Dutchess BOCES

Presenters from NAMI Mid-Hudson encouraged Resilience Academy students to “End the Silence” on Mental Health, sharing ways to cope with and recognize the warning signs of depression and other mental health conditions during a presentation recently as part of National Mental Health Awareness Month. They encouraged students to speak to a trusted adult at the school if they or someone they know is experiencing a mental health issue and provided a list of those people. Read more at dcboces.org.

Second-year students in CTI’s Cosmetology program spent 10 weeks coming up with proposals to open their own salons and shared digital presentations about them to the class earlier this spring. During the 10 weeks, students had to factor in operating and service costs, supplies they would need, the number of employees and environmental sustainability. Additionally, they researched the area they planned to set up shop in to determine what type of clients they would serve and who their competition would be.

Naomi Dongo, whose potential salon, Hae P***y, was named after her niece Hayden, encouraged future students to be creative with their proposals, keep organized and focus on the financial side of things. She planned to offer a loyalty program with a punch card where customers could get a free service valued at less than $60 after 10 punches.

Students from Dutchess BOCES’ Career and Technical Institute demonstrated one of the Welding & Fabrication programs welding simulators at the Council of Industry’s Manufacturing Champions Awards Breakfast and Workforce Expo last week. The school purchased two simulators recently to give students a realistic feeling of welding before they move on to use the actual welders with costly raw materials and supplies.
This annual event highlights the great work being done in manufacturing and recognizes local leaders who support the elevation of manufacturing through education and business leadership. Dutchess BOCES is a member of the Council.
Dutchess BOCES was represented by students Noah Flandreau, Noah Desilets and Timothy Dini; Director of CTE and Adult Learning Nicholas Millas; Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Denise Dzikowski; Work-Based Learning Coordinators Jason Imperiale and Sharon Myers; Welding Teacher Dempsey Burris; CTI Principal Jason Lloyd; and Adult Learning Institute Coordinator Janet Nelson.
“The students did an amazing job and represented the BOCES with knowledge and professionalism,” Millas said, adding that the agency will participate in the event next year.

Take a look, it's in a book, as students at Salt Point Center are finding out after visiting this week's Scholastic Book Fair. Students shopped for plenty of books and fun trinkets throughout the week. Teachers and staff helped them to ensure they had enough money to make the purchases. A big thank you to our parent volunteers for running the cash registers and to speech therapist Mary Jo Gallagher for coordinating the fair, which has proven to be a fun and positive experience for students.

Our first artificial intelligence conference, Leading Learning in an Intelligent World, brought about 60 educators and administrators together for a day of learning this spring. We’re offering six AI classes this summer as part of our professional development workshops through our Educational Resources division. You can see what you missed at the conference and register for upcoming classes at dcboces.org.

We are so proud of our student designers whose clothing was modeled at the “Beyond the Front Row” fashion expo at the Career and Technical Institute May 6. The show featured eye-catching, creative styles made from recycled clothes for every occassion. This year's show also had live music. The student's designs drew praise from Berkeley College Fashion Department’s Lead Faculty, Andrea Kennedy, who has over 30 years of experience. Thank you to all who had a hand in making this event a success. Read more at dcboces.org.

Students at Salt Point Center celebrated Cinco de Mayo by coloring in themed pictures and making their own maracas out of paper plates filled with beans to make them shake. Additionally, some students completed a project called “Let’s Taco ‘Bout My Name,” complete with paper tacos.

For that activity, students listened to “Cinco De Mouse-o” about a curious mouse who follows a "beany, cheese, ricey" smell to a Cinco de Mayo festival. Then, Teacher Christie Campanaro showed students a photo of a taco and asked them what kind of food it was, before explaining that it was one of many foods eaten on the holiday. Students then made their own paper taco.

This was just one of many cultural activities being offered during Cultural Appreciation Month at SPC.

Our LPN and Nursing Assistant students at the Career and Technical Institute and Adult Learning Institute are learning the latest life-saving techniques and foundational nursing skills they will need for a successful career. We want to recognize their efforts and also thank our school nurses, who care for all our students during . For information on our adult classes, visit https://dcboces.org/adult

Today is School Communicators Day and we want to thank all of you who follow us on our social media channels and encourage those who don't to do so. Our social media channels, website (dcboces.org) and our monthly Spotlight newsletter are all ways for you to keep up with all of the great things our students and staff are doing in our schools & programs and services offered by our agency. Thank you for your support - and have a great day!

Your opportunity to discover all the opportunities available in the trades in Dutchess County is TONIGHT, Wednesday, May 6! Join Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, Dutchess BOCES and more than 30 businesses and organizations from 6-8 p.m. for a Skilled Trades Fair at Dutchess BOCES Conference Center. The event is free and open to all residents of Dutchess County. See dcboces.org for more information.