Genesee Valley BOCES

This month, we honor the brave men and women who work tirelessly to keep our campuses safe. From campus Police Officers to first responders, your dedication ensures that students, faculty, and staff can focus on learning. Thank you for all that you do!

September is National Deaf Awareness Month. Let’s come together to celebrate and raise awareness about the Deaf community, and the importance of accessibility. September 23rd, the International Day of Sign Languages, is a day for us to recognize and promote the significance of sign languages around the world! 🌍🤟

GV BOCES hosted its first Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention Training Conference today. The event opened with a keynote from Dr. Dayton Walsh, followed by a powerful inclusion activity. Attendees engaged in breakout sessions tailored to health teachers, counselors, and coaches, hearing expert insights from professionals like Denise Hamburger. The conference fostered critical discussions and hands-on strategies to better support student wellness across the region, concluding with an optimistic closure that left participants feeling empowered and informed.

Alumni Spotlight: Bethany Freeman In 2003, Bethany Freeman graduated from the Health Careers Academy at our Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. Now looking back, Bethany says BOCES helped shape her career after graduation. “The clinical experiences I attended while at BOCES made a huge impact on my career choices and helped me navigate what degrees to pursue after high school,” said Freeman. After graduation, Freeman continued to follow an educational career in the healthcare field, obtaining her B.S. in Health Sciences in 2008 from Daemen College followed by her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Buffalo in 2013. Freeman says her ability to excel in college courses was partly due to learning and better understanding the medical terminology she learned at BOCES. Bethany was able to jump right from the classroom into the field, working in OR nursing for 10 years before becoming an RN Clinical Instructor for the Batavia Campus Health Dimensions in 2023. Now, Freeman is helping our future healthcare professionals saying in part that she is “so happy to be back teaching the next generation.” When asked what advice she wants to give the students that are currently enrolled in a BOCES program, Freeman said “The greatest piece of advice I can give to students currently in a BOCES program is to take advantage of the resources available to you - ask questions, participate in everything. You’ll never have an opportunity like this again, and the teachers are there because they are the experts in that field.” Freeman continued by saying “They all want you to be successful. Even if you don’t pursue a career related to the program after graduation, you will still have that knowledge gained for life and no one can take that from you. You never know when those skills will benefit you later in life!”

🎓✨ September is Attendance Awareness Month! ✨🎓Did you know that regular attendance is a key factor in academic success? Let’s work together to ensure every student is present, engaged, and ready to learn. Attendance matters and every day counts!

Explore rewarding career paths at Genesee Valley BOCES! We offer a range of exciting roles where you can make a real difference in your field. Visit gvboces.org to find out how you can join our committed team. Begin your journey with us today and make an impact!

Kickstarting the school year on a high note! 🎉 Last week's field day at Batavia BOCES was a smashing success, featuring exciting relay races, challenging obstacle courses, and even a dunk tank—with our amazing staff bravely taking the plunge! Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

Celebrating a new wave of healthcare heroes! The Genesee Valley BOCES School of Practical Nursing proudly welcomed 23 incredible individuals into the nursing profession last week. Fueled by compassion, resilience, and a dedication to making a difference, these graduates are set to transform lives in healthcare. Join us in congratulating them on their remarkable journey and achievements. Here’s to the future of nursing, brightened by our newest LPN graduates!

As you may be aware, a social media post that threatened "BOCES" has been brought to the attention of Genesee Valley BOCES. This post did not originate in the GVB region, or specifically target Genesee Valley BOCES. Based upon our collaboration with law enforcement, no credible threat has been discovered, and it is believed this is a swatting event that seems to be part of a broader trend of misinformation that has been affecting schools across the country. Out of an abundance of caution we will implement additional security measures. Thank you for your understanding and should new information be discovered, we will be sure to communicate with you. Thank You, Kevin MacDonald

🎨✨ As National Arts in Education Week comes to a close, we want to express our deepest appreciation for the arts and the incredible teachers who inspire and open the minds of our students every day. Your creativity and dedication play a crucial role in nurturing talent and fostering a love for the arts. Thank you for all that you do! 🌟👏

Remembering September 11, 2001.

Join Our Team at GV BOCES: Make an Impact Today! We're hiring passionate professionals dedicated to shaping the future. Apply now and help us inspire the leaders of tomorrow!

The Building Trades Program at the Batavia CTE Center is looking for homeowners within a 15-mile radius to help bring their dream homes to life! To apply, simply scan the QR code and complete our Google survey. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your dream home a reality! The application deadline is October 31, 2024.

The Early College High School staff was enthusiastic and well-prepared to welcome students for an exciting new school year! Formerly known as the WNY Tech Academy, this program partners with regional school districts to deliver a hands-on, project-based learning experience. With a focus on helping students earn both a high school diploma and an Associate degree, the staff is dedicated to guiding them toward high-skill, financially stable careers in growing industries. Welcome back, everyone!

Welcome Back to the 2024-2025 School Year at our Dansville Campus! 📚✨ Students were all smiles as they reconnected, got settled, and kicked off the new school year with excitement. From morning introductions to getting acquainted with classmates and teachers, the energy on campus was filled with positivity and enthusiasm for the year ahead!

📸 Our staff had a blast capturing some fun back-to-school photos! 😄 We're energized and excited for the new school year ahead. Let’s make it a year to remember! 🎉📚

GV BOCES kicked off the 2024-25 school year by welcoming staff back with an opening day event held at GCC on Tuesday morning. The event featured a motivational speech by Tom Murray, who inspired a full audience of teachers and staff. New hires were also introduced as they prepare for the exciting new school year ahead.

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Wishing all our staff, students, and community a great year ahead. Enjoy your first day back this week!

LIVES students kicked off the new school year with a strong commitment to community service by volunteering at the Food Link Pop-Up food pantry. Their efforts in wheeling carts and loading groceries not only supported the local community but also provided valuable hands-on experience. This marked the second consecutive year of this impactful partnership, highlighting the program's dedication to life skills and community involvement. Mr. Schnitter emphasized the dual benefits of this opportunity: contributing to the community while gaining essential work experience. Photo Credit: Sarah Wilcox

EPISODE ALERT! Our Most Unique Episode Yet! In this special episode, Kevin and Nick take the show on the road to Ellicottville for the Genesee Valley BOCES Leadership Institute 2024. This episode stands out with its unique approach, as our hosts engaged with a variety of regional leaders over two days during morning registration. The Leadership Institute provides regional leaders with opportunities for professional learning and networking each summer. Organized by the School Improvement Team, this year's event featured several keynote speakers, including Dr. Thomas Guskey from Kentucky University on grading, Michelle Branter, and technology-focused sessions. Following the keynote addresses, attendees participated in two rounds of breakout sessions covering a wide range of relevant educational topics. Our podcast captures a range of conversations, from rapid-fire questions to in-depth discussions on grading inspired by Dr. Guskey’s presentations. Listen, rate, and subscribe to hear insights from: Matt Stroud: Director of Curriculum, Attica CSD Betsy Brown: Director of Instructional Services, Byron-Bergen CSD Gordy Baxter: Director of Staff Development, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES/EduTech Dr. Julie Donlon: Deputy Superintendent, Genesee Valley BOCES Erin Weingaertner: Director of Professional Learning & Instructional Technology, Livonia CSD Pete Greene: Assistant Principal, Caledonia-Mumford Elementary Paul Hazard: Principal, Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. HS Dr. David Russell: Principal, LeRoy Jr./Sr. HS Dr. Amanda Cook: Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Pavilion CSD Kevin MacDonald: District Superintendent, Genesee Valley BOCES Join us for an episode filled with valuable insights and engaging discussions from educational leaders across the region!