Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES

Damien and Colton, two students in Mr. Traugh's Automotive class, are taking their skills to the next level during their internship at Hausmann's Diesel Performance LLC. From resealing oil coolers and reinstalling front drive shafts to replacing NOX sensors, they’ve been hands-on with real repair and maintenance work.

They’re now gearing up for their biggest challenge yet: removing the cab from a veteran‑owned, 1,200‑horsepower pulling truck as it prepares for an engine upgrade that will bring it close to 2,000 horsepower. They’ve also completed oil changes, coolant replacements, and mirror installations—directly applying classroom learning in a professional shop environment.

A huge thank‑you to Hausmann's Diesel Performance LLC for partnering with ONC BOCES and providing exceptional mentorship and real‑world experience. Opportunities like this empower our students with the confidence and skills to thrive in the automotive industry.

NCOC's Elementary Career Day was an engaging and meaningful experience for our Primary and Elementary students! Over the last quarter, all Innovative Program students had the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of careers and career pathways while exploring their own interests and strengths. Students researched careers connected to their RIASEC scores, which represent six interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—and help individuals understand how their preferences align with different types of work.

We are incredibly grateful to the 13 guest speakers who generously gave their time to share their experiences, answer questions, and inspire our students! Career exploration at an early age is essential for helping students build self-awareness, expand their understanding of the world of work, and begin connecting learning to future goals. This event also supports New York State Education Department (NYSED) expectations for early career awareness and exploration, ensuring students are prepared for future college, career, and life planning.

Good morning,

Today, March 4, 2026, NCOC will operate on a two-hour delay due to adverse road conditions.

In conjunction with our Choose Love Movement, our OAOC Elementary TRUST students decided to provide community service through a field trip. They gathered and donated many items for the Susquehanna SPCA's cats and dogs. Our students demonstrated kindness to the cats and dogs by petting, feeding, and playing with them!

Join us on Wednesday, March 4th, at OAOC in Milford for our annual Open House!

The Mechatronics Program was visited by alumnus Aiden Burgos. He talked about college preparation, what to expect, scholarships, scheduling, and how to be successful in college, and he also presented on his current work in the SUNY Delhi Mechatronics Program. This was a valuable way for students to learn what they will need to navigate the coming year. It is advantageous for students to hear this information from someone who is currently navigating career choices. We are grateful that Aiden took the time to come back to the program, connect with the students, and answer so many questions!

Good morning,

Due to inclement weather, NCOC will be on a 2-hour delay this morning, Wednesday, February 25th.

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!