| Volume 49, Issue 6 February 2015 |
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...still learning
James T. Langlois, Ed.D.
The Best Laid Plans
It seemed like such a simple, straightforward plan. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? Buy a bird feeder. Hang it from a branch of the old oak tree in the back yard. Fill it with bird seed. Then sit back and, from the warmth of our sun room, watch the colorful variety of winter birds, bright against a snowy backdrop - cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, and a whole lot of others we are still learning how to identify.
What could go wrong? Well, first the resident squirrel figured out how to make a suicidal leap from a nearby branch onto the feeder. So, we had to move the feeder even further away from the branches. Then all the birds suddenly disappeared when a hawk found the busy little gathering interesting enough to settle down on a high oak branch for a while. There was nothing we could do about the hawk. The smaller birds knew how to take care of that on their own. Just hide and wait. Finally, the deer discovered the feeder and by rearing up on their hind legs were able to brush the bottom of the feeder enough to knock some of the seeds out. That required yet another adjustment, raising the feeder up out of their reach.
For those of us in the BOCES family, whether we teach kids, support them, plow snow, pay bills or fix computers, it's a good idea to realize that, no matter how carefully or thoroughly we have planned our work, our days are filled with nosy hawks, audacious squirrels and hungry deer. And a really useful plan is one that expects to be upended on a regular basis, expects to be adjusted frequently, and that accepts the surprises that arise throughout the day.
The smooth expectations of our plans will often stumble over unanticipated, clumsy realities. Let's not react defensively, trying to fend off those realities. Instead, let's embrace and incorporate them so that our plans align better with actual reality and, in doing so, move us ever closer to excellence.
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BOCES' ELL Academy Helps Students New to the United States
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Tech Center teacher Fernando Gomez with English Language Learner Academy students. The program addresses the unique educational needs of students who have recently arrived in the United States.
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Imagine you are a student at a brand new school, sitting in a classroom trying to learn math or write an essay in a language with which you are completely unfamiliar. This difficult situation is a reality for local high school students who have recently arrived from another country.
Such academic challenges, coupled with the need to adapt to an entirely new culture, can be overwhelming, leading some newly arrived students to consider dropping out of high school. BOCES' English Language Learner Career Academy aims to help these students by providing bilingual academic and Tech Center programs.
Academic courses are taught in English and Spanish (most of the students in the ELL program are from Central and South America). "A bi-lingual approach helps the students the most," explained Fernando Gomez, ELL teacher. "The more students develop literacy in their native language, the better they develop literacy in English."
The program includes preparation for the Test Assessing Secondary Completion or TASC, which has recently replaced the General Education Development, or GED, as the main pathway to a High School Equivalency Diploma in New York. The TASC is available in English and Spanish, and questions are based on Common Core Standards in language arts, math, social studies and science.
What sets the BOCES program apart is the requirement that all ELL students select a trade as part of the program. Students can choose from courses in Auto Mechanics, Auto Body, Cosmetology, Business Computers and Home Health. "To my knowledge, we are the only BOCES to offer bilingual Tech courses," said Fernando. "Many of our students are already working, and this program allows them to develop better skills and may open doors for them in the job market."
"For students who are new to this country, who will 'age out' before they are able to earn a high school diploma, BOCES provides the opportunity for them to learn a skill, to immerse themselves in English, and to work towards earning their TASC diploma in Spanish," said Catherine Balestrieri, Director of Career & Technical Education.
"These students are struggling with many issues," said Fernando, "but every year I see them moving forward in their lives. One way or another, they are doing better because of this program."
CLICK BELOW TO VIEW THE DID YOU KNOW? VIDEO
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Solutions Inspired by Nature
Dorna Schroeter Joins Biomimicry Institute
Leadership Network
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Dorna Schroeter, the coordinator of the Center for Environmental Education, was recently invited to join the Biomimicry Institute's International Leadership Network.
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Dorna Schroeter, coordinator of BOCES' Center for Environmental Education, has been invited to join the Biomimicry Institute's International Leadership Network, a team of 40 professionals from 18 countries.
In her new role, Dorna will help coordinate the Biomimicry Educator's Network (BEN), connect educators interested in Biomimicry with the 30 regional networks around the world and help plan the 2015 Biannual International Biomimicry Summit in Texas.
A seasoned environmental educator, Dorna has offered workshops and camps on biomimicry for six years. In fact, BOCES ran the first biomimicry summer camp in the United States in 2008. Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems.
Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example of biomimicry. Other examples include Japan's famous Bullet Train, which was modeled after the beak of a kingfisher; and wind turbines modeled after the shape of a whale's fin.
To help teachers of all disciplines find ways to inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, chemists, architects, city planners and more, BOCES offers workshops on biomimicry. The workshops help teachers of all disciplines learn how to incorporate bio-design principles into their curriculum.
Local students have been introduced to biomimicry at summer camps held at the Madden Outdoor Education Center in Kent. The camp blends science, art and sustainability and shows students how engineers and designers take ideas from nature to create new clothing, cars, sustainable products and more efficient systems.
"Biomimicry is the science of today and the jobs of tomorrow," said Dorna. "Corporations are integrating biomimicry into product design, planning processes and systems because they realize it is the most sustainable way to go."
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CIA in Action
Fox Meadow Students Test the Waters at The Tech Center
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Urban Forestry teacher John Madden supervises Fox Meadow student Antoine Walker of Peekskill, as he prunes a tree on the BOCES campus (custodial worker Bob Bennett is in the background).
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Ask most 14- or 15-year-olds what they want to do "when they grow up," and you'll likely get a blank stare. Through an innovative partnership between The Tech Center and Fox Meadow High School, 9th and 10th grade Fox Meadow students can now sample an array of Tech Center programs to help them make informed choices about possible career paths.
The new program also helps qualify the students for New York State's new Career Development Occupational Studies (CDOS) commencement credential. According to Fox Meadow guidance counselor Mark Endres, the new credential aims to help students with disabilities "seek, obtain and keep a job," upon graduation from high school.
The Fox Meadow students rotate among the following programs: Medical Assistant, Urban Forestry, Construction Electricity and Computer Graphics. By the end of the year, all of the students will have a portfolio that includes an employability profile, trade-specific projects and a career plan.
"In this effort, guidance counselors, teachers and administrators from both schools have joined forces to provide instruction in various career pathways so students are better prepared to make decisions related to their future college and career choices," said Josephine Scala, Tech Center teacher and Work-Based Learning Coordinator. "By exploring various Tech programs, these younger high school students will have a better sense of which Tech programs to pursue when they become juniors."
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Construction Electricity teacher Larry Marino works with Fox Meadow student Stephen Pisanelli of Peekskill, while Randall Davis of Mt. Vernon, another Fox Meadow student, works nearby.
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In addition to their classroom rotations, the students are working with Josephine on what she refers to as "soft skills," non-academic topics related to entering the job market. "We cover things like punctuality and dressing appropriately for the workplace," explained Josephine. Students also explore salaries and growth projections for different fields using online programs such as www.careerzone.com.
"The Tech Center staff is helping these students gain knowledge about the world of work," said Josephine. "This program is giving the students more confidence in their decision-making skills and is getting them interested in future career or college possibilities."
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Jo Ann Del Brocco Retires
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Jo Ann Del Brocco was given a standing ovation and was treated to a video tribute from Walden and Pines Bridge students before a recent presentation of "The Polar Express" at Walden.
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BOCES bid a fond farewell to Jo Ann Del Brocco in January. Jo Ann served as Special Education Program Coordinator for 26 years. During a recent performance of "The Polar Express" at Walden, students and staff gave Jo Ann a standing ovation and shared a tribute video that had almost everybody in attendance reaching for their tissues.
Here, a few BOCES administrators reflect on their time working with Jo Ann:
"I had the opportunity to work with Jo Ann during my time here at BOCES as a teacher, administrative intern, and administrator. Jo Ann always brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to all that she does. Jo Ann also sees and understands the big picture, but never loses sight of the students within that picture."
Adam Van Der Stuyf, Director of Special Education and Guidance & Child Study Center
"Although we will never be able to thank Jo Ann enough for everything that she has done throughout the years, we will be forever indebted to her for her unwavering commitment to our BOCES and eternal devotion to serving our students with integrity, compassion and grace. We will long remember how she touched our lives on a daily basis with her beautiful, ever-present smile, contagious laugh and calm, easygoing manner. We will miss her dearly and wish her every happiness in her retirement and always!"
Lynn Allen, Assistant Superintendent
"Working with children with special needs requires dedication, perseverance, compassion, empathy, sensitivity, flexibility and a healthy sense of humor. Being a leader in programs that provide services to students with special needs and their families requires all of the above plus a clear vision and steady moral compass. I have worked with many educators, mental health treatment providers and leaders over the course of my professional career and I have not found any better than Jo Ann Del Brocco. We wish her all the best in her much-deserved retirement!"
Mike Sowul, Principal, Walden Learning Center
"I have truly enjoyed working with Jo Ann for the past 23 years. She is the consummate professional and above all else a 100% advocate for our students."
Bob Kelderhouse, Principal, Pines Bridge School
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Virtual Suggestion Box 
As part of the Future of BOCES Taskforce initiative, please be reminded that you are welcome to share your ideas and suggestions to boost morale and improve our collective work by using our virtual suggestion box. To access the box, go to the BOCES website at http://www.pnwboces.org/ (click the employees tab and then suggestion box) or go directly to:
http://www.pnwboces.org/SuggestionBox/Default.aspx
The virtual suggestion box is checked on a daily basis and all suggestions are carefully reviewed and considered. Suggestions of merit that are acted upon are highlighted in the BOCES Reporter.
Thanks again to all those who have used the virtual suggestion box, and keep the new ideas coming!
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APPOINTMENTS
Linda Batto, Teacher, Walden.
Brooke Chapman, Teacher, Walden.
Justin Delgado, Teacher, Walden.
Ann M.Quinones-Narcisse, Teacher, RSE-TASC.
Michel Riecke, Teaching Assistant, Walden.
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February
Birthdays
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Deborah Ashley, Sharlene Bass, Patricia Cartelli, Carol Chiara, Kathleen Connolly, Kelly Damiano, Rita DeVito, Judith Gillet, Laura Giordano, Carol Glassman, Olga Gonzalez, Janine Hoppermann, Justin Huff, Erik Krantz, Cynthia Lehr, Stefanie Longobardo, Zoraida Maloney, Gary Mancus, Michael Marchionna, Veronica McCarthy, Felecia Morris, Philip Nouvion, Teresa O'Donnell, Antonio Paone, Candice Percopo, Patricia Pfister, Nicole Pulick, Theresa Randall, Cynthia Tillman, Lisa Tobin, Doreen Trani and James Yoon.
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We hope you've enjoyed receiving the BOCES Reporter
as an email newsletter.
Our goal is to make the news and views of BOCES staff easily accessible to you.
Let us know what you think.
Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
Karen Hoffman, editor: khoffman@pnwboces.org or ext. 232
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BOCES Reporter
Dr. James Langlois, Superintendent
Valerie Laudato, Designer
Click here to visit www.pnwboces.org |
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