All County Performance a Thrill for Two Fifth Graders
Christian 
Diaz and Desiree Scretching both have the sweet and pure voices that make them standouts. The two fifth graders in the Lakewood Elementary School BOCES class recently performed with the Rockland County Elementary All-County Chorus at the NY State School Music Association All County Music Festival. The festival provides vocalists with the opportunity to perform in an ensemble with students from all over Rockland County.
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Working Toward a Scouting Badge at CTEC
First year cosmetology students at the Rockland BOCES Career and Technical Education Center earned some big points with the more than 40 Clarkstown Brownie and Girl Scouts who are working towards their "Looking Your Best" badge. With the guidance of Career Education teacher Susan Tarulli and scout leader Jen Spadavecchia, students and scouts had a memorable learning experience.
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According 
to the United States Department of Labor, healthcare is one of the fastest growing occupations, projected to add more than 3.5 million jobs through 2012. Getting a leg up on this economic trend are the students in the CTEC Certified Nurse Assistant Program, who are prepared for a rewarding future with a challenging hands-on program of study. CNA students had the chance to demonstrate their knowledge and skills at the Rockland BOCES CNA Health Fair.
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5th Annual Career Expo Provides Networking Opportunities
for BOCES Students, Local Employers
Representatives
of more than two dozen local employers filled the Jesse Kaplan School Multi-Purpose Room last week, as they talked with BOCES high school students about all types of entry level employment options in the county. The 5th annual Rockland BOCES Career Expo was attended by more than 200 students from BOCES programs, including classes from Suffern High School and the COVE Program at Tappan Zee High School.The event was organized through the cooperative efforts of Rockland BOCES Special Education, Career Education and Adult Education divisions and VESID.
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Rockland BOCES Celebrates Pi Day
High School
students brought their math smarts and sense of fun to the Jesse Kaplan school for a carnival celebrating Pi Day, commemorated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14th to pay homage to the special number 3.14, also known as Pi. It was an enriching and rewarding experience for all concerned that helped deepen the students appreciation and understanding of mathematics. And, it was fun!
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Lower Hudson Regional History Day Competition Largest Ever
Hundreds of students from 27 schools in the Lower Hudson Valley participated in the 17th Annual Lower Hudson Regional History Day on March 8th, the second tier of competition leading to National History Day in June. This year's theme "Conflict and Compromise in History" was researched and analyzed by the students and their coaches with the curiosity and tenacity that makes historical inquiry so exciting. Winners of Saturday's competition advance to the state competition May 2nd in Cooperstown, New York. Rockland BOCES annually coordinates and sponsors the History Day Program.
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Dynamic Duo Wins Big for Two Top Automakers
Patrick 
Cappelluti and Joe Sanguinetti know trouble when they see it. They're also very good at fixing it. So good, that this dynamic duo from the CTEC Automobile Technology program took first place in the 2008 National Automotive Technology Competition, not once but twice. The competition tested the skill of these students as they raced the clock to diagnose and repair problems under the hood.
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Adult Education Student Honored by NYACCE
Adult 
Education student Job Ucelo of Spring Valley has been recognized by the New York Association for Continuing Community Education (NYACCE) with an Honorable Mention as a Student of the Year. NYACCE is a professional organization which promotes continuing and community education in New York State.
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Advocates for Children and Taxpayers
Aramis Morris 
is a young man with a mission. The CBI-Tech student took a day from his studies and invested it in the future when he traveled to Albany to let legislators know first hand the difference Rockland BOCES has made in his life. The impact the Governor's proposed changes to the BOCES Aid formula will have on school districts and students was topic #1 for Aramis and the tenacious team of BOCES advocates that presented its case to Albany legislators Tuesday. The group met with Assemblymembers Ellen Jaffee, Kenneth Zebrowski and Annie Rabbitt; Senator Thomas Morahan and a representative of Assesmblymember Nancy Calhoun.
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Mangia! Spaghetti Dinner and Auction
Help send SkillsUSA students to the 2008 State Championships
by attending the 6th Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction Wednesday, March 12th from 5:30-6:30pm at the Jesse Kaplan School. Culinary students from the Career Education Center (hint: they are remarkable) are preparing the menu that includes salad, pasta and some wonderful desserts. Adults $6.00, children under 12 $3.00.
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Applied Behavior Analysis Workshop Spring Series
It's not to late to enroll in this important and effective series of workshops led by Peter Blechman, Ed.D. During this eight week ABA Workshop, parents and other caregivers
are taught guidelines to help their child learn. The Spring session begins March 18.
>>
Sign up now
Dr. Jane Goodall a Featured Speaker
Rockland BOCES,
in association with the area's public television stations, is proud to participate in the 3rd Annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning March 7-8 at the New York Hilton. This year's two day professional development conference focuses on science, math, global awareness, and instructional technology.
>> Register Today
>> More Information
Rockland BOCES Offers Instructor Assisted Online Courses for Adults
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect! That's what online learning is for the busy, busy, busy adult learners in Rockland County. Rockland BOCES Adult Education is pleased to offer a meaningful series of online learning courses that are informative, fun and convenient. Each of the six-week courses is project-oriented
and includes lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments,
discussion areas, supplementary links, and more.
You can complete any course entirely from your
home or office. Any time of the day or night. Sound good? Then, take a look!
Students’ kn
owledge of history and their presentation skills are on the line during the annual History Day Competition March 8, 2008 at Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill. Volunteer judges are needed for what has become one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in our region. We can promise a rewarding and unforgetable experience.
>> Volunteer Packet
>> Registration Information for Administrators & Advisors
Everyone 
wore something red, white or blue as students studied patriotism during the annual Rockland Read-In at Hilltop School recently. Special “guest readers’ included District Superintendent Dr. James M. Ryan; Asst. Supt. Dr. Mary Jean Marsico and Special Education Supervisor Cathy O’Brien, pictured to the right with a very interested young man. Each of the books read to the students had a patriotic theme and the staff fielded a variety of questions from the youngsters about what traits are needed to run for public office.
It's in Her Genes: Carrying on a Family Tradition of Service Earns Cathy Bonet Commitment to Excellence Award
We're not necessarily saying she's hard wired this way, but one thing is very clear about Cathy Bonet, it is in her nature to lead and lead well. As principal of the BOCES high schools, she has cultivated a school culture built on care, concern, dedication, and excellence that has resulted in profound success stories.
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No Thorns in Retail Florist Training Program
While 
students in the Retail Florist Training Program are learning to work in
florist shops, they are in fact learning much more than how to arrange a
bouquet or put together the perfect corsage.
The program is just one of the options available to students through the
Work-Based Learning Center. The Center operates under funding provided
by the Model Transition Program (MTP). All BOCES secondary students are
eligible to enroll in these programs.
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BOCES Members Attend Legislative Breakfast
Rockland BOCES was well represented at the Annual Rockland County School
Boards Legislative Breakfast. Board members Sandi
Jeanette, representing Ramapo Central; Christine Webb, representing East
Ramapo, Gail Koss, representing Clarkstown, Anna Stellwag representing South
Orangetown, and Dr. Fletcher Johnson, representing Nyack attended; as well as
District Superintendent Dr. James M. Ryan; Assistant Superintendent for Special
Student Services Dr. Mary Jean Marsico; Special Education Supervisor Cathy
O’Brien and Public Information Coordinator Stephanie Gouss.
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Reporter's Notebook
Thanks to a $700,000 
grant, the Rockland BOCES Work Based Learning Center has enhanced and expanded its services to help students graduate from high school with the social and workplace skills they need to succeed. Randi Weiner (pictured above), who covers the Rockland BOCES beat for the NY Journal News stopped by recently to see first hand how successful this program has been, and just what it means to our students. Read her story here.
Second year 
Automotive Technology students Joseph Sanguinetti, from Pearl River and Patrick Cappelluti from Clarkstown, took first and second place respectively in a recent troubleshooting competition sponsored by the Chrysler Corporation. Five other Rockland BOCES students also entered the competition, which took place over a several week period in November. The annual event was held at the Chrysler Zone Office in Orangeburg.
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Marlene Roth Honored With Commitment to Excellence
Clearly, whoever 
said “if you need something done, ask a busy person” was thinking of Marlene Roth. What this devoted Adult Literacy, ESL and GED teacher at Rockland BOCES manages to pack into one day touches many lives in many places. In addition to her duties here, she is also a full time NYC teacher and a part-time instructor at Rockland Community College. Read more about this month’s Commitment to Excellence honoree.
2008-2009 Services Guide Introduced
The guide to shared 
services for 2008-2009 was introduced by District Superintendent Dr. James M. Ryan to our component school district boards of education and superintendents at the annual Rockland BOCES Services Guide dinner. The guide itself is an invaluable planning resource for our districts. And the dinner? Well, our culinary students do like to show off! A tip of the toque to them for preparing and serving a phenomenal meal with professionalism and style to representatives of their home districts.
>> View the guide
Stuff-A-Bus Campaign Breaks Records
Students and staff at the Rockland BOCES Career Education Center know exactly how its done, and they proved it with a record setting bounty for the county's People-to-People Project.
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Help Stuff This Bus!
In its 11th annual 
rite-of-the season, Rockland BOCES Career & Technical Education Center students have begun a monster fundraising drive to raise enough money to purchase toys, dolls, sleds and bikes from local merchants, then stuff-a-bus to bursting. The bounty will be distributed by the County’s People-to-People project.
Organized by the CTEC staff in collaboration with CTEC’s SkillsUSA students, the group is looking to break records this year. Please help by donating generously, and by dropping off unwrapped new toys between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at CTEC now through December 19th.
2008-2009 Services Guide Introduced
The guide to shared services for 2008-2009 was introduced by District Superintendent Dr. James M. Ryan to our component school district boards of education and superintendents at the annual Rockland BOCES Services Guide dinner. The guide itself is an invaluable planning resource for our districts. And the dinner? Well, our culinary students do like to show off! A tip of the toque to them for preparing and serving a phenomenal meal with professionalism and style to representatives of their home districts.
>> View the guide
Renowned Educator to Share His Expertise
Workshop Rescheduled Because of Weather Forecast
R. Douglas Greer, Ph.D.,
renowned educator, author and researcher will share his insights and expertise on Verbal Behavior Analysis on Thursday, December 20th at Rockland BOCES. The workshop has been rescheduled from the 13th because of the weather forecast. Dr. Greer, who teaches at Columbia University’s Teachers College and serves as a consultant to Rockland BOCES , will speak about the components of verbal behavior and its application within the learning process. Dr. Greer will also address the concept of verbal behavior as a social science and discuss its relationship to instruction and how students learn. Parents and interested community members are encouraged to attend.
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Their Commitment to Excellence Makes a Big Difference to our Students
Here’s a tip: if you have a dream that you need to come true, put Betty Meisler and Fran Alexander in charge. These two amazing women are largely responsible for the remarkable success of the Foster Grandparent program, which pairs older area residents with special needs students. You cannot miss the love, and the impact. That's just part of the reason the Board of Education honored Betty and Fran with the Commitment to Excellence Award.
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Ok, stop swooning and start reading about how the students in Sal Cappiello’s Automotive Collision class got to help restore this beauty. Rockland BOCES is known for partnering with any number of community agencies. But students in Sal Cappiello’s Automotive Collision CTEC class recently took the concept of community partnership and community service in a whole new direction.
Bring Your Gently Used Coats & Jackets Today!
Skills USA students at the Career and Technical Education Center are at the heart of a People-to-People campaign to 
help keep our Rockland County friends and neighbors warm this winter. Won't you donate your gently used coat or jacket? Bring your laundered outerwear to the Collection Site at Building 2 now through October 31st.
Triumph for Thirty-Seven Determined Adult Graduates
Absolutely determined to complete their high school education, thirty-seven of the most tenacious adults you will ever meet rejoiced at a ceremony marking the completion of their diploma requirements.
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What's Hot and What's Not
Taking a break from academic and technical skills instruction, CTEC students at Rockland BOCES learned a lot about college yesterday during the Center’s Annual College and Career Day. And, they also learned about what the hot jobs will be in the next ten years. The solid foundation they are getting at CTEC will make a difference as they transition to college and contemplate career choices.
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Paul Citarella Honored With Commitment to Excellence Award
Known as the consummate professional, Paul Citarella's four decades as an educator was capped by eight years as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at Rockland BOCES. The entire organization benefited from his expertise, and he been a cornerstone of the administrative team.
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Slow Down and Walk the Labyrinth
The School Health Advisory Committee 
at Rockland BOCES is an active group that has taken a series of initiatives in conjunction with the Facilities Department to get our students and staff on the road to better physical and mental fitness. This labyrinth is just one step. Read more to learn about some of the others.
Our Hearts are Broken: Pat, We Will Miss You So
Our beloved foster grandma, Pat McDonnell, died as a result of a tragic accident. She participated in the county's Foster Grandparent program for 13 years, making such a difference to the students at the Jesse Kaplan School, to her fellow grands and to all of us at Rockland BOCES. We invite you to get to know this remarkable lady.
>> Pat McDonnell in her own words
State of the Art Mobile Dental Van Stops at Hilltop
Hilltop School's annual back-to-school night produced more than the usual number of smiles this week when the Community Medical and Dental Care mobile van pulled up to the school offering dental care to students and their families.
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Students enrolled in the New Visions Business Program are happy to tell you their plans for the future. To a student, the plans are detailed: this particular BOCES Career and Technical Education Program is identified as a springboard to a business career. The New Visions Business Program is the result of collaboration between the Career & Technical Education Division and Iona College at Blue Hill Plaza in Pearl River. The beneficiaries? The next generation of home grown business leaders, with vision.
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Andy Irvin Appointed Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Public Information Office Recognized for Excellence
Opening Day Milestones
