5-17-2013
Dylan a 15-year-old student at WCTC is a published author.
On September 5, 2012, 15-year-old Dylan Depetro from Greenport UFSD entered Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Ward Career and Technical Center (WCTC) in Riverhead for the first time. He was excited, enthusiastic, and motivated.
Pictured (l to r) Business Teacher Virginia Rios, student and poet Dylan Depetro, and Assistant Principal of Ward Career and Technical Center, Harry Dean. He was eager to attend the Business and Office Technology class. He began writing poetry as part of a creative journal writing project. Dylan quickly demonstrated his ability for writing poetry with a new inspiring poem each day. So impressed by his talent and passion for writing, his teacher, Virginia Rios, recommended that Dylan submit his poetry for publication. Under Mrs. Rios' direction, Dylan entered his poetry in a contest. Within a couple of weeks, Dylan was notified that his poem was accepted for publication. Shortly thereafter, Dylan was presented with the extraordinary honor of having his poetry published in the book entitled, A Celebration of Poets by Creative Communications. This publication proudly recognizes Dylan as an author.
5-15-2013
Luke Mahoney's Barbering students looked forward to providing haircuts for veterans at the VA.
It was “Stand Down Day” at the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Northport and hundreds of vets were enjoying some camaraderie. On their schedules were free haircuts given by Milliken Technical Center (MTC) Barbering students and graduates.Mr. Mahoney and his Barbering students have been to the VA numerous times not only to thank the veterans for serving their country, but to provide the experience for the young barbers. “It’s a very powerful event,” he said “felt on both sides. Plus, it’s a chance to help these men and women.”
Fondly known as “Joe the Barber” by clients, Joe Belonzi is a graduate of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Barbering Program. Additionally, he is a 2011 agency success story. On this day, Mr. Mahoney had three females onboard. “Barbering is precision haircutting, so the girls are learning a lot,” he explained. With them was World War II Vet John Ryan, a licensed barber who volunteers at the VA. “What’s nice about this arrangement,” he said, “is that the students can pick up other techniques, old world techniques. Everyone is always so glad when they come.” As the veteran’s hair is cut, the students hear firsthand about military experiences.
Barbering Teacher Luke Mahoney (left) with Samantha Tacoma, Sachem CSD graduate and morning Barbering Program student; Kristen Curto, West Islip UFSD graduate and licensed cosmetologist; Krystal Kolderman, Longwood CSD graduate from the Adult Education Barbering Program; and Joe Belonzi, Longwood CSD graduate and NYS Master Barber, working as a teacher assistant for the Adult Education Licensed Barber Program. In addition to haircuts, the vets attend a large street fair-type gathering where they get can meet with social services, LIPA to arrange payment plans, the Salvation Army for clothes, Long Island Harvest for food, and United Veterans Beacon House for assistance in employment and referrals. There were about 30 tables offering assistance, including Suffolk County Community College and St. John’s University to discuss admission eligibility and reduced tuitions to continue their education.Vietnam veteran and National Education Program Director Morris Miller, who is also Executive Board of Volunteer Services president, commented, “Luke has been bringing his students to the VA for many years and it’s a wonderful thing.”
5-14-2013
Well known paralympian visits with Premm Learning Center students.
Rohan Murphy, a paralympian wrestler, motivational speaker, and the star of Nike commercials, visited with students and staff at Premm Learning Center (PLC) in Oakdale. Although he has traveled to 25 states – the most recent being Connecticut where he met with Newtown families – his home is on Long Island. When an East Islip UFSD coach offered the disabled student the position of equipment manager for the wrestling team, the eighth grader began to realize his potential. At Penn State, Rohan earned three varsity letters. At PLC, Rohan told the youngsters how he won the 2006 bronze medal as World Powerlifting Champion. As a motivational speaker, he has visited many of the Island’s schools, but at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) facility for children with moderate to severe disabilities, he was there as a friend offering encouragement. He was invited by Assistant Principal Danielle Turner.
Rohan Murphy encourages Nicholas S., Sachem CSD, and Herverth E., Brentwood UFSD as they do their classwork. With them are Special Education Aides Margaret O’Rourke and Joan Alotta. Seated at desk in back is Principal Carolynn Hansen.
5-08-2013
BTC LPN students provide blood pressure screening at BAC.
Individual Special Education Aide Tina Retenski knows she’s a healthy person because she does everything she’s supposed to for maintaining a healthy heart. Yet, she wanted to confirm her previously normal blood pressure readings while participating in the agency’s recognition of National Workplace Wellness Week, April 1 – 7, by having her blood pressure taken.Joining the national effort of healthy habits and physical activity initiatives, Ms. Retenski went to a Blood Pressure Screening event at Brookhaven Academic Center (BAC) where Brookhaven Technical Center (BTC) students in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program were readying for the public’s arrival. Teacher Denise Filingeri said, “LPN students are always eager to utilize the skills they’ve learned. Being able to perform the service and communicate with participants is a very positive experience for them.” One minute after opening the screening session, LPN student Jay Dicecco and classmates Britteny Taylor of Eastport -South Manor CSD and Gabriela Giovinco of Middle Country CSD had a line of people waiting.
Individual Aide Tina Retenski gets a blood pressure reading from student Jay Dicecco, a senior at Longwood CSD.
5-08-2013
Islip Career Center cosmetology students learn about the retail side of the beauty industry by visiting the Sally Beauty Supply store.
Local school district students enrolled in the Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Cosmetology Program at the Islip Career Center (ICC) get the opportunity and the experience of seeing what a professional retail establishment, specifically catering to the beauty industry, is like when they visit Sally Beauty Supply LLC in Patchogue, NY.
Cosmetology students from Kim Powers class at the Islip Career Center pose inside Sally Beauty Supply in Patchogue, NY. ESBOCES Cosmetology Teacher Kim Powers said, “There are many aspects to the cosmetology field. Visiting Sally Beauty Supply gives the students a good opportunity to see what the retail end of the cosmetology industry is like. It’s another career avenue for them.” Students have a chance to use their soft skills which include communication, listening, language skills, good manners, and attitude when interacting with personnel at the store.
Students check out the cosmetics.
You can never have enough nail polish!
A student completes the form to get a Sally discount card. Sally Beauty Supply Store Manager Ann Mero and Assistant Manager Maria Chicco were on hand to assist the students. Ms. Mero said, “We have 99% of anything the students will need to train for the New York State Boards. We want them to feel comfortable shopping and finding the things they need here.”Ms. Powers shared, “The store in Patchogue has always accommodated my students and has been very agreeable to us visiting.” The students usually purchase hairbrushes, hair spray, nail polish, and other items they can use in the classroom. They make personal purchases as well.Sally Beauty Supply LLC began as one store in New Orleans in 1964. Today, Sally Beauty Supply is the world’s largest retailer of professional beauty supplies. The store offers loyalty programs, such as the Beauty Club Card for non-professional customers and a Sally ProCard for professional customers. Ms. Mero said, “We offer the ProCard to the ESBOCES cosmetology students and afford them professional discounts for one year because they are enrolled in the cosmetology program.”
5-08-2013
Students band together to assist a firefighter.
Fire departments visit schools regularly, offering advice to young people on what to do in case of a fire. However, when the Hagerman Fire Department visited Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) Brookhaven Technical Center (BTC) last October, students learned more than anticipated; Fire Lt. Ralph Lettieri had lost a leg due to illness.As a way of giving back to the department, two teachers and their students discussed how to help the young father and community volunteer. Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Jayne Kaht reached out to Carpentry Teacher Francis Nilsen and the classes decided to provide assistance around the lieutenant’s house and grounds. ECE began to hold fundraisers and the carpentry class volunteered to do repairs on the firefighter’s home.
Carpentry students, supervised by teacher Francis Nilsen, work around Lt. Lettieri’s home.
ECE students present Home Depot gift certificates worth $400 to the firefighter. When Sheds USA and Bellport’s Home Depot joined the effort, the students began to clear the lieutenant’s property to make room for the donation of a cedar shed that would house yard equipment and many of Lt. Lettieri’s 3-year-old son Jordan’s things that were filling the garage. Among the fundraisers was a holiday toy drive, which led to the little boy’s eyes lighting up when a fire truck pulled up filled with things every small child dreams about.Lt. Lettieri and fiancée Victoria will be married later this year. Together they thanked the ESBOCES students for their year-long efforts and posed for a souvenir photo.
Lt. Lettieri, son Jordan, and fiancée Victoria stand with the students in front of a new shed.
5-06-2013
SAA students demonstrate for Channel 12 TV News what they've learned about flying airplanes.
When Channel 12 News arrived at Suffolk Aviation Academy (SAA) recently, there was no commotion on the part of the students in the classroom or out on the airfield as the TV camera was being set up. That’s because the Aviation/Professional Pilot Training Program is serious business. High school juniors and seniors study aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, aviation physiology, airplane performance, and air traffic control procedures. The students operate actual aircraft as well as flight simulators and they take the FAA Private Pilot’s Written Exam at the end of their first year. Many of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES (ESBOCES) graduates have gone on to become air traffic controllers, aircraft dispatchers, and ground instructors, in addition to becoming pilots for commercial airlines.
West Islip UFSD senior Victoria Matter prepares for takeoff.
Shoreham-Wading River CSD senior Christian Perricone gets ready to check the fuel.
Mid Island Flight Instructor Fred Rogers explains airflow to Channel 12’s Ken Grimball. Mid-Island is located at Brookhaven Airport, next to the ESBOCES Suffolk Aviation Academy. Flight Instructor Fred Rogers tells visitors that every day you fly adds a day to your life.
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