BOCES Employee Newsletter

The annual holiday breakfast on Dec. 11 was a wonderful way to bring our BOCES community together. It was great to see so many of you in the Ed Center enjoying breakfast cooked by our leaders. The room felt spirited with music from our talented employees, and the student-made tabletop decorations added a special touch.

I appreciated the chance to talk with many of you about what brings you joy this season.

Please take a moment to watch the video below and have a great holiday!

Dr. Rebecca Stone
Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

Steady progress continues at the O&M site. Interior work is well underway, and the project remains on schedule for completion in December. Staff are expected to move in shortly after. Once the transition is complete, demolition of the old O&M building will begin, with work anticipated to wrap up by the end of January.

Excitement is building as we move closer to breaking ground on the Education Center addition! Plans are taking shape, and we anticipate construction to begin in February 2026. Stay tuned for more updates as this project gets ready to launch.

Thank you for your continued support of this project, and please let us know if you have any

questions or concerns.

This month Health and Safety has been assisting all our non-instructional buildings with their evacuation and lock down drills. Educational buildings must conduct eight evacuation and four lock down drills annually. Our non-Instructional buildings are required to conduct an annual evacuation drill and our BOCES has decided to add an annual lock down drill as well to help keep our staff safe.

Another task our office is assisting our school districts with is disposal of sharps and expired medications. These items are picked up and packaged properly and a scheduled pick up with the vendor is placed.

In December, the six-month periodic asbestos inspections are performed as well. These inspections entail a visual walk through in all buildings that have asbestos containing materials to ensure these materials are intact and well maintained.

Finally, we have also been providing guidance with several topics such as indoor air quality testing, lead in drinking water testing, and ensuring AED regulation requirements are being met.

We are anticipating the move into our beautiful new building located at the entrance to the BOCES campus at the end of the month!

It’s a busy and exciting time of the year. The Health and Safety office wishes you a safe and healthy holiday break!

The BBO team was honored to have the opportunity to serve as judges for Engineering Day in November. We truly enjoyed listening to the participants and observing how they planned and executed their designs. We also want to express our appreciation for the support provided by the New Visions students who were instrumental in running the program.

Thank you for including the BBO in this event. We look forward to future collaborations!

Broome-Tioga BOCES has partnered with OpenGov has transitioned from a paper-based bid solicitation process to a fully automated web-based electronic bidding and vendor management system.

Our new eProcurement Portal will allow prospective Vendors and Suppliers the ability to:

• Register to receive notifications of future bidding opportunities by signing up for our new e-Procurement Portal and selecting the “Subscribe” button to create an account.

• Follow along with updates to existing opportunities by finding the opportunity and clicking the “Follow” button. This will allow all interested bidders to receive amendments and addenda automatically.
• Submit questions and receive answers online regarding open bid opportunities.
• Use a guided process of responding electronically to bids to ensure your bids have been accurately completed.
• Receive timely support for bid questions.
• Have one location for all bid opportunities issued by Broome-Tioga BOCES.

Vendors have received coming soon letters and the team is excited to announce that the site is officially live!

December is always a busy month in the Central Business Office. Our teams are preparing the many calendar year-end reports for our component districts—from W-2s and 1099s to 1095s and other required filings—each one needing careful review and coordination to ensure everything is ready for January.

A special shout-out to Jennifer Dattoria, who spends her December preparing the ESSA SLSF report, the annual filing that details school-level spending and provides a clear look at how resources are allocated. Her work is an important part of the required reporting we do for our component districts.

We held our second annual Cubicle Decorating Contest for the holiday season, and it was a highlight of the month. The creativity, teamwork, and festive spirit on display are incredible!

This month, Document Services supported several major district communication and branding projects. We produced and mailed 16,709 Union-Endicott Capital Project newsletters, 1,692 Maine-Endwell newsletters, and 2,530 Harpursville newsletters. Our team also created 2,500 custom magnets for Binghamton. Between Nov. 7 and today, our black-and-white department completed 12,405 jobs, continuing to meet the high demand for district materials each month.

We are currently working on new vinyl projects for Tioga and Newark Valley, supporting their ongoing facility updates, and we are also producing window clings for Vestal’s new admin building entrance as part of their updated signage project.

Our work this month reflects strong collaboration across departments and districts.

The video team partnered with Instructional Programs, Adult Education, and Wendy Antalek to produce new LPN program features and alumni stories that highlight community connections and career pathways. A big thank you to WLC nurse Nicole Lown for participating in the video and sharing why she chose to go through the Broome-Tioga BOCES LPN program.

We also worked closely with Document Services to develop signage and campus design elements that support consistent branding and improve the look and feel of our schools in the region. This joint effort strengthens the visual identity across not only BOCES locations but our component districts.

Our office collaborated with the BOCES Business Office to design and launch the new BBO Bids and Solicitation webpage, supporting the transition to the OpenGov e-procurement system. This project improves access for districts and vendors.

Our team also worked with districts throughout the region to showcase holiday events, capital project wins, and winter weather alerts. These efforts help keep families and staff informed and connected.

Jean Graham, MS, CCC-SLP, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., joining about 15,000 colleagues for The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention. The event offered more than 2,500 sessions eligible for continuing education, including the latest research, clinical skills and techniques in communication sciences and disorders.

Jean, who we know as a speech-language pathologist at Broome-Tioga BOCES, put her primary focus on the areas of neurodiversity, social-communication skills, preparing neurodiverse students for post-secondary transitions, and reducing stigma-based barriers for the neurodivergent community.

Well done, Jean.

Rob Winterstein, General Automotive Services instructor at Broome-Tioga BOCES, was recently inducted into the Oneonta Job Corps Hall of Fame for his active, consistent role in placing students on a solid track toward careers. The honor was bestowed upon our Mr. Winterstein because of his successful placement of numerous students into the Job Corps program, using that as a potential springboard to jobs in the industry.

Job Corps is a free, residential career training program for young adults, run by the United Stares Department of Labor. This program offers hands-on skills in areas such as healthcare, automotive, and construction, to help struggling young adults earn a high school diploma or GED and place these students in great jobs with no debt, providing housing, meals, and a living allowance during their training.

Congratulations Mr. Winterstein.

John Fanning and Barb Mack from the Equinox Broadcasting/Cool 106.7 radio show recently made a surprise pop-in at our Broome-Tioga BOCES Education Center to honor our Mike Wharton, Oak Tree at Evertech teacher, as the Equinox first-of-its-kind Teacher of the Month. Fanning and Mack brought Mr. Wharton a care package of local gift cards, coffee and more, and offered their well wishes in a brief presentation that found our teacher doing what he does – working away with his students around him.

Mr. Wharton was nominated by the Mom of student Lennon Ford, an Oak Tree at Evertech junior, according to Fanning and Mack. A well deserved surprise for Mr. Wharton, and thanks to Lennon’s Mom and to Fanning, Mack and everyone at Equinox for this honor.

The Southern Tier Independent Restaurants, Inc. (STIR) recently began a monthly podcast during which the hosts interview a guest from the local restaurant industry. Fun for us to bring this particular podcast to your attention as the guest is Rachel Patinka, teaching chef here at Broome-Tioga BOCES. Chef Patinka talked with the hosts about her experiences and observations about the local restaurant scene, but most fun for us, a lot of time is spent discussing the BOCES Culinary Arts program and the opportunities afforded our students.

Click the here to listen to the podcast.

Broome-Tioga BOCES Criminal Justice students assisted with the 86th annual Endicott Holiday Parade recently. They helped with crowd control duties to ensure a safe event along the parade route. Students received some excellent real-world, hands-on learning while giving back to the community. Thanks to Don Entwistle and his CJ students for being a part of this tradition.

We had planned to host our annual Holiday Dinner for food service staff from all component districts; however, Mother Nature had other plans. Due to the snow day, we were forced to cancel the event. A new date will be scheduled soon, and we look forward to celebrating together once the weather cooperates.

The BOCES Nutrition Services team has been busy this past month, supporting our districts with taste tests, special events, and program development. One highlight was presenting “Kitchen of the Month” to Windsor’s C.R. Weeks Elementary School in recognition of their hard work, dedication, and continued commitment to providing nutritious meals to students. Congratulations to their outstanding team!

Many districts recently served their Thanksgiving holiday meals, with another festive meal on the way. If you have the chance, stop in and enjoy some delicious turkey and gravy as we continue celebrating the season.

Later this month, members of our department will travel to Rochester for the Regional Industry Seminar, where nutrition teams from across the state collaborate to review products and finalize menu plans for the 2026–2027 school year. This important work helps ensure that our students continue to receive healthy, appealing, and up-to-date meal choices.

As always, our mission remains the same: to keep the students of our component districts well-nourished with healthy, high-quality meals. Thank you to all our dedicated nutrition professionals for making that possible each and every day.

The PLIC is partnering with Maria Fabrizi, Community Schools Prevention Specialist with Coordinated Care Services, Inc, to strengthen substance use supports in the BT BOCES region. The focus is on vaping prevention. This partnership will bring new resources, training, and coordinated outreach to students and schools.

Marissa Derrick is now permanent in her role as Supervisor of Community Schools

Rob Corter with the VLA is officially tenured

Dustin Andrus won the NYSCATE Empire Award

In November, 10 BOCES CTE IT Specialist students joined the SCRIC team. These students will complete a year-long co-op alongside SCRIC staff, helping to provide IT support across their districts and BT BOCES. This is our largest cohort ever, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things they will accomplish.

On the day before Thanksgiving, the SCRIC held its first annual SCRICSgiving. It was a great time to enjoy lots of yummy food, connect with colleagues, and celebrate the many things we are thankful for! We even had some staff join us remotely who were unable to attend in person.

Keven Alexander - IT Intern High School/Co-op
Michael Cash - IT Intern High School/Co-op
Patrick Frederique - IT Intern High School/Co-op
Dominic Geertgens - IT Intern High School/Co-op
Alonah McIntosh Germille - IT Intern High School/Co-op
Kamari Goodman - IT Intern High School/Co-op

Jameer Green - IT Intern High School/Co-op

Maddox Kurtz - IT Intern High School/Co-op

Suleman Muhammed - IT Intern High School/Co-op
Ryan Oliver - IT Intern High School/Co-op

Jack Bell - Promotion from Student Assistant to PC/LAN Technician

The Wellness Committee continues its work to support healthy habits, promote balance, and build an environment where well-being is part of everyday success. The group shares resources, opportunities, and initiatives that reflect our commitment to you.

The committee includes staff from across BOCES:
Kerri Bullock, PLIC
Sharon Mannix, PLIC
Jackie Duffey, PLIC
Ami Wiswell, VLA
Leesa Rader, HR
Christine Choi, MSS
Tom Guillon, RIC
Jenn Weston, RIC
Rebecca Stone, Superintendent
Tom Dello, School Nutrition Services
Bridgette McManus, PALS
LeAndra Yarrell, District Based
Robin Eccleston, HR
Mary Shofkom, East LC
Maria Majka, Business Office

A new wellness webpage is now live (see link below). It includes resources aligned to several dimensions of wellness. You will also find seasonal health tips, including how to stay healthy during the holidays and simple ideas for healthy eating.

The webpage includes a quick submission form for ideas or resources you want the committee to consider. Your input helps guide future efforts.

If you would like to be part of the committee, please submit the form below.

Do you ever feel like you spend more time searching for files than working on them? Google Drive’s Workspaces can help you stay organized and save time.

What is a Workspace?

A Workspace is a customizable area in Google Drive where you can group files and folders you use most often—without moving them from their original location. Think of it as a “shortcut hub” for your most important documents.

Why Use It?

• Quick Access: No more digging through folders.

• Project Organization: Keep all related files together for a unit, PL session, or administrative task.

• Personalized: Create multiple workspaces for different roles or projects.
  
  

How to Set It Up

Open Google Drive and click on Workspace in the left-hand menu.

2. Click Create Workspace

3. Name your workspace (e.g., "Grade 5 Science" or "PL Planning")

4. Add files by searching or browsing your Drive.

5. Add more files at a later date by clicking on the three vertical dots ----> Organize ---> Add to Workspace

Pro Tip:

You can create multiple workspaces—one for each major project or role. This is perfect for teachers juggling classes or administrators managing several initiatives.

This tech tip was written in collaboration with Microsoft Copilot to enhance clarity and efficiency.