CTE Bulletin

On Sept. 12, students from the Animal Science and Conservation programs at the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison (OHM) BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center came together for a spirited game of tug-of-war.

The annual event serves as an icebreaker for the two programs, which participate in FFA activities throughout the school year. The friendly competition gave students the opportunity to meet, build connections and set the tone for collaboration in the months ahead.

The match quickly turned into a lively contest, with classmates digging in, cheering each other on and sharing plenty of laughs. The tug-of-war highlighted the energy, teamwork and determination that both classes bring to their learning.

While the activity was all in good fun, it also reflected the leadership and collaboration that define both CTE and FFA. The experience encourages students to step outside the classroom, build camaraderie and strengthen skills they'll carry with them throughout their careers.

September is Attendance Awareness Month! At OHM BOCES, we know everyday in the classroom matters for student success:

✅ Keeps students on track with their learning.

✅ Builds responsibility and good habits for lifelong success.

✅ Improves grades, graduation rates, and long-term achievement.

✅ Strengthens connections with peers and teachers.

We are dedicated to supporting our students and families in building strong attendance habits so every student is here today and ready for tomorrow.

On Sept. 17, the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison (OHM) BOCES hosted a virtual training to prepare ex officio student members of local school boards to understand their responsibilities and participate effectively in governance. The session was open to all student board members across the region and covered how boards function, the expectations of student representatives and ways students can make meaningful contributions during meetings.

Program participants also included two new ex officio student members of the OHM BOCES Cooperative Board: Jeffrey M. Reppel, a senior at Whitesboro Central School District, and Juan Camacho, a junior at Utica City School District. Both were welcomed to serve as representatives of the student body, strengthening the connection between students and board leaders.

Guidance from the New York State School Boards Association emphasized that ex officio student members should act as the primary voice for their peers, offering insight into areas such as curriculum, extracurricular opportunities and school climate, while keeping classmates informed about board activities.

The training supported districts that added ex officio student members for the 2025-26 school year and underscored the importance of including student voices in board governance. By equipping students to engage effectively, the OHM BOCES reinforced its commitment to developing young leaders and broadening perspectives in decision-making.

Students in the Animal Science program at the OHM BOCES CTE Center had a special visit from the New York State Police. Trooper Kevin Conners and his K-9 partner, Todz, gave an unforgettable lesson. They demonstrated obedience, detection skills and real-world scenarios showing students what it’s like to work in the K-9 Unit.

Families got a first-hand look at the programs shaping our students’ futures during OHM BOCES Campus Wide Parents Night on Sept. 24. From hands-on projects to state-of-the-art labs, parents explored classrooms, met teachers and learned how our programs prepare students for college, careers and real-world success.

The Career and Technical Education Center programs focus on preparing students for employment, careers or post-secondary education through the development of technical and 21st-century skills. Working with state-of-the-art equipment, students apply theory and knowledge to a wide range of real life work assignments in shops and laboratories. In addition to technical skills, students learn critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, positive employment attitudes, job seeking skills, familiarization with related career opportunities and college readiness.

Email: mhoover@oneida-boces.org

Website: https://www.oneida-boces.org
Location: 4747 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY, USA
Phone: 315-793-8666
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohmboces1/
Twitter: @ohmboces