Families of students at Dutchess BOCES’ Resilience Academy (RA) and Career & Technical Institute (CTI) learned all about what their children do daily during open houses Nov. 19.
The two schools coordinate their Open House event for the same night, as several Resilience Academy students also participate in CTI programs. RA Assistant Principal Geomari Fermin explained that the event offered RA parents and guardians an opportunity to connect with teachers while experiencing their student’s daily schedule and gaining a deeper understanding of their academic progress. Families were also able to view student artwork and projects firsthand.
“This event is designed to strengthen home–school partnerships while equipping families with the knowledge and resources needed for their student’s long-term success,” Fermin said. “Families gained valuable information about transition planning and learned about community agencies, such as ACCES-VR, that can support students as they prepare for life beyond the BOCES program.”
Theresa Knapp, whose daughter Isabella Ramos attends RA, appreciated seeing her daughter’s classrooms and hearing from the teachers who she said think outside the box.
“I’m not going in and seeing all these books everywhere, it’s more like conversations and real-life scenarios, letting the kids lead the education,” Knapp said. “It has been an eye-opening experience.”
Director of Career and Technical Education and Adult Learning Nicholas Millas noted that CTI’s open house allows trade instructors to share with parents about all aspects of their respective programs and CTI as a whole, as well as showcase great work their young professionals have completed. Families were also provided with a survey, as part of CTI’s goal of engaging families more in what it does.
“This was so we can best meet the needs of our young professionals and gauge how we are currently doing with communication and family engagement,” Millas said of the survey. “Teachers shared what makes us unique while providing a variety of pathways that help students get college and career ready.”
Stacy Fell enjoyed visiting her daughter Elliana’s classroom in the Careers in Plant & Animal Sciences program and asking questions of the various agencies offering opportunities post-high school.
“It was nice seeing everything and what she’s working on,” Fell said of her daughter. “It’s great that she has the opportunity to do what she likes.”
