BOCES Employee Newsletter

Dear BOCES Team,

As we approach the winter break, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your hard work and dedication. Each day, you make a difference for our students, our colleagues, and our community. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and I am truly thankful for all you bring to Broome-Tioga BOCES.

The holiday season is a time to pause, recharge, and cherish the moments that matter most. I encourage you to take this well-deserved break to rest, relax, and spend time with those you hold dear. Whether you’re celebrating traditions, creating new memories, or simply enjoying some quiet time, I hope your days are filled with joy and peace.

Thank you for being an integral part of our BOCES family. I look forward to what we’ll accomplish together in the new year. Until then, enjoy this time for yourself and your loved ones.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a bright start to 2025!

Dr. Rebecca Stone
Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

Recently, the Broome-Tioga BOCES community came together to celebrate the season at our Annual Holiday Breakfast! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect, enjoy delicious food, and share the spirit of the holidays.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event so special. Your contributions truly highlight the warmth and camaraderie of our BOCES family.

Here’s to a joyful holiday season and continued success in the year ahead!

See more pictures from the event here.

Below is a link to the January EAP (Employee Assistance Program) newsletter. This newsletter provides valuable resources, tips, and updates designed to support your well-being and work-life balance. Inside, you'll find helpful tips and trainings on managing stress, improving productivity, and maintaining mental and physical health as we start the new year.

As we reflect on the importance of inclusion and understanding, here is a reminder to explore our BT BOCES Belonging Calendar. This resource highlights diverse holidays, provides valuable inclusion tips and insights, and even includes recipes that celebrate cultural traditions. It’s a great way to learn more about each other’s backgrounds and foster an environment where everyone feels valued.

Team,

We have been diligently working to continue our campus related improvements.

As you may remember from my previous email we recently just ran new power lines to the barns. This was done in anticipation of our next project we have going on to remodel the barns for our Animal Science folks, as this will be their future home.

One of Ron Oakley’s students, only known as the great Seth W., did a fantastic job of drawing the new layout in CAD. So here is a teaser of what to expect.

The next steps are to begin ordering construction materials and bring Seth W.’s drawing to life.

Stay tuned.

Progress continues at the BTTC site, with the most recent developments focused on foundation work. Once this phase is completed, the installation of the metal building will follow. Currently, the delivery of the metal building is estimated for mid-January.

O&M, 409 Glenwood, and Animal Science Projects

These three interconnected projects are advancing steadily.

409 Glenwood Property Acquisition and Demolition

The first step involved acquiring the property at 409 Glenwood Road, which was completed in April 2024. Following this, we submitted plans to NYSED for the demolition of the house and garage on the site. Approval has been received, and we are now working with the Town of Dickinson to secure the necessary permits. Demolition is expected to begin in December 2024 or January 2025, with completion anticipated by March 2025.

New Operations and Maintenance Building

After the demolition is completed, work will commence on the new Operations and Maintenance (O&M) building near this site. Construction will begin once NYSED approval is secured, potentially as early as March 2025. The project is expected to be completed by December 2025.

Animal Science Relocation

The Animal Science program is relocating to two existing barns on campus. Renovations on these barns are progressing, with utility work as the final component. Much of the utility work will be coordinated with the O&M building construction. The relocation is projected to be completed by August 2025.

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

Reminder - Fuel Card Program for Fleet Vehicles 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.

Greetings from Health and Safety!

The beginning of the 24-25 school year has been a busy one for the Health and Safety Department. We have been assisting our component districts with a multitude of health and safety needs. Some of the items we have been helping with are: indoor air quality testing, mold testing, water testing, sharps and hazardous waste disposal, MSDS online updates, chemical hygiene officer training, asbestos inspections and also District Wide Safety Team meeting planning.

We are also in the process of updating and revamping our Health and Safety Program. The program has been in existence for 30 years and needed some updating and reorganizing. We currently only have one Health and Safety Compliance Specialist on staff and are in search of finding applicants to add to our department. It is an exciting but also busy time for us!

We hope everyone has a Safe and Healthy Holiday break!

The BBO was proud to support Engineering Day by working as judges. Thank you, IP, for this opportunity!

The BBO is working with TST BOCES on the annual Internal Audit Risk Assessment.

We are excited to share that Lisa Besemer has been promoted to Fiscal Manager and will be supporting Instruction Programs with their purchasing, budget development and financial analysis.

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.

It's a busy time for Payroll and Accounts payable as they are getting ready to close out the calendar year for their districts. Much of December and January in these departments is dedicated to ensuring we complete W2's and 1099's for our districts. The staff in these two departments work diligently to get these tax forms out to all employees and independent contractors for our districts.

If you are ever at the CBO, please stop by our Belonging Begins Here wall where we are celebrating ourselves and the things that bring us joy!

You’re looking at just one of many designs/installations from our P-TECH Engineering students at Broome-Tioga BOCES. They’re located at the main entrance of Roberson Museum for the annual Home For The Holidays attraction. Be sure to check out this community jewel during the holidays.

Sometimes, pictures don’t do justice to their subject matter. This is one of those times.

Every year during the holidays at Broome-Tioga BOCES, students in each BOCES program are nominated for the Giving Tree, a program to help families during the holiday season. This year, our BOCES employees bought gifts for 25 students and their families. Within these families, 82 children under age 18 (and a total of 130 individuals) were included.

Thank you to the social workers who took nominations, got wish lists and for delivering gifts this week. And, of course, a heartfelt thank you to SO MANY BOCES employees who contributed to the purchase of gifts.

Also, a very focused note of appreciation to our Andy Harden, Annamae Scheuerman and Lindsey Griffin for organizing this amazing opportunity for our families. These three comprise the driving force of this important annual effort.

On Thursday, Dec. 5 the Broome County School Food Service Association held its annual Holiday Dinner, a cherished event bringing together current and past food service employees from the 15 Rock On Café component districts. This gathering offered a chance to enjoy a delicious meal, reconnect with friends, and celebrate the season.

Each guest contributed a nonperishable food item to support the JC Wildcat Food Pantry. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, we were able to donate three full boxes of food, making a meaningful impact on our local community.

The evening also featured a lively gift auction, with proceeds earmarked to help fund our semi-annual bus trip this spring.

A special thank you goes out to our vendors for their generous donations of giveaway items, which added excitement and joy to the evening. Your support helps make events like this possible and reinforces the sense of community we cherish.

With much of the SCRIC staff working in different geographic areas, we look for opportunities to bring teams together in person to learn and connect. Recently, the Application Support and Training team and Center Support team came together to learn more about what each other does. They were also joined by members of the Solutions and Projects team for part of the time. To close the day the day out, they spent time wrapping presents together for the Broome-Tioga BOCES annual giving tree.

Shauib Algahaim - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Raechel Fuller - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Alejandro Gonzalas - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Tomas Hoyt - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Charles Murray - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Wilson Nguyen - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Nicholas Riegal - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Gurjot Singh - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Ricki Stanton - IT Intern High School - New Hire

Jackie Gorman, retiring, last day of work 12/30/24.
Julie Tomasky was promoted from ITPC to Assistant Manager of Customer Services.

As of Friday 12/13/24, our entire organization has implemented Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to enhance security and protect sensitive information. MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors, such as a password and a mobile device, to access our systems. This extra layer of security helps prevent unauthorized access, protects against phishing attacks, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Overall, MFA strengthens our security measures and builds user confidence.

Thank you to everyone for your cooperation and commitment in adopting MFA. Your efforts are crucial in keeping our organization secure.

As the year winds down, the Communications Department has been working hard to keep our component school districts informed, engaged, and inspired. December has been a month of creativity, collaboration, and meaningful outreach. Here's a snapshot of our recent efforts:

Telling Your Stories

• Newsletters: We've been curating content and designing newsletters that keep our school communities informed. These publications highlight the incredible work happening across our districts and showcase our shared successes.

• Winter Concerts: Our team has been busy attending and covering winter concerts across districts. Through photos, videos, and stories, we’ve captured the joy of these performances, celebrating the talent and dedication of our students and music educators.

Delivering Clear Messages

• Crafting Communications: We’ve supported school leaders by creating clear and effective messages on a variety of topics, from updates on policies to heartfelt holiday greetings. Thoughtful communication remains at the heart of what we do.

Bringing Stories to Life

• Video Production: We’ve created engaging videos to spotlight programs, highlight key events, and bring important initiatives to life. These videos connect audiences to the heart of BOCES’ mission: supporting students and staff.

Engaging Communities

• Capital Project Outreach: A major focus this month has been community engagement for critical capital project votes. We’ve collaborated with districts to ensure that messaging is clear, accurate, and reaches every stakeholder. This work plays a vital role in securing resources to build a better future for students.

As we move into the new year, we’re excited to continue sharing your stories, amplifying your voices, and supporting the work that makes Broome-Tioga BOCES a leader in education and innovation.

Thank you for all you do, and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

December has been a productive and innovative month for Document Services! Here's a look at what we’ve been up to:

Supporting Our Schools

• Newsletters: Our team has been busy printing newsletters to keep staff, families, and communities informed and engaged. These publications continue to be a vital tool for communication across our districts.
• Capital Project Vote Reminders: We supported districts by creating and printing high-quality materials to remind voters about important capital project votes, helping ensure the message reached the community effectively.
• Everyday Print Needs: From classroom worksheets to special projects, we’ve processed numerous print requests from teachers to keep their classrooms running smoothly.

Expanding Our Capabilities

• Acrylic/Plexiglass Printing: This month, we explored new materials by printing on acrylic and plexiglass, opening up exciting possibilities for signage, displays, and other creative projects. We’re thrilled to bring this capability to our districts!

Gathering Feedback

• Customer Satisfaction Surveys: To better serve our districts, we’ve implemented a customer satisfaction survey that is now included with finalized order emails. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our services. If you’ve used Document Services recently, we encourage you to take a moment to share your thoughts—it makes a big difference!

As we look forward to the new year, we’re excited to continue supporting you with innovative solutions and excellent service. Thank you for choosing Document Services, and happy holidays!

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) proposed the "NY Inspires: A Plan to Transform Education in New York State" at the November 2024 Board of Regents meeting. This plan aims to promote greater equity within the education system by implementing recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.

The initiative includes a comprehensive timeline and strategy to ensure every public school student has access to necessary educational opportunities and support. Stakeholder engagement began in 2019, with in-person and virtual meetings resuming in December 2021 after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since June 2024, the Department has held 86 Ambassador Forums with over 3,300 participants and a public ThoughtExchange gathering insights from over 2,700 community members. The plan aims to provide meaningful, rigorous, and inclusive learning opportunities for all students. The plan includes a phased approach that will accomplish the four transformations: adopting a NYS Portrait of a Graduate, redefining credits and learning experiences, sunsetting diploma assessment requirements, and moving to one NYS high school diploma.

The "NY Inspires" plan will significantly impact K-12 schools by creating a more equitable education system while providing flexibility in ways that students demonstrate their learning. Schools will benefit from enhanced collaboration between stakeholders and a focus on rigorous and inclusive learning opportunities, preparing students for future success in higher education and the workforce. The BOCES across NYS will be instrumental in supporting districts as they begin to plan for and implement changes in the upcoming years. Although amendments to regulations must still be approved, The Professional Learning & Innovation Center has started to develop plans about how they can best provide support to component school districts.

Just a few weeks ago, at NYSCATE’s Annual Conference, Dodie Ainslie, Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) principal was honored with the Empire Award. Congratulations, Dodie, on your accomplishments in not only creating and leading an amazing virtual school but also in being recognized as a wonderful Educational Technology leader in NYS!

As the winter season brings a chill to the air, you‘ll also see a cool new upgrade to your computers: The New Kid on the Block, Windows 11! Get your holiday PJ’s, throw in the compulsory holiday CD from your favorite 90’s boy band and let’s take a look at these frosted tips.

1. Personalize Your Start Menu
Sometimes ‘I Want It That Way’, and with a personalized Start Menu and taskbar in Windows 11, you can have it your way too . Right-click on the Start Menu and select "Settings" > "Personalization" > "Start" to pin your favorite apps and adjust the layout. This way, your most-used tools are always ‘Larger Than Life’ and ready to use.

2. Snap Layouts for Multitasking
One of the standout features of Windows 11 is Snap Layouts to help keep all your tasks *NSYNC. Hover over the maximize button on any window to see different layout options. Choose a layout that fits your workflow, whether you're grading papers, preparing lesson plans, or managing multiple tasks at once. With Snap Layouts, you'll be saying "Bye Bye Bye" to cluttered screens.

3. Focus Sessions in Clock App
‘I Swear,’ you’re going to love this one. Click the time in the bottom right corner to access Focus Sessions, which can help you stay on task. Set a timer for focused work periods and those notifications can ‘Quit Playing Games’ with your attention.

Whether you are the heartthrob, the bad boy, the cute one, or the old guy, these ‘Step By Step’ instructions will help keep you on task and productive through the rest of the cold weather months.

*Credit: Copilot assisted with compiling some of the content of this article.