Good Morning BT BOCES Staff,

We are happy to introduce a new, free EAP benefit for you and your family members: Talkspace Go

Talkspace Go is a popular therapy app that can improve your mental health and well-being. Get private help for relationships, parenting, depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, trust, career, and much more with self-guided, interactive courses. The app also offers optional weekly counselor-led classes, journaling, meditation exercises, assessments, and additional resources.

Below is a flyer so you can learn more about how to access this great new benefit! The flyer also includes our Talkspace Go code: ESIEAP, which you will need when creating your account.

Broome-Tioga BOCES’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is setting the stage for some exciting changes in the 2024-2025 school year. The committee focused on key priorities: accessibility, language inclusivity, and creating a more engaged workforce.

In terms of accessibility, Tom McNair and Sue Kane shared insights from a recent walkthrough of BOCES facilities. They identified areas that could use updates, like increasing accessible entryways and making bathrooms more wheelchair-friendly. The committee is also exploring a more formal audit of spaces to prioritize improvements based on what’s feasible and most needed.

Language inclusivity is another focus area. The team is looking at translation tools and training options to better support staff and students facing language barriers. They’re considering starting affinity groups to hear directly from those with specific needs, using feedback to drive future improvements.

The committee also discussed expanding affinity groups and adding monthly DEI-focused training videos to the BOCES Academy, making it easier for staff to access relevant resources. Positive updates to the onboarding process were also shared, reinforcing BOCES’ commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive work environment.

Team,

Just a few updates:
The playground is almost complete. We are waiting on fencing and gates and then this will be completed. It may be completed by the time you read this post.

The old area where the playground was located has been paved. Before it will be available for use, we will need to get some concrete barriers to keep kids away from the vehicles.

The bus loading area for PALS will get bigger as we will be relocating the current six parking spaces to the newly paved area.

In October, we received notification from Senator Lea Webb's office that we were awarded a NYS CREST grant (Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program) to fund the majority of our security camera needs at the Education Center (main campus) and Loder locations.

A walkthrough was conducted prior to submitting the grant application to identify what the needs were for both locations. This project addresses those needs and includes the installation of 20 exterior cameras and 32 interior cameras at the Education Center and one exterior camera and two interior cameras at Loder.

Messaging will be shared once we have details regarding the timeline for these projects.

Electrical Upgrade Project

The electrical upgrade work will begin inside of the Education Center on the main campus. Contractors will be working second shift (3-11 p.m.) to run conduit/wire. This work requires the ceiling tiles to be moved, which can cause debris to fall. As part of the scope of the contractor's work, the debris should be cleaned up before they leave for the day. If there are concerns, please reach out to your building administrator.

BTTC Project

The BTTC site has changed quite a bit - most of the site work has been completed, and the project team is now focused on running the utility lines up to the building.

Capital Improvements Website

Stay up-to-date with the capital improvements that are happening at all of our locations by visiting our dedicated webpage at https://www.btboces.org/CapitalProjectUpdates.aspx. The website features monthly progress updates, videos, and pictures.

As part of Broome-Tioga BOCES’s ongoing improvements under our capital project, the on-site unleaded gas pump will no longer be operational after Jan. 31. After this date, employees will need to use fuel cards to fill up fleet vehicles.

The fuel card program ensures our fleet drivers can still access fuel conveniently and with additional perks such as:

- Wide Access: Fuel Cards are accepted at multiple gas stations, offering flexibility and convenience.

- Tax Exemption: Fuel purchases will be tax-exempt, helping us reduce operational costs.

- Rebates: When refueling at Sunoco stations, we will receive rebates ranging from $0.01 to $0.06 per gallon.

What You Need to Know

Obtaining a Fuel Card

- If you regularly drive a BOCES fleet vehicle, please check with your supervisor to arrange for a Fuel Card.

Guidelines for Using the Fuel Card

- Fuel Only: These cards are strictly for fuel purchases.

- Receipt Submission: If you use a Fuel Card, please submit your fuel receipt to Accounts Payable within two days of purchase.

This program is crucial to maintaining our fleet and ensuring efficient, cost-effective fueling options. If you need more information, please connect with your supervisor.

As W2 season approaches, please make sure BOCES has your current address on file. Addresses can be viewed and changed in your ESS Account. For instructions on how to change your address in ESS, click on this link . Once W2s are available, ESS users will receive an email and your W2 can be viewed on ESS in the "My W-2" section shown below.

Kurt Legenhausen - Promoted to Shared School Business Executive
Stephanie Rajnes - Promoted to Budget and Financial Analyst
Patricia Walsh - Promoted to Budget and Financial Analyst

Terrific turnout for the annual Polar Plunge at Chenango Valley State Park the first weekend of Novembrrrrrr. This event raises funds for the Special Olympics efforts of our local athletes. Thanks so much to all our BOCES staff who participated and attended, as well as those who support these important events.

Broome-Tioga BOCES hosted the annual Disability Mentoring Day organized by the Broome-Tioga Disability Awareness Committee and BOCES as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Keynote speaker was Colin Teegarden, a CVS employee and a Windsor graduate.

Each year the event promotes career development for students and job seekers as well as increasing employer awareness of individuals with disabilities as a viable source for qualified, diverse employees. Each year’s event provides an opportunity for mentors and their mentees to spend time together at the business site, where mentees gain a better understanding of the business and specific jobs in the company.

Participating organizations: Achieve, AVRE, BOCES, Community Options, Access-VR, NYS Commission for the Blind, STIC.

Participating businesses: Achieve, AVRE, Dick’s House of Sport, Frito Lay, Good Shepperd, Loews, Mathews Planet Pre-Owned, Raymond Corporation, Red Lobster, STIC, Sodexo at Binghamton University, Vision Veterans Memorial Arena, Weis, Willow Run.

Members of the Broome-Tioga BOCES Career Development Center staff were in Kingston, New York, recently, attending the 2024 New York State Career Readiness Educators Association (CREA) conference.

Our coordinators met with Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordinators from throughout New York, as well as listening to experts from NYSED on topics related to career preparation, exploration and placement.

Bryan McCoy was installed as the new President of the New York School Nutrition Association's board. At the conference, he was joined by some of the Rock on Café team.

Brett Albanese - Promotion from IT Assistant to PC/LAN Technician

Kyle Fleming - Promotion from IT Assistant to PC/LAN Technician
Stephanie Mohamed - Promotion from Computer Services Coordinator to IT Project Coordinator
Mary Beth Townsend - Promoted from Computer Services Coordinator to IT Project Coordinator

A phishing email is a type of scam from a cyber-criminal posing as a reputable entity or

person in an email. Typically, they are looking to compromise your account or steal

information. Scammers are often after your passwords, identity, and money.

Phishing emails can potentially contain ransomware, which could be detrimental to a

district’s data, finances, and reputation.

How to Report a Phishing Email

The first thing to know is that you should never forward the potential phishing email to

another person. The reason for this is you do not want to send a potentially harmful

email to someone else’s inbox. If you would like someone’s opinion on the legitimacy of

an email, then screenshot it.

To report the email, you will use what is called Barracuda Essentials. When the

email is open click the three dots in the top corner of the email, next click on Barracuda

Essentials. Then, click the blue button that says, “report and provide feedback”. Once it

is reported the email should be deleted.

What if I clicked on a link/opened an attachment?

Call the Technical Assistance Center (formerly known as Service Desk) at 607-766-3800 ASAP.

This month, the Document Services Team welcomed the Communications and Public Relations Team for a behind-the-scenes tour of our print shop. We demonstrated how we produce newsletters, marketing materials, and graphic designs right here in-house. A highlight of the tour was showcasing our new wide-format printer, including a demonstration of its impressive capabilities.

We are also excited to announce a new addition to our product lineup: custom magnets. These can be branded for specific districts, clubs, or sports teams. While we are still testing their durability, we expect to offer them later this month. Pricing will be as follows:

- Magnets under 4 inches: $2.50 each

- Magnets under 7 inches: $3.50 each

- Magnets over 7 inches: Priced at $5.30 per square foot

All prices reflect our costs for materials, labor, and ink.

We are also experimenting with printing on acrylic and anticipate having samples and pricing ready before the new year.

Lastly, we are launching a new customer satisfaction survey, which will be sent via email. This feedback will help us understand what we’re doing well and identify areas for improvement.

It’s an exciting time for our team, and we look forward to continuing to grow our services for you.

Welcome to John Gavula our new part time delivery driver!

On Oct. 23, 22 Health Educators from across the region came together for an impactful day of collaboration and shared learning. The gathering provided a unique opportunity where they could engage with like minded colleagues. Attendee’s experience ranged from those in their first year of teaching to veterans with over 30 years in the classroom.

The session began with a powerful activity that highlighted the collective experience within the room, revealing an impressive 312.5 years of educational experience among the attendees. This recognition set the tone for an atmosphere of mutual respect and curiosity, laying a foundation for deep, meaningful connection. Guided by the norms of collaboration from the Adaptive Schools framework from Thinking Collaborative, participants engaged in activities that emphasized active listening, constructive feedback, and open dialogue.

One of the focal points of the meeting was building welcoming, affirming, and inclusive environments for all students. Discussions delved into establishing LGBTQI+ friendly programs, implementing culturally responsive teaching into lessons and the classroom environment, and reshaping classroom management to be more responsive to individual students’ needs rather than focusing solely on behavior. Another important area covered was supporting English Language Learners through educational technology tools.

Educators left the day with a toolkit of resources, practical strategies, and stronger connections with fellow Health teachers. The gathering empowered them to take what they saw modeled and what they learned back to their classrooms, ready to implement new practices and approaches for all students. The event underscored the value of a strong, collaborative community, enriching each educator’s practice and ultimately benefiting the students they serve.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, it’s crucial for teachers and staff to stay ahead of the curve to ensure their students thrive. Generative Artificial Intelligence tools such as Copilot, Chat GPT, and Gemini have emerged as powerful assistants that can significantly enhance productivity and achievement in the classroom. By leveraging AI and crafting effective prompts, teachers and staff can free up valuable time and resources, allowing them to concentrate on high-impact activities that drive student success.

To harness the full potential of AI, school teachers and staff must learn to craft effective prompts. A well-written prompt can yield more accurate, relevant, and useful results. To facilitate this process, consider the acronym TEACHER:

Target the task clearly: Define what you want the AI to do in precise terms.

Ensure data privacy: Verify that the prompt adheres to data privacy regulations and guidelines. Do not include any identifiable student information.

Adjust for specificity: Tailor the prompt to be as specific as possible to get accurate results.

Contextualize the prompt: Provide relevant background information to guide the AI.

Highlight key points: Emphasize important details or requirements.

Evaluate the output: Assess the AI’s response for accuracy and relevance.

Refine the prompt: Make necessary adjustments to improve the prompt’s effectiveness.

Here are some examples to get you started:

● For Lesson Plans: “Generate a lesson plan for a 5th-grade science class on the water cycle, including hands-on activities and assessment methods. The instructional period is 30 minutes, and students are working on this objective…” OR “Please review this lesson plan, provide feedback that includes ideas for addressing variability in learning styles and abilities as well as suggested time allotments for each activity.”

● For Writing Assistance: Please check the grammar and spelling of this sample. Also please suggest edits that may increase the readability and clarity for parents. OR “Please write a concise and celebratory newsletter for parents that includes these highlights from our week in class….”

● For SEL: “Develop a set of activities for a 15-minute high school advisory period aimed at building resilience and stress management skills among students. Include a brief mindfulness exercise, a quick group discussion on coping strategies, and a short reflective journaling activity.”

To maximize AI’s potential in the classroom, start small by implementing AI tools for simple tasks before gradually expanding their use. Collaboration among staff can foster shared experiences and best practices with these technologies. Staying informed about the latest AI developments in education is crucial for effective implementation. Additionally, prioritizing data security ensures compliance with privacy regulations and school policies.

Ultimately, the goal is to combine AI insights with human expertise, allowing teachers and staff to support rather than replace their decision-making processes. By embracing AI and mastering the art of prompt crafting through the TEACHER framework, school teachers and staff can enhance efficiency and improve educational outcomes for students. As you embark on this AI journey, remember that the goal is not to replace human judgment but to augment it. With thoughtful implementation and a willingness to learn and adapt, AI can become an invaluable ally in your mission to create thriving and innovative educational environments.

*Credit: Perplexity & Copilot assisted with brainstorming this article, TEACHER acronym developed by Copilot.