|
ESBOCES
News
5-14-2012
Guidance Counselors from school districts across Long Island were on-board to learn about Eastern Suffolk BOCES programs during the tri-annual District Contact Meeting held at the Suffolk Aviation Academy in Shirley.
After enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast, compliments of the ESBOCES Culinary Arts students, the counselors secured a seat and fastened their seat belts for a journey into the world of Career and Technical Education programs at ESBOCES.
Culinary Arts students from Matt Kozak’s program Justin Twining, South Country CSD; Dominique Marquart, Bay Shore UFSD; Brittany Broderick, Patchogue-Medford UFSD; Ryan Wagner, West Islip UFSD; Jesse Chiorando, Westhampton Beach UFSD; Rick Casdia, Mount Sinai UFSD, and Tom Ward, Patchogue-Medford UFSD. Suffolk Aviation Academy Principal Joseph Delgado got things off the ground by thanking the counselors for taking the time to attend. He said, “I am gratified and grateful that the school districts send us some of the best students. We have 102 students, 32 are second year students, and 29 of them have already flown solo. Can you imagine puddle jumping to Poughkeepsie or Connecticut while you are still in high school? Some of the students have to have their parents pick them up, because they don’t even have a driver’s license yet.”
Principal Joe Delgado addresses the audience.
Counselors from the Miller Place UFSD, Connetquot CSD, Bayport/Blue Point CSD, Three Village CSD, and Hauppauge UFSD enjoyed breakfast prepared by the ESBOCES Culinary Arts students and said they looked forward to attending the district contact meetings to secure information about the ESBOCES programs. Several guidance counselors from area schools agreed. They said they come each year to the District Contact Meeting to get updates on the ESBOCES programs. When they find the right student and match them with the right program, it’s worthwhile for the student and their future.
Guidance Counselors listening to the presentations by the ESBOCES guidance counselors. After breakfast, the counselors were directed into the BOCES hangar for a presentation by adult student Justin Zumo, and Kevin Grasshandler, a student from the Sachem CSD. Both set their sights on being aviation airframe technicians. Kevin said, “I like working with my hands and I like planes. I feel like I have the best of all worlds because I’m here at ESBOCES.”
Justin Zumo, adult student, Airframe Mechanic teacher Gregg Karp, and Kevin Grasshandler, Sachem CSD, pose by the 1958 Cessna 175 that is being repaired and renovated by the ESBOCES students. They just unveiled the new windshield they installed. Kevin secured an apprenticeship position at the Bayport Aerodrome, working there on the weekends and after school. He said of his ESBOCES experience, “I receive my academics here in the classroom and then I walk next door into a hangar and get the experience of working on planes. It’s great having the chance to take a plane apart and put it back together again.”
The counselors gathered in the ESBOCES hangar to here the student presentations. Currently, the Airframe Technician students are in the process of renovating and rebuilding a 1958 Cessna 175. The plane is privately owned and on loan to the students. The owner is paying for the cost of all the renovations and the students reap the rewards of getting hands-on experience. The experience, skill, and knowledge Kevin Grasshandler acquired at ESBOCES helped him wing his way into an aero technical school in Honolulu, Hawaii. Kevin will be transferring in 36 college credits. While at ESBOCES he was able to obtain the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe Certification. The ESBOCES program meets the FAA certification standards and emphasizes hands-on experience in maintenance and repair of aircraft engines and airframes.Justin Zumo, now an Adult Education student, had attended ESBOCES while in high school during his junior year. He said, “I wish I had continued my education here at ESBOCES. After graduating from high school, all I could think of was how much I enjoyed working on and around planes. I secured a job at Long Island MacArthur Airport and now I’m back here at ESBOCES to get certified. It’s the best decision I’ve made.”Principal Joe Delgado summed it up saying, “It’s all about time on task and positive outcomes. We get 100% from the students. This is the best place in the world to work and we look forward three times a year to share career information with the district guidance counselors.
5-09-2012
SAC students dancing to the oldies gave them the exercise required for the day.
For the children in the Sayville Academic Center (SAC) a Sock Hop, held in conjunction with National Physical Fitness Week, was something new that involved dancing. For the adults in the school gym, it was the fifties and sixties with a trip down Memory Lane listening to the oldies. In the spirit of the event, the staff wore scarves around high ponytails, initial sweaters (a large initial applique in the shoulder corner), and Pink Ladies jackets. Teacher aide Amanda Haase made poodle skirts for the girls. “Rock Around the Clock” played, followed by “Johnny Be Good” and “Tutti Frutti.” The children thought the Sock Hop was a brand-new idea, but for event coordinator and teacher Jeannine McKenna, it awoke memories of the “Lindy Hop” and “Jitterbug.” (The Sock Hop got its name when two-tone saddle shoes were not allowed on varnished gym floors, so kids danced in their socks.) ” The late Dick Clark would be proud.
Music teacher Jeannine McKenna (above) demonstrates how to do the “Hokey Pokey.”
Wearing a Pink Ladies jacket – a “Grease” icon - teacher aid Amanda Haase (above) dances with Angelina M. of the Brentwood UFSD.
Monica R. of the Rocky Point UFSD thinks “Rock Around the Clock” is loud.
Wearing white T-shirts and sunglasses, students learned the limbo. With teacher Susan O’Hara are (left to right) Connor C., Three Village CSD; LaKey P., Patchogue-Medford UFSD; Mathew M., Islip UFSD; Frank M., Bay Shore UFSD; and Janay H., Islip UFSD.
Part of being healthy is staying hydrated. The Suffolk County Water Authority donated water bottles as gifts for the children. Distributing them is teacher Kathy Martin.The Hop was held as part of the All Children Exercise Simutaneously (ACES) project, also know as the world’s largest exercise class, held universally on the first Wednesday in May. The non-competitive program is educational and motivational and has reportedly reached children in 50 countries. But at SAC, it was fun with a capital F.
5-09-2012
Brentwood UFSD officials tour MTC and visit with their students.
When Brentwood officials visited the Milliken Technical Center recently to see how their students are doing in the career and technical courses, several commented that the equipment available to students is impressive. The group first stopped in the Medical Assisting classroom where teacher and Registered Nurse Mary Ann DeMillio answered questions and Brentwood students performed blood pressure screenings.
Brentwood High School Principal Richard Loeschner (above) has his blood pressure taken by Brentwood student Marie Zetrene.The next stop was Barbering where Brentwood High School Principal Richard Loeschner spoke with Brentwood students and received a haircut. He viewed the equipment as teacher Luke Mahoney explained, “This barbershop is state-of-the-art and we’re the model for New York State. The agency spent about half a million dollars on this.” Meanwhile, in Cosmetology, Brentwood High School Assistant Principal Jeanette Suarez and Brentwood’s liaison Lisa Anderson received paraffin treatments.
Brentwood High School Principal Richard Loeschner (above) approves of his haircut by Alex Reyes, a Brentwood student. Observing is Barbering teacher Luke Mahoney.
Brentwood student Elizabeth Murray provides a paraffin treatment to Brentwood Assistant Principal Jeannette Suarez and the district’s liaison to ESBOCES Lisa Anderson. Standing is MTC Guidance Counselor Cheryl Cohen.
In Auto Repair, Brentwood Guidance Counselor Antoinette Shervington got a tune-up on her car (above) from Brentwood student Edwin Benitex and then tried out an exercise ball in the Personal Trainer course (below) with another Brentwood student, David Cordero.
MTC Assistant Principal Donna Singer and Guidance Counselor Cheryl Cohen, who arranged for the two-hour visit, guided guests through the building. Afterwards, they all enjoyed brunch, prepared and served by Culinary Arts students who accepted compliments, especially for the spinach quiche.
ESBOCES Culinary Arts students (left to right) Yinette Nunz, Adan Meja, and Abraham Silva, all seniors in Brentwood High School, pose with their Brentwood Principal and Assistant Principal Richard Loeschner and Jeanette Suarez, respectively.
5-08-2012
Marine Tech students from the H.B. Ward Career and Technical Center in Riverhead recently went on a learning excursion.
They travel to the Eastern Suffolk BOCES H.B. Ward Career and Technical Center (WCTC), in Riverhead five days a week to learn about the marine field. Their goal, to cruise into a career that is rapidly expanding and pays well.Under the tutelage of ESBOCES Teacher Jason Pickerell, students from school districts across Long Island obtain the knowledge, skill, and practical experience of working on inboard and outboard marine engines in the ESBOCES Marine and Outdoor Power Equipment program. In addition to learning how to service, maintain, troubleshoot, repair and recondition marine craft, the students also learn marine procedures related to fuel, drive, electrical and electronics, fiberglass repair, welding and machining, detailing, diagnostics, and performance. One opportunity afforded the students in the marine class is a chance to participate in field trips to businesses that are directly related to their field of study. Recently, the students visited Steiger Craft and Bossler & Sweezey, both located in Bellport, NY.
Connor Steiger in front of the family owned business Steiger Craft.
Steiger Craft has been building high-quality fishing boats for almost 40 years. The boats are hand-built, one-at-a-time, using one-piece of solid fiberglass and a ridged grid system. They are known for their hull strength and bonding system. All Steigers are given a 200 point inspection.Operations Manager Connor Steiger led the student tour at the Steiger facility. He said, “I wanted the students to understand the importance of the process and stages of building a boat, from start to finish, from research to development, and all the details involved in the production.”ESBOCES Teacher Mr. Pickerell added, “Field trips allow the students to witness the design and manufacturing processes and the techniques associated with them.” After graduating from the ESBOCES Marine program, students have a myriad of job opportunities open to them such as Marine Technician, Marine Yard Person, Fiberglass Technician, Machine Shop Assistant, Engine Rebuilder, Marine Parts Manager, and Boat Rigger, to name a few. This field trip put these job opportunities into perspective.
Visiting Bossler & Sweezey, a well-respected propeller repair and service company since 1960, allowed the students to take a look at probably one of the most important parts of the drive train of a boat, the propeller. Phil Blindenhofer, President and technician at B&S, is a factory trained Mercury technician. He said, “This is a great job for someone who wants to work with their hands. At B&S, we repair and made modifications to propellers. Every year, at the beginning of the season boaters bring in their propellers to get fine-tuned.”
Boxxler & Sweezey are well respected professionals who mend and modify propellers.
Phil Blindenhofer, president of Bossler & Sweezey
A propeller that may need to be mended or modified.
Phil Blindenhofer in front of the prop machine. Using a special computer software program and very specialized machines like a Hydraulic Pitch Changing Machine that was designed by an engineer, the B&S technicians take the propellers and bend ‘em and mend ‘em. They offer custom modifications like cupping and welding, repitching, and straightening of running gear including shafts, rudders, and struts. For those students who were intrigued and wanted to do this type of work, Mr. Blindenhofer suggested they purchase the Propeller Book by Dave Geer. “They can become a certified technician through the Marine Propeller Association.”ESBOCES teacher Mr. Pickerell said, “It’s important for the students to go on-site and see first-hand the reconditioning methods used to make and modify recreational and performance boats and propellers and to meet the owners and operators, technicians and staff members.”Both Connor Steiger and Phil Blindenhofer said that the ESBOCES students asked very good questions and were interested in all the aspects of their presentations related to their respective industries.
5-03-2012
Joining in the National Screen Free movement, children and parents attend a special event.
The mission of “Let’s Be Screen Free” is to have families recall alternative activities to sitting in front of televisions, computers, and digital equipment in the evening and on weekends. The goal is to improve the quality of early childhood through family and interactive games, as demonstrated recently at a pajama-wearing, evening occasion. The Brookhaven Technical Center at the Brookhaven Academic Center (BTC@BAC) event included a celebration of Earth Day 2012, a collection of non-perishable food for local food pantries, and a community service project for SkillsUSA students.Organized by BTC Early Childhood Education teacher Jayne Kaht and sponsored by Eastern Suffolk BOCES in collaboration with The Early Years Institute, the alternative activities included board games, book reading, athletic-type challenges, and a musical concert by guitarist Janice Buckner. United Health Care provided healthy snack information, the American Heart Association offered healthy lifestyle facts, the American Dental Association addressed the importance of pediatric checkups, and more.
The pajama-clad Hollmann Family is ready for a fun evening.
John Spruile and his two-year-old son, Nate enjoy playing a game.
Middle Country CSD and ESBOCES Dental Assisting senior Alekzandria Parra shows two boys how to brush teeth correctly.Students in the Culinary Arts program made healthy snacks, Dental Assisting provided tooth hygiene information and free toothbrushes, Medical Assisting performed blood pressure screening, and from Woodworking came child-friendly projects. Bellport librarians brought books to read to the youngest guests.Assemblyman Dean Murray encouraged parents to remember the fun they had as children playing with their parents, sharing books, games, and exercise.
Assemblyman Dean Murray congratulates the event organizers. He is with (left to right) teacher Jayne Kaht, BTC Principal Janet Kiley, and Divisional Administrator Barbara Egloff.A card received by Ms. Kaht from four-year-old Brendan Catanzaro read, “Thank you for letting me come to school in my pajamas. I had so much fun playing games with my family!”“The Screen Free pajama night was a great success,” reported Ms. Kaht. “It reinforced my commitment to the critical importance of hands-on learning through play, as well as family involvement in Early Childhood Education. While technology affords us opportunities to connect globally, we cannot underestimate the value of connecting through direct communication and face-to-face interaction. This event brought us together as a community and accomplished a simple goal of enjoying each other’s company.”
4-27-2012
An ESBOCES employee is working out for a 300-mile bike ride from NYC to D.C. to raise awareness of renewable energy and a green economy.
Imagine biking 300 miles for five days from New York City to Washington, D.C. That’s what Eastern Suffolk BOCES employee Marie Rose is doing on May 19 to raise the profile of renewable energy and the importance of a green economy. She and 150 others are participating in the “Climate Ride.” In preparation, Marie is strengthening her endurance and reading blogs about what to pack in case of inclement weather. But there is one thing she has little control over. According to Climate Ride, she must raise $2,400 in pledges to participate, and as of April 27, had obtained only $1,010. “Any size donation will help me get closer to the goal,” she said, recommending people view http://www.climateride.org/.Asked what will happen if she doesn’t meet the objective, she replied, “Well, I can’t ask for and accept donations from people and then not go because I didn’t meet the goal. I will make up the difference.”
Marie Rose (above) works at the Suffolk Aviation Academy.Marie began cycling seriously when she moved to New York and a bike was her means of transportation. In 1996, she participated in a “century ride” of 100 miles, departing from the North Babylon Railroad Station and arriving at the Montauk Railroad Station eight hours later. (She rode the train back.) For the NYC-DC 2012 venture, she is buddied with Long Islander and fellow SBRA member Ashley Hunt-Martorano. The women are representing Renewable Energy Long Island, a not-for-profit organization promoting clean, sustainable energy use. Hundreds of volunteers are coordinated to handle the route, escorts, road safety, energy snack foods, water stations, and camping accommodations, which includes Princeton University the first night. Cyclists enjoy the adventure, as well as the exercise, Marie says. She recently registered for the September “Montauk We Hope” 75-mile ride benefitting Long Island families in crisis and Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.“Climate Ride” will start from Lafayette Street in the city and end on the steps of the Capitol in D.C. While in Washington, Marie and Ashley will speak with elected officials about energy efficiency. “I‘m incorporating a hobby I love with an important cause,” Marie says. “This is my contribution to a better Long Island.”For more information, see http://tiny.cc/MarieClimateRide
Marie (left) and friend Ashley are Suffolk Bike Riders Association (SBRA) members.
4-26-2012
Congratulations to the Law Enforcement students who participate in the Suffolk Police Youth Academy and graduated on Friday, April 20, 2012.
Eastern Suffolk BOCES is pleased to announce that 28 students from the Law Enforcement program graduated from the Suffolk Youth Police Academy on Friday, April 20, 2012. In total, 39 students from Eastern and Western Suffolk BOCES attended the Academy. These students spent the week of April 16 – April 20 training and touring the facility. The experience is designed to operate like an actual police academy specifically designed for BOCES students. The SCPD also offers a week of training for non-BOCES students. The hands-on experience spans a wide variety of law enforcement techniques and training that include hand-to-hand training, military drills, search and cuffing tactics, fingerprint training, presentations by the K-9 unit, and field trips to the Aviation and Special Patrol Bureau. It was an intense week.
David Baack, Walt Whitman High School; Nicholas DiBari, Westhampton Beach High School; Andrew Becker, Jr., Centereach High School; Stefanie Bohlert, Rocky Point High School; Kyle Communiello, Commack High School; Joseph Donato, Mount Sinai High School; Shaun Enright, Westhampton Beach High School; John Famiglietti, Islip High School; Daniel Furey, Jr., Sayville High School; Sean Kalletta, Eastport/South Manor High School; Taylor Lewis, Longwood High School; Mike Liebold, Sachem High School East; Angelos Llukaci, Greenport High School; Lucas Mille, Connetquot High School; Santiago Morales, Lindenhurst High School; Nicholas Mugavero, Walt Whitman High School; Gustave Passanante, Eastport/South Manor High School; Joseph Polizzi, Smithtown High School East; Kevin Poppe, Deer Park High School; Nicolas Pucciarelli, Sachem North High School; Felix Ramos III, Patchogue-Medford High School; Robert Rodda III, Patchogue-Medford High School; Richard Rodriguez, Huntington High School; Steven Rogerson, Half Hollow Hills West High School; Andrew Ruiz, Walt Whitman High School; David Silva, Huntington High School; Travis Schuler, Islip High School; Ryan Selg, Miller Place High School; Nicole Shevlin, Eastport/South Manor High School; Jerry Sorto, Walt Whitman High School; Matthew Stone, Mount Sinai High School; Tyler Stoothoff, Eastport/South Manor High School; Corey Vogt, Eastport/South Manor High School; Tomas Wasserman, Patchogue-Medford High School; Dominique Waters, Patchogue-Medford High School; Jesse White, East Hampton High School; Armani Wilkins, Bay Shore High School; Artez Wilkins, Bay Shore High School, and Donovan Willis, West Babylon High School.Pictured with the graduates are Commanding Officer of the Police Academy Deputy Inspector Robert Brown; Police Youth Academy Coordinators; Police Officer Ronald Ross and Police Officer Mitchell Savino; college interns, Christopher DeLucia, Paul Dematis, and Lucian Velazquez; and Class Youth Advisors, Seerat Akram, Priscila Chacon, Tyler Crima, Jason Deak, DeAnna Glynn, Fernanda Nolasco, and Stephen Smeja.Every year, the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) and ESBOCES join forces to provide police academy experience and answer questions about law enforcement as a career. The process begins with interviews by police officers who visit the ESBOCES facilities. Students must have recommendations from their teachers and endorsements from their schools, and be able to participate in both physical fitness and a structured, well-disciplined program. Upon acceptance into the Police Youth Academy, a parent and student orientation session at the academy is scheduled.Graduation was attended by students’ families and police brass. Each student will receive a group photo of the graduating class and a complimentary disk of more than 300 pictures and a PowerPoint of the day-to-day training at the Suffolk Youth Police Academy.
|
|
|
