BOCES Employee Newsletter
From Rebecca's Desk
Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values
A strong mission, vision, and set of core values give clarity, direction, and purpose to our work. They define who we are, where we’re going, and how we get there.
Think of BOCES as a house:
- The Mission is the foundation – It keeps us grounded and gives us purpose. Everything we build rests on it.
- The Vision is the blueprint – It shows us what we are striving to create, guiding our long-term growth.
- The Core Values are the framework – They shape the structure, holding everything together. They define how we work, collaborate, and serve.
Without a solid foundation, a clear plan, or strong support beams, a house will not stand the test of time. When we uphold our mission, work toward our vision, and live our values, we create an organization that is strong, stable, and built to last.
Our mission at BOCES is to enrich lives through education. This year, every department has built on this idea, shaping how they contribute to our mission. For example, the BOCES Central Business Office enriches lives through education by supporting education through quality financial services. Our Instructional Programs enrich lives through education by educating, empowering, and inspiring individuals to realize their full potential and pursue life-long success.
For many years, BOCES operated with a clear mission but without a defined vision. This year, we have adopted a vision. This vision came from leadership across BOCES. It reflects who we are, where we are going, and what we aspire to be.
VISION:
We strive to be a trusted partner that provides innovative programs and exceptional service, strengthening educational communities in our region and beyond.
We will continue to instill our core values in everything we do:
- Students are our first priority.
- Employees are our most valuable resource.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and guarding against bias are essential.
- Everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
- Professionalism, integrity, and excellence define us.
- Creativity and continuous improvement drive progress.
- A safe, challenging, and nurturing environment supports learning.
- All can learn and grow—academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Customer service and collaboration make us a trusted partner.
When we live our mission, vision, and values, we build something stronger - not just for today, but for the future. Thank you for your dedication. Let’s keep moving forward together.
Dr. Rebecca Stone
Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES
We’re pleased to provide the linked Calendar of Talkspace Go Classes for March 2025 for you and your eligible family members.
Check out this month’s topics designed to improve your mental health and wellbeing! These live, online group classes are therapist-led, anonymous and free.
There are new classes every month covering a broad range of topics related to work, family, relationships, and mental health.
Simply review the classes, decide which you may want to take, and register for the classes in advance through the Talkspace Go app. Or simply sign on to the app on the date and time of the classes to join.
- Don’t yet have the app? Download it for free from the Apple App store or Google Play or Scan the QR Code below.
- Sign up and create an account
- Enter your organization’s code: ESIEAP
- Once registered, review the calendar, and click the links for the classes that you want to take.
That’s it! We’ll issue new topics each month so watch for them!
Team,
Last month I personally met with several groups of teachers. I wanted to thank you all for being so welcoming and providing me with honest feedback.
Since those meetings occurred, here are a few things we have done to help address your concerns:
- Looked into all reported issues brought up during the meeting.
- Assigned a new floor tech to burnish floors at night.
- Hired three student workers to help carry the heavy cleaning load on the Ed Center Campus.
We continue to make cleanliness our priority and thank you all for working with our department.
Spring Break – Trenching
In order to get utilities to the BTTC and to prepare for the addition to the Education Center, contractors will be doing some trench work over spring break. This work will be done in sections allowing for a section of the work area to be available to be driven over. We have requested that there be a flagger on-site during this construction.
February marks the end of W2 and 1099 season! Our Payroll department completed, reviewed, printed, and filed 9,821 W2s with the IRS, while our Accounts Payable Department completed, reviewed, printed, and filed 1,062 1099’s all for the 2024 calendar year. An amazing accomplishment for these two departments!
Our purchasing department is busy collecting wish lists from our participating districts for the cooperative bids. They take these wish lists and turn them into requisitions and vendor orders for the next school year. This is a truly collaborative effort between our purchasing department and our school districts that saves time and money!
We are hiring for payroll positions in our payroll department. If you or someone you know is interested, please visit the BT BOCES website for more information.
Meanwhile, our team is actively working on yearly diversion planning and brown box ordering for the 2025-2026 school year. This process ensures that we maximize the use of USDA Foods, directing quality ingredients to our schools in the most cost-effective way. Careful planning allows us to secure the best products while maintaining efficiency in our kitchens.
We also want to recognize our Kitchen of the Month winners for their outstanding efforts. Congratulations to Donnelly Elementary at Susquehanna Valley CSD, our January Kitchen of the Month award winner!
Technology Best Practices
1. Shut down your computer each night.
2. Lock your computer when walking away (Windows + L).
3. Maintain a strong password.
4. Use a password manager instead of writing down your passwords.
5. Keep your software and computer up to date.
6. Organize your digital files into folders to make them easily accessible.
7. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on your accounts.
Communications & Public Relations: February in Focus
February has been a busy month for the Communications and Public Relations team, as we continue our mission of informing, engaging, and connecting with our school communities.
This month, we have been working on several major projects, including the development of specialized training videos for the BOCES Academy. These videos are designed to enhance learning and provide clear, accessible training materials for staff and students. We also finalized two key publications—the 25-26 Service Guide and the BOCES Annual Report—which serve as critical resources for districts and stakeholders.
Our team has been collaborating closely with the Career and Development Center to create student spotlights, highlighting the achievements and successes of students in various programs. Additionally, to celebrate Career and Technical Education Month, we have been filming and editing short videos showcasing the incredible opportunities available to students in our CTE programs. These videos help shine a light on the hands-on learning experiences at BOCES that prepare students for their future careers.
Beyond video production and publications, our embedded public information coordinators have been working tirelessly to support our districts. Their efforts include:
- Auditing school websites for ADA compliance to ensure accessibility for all.
- Crafting strategic messaging to help districts communicate effectively.
- Engaging school communities through social media and event coverage, showcasing the many positive things happening in our schools.
With school budget season approaching, our team is also focusing on helping districts communicate financial plans clearly. One of our most important roles is ensuring school communities understand their district budgets, including how funds are allocated and what they mean for students and staff. Transparency is essential, and we are committed to making sure information is accessible, clear, and accurate.
As always, our team remains dedicated to strengthening connections between schools and their communities. Thank you to everyone who plays a role in making this work possible!
Document Services Expands Expertise with Vinyl Wrap Training
The Document Services Department is stepping into new territory, expanding its capabilities with vinyl wrap installation for vehicles and walls. This month, the team received hands-on training from colleagues at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, learning the intricate process of applying high-quality vinyl wraps.
With this new skill set, the team is actively working on exciting projects at the West Learning Center and several districts. To ensure the highest standards of quality, staff members are perfecting their techniques by practicing on in-house surfaces before taking on professional installations.
A special thank you to Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES for sharing their expertise and helping our team expand its service offerings. Stay tuned for more updates as the Document Services Department continues to grow its capabilities!
Bringing Biotechnology to Life
On Jan. 28, 31 passionate biology teachers from across the region gathered for our Community of Practice winter meeting, eager to bring cutting-edge biotechnology into their classrooms. One of the biggest challenges educators face is making biotechnology concepts both accessible and engaging for students. While these topics can seem complex and overwhelming, these dedicated teachers were up for the challenge!
With the guidance of a representative from miniPCR, teachers got hands-on experience with essential lab techniques. They practiced micro pipetting and used gel electrophoresis to analyze DNA samples from a fictional family, determining whether a child had sickle cell disease—and exploring the probability of passing the condition to future generations.
Now, thanks to this immersive training, teachers can borrow gel electrophoresis machines and micro pipetting materials from our Regional Science Service. This means students across the region will get the chance to engage in real-world biotechnology experiments, making science more tangible and inspiring them to explore exciting future careers in the field.
By bringing these experiences into their classrooms, our teachers are opening doors to the next generation of scientists, researchers, and innovators!
