Geography Students. 
  Contact Jodi DeLucia at 845-486-4840, extension 3114 or jodi.delucia@dcboces.org
  
• 2007 New Teacher Seminar Series.  Developing Effectiveness in the Classroom; State and Federal Regulations; Collaboration; and Special Education for the First Year Teacher. 
  Contact Linda Holloway at 845-486-4840, extension 3033 or linda.holloway@dcboces.org
  
  

Facilities & Operations

Ed Moreno’s CTI Autobody instructional program is excited to work with a brand new paint booth!  The previous booth was the original one that was installed when the Career & Technical Education Center was built in the early 1970s.  Thanks to our Shared Maintenance Staff for handling the electric installation of the booth and our Facilities & Operations Maintenance Crew who renovated Mr. Moreno’s classroom.  In addition, CTI has a new heating system, with four new boilers and four new hot water heaters!

The Facilities & Operations staff was recently trained to use a new KVAC system.  This system specifically addresses sanitizing and disinfecting bathrooms.

Sincere thanks to Walter Niemiec and his very dedicated Facilities & Operations Crew for their efforts in making our buildings look so spectacular for the opening of this school year!

Human Resources

Since July 1, 2007, Dutchess BOCES has hired fifty new employees!  We are very fortunate to have a great group of very talented individuals join our BOCES team.  Best wishes to each of you in your new position!

This year, the Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Service welcomes two new districts to its service – Marlboro Central School District and Webutuck Central School District.  The Mid-Hudson Cooperative Recruitment Program advertises vacancies for participating educational organizations in Dutchess and Ulster counties. It acts as a central clearinghouse for all applications received for these organizations.

Educational Websites

New York State Education Department – www.nysed.gov       
Board of Regents – www.regents.nysed.gov
Virtual Learning System – http://eservices.nysed.gov/vls

Dates to Remember

October 22-26, 2007: School Board Recognition Week
November 6, 2007: Superintendent’s Conference Day
November 12, 2007: Veteran’s Day (Schools/Offices closed)
November 21, 22*, 23*, 2007: Thanksgiving Recess (Schools closed) *Offices closed

Famous CIA Certified Master Chef Visits Dutchess BOCES CTI Culinary Students

On Tuesday, September 25 from 8 am to 11 am, the Dutchess BOCES Career & Technical Institute (CTI) Culinary class is fortunate to have as a guest speaker one of the most famous chefs in America, Fritz Sonnenschmidt. Chef Sonnenschmidt is one of the very few Certified Master Chefs in the world. He retired as Culinary Dean of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 2002 after thirty-four years with the college. In addition to teaching, Sonnenschmidt served the CIA as department chair for garde manger, meat operation, first year cooking, and as associate director of Continuing Education. He also founded the Gourmet Society student organization. Sonnenschmidt was one of three chefs designated as the CIA's Heritage Professors on September 8, 2006. Sonnenschmidt has remained active in his retirement, acting as CIA Ambassador and representing the college at events around the world. The Dutchess BOCES CTI Culinary students are thrilled to be able to watch Chef Sonnenschmidt as he demonstrates some of his finest culinary techniques.

The Dutchess BOCES Career and Technical Education Division offers programs designed to meet the occupational needs of both adults and high school students. The adult programs provide services to adults and out-of-school youth in classes from various locations throughout Dutchess County. Programming encompasses five major areas – career-technical, academic classes, programs for targeted populations, customized training for business and industry, and community education. The high school program consists of an extensive list of courses that enable students to develop skills and attitudes that lead to career success while fulfilling their high school diploma requirements. For more information about CTI’s programs and services, contact Mitchell Shron at 845-486-8001.

Achievements Honored: Fifty-five Receive Specialized Diplomas

By Emily Stewart for the Poughkeepsie Journal

The sense of pride and accomplishment was overwhelming as the 55 students graduated June 12 at the Dutchess County BOCES BETA campus in Poughkeepsie. They received Regents diplomas, General Educational Development or Individualized Education Plan completion certificates. Many also were given awards and scholarships. Two graduates, Rachel Dunlap and Leslie Mella, gave speeches, recalling how the alternative high school benefitted them. "BETA was my second chance," said Mella, who is going to Herkimer County Community College in the fall. Dunlap said she "did a 180" at BOCES. James Baxter, program director for Adolescent Treatment Services, praised the students, but challenged them. "Do something for someone else that they can't do for themselves," he said. "If you can meet this last challenge, they you truly will be a success."

Many BOCES graduates have already met Baxter's challenge. Clay West, 20 of Poughkeepsie received a School and Community Involvement Award for the numerous community service projects he has been part of with the Rotary Club's Interact program at BOCES. West helped refurbish two senior citizens' trailers, which prevented one of the residents from being evicted. He also folded brochures for the March of Dimes and Carmel Volunteer Fire Department and brought handmade cards, hot dogs and hamburgers to veterans at Castle Point Veterans Hospital for Memorial Day. "It brings tears to my eyes, he's come so far," said West's grandmother, Cheryl Craft of Poughkeepsie. College in plans Tim Burrell, 16, of Red Hook, received his GED and plans to go to a community college in the fall. Burrell went to BOCES for only a few months, but liked it better than his previous school. "They seem to care about the kids more than the regular school," said his mother, Alice Morse, of Red Hook. "I'm very proud of him. I'm glad he hung in there."

A handful of the 55 students in the Class of 2007 were not present at the ceremony, several of whom had finished their educations in January. Thunder and lightning interrupted the reception on the front lawn, sending non-graduates back to their homeroom classes. But graduates seemed too happy to mind the party ended a little early. "I'm free," said Sonnie Tucker, 18, of Pleasant Valley. "Now, its time to make lots of money."

Cars Put Families on Road to Self-Sufficiency

David A. Hansell, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recently joined Dutchess County Social Services Commissioner Robert Allers and others for Dutchess County Community Solutions to Transportation’s (CST) Seventh Annual Car Donation Presentation in Poughkeepsie. The keys to fifteen vehicles were given to low-income, working parents in need of help getting to and from their places of employment, under CST’s Wheels for Work initiative, which is operated by Dutchess County BOCES. The cars are donated from individuals or purchased from local used car dealers. Access to education and training, affordable day care, and employment opportunities are all key pieces of welfare reform, Hansell said. But transportation is what ties it all together, he added. “To get to work on time, to drop your kids at the sitter, to be all the other places a parent needs to be, you have to have a way to get there,” Hansell said. “These men and women have been able to get and keep jobs, giving themselves and their families the promise of a brighter future.” Transportation is often the difference between an individual getting a job and remaining on public assistance, Hansell said.

Since 2001, more than 2,000 families in Dutchess have received services through CST and 559 vehicles have been given to low-income working families through Wheels for Work. As a result, almost 300 families have gotten jobs and over 700 families have been able to keep working. The CST program, which began in 2000, was designed to encourage counties and regional areas to collaborate efforts to develop transportation solutions that meet the needs of TANF-eligible families. Solutions can be anything from the purchase and repair of vehicles to auto insurance payments to driver education courses. Thirty-nine local districts currently receive CST funding. Wheels for Work began in 2001 and 33 organizations, serving 44 counties, currently operate such programs.

Dutchess BOCES District Superintendent is member of National Faculty at Fordham’s Leadership Institute

Fordham University is holding its Tenth Annual National Principals Leadership Institute July 14 through July 21, at the Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus in New York City. Dutchess BOCES District Superintendent Dr. John C. Pennoyer was invited to participate as a member of the National Faculty at this institute. Each year the institute offers participants a relevant theme, outstanding presenters, problem-based learning, leadership consultations, a performing arts activity, expeditionary learning, and an opportunity to work with principals, assistant principals, district office personnel, and aspiring principals from all across America.

This summer, Fordham will focus on Leading and Sustaining School Change. Each institute team (elementary, middle or high school) will develop a plan for a school that clearly needs to be changed. Participants will be able to adapt these plans to schools in her/his school district. The series of presentations and activities will help the participants become better skilled agents of change. The topics include: what state departments of education do to promote significant school change, looking at the larger social/ economic context, why tri-level reform (state, district, and school) makes sense, keys to sustainability, school change stories, and how data-driven decision-making leads to significant school change. As described by Fordham, “During the eight days of the conference, we will use the lens of human dynamics, since school change involves people, not just buildings, policy announcements, and curriculum documents.”

Dutchess BOCES Board Conducts Reorganization Meeting

At its reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 05, the Dutchess Board of Cooperative Educational Services reelected Christopher Como as President and Robert Meade as Vice President. Other Board members for 2007-2008 are Mary Falcone, Edward McCormick, Michael Riehl, Sam Shufelt, and new this year to the Dutchess BOCES Board of Education is Jim Milano. Milano is a life-long resident of Poughkeepsie area and currently resides in the City of Poughkeepsie. He has five children who attended schools in the Spackenkill Union Free School District. Milano served as a trustee on the Spackenkill Union Free Sc