It’s hard to believe how quickly the summer flew by. It feels like just yesterday was my first day here! I literally feel like the muppet above running at his highest speed. I know many of you can relate!

I want to take a moment to express how impressed I am with all that the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES organization has to offer and even more impressed by the incredible group of talented, compassionate, and caring individuals who fill every role here. Your dedication and skills truly make a difference, and I’m excited to see all the amazing things we will achieve together in the coming months. A day doesn't pass that I don't see or learn about something amazing happening within one of our programs.

I also want to acknowledge that change, even when it’s for the better, can be a bit daunting. It’s completely normal to feel apprehensive about new challenges and shifts. Please know that we’re in this together, and we have the strength and support within our teams to navigate any changes that come our way.

I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with relaxation, adventure, and memorable moments. As we prepare to begin a new school year, let’s embrace the opportunities ahead and make the most of this new chapter.

If you need anything or have any questions as we settle back in, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to a great start and a productive season ahead! Welcome Back!

Best,

Lisa Meade

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

Now that we have a complete admin team for our division, it may be a good time to review chain of command.

For CTE

Assistant Principals > Principals> CTE Director> ASI > Deputy Superintendent

For Special Education

Assistant Principals > Principals> Director of Exceptional Learners> ASI > Deputy Superintendent

If there is a concern between programs, Principals of both programs should first collaborate and then bring it to the appropriate Director.

In all other cases, faculty and staff report first to their Principal who will then route their concern or question as necessary. We have included a quick reference chart below to help provide some clarity around the Director roles.

Through the hard work of many, our special education wait list has been reduced by nearly 60%. This is incredible! Our thanks to Tyler Sweeting, all of our Principals and Assistant Principals, Diana Featherly and Connor Delavak for working so many hours to make sure students who needed our help are now able to access it. This is simply remarkable work in a very short period of time.

Summer 2024 at PTECH has been exciting and busy. We were thrilled to welcome both familiar faces and new additions to our teaching staff and first-year students. On August 20 and 21, 2024, we hosted a summer orientation for PTECH's class of 2028. During the event, thirty-six students engaged in activities focused on community and relationship building, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The orientation concluded with the students presenting their ideas in a Shark Tank-style format. We are eager to see what the future holds for these promising young minds

Summer School Success Across District Programs

This summer, a total of 400 students enrolled in various extended school year (ESY) programs across the district, with the following breakdown:

• WEC: 50 students

• MEC: 135 students

• NEC: 99 students

• RJEC: 67 students

• FLSS: 49 students

NEC had a dynamic summer filled with diverse activities, including trips to the Spray Park, Motion Junction Playground, Nowind Campgrounds, and Perkins Park. Educational visits included a college tour at FLCC, an excursion to the Winged Pheasant Golf Course, and a tour of the Lake Front Hotel in Geneva. Students enjoyed daily water play and team games organized by PE staff, fostering teamwork and physical activity. The summer's theme, "The Olympics," inspired daily classroom activities and challenges, culminating in a Water Fun Day and a staff Bingo contest to celebrate the students' achievements and teamwork.

FLSS organized a field trip to Onanda Park, where students enjoyed lake swimming, fishing, and cooperative games designed to enhance teamwork and communication. The week wrapped up with an Olympic-themed closing ceremony, showcasing students' skills through fun, competitive activities and fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Throughout the summer, students worked on credit recovery, Regents test preparation, and engaged in socially appropriate activities to prepare for the upcoming school year.

WEC celebrated the end of summer with a lively event featuring a "Survivor" theme inspired by the reality show. Students enjoyed activities such as a dunk tank, snow cones, cotton candy, tug-of-war, kickball, and interactions with goats. The summer program included incentives, Survivor-themed visuals, and other prizes to enhance the experience. Throughout the summer, students focused on credit recovery, Regent’s test preparation, and workforce development programs in partnership with Ontario and Wayne Counties, gaining valuable skills and experience. The event was a fitting tribute to their hard work and achievements.

RJEC gave students a refreshing day at Seneca Lake Spray Park in Geneva, and another day at the beach at Onanda park in Canandaigua, where they enjoyed water play and interactive activities that promoted teamwork, communication, and social skills in a relaxed environment. The summer included additional activities such as virtual reality tours, lots of outdoor play, Wild Life Allstars, and concluded with a festive end-of-summer cookout featuring a bubble maker and a variety of outdoor activities. Throughout the summer, students balanced academic work with opportunities to develop their social skills.

MEC had a fantastic summer, highlighted by an engaging story time with a local librarian who delighted students with beloved classics like “Bear Hunt.” The excitement didn't stop there—students also enjoyed lively water play activities, and the program thoughtfully addressed sensory needs to ensure inclusivity for all. It was a summer full of joy, learning, and fun!

In other news...

The FLES site is set to open on September 4th, which is an extension of the Midlakes Education Center, hosted by Marcus Whitman. Heather Smith and her team have been working hard on the logistics and classroom setup for the upcoming school year. This building will start with two classrooms for grades 3-5, with the 8:1:3 model and for now will focus on serving students from Geneva, Waterloo, Penn Yan, Honeoye, and Bloomfield. As this program continues to grow, there is potential to host 10 classrooms. EDUTECH is completing technology infrastructure and security enhancements to ensure a smooth launch of the school year on September 4th at the new FLES site, which is an extension of the Midlakes Education Center and hosted by Marcus Whitman. MEC Principal Heather Smith is preparing for the upcoming academic year by organizing learning environments for grades 3-5 and coordinating resources to facilitate a smooth transition for both students and teachers.

The MTSS district-wide initiative began on August 21st, focusing on creating a cohesive Multi-Tiered System of Supports model for implementation across all programs. Representatives from each site attended the initial training sessions, led by Kristin DeFeo, to launch the MTSS framework. After the three-session training, staff will bring back information to their respective buildings to develop a cohesive MTSS model with ongoing support. The goal is to integrate the MTSS model within each site, ensuring a unified approach to addressing students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

Threat assessment training with John Kelly, focusing on the Florida model, took place on August 22nd. This comprehensive training equipped a dedicated committee with the skills to identify, assess, and address potential threats, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for students and staff. The committee developed a structured threat assessment process tailored to our school's needs, which will be implemented throughout the upcoming school year. This proactive approach is designed to enhance our ability to manage and mitigate risks effectively and will be utilized throughout the year.

Community Circles training, presented by Lisa Meade on August 23rd, included participants from WEC and FLSS. This training aimed to support the implementation of Community Circles, which foster a positive school climate, enhance communication, and build strong relationships among students and staff. The training will continue throughout the upcoming school year to ensure effective integration and sustained benefits, with more opportunities becoming available for all our sites.

Centralized hiring for certified and non-certified staff members continued over the summer. Certified candidates were interviewed in-person every Tuesday at the Regional Center in the Maple Building, while non-certified candidates were interviewed virtually every Thursday, organized by Assistant Principals Andrea Smith and Alison Cantu. This process will continue into the fall to ensure a streamlined approach for meeting staffing needs across all sites.

Certification – We are now also cross contracting with Cap Region BOCES for an EXCELLENT resource to assist with all certification questions. Reach out if you need assistance.

Regional Certification Office

900 Watervliet Shaker Road, Suite 102

Albany, NY 12205

certification@neric.org

518-862-4918 phone

518-862-4903 fax

We have been meeting with the incredible Communications team to expand public relations opportunities for P16. We will be intentional about celebrating all of the amazing work occurring in your buildings. Please use only this form moving forward to request support. https://forms.office.com/r/5x1kHxmYL4

WTCC Summer Programing

Over the summer months, 8th and 9th grade students from the W-FL BOCES region could participate in 3-week programs at Wayne Technical and Career Center, introducing them to the Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Welding and Machining trades. Students were able to earn certifications in the following areas in OSHA 10, Forklift Operation and ServSafe Food Protection. A very special thank you to our corporate sponsors for making this opportunity available to students and to Rick Herman, CEO of the Rochester Home Builders Association, for the keynote address at the summer Completion Ceremony.

FLTCC Summer Update and Projects

Over the summer, students in the Cosmetology program had an opportunity to earn up to 120 hours toward their 1000 necessary to take the state board, by participating in the 4-week summer program. During the program, students took field trips to local salons, long-term care centers and businesses. The summer's culminating event was a Disney theme experience where teams of students demonstrated their skills in make-up and hair.

In response to an increase in student interest and feedback from stakeholders, a classroom space was converted into a second Electrical Trades shop. Electrical Trades is one of the most popular program requests at FLTCC and we are excited to welcome 25 additional students to the program this school year. A special thank you to Jim Buck and Frankie Caswell for building out this space.

The Practical Nursing Program celebrated the class of 2024 on Friday, August 9, 2024. Twenty-seven students graduated in front of family and friends at the Conference Center and a joyful celebration followed.

During our District Superintendent's initial Listening Tour, Lynne Rutnik discovered that our internal BOCES staff needed and wanted more professional learning support and opportunities. On behalf of Jessica Sheridan, we are happy to share that April Seeley has accepted the position of Director of BOCES Professional Learning. April has been with Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES since 2020 as a Staff Development Trainer with a focus on providing professional learning on special education, differentiated instruction and strengthening instruction for all students using high-quality, research-based strategies. She will work closely with the Staff Development Team to ensure our BOCES staff (of close to 1,000 employees) receive the ongoing learning opportunities they need to best support the students of our region.

We will be relaunching our ELA and CDOS Curriculum Committees. If you are interested in joining the ELA Committee (or were a member last year and want to stay on it), PLEASE contact April Seeley. April will also be looking for more volunteers to join our Everyday Math/Math Curriculum Committee. Reach out if that person is you. You can sign up by clicking on the Prime Learning link above.

We will also be continuing our CDOS curriculum committee under Shannon Brown's leadership. One of the ideas this committee agreed on, last year, is the development of an Employability Profile to use as a tool to track progress of students earning their CDOS credentials, similar to the way it is currently utilized for NYS approved CTE programs. The employability profile would be completed at established intervals (e.g., 5, 15, 25, and 35 weeks) and tailored to meet the needs of the individual program to show growth over time as our students' soft skills develop. Please reach out to Shannon Brown if you are interested in being a part of this work.

We will also beginning some curriculum work with Erin's Law. More to come soon.

The "Second Step" program is a key component of our social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives for children, and we’re excited to announce its expansion to upper secondary grades. This program is accessible across all our sites and provides essential support for developing emotional and social skills.

As we know, social-emotional learning and relationship-building are foundational to effective academic learning. By explicitly integrating SEL into our programs, we aim to ensure that students have the emotional resilience and interpersonal skills necessary for academic success and personal growth. This expansion underscores our commitment to fostering a well-rounded educational experience where emotional well-being supports and enhances academic achievement.

A pacing calendar to keep us all on track with this important work has also been developed.

Second Step Pacing Guide

As we begin this new school year, we will continue to focus on TCIS 2nd edition concepts. Reviewing what we have learned, the beginning of the school year is a great time to focus on developmental relationships. This concept is at the heart of everything we do—building meaningful connections that support our students' academic and personal growth. A developmental relationship is more than just a positive interaction; it’s about empowering students through consistent care, challenging them to grow, providing support, and expanding their horizons. This year, we’ll explore strategies to strengthen these relationships, recognizing that each one plays a vital role in our students' success. Together, we’ll dive into what it means to create an environment where every student feels known, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We must remind ourselves of the TCIS Theory of Change and how Developmental Relationships are weaved throughout the school day. Understanding TCIS concepts and applying strategies helps us and students achieve the desired student outcomes. With your dedication and application of what we know works with our students, we’ll make this a transformative year for our entire school community. Let’s make it a great year!

We've been working hard to complete some needed projects and bring coherence to the work across all sites. Here are some links you may find helpful!

PD Plan Link

Casemanager Link - this is new!

Second Step Pacing Guide – This is a good printable for you! Thank you Chris Singer and Tamara Jones for their leadership on this.

Timeout Tip Sheet

Code of Conduct

District Safety Plan - from John Kelly

On Tuesday, August 27, we welcomed the new P-16 staff members to W-FL BOCES team! The morning kicked off with a getting to know you circle facilitated by Lisa Meade, followed by Trauma Informed Practices with Lisa Brockhuizen and Lisa Meade. District Superintendent Lynne Rutnik also addressed the group and led them in a quick activity around change. Staff then enjoyed a lunch with new colleagues, and participated in various stations such as Microsoft 365, Frontline, Classlink, a meet and greet with Human Resources and Schooltool. The day wrapped with a review of the W-FL BOCES commitments and a closing circle. New staff members also participated in their respective union meetings following the orientation.

Regional Cooperative Summer School Wrap-Up

The regional cooperative summer school has concluded, and our teams have done a commendable job delivering summer enrichment, driver education, and credit recovery opportunities to students in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region. Enrollment increased by 10% this summer, with 1,847 students enrolled. Secondary programs culminated in the regional scoring of the August 2024 Regents exams for all component districts. A dedicated group of teachers from across the region scored over 1,200 exams across our region.

Home School

Another area of growth for shared services. We currently serve 11 out of the 25 districts with two districts joining just this summer. Enrollment in this program is over 850 students.

Clinical Support Services (CSS) and Comprehensive Accessibility Services (CAS)

W-FL BOCES offers a wide range of specialized consultants and services available through the

Clinical Support Services and Comprehensive Accessibility Services programs. Districts can access expert evaluations, assessments, and consultations in areas such as audiology, psychology, psychiatry, occupational and physical therapy, Teachers of the Deaf, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Orientation & Mobility and Assistive Technology, and more. The program aims to provide comprehensive support to help students with diverse needs succeed academically and socially. Regardless of student placement, all services are referred through the home district.

Our district Math curriculum committee led the selection of Math program to be used grades K-6. We are excited to announce that materials and supplies for EVERYDAY MATHEMATICS has been purchased and delivered to sites. This program will be used in all non-NYSAA programs. If you have any questions about the program, materials, or resources, please reach out to APRIL SEELEY.

A special shout out to three individuals for also completing online pd to support implementation of the program! Thank you, Mindy Heaven, Erika Murdaugh, Alicia Ignacio, and Anna Harasimowicz. An additional thank you to our Math Committee Chairpersons from last year as well including Erich Dittmar, Alison Cantu and Kas Wheeler.

Professional Development for all teachers using this program has been scheduled for October 11, 2024. It will be an in person training provided by the vendor.

We now have a site license for Wakelet. This means ALL of our students will be able to access this application. It has already been used by CTE to develop portfolios of student work. We are hoping to expand its use within our CDOS Curriculum Project as well as using it as transition tool for our students with special needs prior to aging out or graduating from program. Our older students could use a Wakelet to present at their annual review or at a parent conference. There are so many possibilities!

Best part is they still have access to all of their content post graduation and for free!

We are excited to announce three additional full-day workshops focused on community-building restorative practice strategies for teachers, administrators, and behavior specialists from WEC, FLSS, and RJEC. These sessions will be facilitated by Lisa Meade, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.

You can choose to attend one of the following dates: September 10th, October 8th, or November 19th, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. These workshops will be held at the Regional Support Center, Maple Building, in the P-16 conference room.

The workshop on with WEC and FLSS on August 23rd was a tremendous success, and we are committed to continuing our staff training in this critical area. This workshop series marks the first step in implementing restorative practices across our buildings. Your participation is essential for our collective growth and the effective advancement of our programs.

See your Principal if you are interested.

• Expanding collaboration with ARC Ontario to provide a supportive college experience for some of our students!
• Moving to Parent Square
• Relaunching SDM
• Gaining access to data dashboards for all of our sites
• Participating in a possible pilot for a mental health screener
• Updating our Field Trip Request process to make it a smoother system for all
• Opening more classrooms at FLES
• Launching a podcast for CTE
• Identifying professional development needs to broaden our expertise and utilization of Iready
• Relaunching of our curriculum work that began last year (ELA, CDOS and more!)
• Increasing professional development opportunities for P16 including aides and TAs
• Planning, research and preparation for Big Picture Learning (opening next school year)

P-16 will align systems, resources and practices to ensure at least a 50% reduction of students, from our component districts, on waiting lists no later than January 2025.

P-16 will hire a CTE Director to create alignment and equitable systems, processes and resources as well as program offerings for the two CTE Campuses as evidenced by a BOE and CSO presentation no later than March 2025.

P-16 will audit, review and update all special education programs, descriptions and ratios. We will reimagine what our classrooms look like by piloting a new ratio (8:1:3) beginning in October 2024. (This new ratio will only apply to NEWLY created classrooms, opening for the first time this year. In addition, this ratio does not apply to NEC at this time as well.)

P-16 will work collaboratively with building leaders and associations to create three new programs to serve the needs of the WFL Region in the area of autism, secondary alternative education and an additional CTE option for students with disabilities, no later than June 2025; as evidenced by the creation of FLES, Big Picture Learning Program and a redesigned "Career Academy" Program for secondary students.

P-16 will increase professional development available to all BOCES Special Education and CTE programs; this will include an emphasis on understanding the why around Restorative Practices, no later than June 2025.

P-16 will increase communication to all stakeholders by launching Parent Square across all sites, publishing a monthly newsletter and curating a semi-regular podcast to increase communication, celebrate highlights and provide transparency with P-16 stakeholders and component district representatives beginning no later than October 2023 and occurring every month (newsletter and Parent Square) or every other month (podcast) of the school year.