Dutchess BOCES’ Board of Trustees toured the campus’ three schools this month to see students learning, gain a sense of all the programs the agency offers, and see the renovations made over the summer.
Led by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sal Contés Jr., the members started at the Career & Technical Institute (CTI) before heading to the Resilience Academy (RA), Salt Point Center (SPC) and the facilities warehouse area. Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Denise Dzikowski and Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations Mike Skerritt also joined the tour to discuss campus educational and facilities efforts.
At CTI, Principal Jason Lloyd escorted the board to the Trade Electric, Automotive and Cosmetology classrooms where students showcased the hands-on learning they receive on a regular basis. Teachers shared classroom expectations and students’ successes, including numerous automotive students becoming ASE (National Institute of Automotive Excellence) certified last school year. Many second-year cosmetology students expressed interest in opening their own salons, with teacher Wendy Wabshinak adding that part of her focuses on entrepreneurship.
RA Principal Kiesha Tillman escorted the board to Teacher Stephen Blair’s classroom where students were learning about alliteration and the notion of following the crowd, as they will start reading “Lord of the Flies.” It was then on to Teacher Dan Lynch’s social studies class and the art room where Teacher Michael Hollick and Tillman discussed the possibility of introducing art therapy classes. In Teacher Krystine Macris’ classroom, 
many of her students spend three to four times a week at job sites through the Work-Based Learning program, complete with their own BOCES branded blue shirts. They wrapped up in Teacher Sam Rivera’s class where he and his students led everyone in a workout session of "Crisscross Applesauce" and other movement exercises.
SPC Principal Melissa Murphy and Assistant Principal Elsie Reynoso showed the board many examples of students learning, but also the results of numerous enhancements the building received over the summer, including new lighting. Murphy shared how many of her students have shown improvement by sitting in one place for an extended period of time
during lunch. She also mentioned that a tutor with Ampact, a nonprofit organization partnering with school districts to expand academic support for students, will return this month.
The tour ended at the facilities warehouse where the board saw many renovations that took place, including a newly paved road. Skerritt then showed the board a path near the warehouse leading down to a wooded area on BOCES property that could potentially be utilized for outdoor education and CTI programs.
Following the visit, members of the Board expressed how delighted they were to participate in the tour and to see the impressive progress students are making firsthand.