WSWHE BOCES HVAC/R Program Earns Excellence Accreditation

Photo attached: HVAC/R teacher Jeff Rescott works with students in his classroom at the F. Donald Myers Education Center.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, June 30, 2010 – The heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration program at the F. Donald Myers Education Center has earned national five-year accreditation from HVAC Excellence.

The program, part of the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, underwent a rigorous inspection by HVAC Excellence. An executive team from HVAC Excellence, a not for profit organization from Colorado that aims to improve HVAC/R competency, visited the Myers Center earlier this month. The team examined Myers’ curriculum, faculty, student and training facilities, placement services, advisory committee involvement, equipment and safety.

“The WSWHE BOCES is thrilled that our HVAC/R program has received national accreditation,” said Douglas Leavens, Director of Career and Technical Education at WSWHE BOCES. “ This program has been viewed as one of our best in the Career and Technical Education Division. I believe this accreditation confirms the rigor of our program and is an indication of the steps we are willing to take to prepare our students for industry.  We are also pleased with our contribution to an industry that has grown in importance as our region and state turns towards an energy-efficient economy.”

Now that the program has national accreditation, students enrolled in Myers HVAC/R classes will be confident that the program is preparing them for jobs in the industry and/or further education. Employers will also be assured that the Myers graduates, taught by Jeff Rescott, are properly trained and ready to tackle the challenges posed by America’s growing energy-efficient economy.

Accreditation also adds the F. Donald Myers Education Center to the list of programs on www.5starcareers.com, the HVACR recruitment site where visitors can learn about career opportunities and find the top programs in the nation.

More information about the nationally recognized HVAC/R program at F. Donald Myers Education Center is available by calling 581-3655 or visiting www.wswheboces.org/CTE/

More information about HVAC Excellence Accreditation is available by calling Tom Tebbe at 1-877-394-5268 or visiting  www.hvacexcellence.org

ALBANY – An unprecedented coalition of the region’s public schools, community colleges, and SUNY Cobleskill is working to address a national issue that impacts the cost of college, degree completion and Tech Valley’s economic growth — better preparing students for the rigors of college.

The Consortium is sponsoring a daylong summit on June 16 at Hudson Valley Community College to focus on data surrounding students’ college readiness in math and strategies for improving it:

"We know that the growth of our region’s economy requires additional students with two-year degrees and that the jobs are there — now we need to prepare students for them," said Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent Charles Dedrick.

WSWHE BOCES Criminal Justice Students Wins PBA Scholarship

Caption: From left, Lt. Sean Briscoe, Lt. Greg Veitch, WSWHE BOCES student Ronnie Gardner, WSWHE BOCES teacher David Foldi, Lt. Linda Quattrini and Lt. Robert Jillson pose after the scholarship ceremony.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, April 27, 2010 – The Saratoga Springs Police Lieutenants Protective and Benevolent Association presented its 2010 Criminal Justice Scholarship to Ronnie Gardner of Saratoga Springs.

The $500, established in 2009, is awarded to graduating high school seniors who intend to major in criminal justice in college. She was presented the scholarship on Wednesday, June 9, at City Hall.

Ms. Gardner will be graduating from Saratoga Springs High School on Thursday, June 24 and plans to attend Adirondack Community College this fall. Ms. Gardner has completed an internship at the Saratoga Town Court and has volunteered with a number of organizations including the Head Start Program, the March of Dimes and the Walk for Alzheimer’s. She has also completed the two-year Criminal Justice program at the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.

"We are very happy to announce Ronnie as this year’s recipient. It is an honor for my fellow Lieutenants and I to assist a young person in some small way as they begin their college experience," said Saratoga Springs Police Lieutenant's PBA President Greg Veitch. "The Lieutenants recognize that organizations in all areas of the criminal justice system need dedicated young men and women with a willingness to serve the public. By partnering with local school districts, the hope is that exceptional young men and women from Saratoga Springs will consider careers serving the public in the field of criminal justice.”

David Foldi, Criminal Justice Studies Coordinator at the F. Donald Myers Education Center on Henning Road said, "We are happy to partner with the Saratoga Springs Police Lieutenants in encouraging our students to further their education and consider a career in criminal justice."

WSWHE BOCES STUDENTS COMPLETE INTERNSHIPS AT QUAD GRAPHICS

From left, Ben Fobbs, Tim Wilbur, Derek Holmes and Ryan St. Amour pose outside of Quad/Graphics in Saratoga Springs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, May 25, 2010 – Four students from the Career and Technical Education programs at the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES completed spring internships at Quad/Graphics, the world’s largest privately held printer company.

The students were: Ben Fobbs, a culinary student from Saratoga Springs, Derek Holmes, a welding student from Granville, Ryan St. Amour, a HVAC/R student from Bolton, Tim Wilbur, an auto body student from Ballston Spa

Each student had a chance to see how his area of expertise served the larger goals of the company. At the end of their internships, the students were invited to apply for positions available at Quad Graphics.

“The experience the students get here is awesome,” said Bruce Hoffmann, a Work Based Learning Coordinator at WSWHE BOCES. “It just a great opportunity for the students. We are thankful we have Quad Graphics. You share your knowledge of what it takes to maintain a plant like Quad and how to work as a team. We are very happy with the experiences the students are gaining.”

The Quad Graphics internships are part of the students Work Based Learning that is vital component to the Career and Technical Education programs offered by the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.

More than 20 different programs are available at both the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs and the Southern Adirondack Education Center in Hudson Falls.

Any high school student enrolled in one of the BOCES’ 31 component school districts is eligible for admission to the program through his or her home school. Adults may apply to the program and location of their choice – admission is granted on a space-available basis. For more information on Career and Technical Education programs, visit www.wswheboces.org.

BOCES Horticulture Students Win Second Place at FFA Convention

Students from l to r: raven Adreine, Travis Cass, Matt Lyons and Bridget Olyer.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, May 10, 2010 – On Thursday, May 6, four horticulture students from the F. Donald Myers Education Center won second place in floriculture at the New York State FFA Convention at SUNY Cobleskill.

They won as a team at the 85^th Annual Convention, competing against 14 other teams from around the state. The winning team from Myers consisted of:

Raven Adriene of Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District
Travis Cass of South Glens Falls Central School District
Matt Lyons of Mechanicville City School District
Bridget Olyer of Galway Central School District

Prepped by horticulture teacher Jim Chorman, the students won by accumulating points in several tests: general knowledge, plant identification, plant disorders, team activities, floral arrangement and job interviewing.

“We were ready,” said Ms. Olyer. “Mr. Chorman worked us very hard, preparing us. We knew all the plants they tested us on.”

In addition to the competition, the state FFA convention featured speakers and a career fair where students had a chance to meet with potential employers.

FFA is a national youth organization that takes part in agricultural education programs in middle and high schools. Student member participate in a range of curriculum and activities that reflect the more than 300 career opportunities in agriculture.

WSWHE BOCES to receive $885,000 in federal grants to teach Chinese

SARATOGA SPRINGS, April 29, 2010 – Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES will receive an estimated $885,000 in federal grants over a three-year period to teach Mandarin Chinese to area students.

The money comes from two programs that are part of the National Security Language Initiative: StarTalk, a project directed by the National Foreign Language Center that focuses on summer programs for critical languages such as Chinese and Arabic, and the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP), a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education that focuses on school year programs.

This is an ideal match for WSWHE BOCES’ Language and Culture Resource Center, created in 2006 with the support of another FLAP grant. The center partners with 31 component school districts to help students gain foreign language diversity, proficiency and cultural awareness.

Thus far, the BOCES center has provided many opportunities, including foreign language classes for students, professional development for teachers, culture boxes for school libraries, and a trip for educators to China sponsored by the China Institute. This new money will help build proficiency, the next step in WSWHE BOCES foreign language initiative.

This first phase of proficiency will begin this summer. Interested students, who attend the component districts, will be able to enroll in a summer camp where they will be immersed in the Chinese culture. They will cook, play games, practice Tai Chi, talk with native speakers and visit Chinatown in New York City. The cost is $100 per child.  This portion is funded by the $100,000 from StarTalk.

The next phase is an afterschool and online program offered during the school year. This year, $220,000 from the Foreign Language Assistance Program will fund the classes, which will be conducted at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs and the Southern Adirondack Education Center in Hudson Falls. There will be cost for the fall and then again in the spring for interested students. The cost has yet to be determined.

In successive years, the Foreign Language Assistance Program will award WSWHE BOCES $265,000 (2011-12) and $300,000 (2012-13) for the afterschool and online program. These grants will also provide professional development for the teachers.

With the addition of the $885,000, WSWHE BOCES has received a total of $1.5 million in grants for its Chinese language program.

“This is a great opportunity for students,” said Peggy Sharkey, a teacher on special assignment. “It will enrich the whole region.”

More information is available by contacting Ms. Sharkey at 581-3581 or by going online to www.wswheboces.org/lcrc.

Spa Catholic High School juniors host prom for special education students at WSWHE BOCES

SARATOGA SPRINGS, April 26, 2010 – Most high school students enrolled in special education schools operated by the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES don’t usually have a chance to attend their hometown prom. That’s why, each year, the Spa Catholic High School juniors organize a special education prom for the students at the F. Donald Myers Education Center and other WSWHE BOCES operated classrooms around the Saratoga Springs area.

This year’s event is set from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 7, in the auditorium at Spa Catholic, 247 Broadway. Admission is free.

WSWHE BOCES special education students in grades 10 to 12 are eligible to go. They are also free to bring a date. Usually about 60 students attend.

This year’s theme is “Starry Night.” The students at Spa Catholic decorate the auditorium. They also provide the music, food, and drink. They also attend, mingling on the dance floor, with their guests.

WSWHE BOCES provides the cake and the centerpieces for the tables, created by Jim Chorman’s horticulture class in the Career and Technical Education division of the Myers Center.

Students who are unable to buy a dress or a suit for the prom can borrow one from Tammy Goldsmith, the School-to-Work teacher. Students who would like their hair cut and styled for the prom can sit for a free cut in Ben Vassi’s cosmetology class, another Career and Technical class offered at the Myers Center. They can also get free makeup and manicures there.

 “It’s really important to have this prom,” said Mrs. Goldsmith. “For most of these kids, this is the only prom they will ever attend. We are so grateful to Spa Catholic for doing it.”

WSWHE BOCES Names New District Superintendent

 
          James P. Dexter

FORT EDWARD, April 20, 2010 – The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES Board of Education announces the selection of James P. Dexter as it new district superintendent. Replacing Dr. John Stoothoff who retired last June, Mr. Dexter will officially begin in his new post on June 27, 2010.

The selection resulted from a state-wide search and interviews conducted by the board as well as employees representing teachers, staff, and administrators.

“We are pleased to welcome Jim Dexter to the WSWHE BOCES,” said Terrence Blanchfield, the assistant superintendent for administrative services. “We feel he possesses the ideal combination of skills, knowledge, experience, and leadership. In these difficult fiscal times, we feel Jim has the ability to move BOCES forward while serving the many needs of our 31 component districts.”

Mr. Dexter comes from the Ichabod Crane Central School District in Valatie where he is its superintendent of schools. He began his tenure there in July 2005.  Since beginning at Ichabod Crane, Mr. Dexter has focused a majority of his efforts on improving student achievement, communications, student safety as well as fiscal efficiency and accountability.

 Prior to his appointment at Ichabod Crane, Mr. Dexter served as the assistant superintendent for administration and special services with the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES in Malone, N.Y.

Mr. Dexter holds a Bachelors degree from the State University of New York, SUNY Fredonia, School of Music, and a Masters degree in Educational Psychology from the College of St. Rose. He completed coursework for his school administrative certificate at the College of St. Rose, and took additional coursework for his School District Certificate at St. Lawrence University.

Previous to his service at the BOCES in Malone, Mr. Dexter was a music teacher at Ichabod Crane.

"I am most honored to be selected as the District Superintendent to lead the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Essex & Hamilton BOCES,” said Mr. Dexter. “I look forward to joining a great organization, and to working with area leaders to provide a world-class educational program, while simultaneously, engaging in the planning necessary to provide for long-term fiscal stability."

WSWHE BOCES Mandarin teacher travels to China for six weeks

SARATOGA SPRINGS, April 26, 2010 – Ann Marie Grathwol, a Mandarin Chinese teacher with Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, will immerse herself in the Chinese language as she studies in Jilin Province in China this summer. 

Grathwol, who is also a certified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, was selected by the U.S. State Department for the six-week program. She will attend Northeast Normal University in Changchun. Program participants must agree to speak only Chinese while traveling from June 22 to Aug. 7. 

“On the level of difficulty, Chinese is one of the most difficult languages for native English speakers to master,” said Grathwol who visited China in 1987. “Experts say it takes four times longer to learn than French, Spanish or Italian. You really have to push yourself to learn the language. There is a frustration factor. 

She feels well-prepared as she has studied the language for more than 20 years. She also mentioned that residents of northeastern China are known for speaking an unaffected, pure Mandarin. She also will keep a Chinese dictionary handy, which has been downloaded on her iPod Touch.

The Clifton Park resident is a graduate of the University at Albany where she earned a bachelor’s in Chinese Studies and masters in teaching English as a second language.

At WSWHE BOCES, she teaches both English to non-native speakers and Mandarin Chinese to high school students. She travels between three school districts, Ballston Spa, Lake George and Mechanicville, which share her expertise.

“Last time I visited China as a University at Albany student, I was 19,” said Grathwol. “When I was there, I used to say, ‘One day when China opens up, I’ll come back.’ It has opened up and I'm looking forward to seeing if it's as we imagined back in the ‘80s."

“It's great to be able to work on my language skills in the target environment with native speakers," she added.  "It will improve my speaking, reading and writing skills."

Ann Marie Grathwol is available for interviews and can be reached via email at agrathwol@wswheboces.org.

BOCES Criminal Justice Students volunteer for March of Dimes walk

SARATOGA SPRINGS, April 27, 2010 – On Sunday, April 25, 19 criminal justice students from the F. Donald Myers Education Center volunteered to assist walkers at the March of Dimes “Walk for Babies” fund-raiser in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Students of Dave Foldi’s class helped control the flow of traffic, point walkers in the right direction and offer encouragement along the way.

The March for Babies takes place in 900 communities across America. Walkers gather pledges to raise money for babies born premature or sick. The money raised also supports programs in communities aimed at helping mothers carry their babies a full and healthy term. Money also goes towards research on prenatal and postnatal health in babies.

Southern Adirondack Education Center to Host Open House

HUDSON FALLS, April 23, 2010 – The Southern Adirondack Education Center, one of two career and technical schools operated by Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton Essex BOCES, will host an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, at the school, 1051 Dix Avenue.

This year’s event will be unlike any in the past. For this spring open house, students and teachers will join together to offer hands-on demonstrations of all of the skills that can be acquired there. This includes culinary, nursing, welding, earth-moving equipment and home construction. Visitors can enter an open salon in the cosmetology class where guests can have their hair cut and styled for free. (Must call for an appointment prior to April 28.)

Children can engage in fun activities in the early childhood center. There will also be a student art exhibition, a display of Rube Goldberg machines created by SAEC’s engineering students and tours of the greenhouse where there will be a plant sale. Scholastic will host a book sale.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served up for a FFA fundraiser.

In addition, the  #88 Dale Earnhardt NASCAR model will be on display. Sasquatch, a Great Escape character, will greet visitors and offer guests the chance to purchase a discounted one-day pass for the theme park, good for the month of May, for $20.34.

The New York State Troopers will be there to discuss teen-driver safety. The Army and the National Guard will also be available.

Finally, the American Red Cross, in conjunction with the Great Escape and Skills USA, will attempt to raise $16,000 at the open house with its “Miles of Quarters” campaign. Guest will be asked to donate a quarter or quarters, which will be lined up with the hopes that it will stretch a mile.

The Open House event is free.

Three WSWHE BOCES students selected for Hyde Collection exhibition

HUDSON FALLS, April 23, 2010 – Three graphic arts students from the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES’ Southern Adirondack Education Center were selected among hundreds of students from 40 area high schools to participate in the Nineteenth Annual Regional Juried High School Art Exhibition at the Hyde Collection.

Caci Comtompasis of Warrensburg, Hannah Rhodes of Hudson Falls and Brandy Shaw of Glens Falls are showing their works created in the Graphics Arts program at BOCES. Comtompasis created a cartoon movie poster; Rhodes, a Go Green poster; and Shaw, a photograph of a baby.

 The works, along with 97 other pieces, will be on display through May 23 at the Hyde, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls.

From left, Hannah Rhodes of Hudson Falls, Brandy Shaw of Glens Falls and Caci Contompasis of Warrensburg were selected among 1,100 artists to be included in a student exhibition at the Hyde Collection.

Lowe's Donated $1,200 in Tools to the Auto Technology Class at WSWHE BOCES F. Donald Myers Education Center

SARATOGA SPRINGS, April 22, 2010 – Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, which centers its efforts on advancing technical education and careers, donated a Kobalt tool set to the Auto Technology Class at the F. Donald Myers Education Center, 15 Henning Road, Saratoga Springs.

 The $1,200 worth of tools, including wrenches, ratchets and sockets, is part of Lowe's nation-wide campaign to donate $440,000 in tools to technical schools.

Lowe's recognizes the quality training students receive in the Auto Technology class at WSWHE BOCES F. Donald Myers Education Center. Lowe's also applauds the WSWHE BOCES students’ involvement with and devotion to SkillsUSA, a nonprofit organization that promotes technical education and careers.

Auto tech students Morgan Sharadin, Andrew Childress and Jamie Palmateer represent the class and SkillsUSA at the morning ceremony.

Lowe's Commercial Sales Specialist Cas Raylinsky lays out the new tools outside of the auto technology class at the F. Donald Myers Education Center.

Engineering Students Win Rube Goldberg Machine Contest

Hudson Falls, April 20, 2010 – New Visions Engineering students from the Southern Adirondack Education Center recently won the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest held at Union College.

Named for the late Reuben Lucius Goldberg, an engineer and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest challenges middle school and high school students to create an overly complicated machine to perform a simple task. This year students were tasked with “The Spring Ping Fling Thing” challenge – creating a machine that throws and catches ping pong balls.

This year, Team SAS took first place in the overall category of the competition. The five-member team of Alex Whitaker and Andrew Horning from Greenwich, Jon Braga from South Glens Falls, Mikaela Johnson from Hudson Falls, and Robert McWhorter from Argyle created a carnival-themed machine that incorporated amusement rides and carnival displays to complete the Rube Goldberg challenge.

In order to demonstrate science and engineering innovation and creative skills, the machine was required to have a minimum of 20 steps and incorporate a minimum of five different forms of energy. Each entry was judged on effectiveness, complexity, creativity, integration of the theme, and presentation.

The winning machine will be on display at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium for the month of May. The students on the winning team were also awarded family memberships to the museum for a year.
 
Two other teams from the Southern Adirondack Education Center’s New Visions Engineering program also competed. Team Benji – Ben Davis from Glens Falls, Whitney Galusha from Warrensburg, and Ethan Dunn, Mairi Strachan, and Connor Perkett from Lake George created a “Trip Around the World” themed machine. Team Glens Falls Nation – Bryan Davidson, Tim Graham, Derek Harvey, Sam Caruso, and Dan LaNoir, all from Glens Falls High School, created a machine with an Armageddon theme. These machines will be on display at the WSWHE BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center Open House on April 28 from 5-8pm.

The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES provides a range of educational and support services to 43,737 students of all ages and abilities in 31 school districts in Washington, Saratoga, Warren, Hamilton, and Essex counties. Any high school student enrolled in one of the 31 component school districts is eligible for admission to the Southern Adirondack Education Center in Hudson Falls or the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs through his or her home school. Adults may apply to the program and location of their choice – admission is granted on a space-available basis.
 

BOCES Administration Agrees to Salary Freeze

Fort Edward, April 15, 2010 – At its regular meeting April 14, 2010, the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES Board of Education approved an agreement with the organization’s Administrator’s Association to freeze administrators’ salaries for one year effective July 1, 2010 through
June 30, 2011.
 
The agreement comes at a time when New York State is projected to be $9.2 billion in deficit and the Governor’s proposed 5% cut in State Aid to schools statewide translates to a 10% cut in State Aid to the WSWHE BOCES supervisory area, equivalent to a loss of $28 million for 2010-11.
 
“Each of our school superintendents and boards of education are considering massive cuts in programs, services, and staffing,” said Terrence Blanchfield, Chief Operating Officer of the WSWHE BOCES. “We are obviously concerned how these decisions will effect BOCES operations, and we wanted to be proactive about saving money wherever we can.”
 
“As an extension of the public school system, BOCES feels the same pressure the districts feel,” said Doug Leavens, President of the WSWHE BOCES Administrator’s Association and Director of the organization’s Career and Technical Education division. “If forgoing a raise this year means keeping some of our programs and teachers intact, we realize that is for the benefit of the students we serve.”
 
The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES provides a range of educational and support services to over 42,500 students of all ages and abilities in 31 school districts in Washington, Saratoga, Warren, Hamilton, and Essex counties.
 

Area students win New York SkillsUSA competitions and are heading to nationals

SARATOGA SPRINGS and HUDSON FALLS, April 16, 2010 – Nineteen high school students from Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES have placed at the New York State SkillsUSA competition.

The state competition, held from April 14 to 16 at the OnCenter in Syracuse, was open to students who won in their regional competitions. At the event, top career and technical students vied for prizes and scholarships. The students from the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs and the Southern Adirondack Center in Hudson Falls went up against students from more than 30 other career and technical schools from around the state.

The winning students, studying for careers as diverse as culinary arts, nursing, graphic design, horticulture, criminal justice, welding and heating, air conditioning and ventilation, demonstrated their hands-on skills. They were given a task or tasks to complete within a given time frame. The outcomes were judged by business and industry leaders.

The students prepared for months, often staying after school to be coached by their teachers. The event is on par with a highly competitive high school athletic event played out on the state level.

Top state winners will move onto the state competition, planned for June 20 to 25, in Kansas City, Mo.

SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, is devoted to rewarding students for excellence, for involving industry in directly evaluating student performance and in keeping career training relevant to employers’ needs.

Below is the list of winners from both the Myers and the Southern Adirondack centers. Please note that every entry includes the student’s name, home school district, how they placed and their teacher.

The top winners from the Myers Center were:
Brad Lyons, Schuylerville, 1^st place in Criminal Justice, teacher Dave Foldi
Matt Phelps, Queensbury, 1^st place in HVAC/R, teacher Jeff Rescott
Shane Germain, Saratoga Springs, 2nd place in Basic Vehicle Maintenance, teacher Greg VanDeusen
Leslie Lemiesz, Waterford, 3^rd place in Nursing Assistant, teachers Frankie Gabriele and Dawn LaPier
Ian Stewart, Ballston Spa, 3^rd place in Collision Repair, teacher Brian Sheerer
Special 3^rd place Teamwork Award goes to:
Jim Derocher, Waterford, and Mike Jarvis, Saratoga Springs, in Construction Trades, teacher Art Erbe
Scott Germain, Saratoga Springs, and Kevin Salvi, Corinth, in HVAC/R, teacher Jeff Rescott
 

The top winners from the Southern Adirondack Center were:
Mackenzie Baker, Warrensburg, 1^st place in Medical Assisting, teacher Barbara Goodspeed
Steven Fish, Warrensburg, 1^st place in Food Preparation Assistant, teacher Matt Young
Jessalyn Jones, Queensbury, 1^st place in Basic Health Care, teacher Barbara Goodspeed
Taylor O’Neil, Cambridge, 1^st place in Nursing Assistant, teacher Barbara Goodspeed
Justin Aldous, Granville, 2^nd place in Motorcycle Service, teacher John Winch
Emmalee Corlew, Warrensburg, 2^nd place in Health Occupations Portfolio, teacher Barbara Goodspeed
Krystal Karp, Greenwich, 2^rd place in Pin Design, teacher Jeff Plummer
Paul McNeil, Queensbury, 2^nd place in Related Technical Math, teacher Jeff Plummer
Lyssa Howard, Queensbury, 3^rd place in Photography, teacher Jeff Plummer
Crystal Noble, Argyle, 3^rd place in Floral Design, teacher Bert Weber
 

Area students win regional SkillsUSA competitions and head to state

Photo caption: High school students from eight regional BOCES, from Hudson to Plattsburgh, demonstrated their cosmetology abilities at the SkillUSA competition at Schenectady County Community College.

SCHENECTADY, March 19, 2010 – Sixty-six students from Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES have placed at the regional SkillsUSA competition.

The regional competition, held on March 17 at Schenectady County Community College, was open to students who won in the local competitions held at eight area BOCES and technical schools from Plattsburgh to Hudson. Those winning high school students, studying for careers in trade, technical and skilled services jobs, advanced to the regionals to compete in such hands-on skills as welding, floral arranging, culinary arts, plumbing and carpentry as well as interviewing for jobs and public speaking.

Judged by business and industry leaders, the students prepared for months, often staying after school to be coached by their teachers.

Top regional winners will move onto the state competition, planned for April 14, 15 and 16, at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse. Winners at the state level will go to the national competition in Kansas City in June.

SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, is devoted to rewarding students for excellence, for involving industry in directly evaluating student performance and in keeping career training relevant to employers’ needs.

Below is the list of winners from both the Myers and the Southern Adirondack centers. Please note that every entry includes the student’s name, home school district and how they placed.

The top winners were:

Action Skills (hands-on demonstrations)
Zack Button, Galway, 1^st place
Sarah Maille, Glens Falls, 3^rd place
Jordan Guerrero, Mechanicville, 4^th place

Advertising and Design
Hannah Rhodes, Hudson Falls, 1^st place
Sarah Vasquez, Schuylerville, 2^nd place
Krystal Karp, Greenwich, 3^rd place

Automotive Mechanics
Zachary Lorensen, Lake George, 2^nd place
Anthony Russell, Hudson Falls, 4^th place

Auto Technology
Patrick Titshaw, Ballston Spa, 1^st place

Basic Vehicle Maintenance
Shane Germain, Saratoga Springs, 1^st place
Jacob Mallory, Granville, 2^nd place
Kody Brown, Granville, 3^rd place

Carpenter’s Assistant
Andrew Priest, Saratoga Springs, 2^nd place

Collision Repair Tech
Ian Stewart, Ballston Spa, 1^st place
Pat Gonyea, Stillwater, 2^nd place

Cosmetology
Josie Giammatteo, Glens Falls, 3^rd place
Veronica Bravo, North Warren, 4^th place

Criminal Justice
Brad Lyons, Schuylerville, 1^st place
Justin Caban, Queensbury, 3^rd place

Diesel Equipment Repair
Clayton Young, Hadley, 3^rd place
Joe Pastore, Schroon Lake, 4^th place

Extemporaneous Speech
Kamal Stanley, Saratoga Springs, 1st place
Ben Alden, Queensbury, 2^nd place
Kendra Harrington, Queensbury, 3^rd place
Zach Henry, Saratoga Springs, 4th place

Floral Design
Crystal Nobel, Argyle, 1^st place
Sarah Osborne, Saratoga Springs, 4^th place

Food and Beverage Service
Hannah Barber, Hudson Falls, 2^nd place

Food Prep
Steve Fish, Warrensburg, 2^nd place
John Samuelson, Salem, 3^rd place

HVAC
Adam Prince, Stillwater, 3^rd place
Matt Phelps, Queensbury, 4^th place

Job Interview
Xenia Wieland, Queensbury, 1^st place
Caitlyn Myott, Greenwich, 3^rd place
Andrew Gendron, Ballston Spa, 5^th place

Job Skills Demonstration
Brittany Sheridan, Lake George, 1^st place
Michael Marzello, Corinth, 2^nd place
Nick Farfaglia, Saratoga Springs, 3^rd place

Networking
John Feulner, Galway, 2^nd place
Paul Perez, Galway, 4^th place

Nurse Assistant
Cortina Greene, Johnsburg, 2^nd place
Leslie Lemiesz, Waterford, 3^rd place
Taylor O’Neil, Cambridge, 4^th place
Teresa Gale, Schuylerville, 5^th place

Photography
Lyssa Howard, Queensbury, 1^st place
Jordan Long, Glens Falls, 2^nd place
Matt Grandy, Saratoga Springs, 4^th place
Mattie Dorrough, Mechanicville, 5^th place

Prepared Speech
Bridget Olyer, Galway, 1^st place
Alexis Bechtel, Saratoga Springs, 2^nd place
Brianna Norton, Queensbury, 5^th place

Preschool Teaching Assistant
Carlye Magnusen, Schuylerville, 1^st place
Brenda Zahaba, Hudson Falls, 5^th place

Promotional Bulletin Board
Alycia Howe, Queensbury, and Lexi McWhorter, Argyle, 2^nd place
Kaitlynn and Meghan Gill (twins), Saratoga Springs, 3^rd place
Bobbie Flewelling and Marlee DeJesus, both of Queensbury, 4^th place
Liz Lewis and Jacob Saltsman, both of Galway, 5^th place

Small Engine Repair
Brandon Smith, Salem, 1^st place
John Vogel, Waterford, 2^nd place

Welding
Nick Cannito, Ballston Spa, 3^rd place
Josh Chapleski, Glens Falls, 5^th place.

High school students vie for equipment and scholarship money at the regional SkillsUSA competition, held on March 17 at Schenectady County Community College.

Alternative High School students raise money for local Red Cross chapter

John Johnson, left, the major gifts officer with the Adirondack Saratoga Chapter of the American Red Cross, accepts a donation from students at the Alternative High School. The students are, from left, Joe Podmore of Hudson Falls, Paul Davis of Salem, Ashley Hill of Argyle, Jenna Burch of Whitehall, Andi Rivett and Greg Towers, both of Queensbury.

HUDSON FALLS, March 5, 2010 -- The Student Council from the Alternative High School, located at the Southern Adirondack Education Center, raised and donated $70 to the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

On Friday, March 5, the students presented John Johnson, major gifts officer, with the check from the February sales of cupcakes, candy and flowers. In exchange, Mr. Johnson bestowed upon them a certificate of appreciation from the Adirondack Saratoga American Red Cross Chapter.

“A lot of people think about donating to Haiti,” said Mr. Johnson. “That’s great. But there is a need here too. We help people who are victims of fire, providing them with shelter, food and clothing until they get back on their feet.”

In addition, the Red Cross keeps the emergency blood banks stocked. The local Red Cross also provides health and safety programs, babysitting classes, as well as medical supplies to anyone in need.

“We wanted to do something for our local community,” said Martha Noordsy, the computer lab instructor at the Alternative High School, who oversaw the students in the kitchen. “We chose the Red Cross because they do a lot of good work here.”

Katie Baker, Kayla Burt, Dave Chenier, Heather Prosser, Andi Rivett and Greg Towers baked and frosted 112 cupcakes. For two days, students took turns manning the sales table with vanilla and chocolate cupcakes topped with three flavors of homemade frosting. Also helping out the cause were students Jenna Burch, Paul Davis, Ashley Hill and Joe Podmore.

The Alternative High School serves 65 high school students who have behavioral and emotional needs.

WSWHE BOCES Board of Education Announces Finalist for

District Superintendent Position

Fort Edward, March 1, 2010 — After an extensive search, the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES Board of Education has narrowed its search for a new district superintendent following the retirement of Dr. John Stoothoff last July.

The Board of Education expects to conduct a final interview and discussion on March 10, 2010 with James P. Dexter, who is currently the superintendent of Ichabod Crane Central School District. Following a comprehensive interview process, Mr. Dexter has received verbal approval from the New York State Education Commissioner David M. Steiner.

For more information, please contact WSWHE BOCES Interim District Superintendent Dr. Charles S. Dedrick at 862-4901.

SkillsUSA Regional Competition set for March 17 at SCCC

WHO: 400 career and technical students from 12 area high schools from Albany to Plattsburgh. 140 from the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES in Saratoga Springs and Hudson Falls will compete. 
Participating students come from many area communities including Saratoga Springs, Queensbury, Mechanicville, Glens Falls, Galway and Stillwater.

WHAT: SkillsUSA Regional Competition

WHEN: 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. Competition followed by a 2 p.m. award’s ceremony

WHERE: Schenectady County Community College, Route 5, Schenectady

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT:  Students must demonstrate their hands-on skills in more than 30 career categories including cosmetology, culinary arts, carpentry, engine repair, floral design and welding. Students will be judged by business and industry leaders.

Winners on the regional level advance to the state competition on April 14 and 15 in Syracuse where they can win scholarships.

SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, unites students and teachers with industry leaders. They work together to ensure America has a skilled work force while inspiring students excel in their chosen careers.

Area students win Local SkillsUSA Competitions and head to Regionals

Photo caption: L: Burgandy Smith puts the finishing touches on her birthday cake created in her culinary arts class as part of the local competition. R: Winning students from SAEC gather outside of their school after an awards ceremony recognizing their skills.

SARATOGA SPRINGS and HUDSON FALLS, February 12, 2010 – Approximately 140 Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES students have won their local SkillsUSA competition.

The local competitions, which took place at the F. Donald Myers Education Center and the Southern Adirondack Education Center (SAEC), is open to WSWHE BOCES high school students studying for careers in trade, technical and skilled services jobs including work in the health, technology and culinary fields. The competition measures a students hands-on skill at the art of cake baking, welding, floral arranging, plumbing and carpentry as well as interviewing for jobs and public speaking.

Students prepare for the competition for months, often staying after school to be coached by their teachers. The competition is on par with an athletic match up, allowing the best of the students to move onto regional, state and national competitions.

Those who placed on the local level will qualify for the regional showdown on Wednesday, March 17, at Schenectady County Community College, Schenectady. There, students will be given an assignment that must be completed within a set time frame. They will be judged by business and industry leaders.

Winners at the day-long regionals, which will include 400 students from 12 schools from Albany to Plattsburgh, will go onto Syracuse for the state SkillsUSA competition in April. State winners, which in years past have included many WSWHE BOCES students, will advance to the national competition in Kansas City.

SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, is devoted to rewarding students for excellence, for involving industry in directly evaluating student performance and in keeping career training relevant to employers’ needs.

Below is the list of winners from both the Myers and the Southern Adirondack centers. Please note that every entry includes the student’s name, home school district, how they placed and their field of study.

The top winners at Myer were:

In Action Skills (hands-on demonstrations)
Zack Button, Galway, 1^st place in Conservation and Forestry
Jordan Guerreo, Mechanicville, 2^nd place in Criminal Justice
Victor Loarca, Saratoga Springs, 3^rd place in Horticulture

In Extemporaneous Speech
Zach Henry, Waterford, 1^st place in Auto Technology
Kamal Stanley, Saratoga Springs, 2^nd place in HVAC/R
Walter Hatz, Waterford, 3^rd place in Graphic Arts

In Job Interview
Raven Andreine, Waterford, 1^st place in Horticulture
Andrew Gendron, Ballston Spa, 2^nd place in Auto Technology
Matt Lyons, Mechanicville, 3^rd place in Horticulture

In Job Skills Demonstration
Kevin Terry, Galway, 1^st place in the open competition in Conservation and Forestry
Nick Farfaglia, Saratoga Springs, 1^st place in Culinary Arts
Michael Marzello, Corinth, 2^nd place in Auto Technology
Nick Gosselin, Hudson Falls, 3^rd place in Information Technology

In Prepared Speech
Bridget Olyer, Galway, 1^st place in Horticulture
Alexis Bechtel, Saratoga Springs, 2^nd place in Criminal Justice
Rachel West, Saratoga Springs, 3^rd place in Criminal Justice

In Promotional Bulletin Boards
Liz Lewis and Jacob Saltsman, Galway, 1^st place in Graphic Arts
Kaitlyn and Megan Gill, Saratoga Springs, 2^nd place in Graphic Arts
Brad Hartman, Saratoga Springs, 3^rd place in Conservation and Forestry

In Related Technical Math
Chris Stanton, Saratoga Springs, 1^st place in Horticulture
Zach Desourdy, Hudson Falls, 2^nd place in Information Technology
Phil Zabielski, Saratoga Springs, 3^rd place in Information Technology

Top winners at SAEC were:

In Action Skills (hands-on demonstration)
Sarah Maille, Glens Falls, 1^st place in Cosmetology
Sara Diffee, Granville, 1^st place in Cosmetology
Kellie Zellars, Granville, 2^nd place in Early Childhood Education
Christina Keeley, Hartford, 2^nd place in Cosmetology
Brittany Coons, Lake George, 3^rd place in Cosmetology

In Extemporaneous Speech
Ben Alden, Queensbury, 1^st place in Culinary Arts
Brittany Viele, Granville, 1^st place in Horticulture
Kendra Harrington, Queensbury, 2^nd place in Cosmetology
Corley Pecue, Bruno, 2^nd place in Cosmetology
Scott Martich, Queensbury, 3^rd place in Graphic Arts
Tesa Beck, Battesh, 3^rd place in Early Childhood Education

In Job Interview
Xenia Wieland, Queensbury, 1^st place in Health Occupations
Caitlin Myott, Greenwich, 2^nd place in Cosmetology
Courtney Mastrodomenico, Lake George, 3^rd place in Cosmetology

In Job Skill Demonstration
John Johnson, Glens Falls, 1^st place in Culinary Arts
Brittany Sheridan, Lake George, 1^st place in Culinary Arts
Mackenzie Cifone, Glens Falls, 2^nd place in Cosmetology
Brittany Viele, Granville, 2^nd place in Horticulture
Josie Giammatteo, Glens Falls, 3^rd place in Cosmetology

In Job Skills Demonstration open class
Brooke Barber, Queensbury, 1^st place in Cosmetology
Kirsten Morehouse, Warrensburg, 1^st place in Cosmetology
Lindsay Yole, Glens Falls, 2^nd place in Cosmetology
McKenzie Manley, Hudson Falls, 2^nd place in Cosmetology

In Prepared Speech
Brianna Norton, Queensbury, 1^st place in Health Occupations
Clarissa Porlier, Hudson Falls, 1^st place in Culinary Arts
Victoria Antoine, Hudson Falls, 2^nd place in Health Occupations
Melissa Baker, Lake George, 3^rd place in Cosmetology

In Promotional Bulletin Boards
Alycia Howe, Queensbury, 1^st place in Cosmetology
Marlee DeJesus and Robert Flewelling, Queensbury, 2^nd place in Early Childhood Education
Rebecca Parker, Warrensburg, and Kelsey Hamblin, North Warren, 3^rd place in Early Childhood Education

In Related Technical Math
Paul McNeill, Queensbury, 1^st place in Graphic Arts
Cassie Steves, Whitehall, 1^st place in Health Occupations
Jordan Long, Glens Falls, 2^nd place in Graphic Arts
Eric Smith, Warrensburg, 2^nd place in Construction Trades
Ray Genier, Queensbury, 3^rd place in Welding
Mosises Aguero, Fort Ann, 3^rd place in Construction Trades

Please note that SAEC students divided their competition between morning and afternoon students, thus two first place winners, two second place winner, etc.

SAEC students also competed within their own classrooms.

Myers Education Center’s Conservation and Forestry Students Donate Their Earnings to the Children’s Hospital

ALBANY, February 4, 2010 -- The Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program located at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, is donating $500 to the Log-A-Load-For-Kids, which supports the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

The Log-A-Load-For-Kids charity is a program created by America's renewable resource community to bring about miracles for our most precious resource, our children. The effort unites loggers and other forestry personnel with forestry organizations and associations to raise money for local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

This is an ideal charity for the Myers conservation and forestry students who each year, as part of their training, conduct a small timber harvest to help manage Saratoga County Reforestation Land. The Environmental Conservation & Forestry’s FFA club receives proceeds from the sale of harvested firewood and sawlogs. This year, after reading about the Log-A-Load-For-Kids campaign, the students decided to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

The Environmental Conservation & Forestry program at the F. Donald Myers Education Center, part of the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, prepares students for environmental conservation and forestry related career opportunities and/or post-secondary education.  The curriculum is diversified, accomplished at transforming theory into hands-on application that ultimately leads to a variety of entrepreneurial and/or community service projects.

Students work on site in such locations as wood lots, recreation fields, and wildlife management areas, where they apply theory into practice.

The Environmental Conservation & Forestry program is designed to operate using the Best Management Practices of the industry. Students address environmental concerns and productivity issues while progressively building competencies in both knowledge and skill. Students are prepared for workplace skills such as team-work, problem-solving, decision-making, and time-management. They also acquire the skills necessary to work safely in environmental conservation or forestry fields.

In addition to managing approximately 200 acres of Saratoga County Reforestation Land in the towns of Wilton and Northumberland, the students work on community projects throughout the year at numerous recreation and nature trail areas. This includes the New York State Tree Nursery and Wilton Wildlife Park and Preserve in the fall and spring.

200 Area Students Meet in Leadership Conference

LAKE GEORGE, February 4, 2010 – Students from 23 area schools convened at a Leadership Conference on Thursday, February 4, at the Great Escape Lodge in Lake George. Hosted by the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, 200 students participated in workshops and activities led by youth motivational speaker, mountain climber and author John Beede.

The author of “Climb On: Success Strategies for Teens” aimed to inspire students to take on leadership roles in their schools and community. He spoke to them on picking goals, making a plan to accomplish those goals and then taking the steps to fulfill the plans for their goals.

Beede then led the students through exercises that will sharpen their ability to be true to their goals and to follow through with them.

The students were selected by their teachers and guidance counselors to attend the conference. They came from Argyle, Bolton, Corinth, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Glens Falls, Granville, Greenwich, Hartford, Hudson Falls, Indian Lake, Minerva, North Warren, Queensbury, Schuylerville, South Glens Falls, Stillwater, Warrensburg, Waterford-Halfmoon, Whitehall, WSWHE BOCES Alternative High School, WSWHE BOCES F. Donald Myers Education Center and WSWHE BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center.

Renee Peattie, a guidance counselor at the BOCES Alternative High, said the selection process is often a surprise to the students. Many don’t consider themselves leaders.

“It’s not about being the most popular or outgoing,” said Peattie. “We identify students that have the potential to be leaders and who will bring these skills back to school.”

Elizabeth Jones, a health occupations student at BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center, said she was thrilled to be part of the conference.

“It pushes you to reach your potential,” said Elizabeth, who was one of 28 students who planned the event with WSWHE BOCES. “We are hearing things we need to hear, like believe in yourself. It’s fun too.”

Students Honored for Artistic and Literary Accomplishments at Skidmore College

Above Cover of the 2009 Talent Unlimited Art and Literary Journal, by Adam Watson, Grade 9, Schuylerville Central School

Hudson Falls, February 4, 2010 – WSWHE BOCES Gifted & Talented Programs honors 100 students in grades 7-12 from 20 school districts at the Talent Unlimited Recognition Ceremony. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 9 from 6-9 pm in Palamountain Hall at Skidmore College.

The students will showcase stories, essays, poems, illustrations, and photographs that span a broad range of subject matters and student experiences throughout the evening. Honorees and guests will also enjoy remarks from guest speaker Paul Pines, author of the novels Tin Angel and Redemption, and a memoir, My Brother’s Madness, in addition to many volumes of poetry, essays and translations.

The evening will conclude with a presentation to the honorees, where they will receive the first copies of the 2009 Talent Unlimited Art and Literary Journal.

Students selected for the 24th annual BOCES Literary Arts Journal include, Haley Ahl, South Glens Falls; Jenna Badgley, Cambridge; Amanda Baker, Shenendehowa; Kristen Balschunat, Queensbury; Heather Barcomb, South Glens Falls; Meghan Barton, Hudson Falls; David Bellefeuille, Schuylerville; Alexis Best, Glens Falls; Megan Black, Fort Edward; Madison Blodgett, South Glens Falls; Jordan Breen, Schuylerville; Catie Brown, Glens Falls; Gabe Buckley, Cambridge; Mary-Kate Carr, Queensbury; Katelyn Caruso-Sharpe, Galway; Lisa Cassidy, Ballston Spa; Samantha Combs, Queensbury; Emily Crosier, Salem; Emma Decotis, Ballston Spa; Kelsea Denoncart, Cambridge; Donna-Rae Dessaint, Hartford; Diana DiLoreto, Saratoga Springs; Liz Doyle, Queensbury; Kendall Eddy, Fort Edward; Olivia Ek, Schuylerville; Courtney Fedorchak, Ballston Spa; Christopher Ferguson, Galway; Rachel Field, Schuylerville; Kai Feldstein, The Waldorf School; Dana Foucault, Shenendehowa; Mariana Gibaldi, Queensbury; Michael Giordano, Cambridge; Jacob Goldstone, Cambridge; Megan Goodspeed, Fort Ann; Serena Grant, Shenendehowa; Krissy Haag, Ballston Spa; Victoria Hafner, Queensbury; Jaimee Hafele, Hartford; Sara Hanehan, Schuylerville; Elisa Hannan, Shenendehowa; Morgan Harris, Warrensburg; Stephen Henderson, Glens Falls; Robert Hendricks, Fort Edward; Rafael Hernandez, Southern Adirondack Education Center; Lilly Hough, Lake George; Sarah Hutchins, South Glens Falls; Angela Isaac, Galway; Jessica Jablonski, Lake George; Allyssa Jackson, Ballston Spa; Delaney Jamrog, Schuylerville; Ben Johns, Saratoga Springs; Conor Kennedy, Cambridge; Caitlyn Kenney, North Warren; Brandon Kraeling, Salem; Sarah LaBella, Ballston Spa; Marisa Langlois, Saratoga Springs; Jeannette LaPointe, South Glens Falls; Katie Lasak, Galway; Caitlyn Lemery, Hudson Falls; Noelle LeRoy, Schuylerville; Lily Marks, Shenendehowa; Megan Mastrodomenico, Lake George; Brielle Matthews, Galway; Carissa Miller, Schuylerville; Emilie Milne, Southern Adirondack Education Center; Bridges Mitchell, Saratoga Springs; Katie Mooradian, Shenendehowa; Max Morgan, Galway; Akitsune Moriyama, Galway; Isabelle O'Donnell, The Waldorf School; Ian Parker, Ballston Spa; Brady Pelky, Hudson Falls; Robert Petit, Hartford; Danielle Pidgeon, Queensbury; Garret Pipizynski, Shenendehowa; Caitlin Pruess, Glens Falls; Amelia Reynolds, Ballston Spa; Devon Rinn, Queensbury; Alexander Rivet, Saratoga Springs; William Roberts, Queensbury; Alyssa Schaff, Glens Falls; Reinhold Schaperjahn, Galway; Hannah Squires, Schuylerville; Megan Stevens, Saratoga Springs; Abbie Stoner, Saratoga Springs; Elizabeth Sullivan, Lake George; Robert Taft, Fort Edward; Will Thomas, Cambridge; Nicholas Toney, Ballston Spa; Michael Ventriello, Ballston Spa; Eliza Walp, North Warren; Adam Watson, Schuylerville; Brooke White, Galway; Emily Williams, Queensbury; Patrick Witherbee, Lake George; Derek Wojtkun, Cambridge; Katelyn Wood, Whitehall; and Sean Young, Warrensburg.

This event and publication are made possible by the Talent Unlimited Editorial and Art Steering Committees, in conjunction with the Skidmore College Honors Forum. 

Selected students to meet at BOCES Leadership Conference in Lake George

LAKE GEORGE, January 27, 2010 – Students from around the region will join together at the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES’s annual Student Leadership Conference from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Great Escape Lodge, Route 9.

A maximum of six students from 31 area school districts, in grades 6 to 12, will participate in the day-long event which will open with a keynote speaker John Beede and continue with student-directed activities.

This year’s theme, Climb to Success, is inspired by Beede, a mountain climber who has embarked on several life-threatening adventures. He has transformed his experiences into life and leadership lessons that he shares with youth. In so doing, he has become one of the most sought-after, high-energy motivational speakers in America. In addition to being a speaker and climber, Beede has authored the book,  “Climb On: Dynamic Strategies for Teen Success.”

At the conference, students will have a chance to discuss their goals with Beede.

Press is invited to attend the conference. RSVP with Wendy Liberatore at 746-3853. Lunch will be provided.

NYSERDA offers energy smart workshops for teachers 

SARATOGA SPRINGS, January 8, 2010 – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will lead five workshops for teachers throughout the month of March at Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, 27 Gick Road.

The workshops are meant to help teachers, K-12, integrate energy saving and conservation into their everyday curriculum. Each workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

“Energy Smart Student Workshops” themes and dates are:

“ABCs of Energy” for grades K-3 on Tuesday, March 9

“4Es of Energy” for grades 4 to 6 on Wednesday, March 10

“Energy Trilogy” for grades 7 to 12 on Thursday, March 11

“Focus on Solar” for grades 5 to 8 on Wednesday, March 17

“Focus on Solar” for grades 9 to 12 on Thursday, March 18.

The fee is $20. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Materials and a substitute reimbursement will be provided by NYSERTA.

To register, contact Marcia Whitney at WSWHE BOCES at 581-3759 or email her at mwhitney@wswheboces.org

Noted forensic pathologist is keynote speaker at Criminal Justice Studies event

ALBANY, January 10, 2010 – Dr. Michael Baden, the former chief medical examiner of New York City and current co-director of the New York State Police Medico-Legal Investigation Unit, will give the keynote address at the 2010 Criminal Justice Studies/Technical Education Career Instructors Conference, on Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center. 

Dr. Baden was the chairman of Forensic Pathology Panel of the U.S. Congress Select Committee on Assassinations that re-investigated the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1970s. He was the forensic pathologist member of a team of U.S. forensic scientists asked by the Russian government to examine the newly found remains of Tsar Nicholas II, Alexandra and the Romanov family in the 1990s. He has been an expert in multiple Iraq-related court martials in the United States and Baghdad. In addition, he has been called to investigate the deaths of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, John Belushi, Yankee manager Billy Martin, Marlon Brando’s son Christian Brando, O.J. Simpson, Jayson Williams, Kobe Bryant, Robert Blake, and Las Vegas hotel owner Ted Binion.

The conference, hosted by the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, unites the criminal justice instructors from the 28 BOCES throughout the state. The three-day event, which runs through Saturday, will also feature talks on the integration of science into the field of criminal justices and the combating of hate crimes.

Mr. Bob Sternfeld, criminal justice instructor at the Southern Adirondack Education Center, arranged the event. He and Dr. Baden are available for interviews.

WSWHE BOCES Coordinator for Data Analysis Services Earns SPSS Certification to Better Help Area Schools

SARATOGA SPRINGS, December 2, 2009  ‑- Nicole Catapano, Ph.D., Coordinator for Data Analysis Services with Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, has been recognized by SPSS, an IBM Company, as “IBM SPSS Statistics Certified.”

She earned this designation by successfully completing an examination covering essential skills in using IBM SPSS Statistics for data analysis. The software package, in which she is well-versed, is geared toward analyzing social sciences data.

Since January 2003, Dr. Catapano has been working for the WSWHE BOCES, assisting 31 component districts in the analysis, interpretation, and use of data. In this role, Dr. Catapano provides staff development to teachers and administrators regarding student related performance data, surveys, and classroom assessments. She and her staff analyze responses to more than 7,000 individual surveys and 50,000 exams each year.

Recently, her office was highlighted in a customer profile on the SPSS website. Through the implementation of IBM SPSS software, her office can analyze the nuances of free-response questions and answers as well as large datasets of survey and assessment information from multiple sources. Regarding IBM SPSS Text Analytics for Surveys, Dr. Catapano noted, “We cut the time required to analyze a project from about two days to only 45 minutes. Our resulting conversations were streamlined and allowed us to focus on strengths and concerns.”

The IBM SPSS Statistics Certification program was introduced in November 2009 by SPSS. It creates a body of statistical knowledge that advances the skills of analysts, statisticians and business line managers across any industry. SPSS is a leader in predictive analytics and is used by schools, businesses and government worldwide to predict future events and drive better outcomes.

By incorporating SPSS Predictive Analytics into daily operations, schools are better able to direct and automate decisions to meet goals and achieve measurable competitive advantage.

Nicole Catapano earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology, with an emphasis on social psychology, from the University of Connecticut. Prior to WSWHE BOCES, Nicole was the Assistant Director of the University at Albany’s Evaluation Consortium and the Director of Institutional Research and Planning at Adirondack Community College.

BOCES Offers Autism Certification for Administrators and Teachers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, December 4, 2009 – In response to the growing number of children being diagnosed with autism, the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES will offer a certification course for administrators and teachers who are assigned to special education positions.

The three-hour program, offered monthly at WSWHE BOCES’ Conference Center at 27 Gick Road, will be led by Dr. Kate Abbott, the principal for special programs for special needs learners. The “enhanced training for autism,” as it is known, is approved by the State Education Department and will cover the needs of children with autism. Administrators and teachers are often required by law to have this certification.

In the autism certification course, Dr. Abbott shares her experiences as a teacher and special education administrator as they relate to best practices for students with autism.  

The dates for the Gick Road training are Tuesdays, December 15, January 19, March 16, April 20, May 18 and June 15. The class runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The fee is $50 per person.

Participants can register by contacting Ann Williams by mail at 27 Gick Road, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, by phone at 746-3711 or 581-3711 or via email at awilliams@wswheboces.org.

In addition to the Gick Road training, Dr. Abbott is also available to travel to districts in need of the coursework. On site, the fee will remain $50 per person.

At WSWHE BOCES, Dr. Abbott oversees BEARS (an autism program), component classes and the preschools for WSWHE BOCES.  Dr. Abbott is an educational psychologist who currently administers educational programs for students with autism disabilities from ages three to twenty-one. She has previously served as a committee for special education chairperson and a special education teacher.

Dr. Abbott is an alumni of The College of Saint Rose, where she earned her bachelor’s in special education and psychology. She went onto the University at Albany where she achieved her Ph.D. in educational psychology and methodology.

In addition, Dr. Abbott has taught a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses at the University at Albany and Sage Graduate School.

WSWHE BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center’s Holiday Food Drive a Great Success

Hudson Falls, November 30, 2009 – The Southern Adirondack Education Center’s holiday food drive was a great success, feeding over 30 local families for Thanksgiving.  School Nurse Sally O’Donnell, organizes and coordinates the food drive efforts each year to help feed families related to Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, specifically current high school and adult students.

Prior to the holiday, teachers make confidential recommendations of students’ families that may need assistance. Families are provided with all the essentials to make an amazing Thanksgiving meal, including turkey or ham, produce, bread, canned goods, stuffing, beverages, and desserts. The students from the Culinary Arts & Hospitality class supplied homemade pumpkin pies and the teachers donated fund for the purchase of produces and meats.

Retiree Denise Lee volunteered her time, as she does each year, packaging the food items and prepping them for pick up before the Thanksgiving Recess. This year, she even brought her daughter visiting from Westchester to join in the holiday spirit.

Thanks to Sally’s efforts, the donations of food and time from students, teachers, and staff, as well as community members – the Holiday Food Drive continues to be a success.

Tractor Pull Champion Burt Stannard shows off his ride

SARATOGA SPRINGS, November 24, 2009 – Tractor Puller Burt Stannard, a champion in his sport, revealed the secrets of his Farmall power to the 60 Heavy Equipment students at WSWHE BOCES. Stannard, a dairy farmer from Valley Falls, took the skirt off his tractor’s sanctioned body to discuss the enhancements to its engine, drive shaft, cooling and fuel systems. He also discussed special machine shop work done to customize stock parts as well as the importance of safety.

 Many of the alternations to the tractor are trade secrets that Stannard was happy to share with the students who are studying the repair, operation, maintenance and safety of such large equipment as school buses, dump trucks and backhoes.

 Stannard’s tractor, dubbed Determination, can pull up to 120,000 pounds. After 19 years of pulling, the power puller ranks as one of the top five in North America with frequent wins in Canada and the northeast.

“Burt has super knowledge when it comes to horse power,” said Greg Hammond, the BOCES instructor who co-teaches with Ken Brooks. “We are about to introduce more high powered equipment, Burt gives a great introduction.”

Hammond went on to say that many of his students are involved in tractor pulls already.

“This gives them a goal and it shows them if they work hard, they can apply their knowledge.”

United States Air Force Brings the X-1 Mustang to the SAEC Campus

As part of the “Air Force Super Car Tour” the United States Air Force brought their eye-catching X-1 Mustang for students to explore. The Air Force hopes that this super car will help students understand that there are over 130 specialized careers including mechanical, technology, engineering, and electronics.

Pictured above (left to right): Kody Brown, Granville; Jacob Mallory, Granville; Mallory Garrison, Granville; Michael Hawley, Lake George; and Adam Burlew, Whitehall

8th Degree Black Belt demonstrates Hop Gar techniques to WSWHE BOCES Criminal Justice Students

Mitchell Berg and Sifu Steven Nacua demonstrate Philippine-based Balintawak or “stick” fighting to students of the WSWHE BOCES, Southern Adirondack Education Center Criminal Justice Class.

Hudson Falls, NY – On Tuesday, November 17, students from Bob Sternfeld’s Criminal Justice class enjoyed class demonstrations and hands-on exercises from Sifu Steven Nacua, 8th degree black belt and owner of the Hop Gar Kung Fu Academy in downtown Glens Falls.
 
Nacua, assisted by two of his students, Tony Jenkins and Mitchell Berg, demonstrated Tibetan-based Hop Gar and Philippine-based Balintawak techniques that have been used to train local and national law enforcement agencies, from corrections to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
 
“Our main focus is not so much on martial arts. The focus is to teach the student discipline, self confidence, and then martial arts, ” as he described understanding Hop Gar.
 
Concluding the demonstrations, students had the opportunity to get hands-on training on the various techniques, including pressure point grabbing and basic “stick” fighting.
 
Justin Caban of Queensbury said the most interesting part of the session was “learning how to control my energy without using strength.” Under Mr. Nacua’s guide students were shown that many basic self-defense moves rely more on the understanding of physics and the manipulation of energy, instead of strength and size.
 
The students gained a valuable lesson in using simple and effective self-defense techniques while being exposed to two cultures and martial art forms. It also gave the students a rare opportunity to work with an 8th degree black belt and master instructor, Steve Nacua.

BOCES Construction Trades Builds a House at the Myers Center

SARATOGA SPRINGS, November 2, 2009 – The 23 students of Construction Trades at the F. Donald Myers Education Center, 15 Henning Road, are building a house. Throughout the year, the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES students, under the tutelage of instructor Art Erbe, will erect a modular home that will eventually be sold and transported to its permanent location.

Erbe has spent the last two years trying to secure a home for his students, which is he says is critical for teaching them the hands-on skills required to enter the field of construction. Saratoga Rotary Club offered to sponsor the project, paying for all the materials necessary to complete the building. During construction at the Myers Center, the Rotary Club will seek a buyer for the one-story home that measures 48-by-26 feet.

While Erbe’s class will do most the work, Jeff Rescott’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration students will install the plumbing and electric.

“I’m ecstatic this is happening,” said Erbe who has taught at the BOCES Myers Center for three years. “It’s been a long-time in coming. I can’t tell you how excited I am. The students can’t learn inside a classroom. They need to apply their skills, hands-on. It’s great.”

For those who are skeptical of a house that students built, Erbe said concerns are unfounded. As an instructor in the construction trades for more than a decade, he said his students are supervised through the whole process. They are also schooled in all the correct and most up-to-date methods.

“I’ve had inspectors tell me that the students’ houses are better constructed than those built by the professionals,” said Erbe. “We are not working on a bunch of houses that have to be built quickly. We have one house that we are doing right.”

Master Chefs from CIA Demonstrated Techniques, Shared Secrets with WSWHE BOCES Culinary Students

PHOTO:CHEF FREDERIC SONNENSCHMIDT AND CHEF AMANDA HAMMONDS

HUDSON FALLS, November 34 2009 – Three chefs from the Culinary Institute of America shared their love for food and their techniques to prepare sweet and savory creations with 82 area culinary students from the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.

On Tuesday morning, master chef Frederic “Fritz” Sonnenschmidt along with ambassador chefs Amanda Hammonds and Paul Jean Prosperi created edible masterpieces at Southern Adirondack Education Center (SAEC), 1051 Dix Ave. The students, taught by chef Charles Jones at SAEC and chef Maureen Clancy at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs, watched two cooking and one pastry demonstration, which covered searing chicken, reducing and seasoning aromatic sauces, whipping up chocolate mousse and sautéing shrimp with a warm bean and corn salad.

 “It’s all about exposure,” said CIA chef Amanda Hammonds. “What we do is we want to motivate and share with the students.”

 Chef Jones from SAEC, who arranged the biennial program, agreed. He feels it’s important not only for the students to see top chefs at work, but for them to understand the diversity and viability of a career in the highly competitive culinary field.

At each station, the chefs demonstrated various techniques like butterflying chicken, melting chocolate so that it avoids turning granular, and seasoning shrimp. The chefs also shared their philosophies about the art of cooking.

 Certified Master Chef Sonnenschmidt discussed how each chef should embrace and share his or her own ethnic background with those he serves. He also urged students to ask questions and experiment with their flavor predilections to create innovative dishes. He likened cooking to composing music. 

“There are only 12 notes,” he said. “It’s how you combine them. If you know the basics, you can create anything.”

Chef Hammonds emphasized seasonal, sustainable or organic ingredients when considering a menu.

 “The market is demanding it,” said Chef Hammonds. “People are more educated. They want to know where their food is coming from and if it is organic. Organic demand in the last year has risen by 30 percent. The world is moving away from big box stores to going back to the local butcher and baker. Chefs have to be aware.”

 Finally, Chef Prosperi highlighted artistry in the creation of his mousse – both white and dark chocolate, topped with whipped cream and fanciful swirls of ganache.

In addition to the demonstrations, students attended a session with a CIA admission officer, Brianna Felton, who discussed both the two-year and the four-year program at the school, located in Hyde Park, New York, with the WSWHE BOCES students.

 “This program is nice because it puts all the students together,” said Chef Clancy of Myers. “We don’t often get to do things together.  We get together, see different chefs, see a different school. It’s a large group effort and very educational.”

In the spring, students from the culinary program at Myers Center will travel to the CIA to further their knowledge of the vast world of food and flavor.

 Larry Lopez, director of the National Student Organizations (NSOs) and International Relations NSOs, felt the program provides a vital link between students, chefs and food.

“Events like this are about the students,” he said. “It lets them relate directly to food and its preparation.”

 BIOS OF THE CHEFS

 FREDERIC "FRITZ" SONNENSCHMIDT, C.M.C. is the retired culinary dean at the CIA. PRIVATE Chef Sonnenschmidt has served the CIA as chef-instructor, department chair for garde manger, meat operation, and first year cooking and associate director of Continuing Education. As culinary dean, Chef Sonnenschmidt worked with both the students and faculty to enhance the professional development of students at the college. Chef Sonnenschmidt was also involved in the Gourmet Society, a student club he formed at the CIA in 1968.

A native of Germany, Chef Sonnenschmidt is a Certified Master Chef (C.M.C.), the highest certification bestowed by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Chef Sonnenschmidt is a 2005 inductee into the Hall of Fame of the American Academy of Chefs, the ACF’s honor society. He has earned numerous honors, including being named 1994 ACF Chef of the Year. As a member of the U.S. Culinary Olympic Team, he won gold medals at the International Culinary Competition in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1976, 1984, and 1988. He is the co-author of The Professional Chef's Art of Garde Manger and Dining with Sherlock Holmes.

AMANDA HAMMONDS is a culinary demonstrator with the Admissions Department of The CIA. She is responsible for culinary demonstrations for prospective students and community groups. She is a graduate from the CIA with an associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts in 1996. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Prior to joining the CIA in 2006, Amanda was an executive pastry chef at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN; the Woodlands in Summerville, SC; and the Basin Harbour Club in Vergennes, VT. From 2002 to 2006, she was proprietor of Sweet Caroline Cookie Company in Indianapolis, IN.

PAUL JEAN PROSPERI is a baking and pastry art professor at the CIA. A graduate of the Ministere de l’education Nationale in Paris, he has also taught at the Anahuac University in Mexico City, Mexico, and at the Hotel School Senac in Sao Pedro, Brazil.  He has also served as an executive pastry chef at the Essex House Hotel in New York City and as assistant pastry chef at Fortnum & Mason in London and Fauchon Patisserie in Paris.

He is a baking and pastry consultant for L’Ecole le Notre in France and a member of the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique. He has won several awards including Salon Culinaire of the Medal of French Government in New York City and the Gold Medal from Societe Culinaire Philanthropique.

Master Chefs from CIA Cook with WSWHE BOCES Culinary Students

HUDSON FALLS, October 29, 2009 – Culinary students from the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES will watch three chefs from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) create edible masterpieces at Southern Adirondack Education Center (SAEC).

On Tuesday, November 3, Certified Master Chef Frederic “Fritz” Sonnenschmidt along with ambassador chefs Paul Jean Prosperi and Amanda Hammonds will demonstrate the art of cooking to 90 students from SAEC and its sister school, the F. Donald Myers Education Center.

From 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., students will learn from chefs as they whip up chocolate mousse, sauté shrimp, roast chicken and reduce sauces. The students will also have a chance to discuss the admission process with officials from the CIA, which is located in Hyde Park, New York.

In preparation of Tuesday’s event, students will prep the ingredients for the chefs.

Chef Charles Jones, the culinary arts instructor at the SAEC, arranges this program biennially in order to better guide his students through the diverse and competitive field of culinary arts. He works in conjunction with Myers instructor Chef Maureen Clancy. 

BIOS OF THE CHEFS:

FREDERIC "FRITZ" SONNENSCHMIDT, C.M.C. (above) is the retired culinary dean at the CIA. PRIVATE Chef Sonnenschmidt has served the CIA as chef-instructor, department chair for garde manger, meat operation, and first year cooking and associate director of Continuing Education. As culinary dean, Chef Sonnenschmidt worked with both the students and faculty to enhance the professional development of students at the college. Chef Sonnenschmidt was also involved in the Gourmet Society, a student club he formed at the CIA in 1968.

A native of Germany, Chef Sonnenschmidt is a Certified Master Chef (C.M.C.), the highest certification bestowed by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Chef Sonnenschmidt is a 2005 inductee into the Hall of Fame of the American Academy of Chefs, the ACF’s honor society. He has earned numerous honors, including being named 1994 ACF Chef of the Year. As a member of the U.S. Culinary Olympic Team, he won gold medals at the International Culinary Competition in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1976, 1984, and 1988. He is the co-author of The Professional Chef's Art of Garde Manger and Dining with Sherlock Holmes.

AMANDA HAMMONDS is a culinary demonstrator with the Admissions Department of The CIA. She is responsible for culinary demonstrations for prospective students and community groups. She is a graduate from the CIA with an associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts in 1996. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Prior to joining the CIA in 2006, Amanda was an executive pastry chef at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN; the Woodlands in Summerville, SC; and the Basin Harbour Club in Vergennes, VT. From 2002 to 2006, she was proprietor of Sweet Caroline Cookie Company in Indianapolis, IN.

PAUL JEAN PROSPERI is a baking and pastry art professor at the CIA. A graduate of the Ministere de l’education Nationale in Paris, he has also taught at the Anahuac University in Mexico City, Mexico, and at the Hotel School Senac in Sao Pedro, Brazil.  He has also served as an executive pastry chef at the Essex House Hotel in New York City and as assistant pastry chef at Fortnum & Mason in London and Fauchon Patisserie in Paris.

He is a baking and pastry consultant for L’Ecole le Notre in France and a member of the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique. He has won several awards including Salon Culinaire of the Medal of French Government in New York City and the Gold Medal from Societe Culinaire Philanthropique.

F. Donald Myers Education Center Reschedules Fall Open House for Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Saratoga Springs, October 20 – The F. Donald Myers Education had a fire in a small portion of the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) lab early Saturday morning, which caused smoke damage to one section of the building.

School officials are taking all necessary steps to remediate before letting students return. Due to this fire, school officials have decided to postpone the F. Donald Myers Education Center Fall Open House originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2009 until Wednesday, November 18, 2009. The event will take place from 6-8pm.

The Southern Adirondack Education Center Fall Open House will proceed as planned, October 22, from 6-8pm.

The Career and Technical Education Centers are operated by the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES. WSWHE BOCES serves over 43,000 students of all ages and abilities in 31 rural and city/suburban districts, in a five-county region. Any high school student enrolled in one of the 31 component school districts is eligible for admission through his or her home school. Adults may apply to the program and location of their choice – admission is granted on a space-available basis. Financial aid is available for adult admission.

For more information on the F. Donald Myers Education Center Open House, please call 518-581-3600.
 

WSWHE BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center to Host Fall Open House

The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES will host a Fall Open House for current students and their families, as well as those interested in exploring Career & Technical Education on Thursday, October 22 at the Southern Adirondack Education Center in Hudson Falls. The event will take place from 6-8pm.

Area employers, unions, colleges, and support agencies will also be on hand to provide information about their programs and identify opportunities for the future.

The evening will also feature the progress of the Welding classroom renovations currently taking place on the SAEC campus. During the evening, we will highlight the equipment and updates to the classroom, which will truly make the classroom a state-of-the-art welding facility.

The Career and Technical Education Centers are operated by the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES. WSWHE BOCES serves over 43,000 students of all ages and abilities in 31 rural and city/suburban districts, in a five-county region. Any high school student enrolled in one of the 31 component school districts is eligible for admission through his or her home school. Adults may apply to the program and location of their choice – admission is granted on a space-available basis. Financial aid is available for adult admission.