Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES

Last week, students celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Week!

OAOC Elementary TRUST students are spreading kindness in the best way. They created 71 Random Acts of Kindness boxes, each filled with a sweet treat, a kindness quote, and a hand‑stamped heart message.

At NCOC, each class secretly drew another class, and throughout the week, they surprised each other with thoughtful acts of kindness.

At OAOC, students in Mr. Amos’s Building Trades class are getting real-world experience through their placement with Eastman Associates. Devin and Trace have been hard at work laying flooring and helping frame the future Bassett daycare facility—contributing to a project that will directly benefit the community. Along the way, they’re building practical construction skills while learning teamwork and job‑site responsibility.

Both students have shown a strong work ethic, reliability, and a genuine eagerness to learn. We’re proud to share that they’ve been invited to extend their internships, a clear reflection of the quality and professionalism they bring to the job site!

A huge thank‑you to Rick, Michelle, and the entire Eastman Associates team for partnering with us and providing meaningful, hands‑on opportunities for our students! Partnerships like this are essential in preparing young people for future careers in the trades, and we truly appreciate their support.

Emma, a student in Chef Levine’s Culinary Arts program, has been gaining valuable hands-on experience through her work-based learning placement at Mel’s at 22. In the professional kitchen, she has been sharpening her skills by preparing and cutting vegetables, making desserts, and helping to fill orders and tickets during service. These responsibilities have strengthened her time management, teamwork, and understanding of daily kitchen operations.

We’re also thrilled to share that Emma has been offered a job to continue working at Mel’s throughout the school year and into the summer! This opportunity reflects her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and the skills she has developed through the program.

We extend our sincere thanks to Brian, Derek, and the entire team at Mel’s for their partnership with ONC BOCES. Their commitment to mentoring and supporting our students provides meaningful, real-world learning experiences that truly make a difference. We deeply appreciate their role in helping our students grow and explore careers in the culinary field!

ONC BOCES had an incredible showing at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition at SUNY Morrisville! Our students competed in everything from Welding and Carpentry to Culinary Arts, Photography, Cosmetology, Quiz Bowl, and more—representing their programs with skill and professionalism!

Three NCOC Cosmetology students sang the National Anthem to open the competition – Avery, Addison, and Jude – they did an amazing job!

Huge congratulations to our medalists:
• Liam (New Visions Engineering) – 1st in Related Technical Math
• Alex (New Visions Engineering) – 2nd in Related Technical Math
• Quiz Bowl Team: Sonam, Jonathan, Andrea, Griffin, Graham, Mason – 2nd place
• Lily (Cosmetology) – 1st in Cosmetology
• Kathryn – 2nd in Photography
• Jude – 1st in Action Skill

Congratulations to all competitors, and thank you to the advisors and chaperones who made the day possible. What an day for our students!

Join us on Thursday, March 5th, for NCOC's open house!
This event is open to all current students, their families, and community members, as well as 10th grade students—and any future prospective students—who are considering enrolling next year. It’s a great opportunity to explore the programs, meet instructors, and get a true sense of what NCOC has to offer!

The Mechatronics Class has completed the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) program. They have taken the certification test to prove their competency. This microcredential is through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. They will combine this certification with their OSHA-30, Universal Robots, and their Mike Rowe Work Ethic certifications to bolster their resumes and experiences. All of these experiences help to prepare our students for careers in the trades, industry, military, or college. Many of these options are supported by the individuals and industries that make up our Advisory Board. The combined goal of the Advisory Board and this program is to prepare the best possible candidate to compete for the career path of their choice. Their support is critical in our mission.

Padraig, in Mr. Anderson's Mechatronics class, recently began his internship at P1 Industries, where he is already gaining valuable real-world experience in advanced manufacturing. As part of his internship, Padraig had the unique opportunity to work alongside Mazak factory technicians to troubleshoot and repair a Mazak 5-axis VARIAXIS multitasking machine—an impressive and complex piece of equipment used for high-precision machining.

This level of industry exposure is incredibly important for students entering the skilled trades. Modern life depends heavily on machining and manufacturing, from the production of our food systems and medical equipment to transportation, infrastructure, and energy. Experiences like this help students connect classroom learning to real applications while building technical skills, professionalism, and confidence.

Throughout his internship, Padraig will continue learning to maintain, diagnose, and repair critical manufacturing equipment. He will also develop an understanding of workplace expectations, safety practices, and teamwork in an industrial environment. At the conclusion of his internship, he has the potential to transition into employment, making this an excellent stepping stone toward a career in manufacturing!

Thank you to Joel, Dave, Bianca, and the entire team at P1. We truly appreciate your collaboration with ONC BOCES, your commitment to working with our students, and your role in strengthening and restoring the manufacturing workforce! Your support makes a meaningful difference in preparing the next generation for careers in the industry.

If you would like to showcase your business to ONC BOCES students and the public, please reach out to Amber Lape at alape@oncboces.org by April 15th to register for our upcoming job fairs!

We love to hear from our graduates, and we recently heard from Jacob McAdams (Mechatronics Class of 2023), who is currently working for an electrical contractor in Brevard County, Florida. Jacob is involved in commercial electrical installations and is actively training to become a Journeyman Electrician. Even better—his electrical certification programs are fully paid for by his employer and the state.

Jacob knew college wasn’t the path he wanted to take, and through the trades, he found a career that allows him to work, learn, and build a strong future. His story is a great example of the many opportunities available to students who graduate with a solid background in the trades. Hard work, dedication, punctuality, and a strong work ethic truly pay off!

Fridays for our OAOC Primary Trust students are all about curiosity, creativity, and teamwork—and students are loving it!

Students were given a challenge to build a tower using a simple set of materials—play dough and 15 toothpicks. They drew and measured their first design in inches, then pushed themselves to create a second tower even BIGGER than the first, measuring and recording their results along the way! They wrapped up with free build time and peer-assisted learning, watching students collaborate, problem-solve, and support one another

Students have also experimented and discovered how to make fluffy slime, combining science, sensory exploration, and lots of smiles.

STEM Fridays continue to be a great way for our students to learn through hands-on exploration, creativity, and connection. We can’t wait to see what they build next!

At NCOC, Shane, from Mr. Tucker's Equipment Operation and Repair program, successfully completed his internship with Pete’s Auto Repair and Towing. During his time there, Shane gained valuable hands-on experience across a wide range of automotive and service tasks. His responsibilities included replacing axle seals, performing alignments, changing tires and brakes, completing oil changes, assisting with transmission replacements, working on control arms, and stepping in to help with any task that was asked of him. Shane consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude in every situation.
Shane performed so well throughout his internship that he was offered a job upon completion. He also received a public customer review recognizing his dedication, professionalism, and skill. One recent Google review highlighted Shane’s impact during a roadside emergency, noting that Anthony and Shane assisted a customer who had gone off the road on icy conditions. The reviewer praised their expertise, professionalism, and excellent customer service, emphasizing how grateful they were for the support they received.
An experience like this internship is truly invaluable, providing students with real-world learning opportunities while helping them build confidence and career-ready skills.
We are extremely appreciative of Anthony, James, and the entire team at Pete’s Auto Repair and Towing for their continued collaboration with ONC BOCES! It is especially meaningful that both owners are alumni of ONC BOCES and are now giving back by mentoring and supporting the next generation of skilled professionals!

The Social Emotional committee at OAOC sponsored a game day last week. Students played board games, ate snacks, and some even had their faces painted by Cosmetology students.
Mr. Rocklein also provided ping pong and Can Jam in the gym. Staff and students enjoyed their fun time together!

In Ms. Lapin’s Visual Communications class at NCOC, two students, Alexa and Aurora, have been completing an internship/scholarship experience with WIOX Radio, an educational radio station that can also be viewed on television. Throughout their internship, the students have applied their technical skills and creativity by designing PowerPoint slides used for WIOX’s TV broadcast. These slides rotate continuously during programming and include approximately 200–400 visuals, contributing directly to the station’s on-air presentation.
Through this hands-on experience, Alexa and Aurora have gained valuable real-world experience in visual media, broadcasting, and professional collaboration. In recognition of their dedication and hard work, each student will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship in June for their participation in the program!
A sincere thank you to Joe and the entire WIOX family for their continued support of our students and for collaborating with ONC BOCES to provide meaningful, career-connected learning opportunities!

Good evening,

All ONC BOCES locations will be closed tomorrow, January 26th, due to adverse weather conditions. This includes OAOC, NCOC, and ISS.

Stay safe and warm!

The 2026 Mechatronics Company Picnic was a huge success! Graduates from our very first class (2021) through the Class of 2025 returned to connect with our current students and share their journeys. They talked about college choices, career paths, and how their high school and college programs align with future goals and opportunities.

Those already working in industry shared real-world experiences, advice, and insight into what they’re doing now—sparking meaningful conversations, plenty of ideas, and even a little humor along the way.

A big thank you to the OAOC Culinary Class for preparing an outstanding meal that brought everyone together.

ONCBOCES is incredibly proud of our graduates and all they are accomplishing, and truly grateful for the time and dedication they continue to give to help grow and guide this program.

The OAOC Culinary Arts Program, led by Chef Levine, currently has two students, Izzy and Julian, completing their internships at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, where they are gaining valuable, hands-on industry experience. Izzy works in culinary/kitchen operations, assisting with essential food preparation tasks such as peeling and dicing carrots, potatoes, and onions. In addition, he has been preparing house-made dressings and filling tickets for the Hawkeye Grill, including grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers. Izzy has also had the opportunity to work alongside Maddox, a graduate of our culinary program, which has provided meaningful mentorship and a real-world connection between current students and program alumni. Julian is completing her internship in the bakery department, where she has been creating a variety of delicious baked goods. Her work includes cookies, croissants topped with caramel glaze and almonds, assorted breads, and soufflés. Through this experience, Julian is developing advanced baking techniques while learning the pace, precision, and teamwork required in a professional bakery setting. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Jim Perillo and everyone at The Otesaga for making this opportunity possible! Your collaboration with our culinary department and your commitment to supporting student learning has provided these young chefs with invaluable real-world experience that will help shape their future careers in the culinary industry. #WeareCTENY

This month, the SEL boards at OAOC are celebrating diversity. Blank handprints were available for students to decorate with symbols, colors, or designs that represent their culture or ethnicity.

A big thank you to Ms. Jazmyn N. and Ms. Sheryl K. for the fantastic work on the Diversity boards—your hard work truly shines and can be seen on the bulletin boards. Thank you both for being such an essential part of our school culture!

"Diversity is the canvas; inclusion is the brush that paints a masterpiece of collaboration.”

One of the things we are most proud of at ONC BOCES is our commitment to bringing people together. The recent regional counseling staff meeting was a powerful example of collaboration, connection, and shared learning across our component districts. Here are a few highlights from an exceptional day on January 9th:
• Guest Speaker: Chad Angellotti (Otsego County Mental Health) delivered a powerful presentation on Forward Facing Professional Resiliency. Not a laptop or phone in sight, just a room full of deeply engaged professionals. The response was so strong, we’re already looking forward to his return in March.
• Erin Reed and Allison Cohen, ONC School Counselors, presented the Tier 1 SEL curriculum used in our self-contained programs. Their work was authentic, moving, and impactful. Our school counseling team should be incredibly proud of the intentional Tier 1 systems they’ve helped build and implement this year. Choose Love Movement provides a meaningful resource that grounds our work in connection, empathy, and emotional safety.
• Administrative updates were shared by Ashley Amos, Director of Special Education Services, highlighting upcoming trainings and NYSED updates to ensure our work remains aligned, proactive, and forward-thinking.
• April Erkson, Director of Student Support Services, provided a thoughtful overview of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and the application process, sparking important conversations, particularly among our high school counselors.
• The afternoon concluded with a roundtable, allowing counselors, social workers, and school psychologists to collaborate, problem-solve, and strengthen regional connections.
And of course…
We were spoiled with an incredible lunch prepared by OAOC Chef Levine and her culinary students: top-notch food and hospitality that truly elevated the day. The room was decorated so beautifully, too!

We are now accepting applications for a Health Occupations Instructor at OAOC in Milford. This is an excellent opportunity for a Registered Nurse to teach the next generation of healthcare workers!

For more information and application instructions, please visit:
https://www.oncboces.org/o/onc/page/job-opportunities