Spotlight

Nassau BOCES' newly launched Spotlight Webinar series commenced with an inaugural session on our new Virtual SIFE Academy, presented by Nassau BOCES Supervisor of Language Programs and Assessment Services, Don Brosnan. During the webinar, participants learned about our new Virtual SIFE Academy for students with interrupted formal education. Launched this year, SIFE Academy will be using the Bridges curriculum in a virtual environment to provide SIFE learners with an engaging and effective learning environment. Students log in to their computers from their home districts to access asynchronous, half-day, small-group instruction.

You can view the webinar in its entirety here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfQveLfH0PU

Superintendents and school district leaders from throughout Nassau County learned how an amendment to New York's Workplace Violence Prevention Law will impact districts starting in January 2024. The presentation was made by Matthew Setteducati, Supervising Safety & Health Inspector for the New York Department of Labor.

You can view the presentation here: Public Employer Workplace Violence Prevention Program

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) will launch its new Literacy Initiative on January 10, 2024, at BOCES locations throughout the state. Districts are invited to send two representatives to the briefing on January 10, 2024, at the Robert E. Lupinskie Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology. At this event, NYSED will release a new series of literacy briefs that focus on the science of reading. The agenda will include an overview of the science of reading and each of the seven literacy briefs, with time to reflect and discuss with colleagues.

Intended registrants are school district administrators and literacy leaders. Please register as soon as you can; we will be sending this invitation to our non-public schools in Nassau County within the next few days. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a light breakfast and lunch will be served. We will share more information once we receive it from NYSED.

Please register at: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=10056&I=4647103

The Nassau BOCES Board of Education held its annual District Board Orientation on November 16, 2023, at the Robert E. Lupinskie Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology. In addition to learning about the Agency’s many programs and services, attendees were also given a tour of the Network Operations Center.

Samuel McAleese joined Nassau BOCES on November 27, 2023, as the Interim Assistant Director for Regional Schools and Instructional Programs (RSIP). He previously served as Principal for the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Bixhorn Technical Center for more than 20 years.

Mr. McAleese replaces Dr. Christopher Korolczuk, who is leaving the Agency on January 12, 2024, to pursue a new employment opportunity. We would like to thank him for his many years of service to the Agency.

Prior to joining Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Mr. McAleese was a school district principal, serving at Hampton Bays High School and Bridgehampton Middle and High School. He holds a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching from Dowling College, a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the College of New Rochelle and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Adelphi University.

Nassau BOCES Barry Tech honored more than 100 business leaders at the annual Industry Advisory Recognition Brunch. The event is an opportunity for Nassau BOCES Board members, administrators, faculty and staff to thank these invaluable mentors for their ongoing guidance and support. Our Career and Technical Education schools (Barry Tech, GC Tech and Long Island High School for the Arts) partner with more than 800 Long Island businesses to give students career-field experience under the supervision of industry specialists who help them to develop the skills necessary to compete in the workplace. Industry partners regularly visit classrooms to offer their expertise and invite students to tour their facilities and learn about their respective businesses. Visit our Facebook page to see more photos of the event.

We are excited to announce that after three years of hosting virtual student forums, Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Nassau BOCES and Western Suffolk BOCES will host an in-person Long Island Regional Student Forum on February 29, 2024. The goal is to offer participating students an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about important issues that impact their schools, their communities and themselves. To ensure that we are talking about the topics important to students, we will ask all students across Long Island, whether they are attending the forum or not, to participate in a brief (5-7 minute) ThoughtExchange in January 2024.

More detailed information on this event will be shared with you shortly.

Friday, January 19, 2024, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It

Participants will hear a presentation from Dr. James Lang and participate in two breakout sessions. Registration includes a copy of Dr. Lang's book--Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It.

Frontline Education (mylearningplan.com)

Monday, March 11, 2024, 9 a.m.-Noon

Monday, May 6, 2024, 9 a.m.- Noon

Based upon a new book, Positive Practice Pathways for Professionals, author Dr. Jean Kendall will lead participants in an interactive discussion about how new and aspiring school administrative leaders can prepare and be ready for many situational challenges. Participants will also receive a copy of Dr. Kendall's book.

Frontline Education (mylearningplan.com)

Monday, June 3, 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

This two-day, in-person workshop is for participants who are responsible for completing and submitting the ESSA Consolidated Application grants, including Titles I; IIA; III; and IV to the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The workshop will focus on completing responses for the 2024-2025 Consolidated Application narrative questions and FS-10 (budget) forms required for each title grant. Participants will be assisted through each step of the application process. It is recommended that they review the consolidated application prior to the first session and attend both sessions.

Frontline Education (mylearningplan.com)

Nassau County Board of Cooperative Educational Services

Susan Bergtraum, President; Deborah Coates, Vice President

Ronald Ellerbe; Lawrence Greenstein; Martin R. Kaye; Fran N. Langsner

Robert "B.A." Schoen; Eric B. Schultz; Michael Weinick

April E. Poprilo, Interim District Superintendent

James R. Widmer, Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer

Colleen Lipponer, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services

Thomas McGrath, Assistant to the Superintendent (Human Resources/Regional Schools and Instructional Programs)

Susan McNulty, Assistant to the Superintendent (Special Education/Curriculum and Instruction)