Dear BOCES Team,

As we conclude the 2023-2024 academic year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our team. Each one of you has contributed to making this year a success, and your dedication has been the cornerstone of our progress.

This year started with a warm welcome back, where we set our sights on three core priorities: improving the employee experience, strengthening communication, and going digital. Throughout the year, we've made significant strides in each of these areas. We have been working together with all departments to map out a new onboarding process that will be more efficient and lay a pathway for success for all new employees. The process is still evolving and is a work in progress, but the only way to start is to start.

Feedback has been an important part of shaping our initiatives. We completed our second employee sentiment survey and have seen areas of growth from the prior year. We have also enhanced our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and are looking for ways to make sure all of our employees feel that they are valued and belong.

This year we started our first affinity group for our LGBTQIA+ employees. They hosted a pride event this month for all employees and allies. We also started a very successful pickleball group for employees to gather and get to know each other while getting some exercise.

Our journey was marked by exciting events and milestones. This fall, our SCRIC team started its first Leadership & Innovation Showcase, a collaborative event highlighting our school districts' incredible technology leadership and innovation. It was a testament to our commitment to future-ready education and something they are working on making an annual event.

Thanks to your support, we also celebrated the passing of our master facilities referendum in November. Over the summer, we will diligently work on improvements and upgrades to our facilities. Whether it’s deep cleaning, painting, or coordinating much-needed repairs, our Operations and Maintenance team will be busy. We are also eagerly anticipating the groundbreaking of our Building Trades Complex this fall, which will provide our students and staff with enhanced learning environments. This is the first step of many toward Building our Future Together.

We’ve celebrated numerous staff members and programs that have won awards and earned acclaim nationally. Our employees have traveled nationwide, teaching seminars and learning skills that they have brought back to our BOCES. We’ve found innovative ways to teach our students and implement new ideas and equipment. Our new Virtual Learning Academy has taken off, and we have also received a large grant for the RECOV program that will help our students who have fallen behind in literacy skills due to the pandemic.

We also opened our first New Energy Lab at Chenango Forks to focus on clean energy education for our students and community. This state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in the nation and our program is serving as a blueprint for new energy education across the country.

Our business offices and food service department have had many successful audits this year, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication. These audits are notoriously tough, so that is quite an accomplishment.

We’ve focused on recruitment efforts and held massive rapid hiring events, which have employed many of our dedicated staff members. This rapid-hiring model has been demonstrated to other BOCES, which have started using it to hire new employees.

We’ve brought in the community to learn more about BOCES and what we offer this year. We hosted the State of the County address in our auto technology shop, invited community partners to our Community Connections Fairs and had our students and staff representing BOCES with local businesses. We’ve placed more than 200 students in co-ops and internships and this not only prepares our students for future careers but shows the community the value of our programs.

I’m proud to be a leader of an organization that is not afraid of new ideas. We have been innovating the way we do business at BOCES, and I’ve seen the benefits of these changes.

As we move into the summer months, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Whether you are continuing to work through the summer or taking a well-deserved break, your contributions are deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and hard work. Together, we are building a future-ready BOCES, and I am proud to be on this journey with you. Enjoy your summer, and I look forward to seeing all the great things we will accomplish in the coming year.

Warm regards,

Dr. Rebecca Stone

Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

As we strive to make each and every employee feel a sense of belonging here at BOCES we want to wish a Happy Pride Month to our LGBTQIA+ employees! Working together is better when employees have different skills, backgrounds, and ideas than when everyone is the same. June is Pride Month, and the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group hosted its first Pride Event for BOCES employees on Friday, June 14.

The LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group has also provided Safe Space stickers that will be available to all employees. These stickers indicate an area where individuals can feel secure, respected, and free from discrimination or harassment. They signify that the environment is supportive and inclusive, particularly for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Please see your supervisor if you would like one of these stickers.

We are excited to share some important updates and upcoming events from our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

Our committee recently held a meeting to discuss the highly anticipated BOCES DEI video, which will premiere at the start of the school year in September. You may have noticed Jimmie Buyck and Allen Lown conducting interviews with staff members. Many of our DEI committee members have participated, sharing their experiences with diversity at BOCES. We are eager to share this powerful video with the entire BOCES team.

We have several exciting training opportunities on the horizon. We hope these training sessions deepen our understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and help us foster a more inclusive environment for everyone at BOCES.

We are also working to expand our BOCES affinity groups with the invaluable help of Sarah McLachlan and Liz Wood. These groups provide supportive spaces for employees to connect and share their experiences.

Our LGBTQIA+ affinity group held its first Pride event on June 14, which was a resounding success. Many employees and allies attended, showing their support and celebrating Pride together. It was a wonderful opportunity to build community and highlight the importance of inclusion.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Together, we are making BOCES a more inclusive and supportive place for everyone.

For the month of June, the Health and Safety Department has been assisting our districts with updating their Emergency Response Plans for the next school year per New York State regulation NYCRR Section 155.7, which requires the School Safety Team to review its Emergency Response Plans annually and update by July 1 as needed. We have also been assisting our non-instructional buildings in getting their annual emergency drills done and we will be conducting the six-month asbestos periodic inspections for all of our districts as well.

Have a safe and healthy summer!

Before many of you go for the summer, I just wanted to keep you up to date with our list of internal projects. The ball is moving forward, and all of these things will be completed over the summer. Keep watching for the newsletter for the latest updates, and have a great summer.

We also have a few larger projects currently in process, I will keep you updated on these as well.

The end of the fiscal year is fast approaching! The final pay of the 23-24 fiscal year will be June 20. If you are a 10- or 11-month employee and would like to change your number of pay elections for the 24-25 fiscal year, please select the appropriate form from the links below and submit to payroll1@btboces.org by July 31.

Paychecks are conveniently accessible on WinCap Web back as far as July 2012. Enjoy seamless access to your pay information throughout your entire employment journey! Login to your WinCap Web account and follow these instructions:

• Click on Employee Self Service then My Paychecks

• Enter the paycheck date range you would like to view

• Click on "Get Checks"

Did you know if you enroll in direct deposit, you have the option to NOT get a pay stub mailed to you? To elect not to receive a mailed pay stub, login to your WinCap Web account and follow the instructions below.

• Click on Employee Self Service then My Paycheck Printing Elections

• Click the dropdown and select "Do Not Print Direct Deposit Notices"

• Check "I understand that I am changing My Paycheck Printing Elections"

• Click on submit button (You're all set!)

June 30 represents the end of the school year. This is true not only for students but it also marks the close of the financial accounting for the year. We will be working on closing the year end books to facilitate the annual external audit and NYSED required filings.

In late May, our main campus was teaming with activity, as six areas of study had groups of students, as well as individuals, competed in various aspects of their disciplines. It was truly a testament to the hard work and amazing planning skills of everyone involved. CTE WARS Day was a great success.

We received some nice coverage from the local media, but our own Communications team was on the job, as well. It takes a moment to corral all those moments, but now we can share with you this fun video that captures the essence of our annual CTE WARS Day here at BOCES.

About four weeks ago we were just setting our sights on a long schedule of numerous graduations, celebrations, awards and certificate ceremonies and other fun, year-end gatherings. We held nearly 20 graduations and ceremonies of one type or another, and the resounding common thread has been smiles. In the accompanying photo at the CTE certificate ceremony, 504 students were recognized, and that was just the tip of our BOCES iceberg. Well done, everyone.

We held our annual Signing Day in mid-June, as 140 students from CTE (including our Adult Education students) signed “letters of intent” to go to work for numerous companies, organizations and agencies. We got some nice media attention. Below is one terrific example.

Pretty cool thing happened recently at Broome-Tioga BOCES. Probably easiest to just share an email from Paul Hoffman, principal of our ACE Middle School (Academic Center for Excellence) to Chuck Wheeler, executive principal at East Learning Center, and Marie Meagher, director of Special Education. This is his note:

“Just when you think you’d seen it all … Some of the staff took the students for a walk. Ms. Kate had some small flags from Memorial Day. So, they went to the cemetery up the street. Staff asked students to find veterans and put the flags next to them. Students found a section (where) infants (had been) placed. The next thing you know, the students are weeding around all the infants’ grave stones. It was a great moment.”

One of the activities at West Learning Center recently, in celebration of the holiday Juneteenth, was to create some pretty spectacular art. Well done, everyone!

Broome-Tioga BOCES School Nutrition Services Rock on Café Registered Dietitian, Julie Raway is the K-12 food service winner of this year’s, “Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards” program, coordinated by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). With generous support from FreshEdge, a fresh food distribution company, this prestigious award pays special tribute to chefs and foodservice operations for their produce innovation, creativity, and all-around excellence in their use and promotion of fresh fruit and vegetables in the culinary arts. The awards program recognizes chefs and foodservice operators across nine business categories, including: K-12 school foodservice, casual & family dining restaurants, hotels & resorts, quick service restaurants, college & university foodservice, fine dining, hospitals & healthcare, business and industry and supermarket retail operators.

On June 4, representatives from IFPA and FreshEdge visited Windsor High School to celebrate Julie and her team. The visit highlighted the school nutrition program as well as Windsor’s Land Lab and Aquaponics program, which aims to educate and inspire students on agricultural career paths. In collaboration with her team, Julie created new menu items, and when possible, incorporates a variety of fresh produce from the Land Lab. Julie is an outspoken advocate for introducing students to fresh fruits and vegetables through interactive classroom education such as cooking classes and taste tests. The International Fresh Produce Association and FreshEdge will celebrate Julie the other winners in July at the IFPA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, California. More information: https://www.freshproduce.com/events/awards/produce-excellence-in-foodservice-award/

Last month, the SCRIC had a number of staff attend and present at the annual RIC One Data Privacy and Security Service conference in Albany. This event brought together district, BOCES, and RIC staff to learn about the data security and privacy landscape. Congratulations to Ashleen Speen, Saige Hupman, and Jason Moreno on delivering excellent presentations.

Aidan Hafele -From Part Time to Full Time PC/LAN Technician
Samer Webster - From Part Time to Full Time IT Assistant
Angelo DePersiis- Retiring, Last day of work 8/2/24
Joanne DeWitte - Retiring, Last day of work 7/17/24
Mary Norton - Retiring, Last day of work 7/31/24

As we approach the end of another successful school year, our Communications and Public Relations Department has been working tirelessly to support our districts in celebrating their many accomplishments. Here’s a snapshot of our recent activities:

Our dedicated Public Information Officers in various districts have been incredibly busy. They’ve been covering grad walks, award ceremonies, and field trips, ensuring that every moment of these end-of-year celebrations is captured and shared with our communities.

Our talented graphic designers have also been in high gear, producing senior posters, graduation programs, banners, and various other materials to ensure that every event is visually memorable. Their creativity and hard work are helping us cross the finish line with style.

Our videographers have been producing amazing videos that highlight the accomplishments of our districts throughout the year. Their work is a testament to the incredible achievements of our students and staff, and we are excited to share these stories with our broader community.

In addition to all these efforts, we have been deeply engaged in creating a special Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) video for BOCES. This project is close to our hearts, and we believe it will have a lasting impact by promoting a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone in our BOCES community.

We are thrilled to welcome Vince Briga to our department as the new Community Relations Coordinator for the Maine-Endwell School District. Vince joins us after more than a decade as a journalist, with his most recent position as a reporter for Spectrum News. His extensive experience in journalism and community relations will be a valuable asset to our team. We are excited to see the great work Vince will do in fostering strong community connections and enhancing our communication efforts.

We are incredibly proud of our team's hard work and dedication. As we head into the final stretch of this school year, let’s continue to support each other and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students and staff.

We are excited to share some fantastic updates from our Document Services department that will enhance the services we provide and expand our capabilities.

Our department has recently acquired new state-of-the-art equipment to better serve your needs. We now have a wide-format printer that allows us to print on a variety of materials, including foam board and plastic yard signs. These new materials will soon be available to order through WebCRD.

Foam board prints are lightweight and versatile. They can be easily mounted to walls, podiums, or any other surfaces, making them perfect for signs, decorative purposes, or branding. Their durability and ease of installation make them ideal for both temporary and permanent displays.

We are now able to produce yard signs similar to those used for recruitment or to celebrate high school seniors. These signs are perfect for outdoor events, community announcements, and celebratory messages, providing a professional and eye-catching way to convey your messages.

Additionally, we have invested in a specialized laser cutter that allows us to cut out various shapes with precision. This new capability opens up a myriad of creative possibilities for customized prints and projects.

You can see both of these impressive machines in action in the video below created by Andrew Crawford. We’re thrilled about these additions and the opportunities they present for expanding our service offerings.

We are also delighted to announce the hiring of our new Print Shop Manager, Lisa Toton, who will be joining us on July 1. Lisa is returning to the area after managing a print shop for Xerox in Rochester. We are excited to have her on our BOCES team. While the print shop will continue to be overseen by Christina Kunzman, Lisa will manage the day-to-day operations and lead the team. Her experience and expertise are sure to drive the department forward, providing us with even more opportunities for growth.

There’s a buzz around the PLIC at BT BOCES about the new RISE grant that’s underway. With a strong base at “RISE Headquarters” Cathleen Stewart is leading a new group of Literacy Coaches: Kara Talbut, Toni Walker, and Jackie Townsend, to support partnering districts in closing literacy-based gaps.

In collaboration with the 10 partnering districts, each district will establish a Learning Loss Center (aka Literacy Clinic), that will run through the school day to support 2,100 students in grades 4-7. In these clinics, Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Specialists, teacher aides, coaches, specially trained teachers, tutors, and other specialized staff will offer small group intervention services before and after school.

This summer, the partnering districts will work with the RISE Literacy Coaches to implement the UFLI and Word Connections programs. We have been busy working with the districts to implement literacy assessments and analyze data in preparation for the Summer Literacy Clinics. The assessments have been given to students in grades 3-6 to aid in determining the correct summer intervention program for each individual student.

As we begin to move through the summer months, the team will be leading and participating in a variety of Professional Learning courses at BOCES alongside the teachers and staff at the partnering districts. Some of these programs include: REWARDS, Road to Reading, The Writing Revolution, Morpheme Magic, and Keys to Comprehension. These interventions and programs get to the heart of much of the gaps students have in reading and writing.

It’s no secret that the pandemic created tremendous learning loss in reading and writing for all students. The RISE project plans to use specific, evidence-based interventions to meet students where they are and provide them with the instruction and tools necessary to be successful as they move forward to explore and enjoy all content areas in the classroom and beyond.

We are very excited to jump right in with this work and have enjoyed working with the partnering districts and students as well. If you are in the PLIC and want to stop by RISE Headquarters and say “Hello!”, please do!

Marissa Derrick was promoted to Supervisor of Community Schools.

Have you ever closed a browser tab only to realize you needed it back? Whether it’s an important article, a form you were filling out, or curating resources for a lesson and/or project, we’ve all been there. Luckily, there’s a simple keyboard shortcut that can save the day!

Windows & Chrome:

To reopen the most recently closed tab in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome web browsers, simply press Control + Shift + T. Voilà! Your browser will immediately open the last closed tab. If you press the shortcut again, it will open other closed tabs in reverse order.

MacOS:

Press Command + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab. It works similarly to the Windows shortcut.

Remember, losing a series of carefully curated tabs can be frustrating, especially in the middle of your workflow. So, keep this shortcut handy and get back to what you were doing without missing a beat!

*This article was written with the help of Microsoft Co-Pilot