Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego

The DCMO BOCES Alan D. Pole Campus in Norwich hosted its annual Applications Day on Tuesday, March 31, giving Career and Technical Education students and adult learners the opportunity to meet with local employers and industry representatives. Throughout the afternoon, businesses were stationed in program classrooms while students rotated through to meet with employers, share resumes, and complete applications for full-time, part-time, and summer employment. The event gave students the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with industry professionals and take important steps toward entering the workforce.

Participating businesses and organizations included: The Place; Greater Opportunities Head Start; Ironworkers Union Local 60; K Tooling LLC; Alvogen/Norwich Pharmaceuticals; DCMO BOCES Print Shop; DCMO BOCES, Norwich and Sidney Center campuses; Broome-Tioga BOCES; Laborers Local 785; Carpenters Local 287; Bricklayers/Masons Local 3; Intelligent Green Solutions; LW Morse & Son Plumbing, Heating & AC; Chenango County Office of Emergency Services; NYS Department of Corrections; Chenango County; Chase Memorial Nursing Home & Rehab; The ARC Otsego; Valley View Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center; Norwich Rehabilitation & Nursing Center; Studio 11 Barbershop; HRS Forestry LLC; and IBEW Local 1249.

Students gained valuable experience speaking with employers and exploring career pathways, while businesses had the opportunity to connect with motivated future employees. Thank you to all of the participating businesses and organizations for supporting our students and helping make Applications Day a success!

Staff from the DCMO BOCES Support Services Center in Norwich visited Harrold Campus in Sidney Center on Thursday. After a lunch prepared by the Culinary Arts students, they toured the Conservation program’s maple production operation. Mr. Whittaker, Mr. Larsen and students in the program and FFA chapter explained each part of the process to the group. Each season, the students give tours to hundreds of visitors, educating them about the maple industry and syrup-making process.

Last week, students in the Cosmetology program at the Alan D. Pole Campus learned about wigs from guest presenter Dori Bates. Mrs. Bates shared her knowledge of different wig types and cap constructions and styles. She demonstrated proper techniques for putting wigs on and removing them, along with best practices for care and maintenance. Students had the opportunity to handle and feel different types of wigs, gaining a better understanding of their construction and quality. The session provided valuable, hands-on learning, and students found the presentation to be both informative and engaging.

Miss Jacobsen’s class visited the saphouse at Harrold Campus to learn how maple syrup is made and bottled. The children had a great time sampling the syrup, exploring the equipment that makes it all possible, and even getting a chance to see the tank up close. Thanks to Mr. Whittaker and students in the Conservation program and FFA for the tour– it was a fun and educational experience for everyone!

The Student Board Member Mid-Year Gathering was held Friday at the DCMO BOCES Harrold Campus. Sponsored by the DCMO BOCES “All Means All” Steering Committee, the gathering was designed to support regional student board members in this first year of a state mandate for their inclusion on boards in all school districts. Students received training, networked with their peers and collaborated on ways to continue to develop the role for school districts.



13 students from 9 districts participated, along with members of the steering committee. School districts represented were Afton CSD, Bainbridge-Guilford CSD, Delaware Academy CSD at Delhi, Franklin CSD, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton CSD, Hancock CSD, Norwich CSD, Sidney CSD and Walton CSD. Steering committee members present were Walton Superintendent Teresa Glavin, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Superintendent Heather Wilcox, Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock, Bainbridge Elementary Teacher and LINKS Coordinator Kim Morris, Norwich Community Schools Coordinator and Social Worker Kelly Collins-Colosi, and DCMO BOCES Mental Health Coordinator Amanda Hoover.

Deputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office have visited Ms. Reichert-Morgan’s Security & Law Enforcement class at the Harrold Campus several times this winter. Deputy Elmore spoke to the senior class about his role as a Drug Recognition Expert, and Corporal Karcher visited with Eli, one of the department’s K9s. Corporal Karcher also spoke to students about the duties and requirements of being a Sheriff’s Deputy. Presentations from our area law enforcement agencies help our students gain valuable insights into the work of security and law enforcement professionals, and we appreciate their contribution of time and knowledge.

Friday was a day for staff development at DCMO BOCES. Educational staff from both campuses gathered at the Robert W. Harrold Campus in Sidney Center for meetings, presentations and an opportunity to converse and collaborate. Many of our staff offered fun classes for their colleagues, including an opportunity to make sourdough cinnamon buns and pierogies; learn a bit of welding; personal auto care; wellness, walking, hiking and toning classes; hair braiding and color nails; crocheting, and others, including the popular karaoke stage. It was a productive and enjoyable day!

Here's a couple of great opportunities for the summer! Go to http://www.dcmoboces.com/.../page/employment-opportunities to see all the available positions available through DCMO BOCES.

Last week, students at both Harrold and Pole Campuses enjoyed celebrating Dr. Seuss Week and Read Across America with a variety of fun activities. At Harrold Campus, the student government created 14 Dr. Seuss book covers to display in the lobby. Students also visited classrooms to read Dr. Seuss books, and hosted a showing of The Lorax movie. Students in one classroom read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and afterward made fish puppets, singing and dancing with them to a silly Dr. Seuss song. Even Heltie the therapy dog joined in the fun! At Pole Campus, there were fun activities all week, including Dr. Seuss-inspired dress up days, a movie, snacks made by students from the Human and Retail Services program, and visits to classrooms by CTE students, who read from Dr. Seuss stories. It was a fun week that celebrated reading and Dr. Seuss!

We’re looking for local businesses and industry professionals to participate in Applications Day 2026 on Tuesday, March 31, from 12:00-2:00 PM at the DCMO BOCES Alan D. Pole Campus in Norwich, NY.

This event connects businesses with Career and Technical Education students and adult learners who are preparing to enter the workforce. Participating businesses will have the opportunity to meet students, review resumes, and assist with applications for full-time, part-time, or summer employment.

Businesses will be stationed in program-related classrooms and are encouraged to bring information about open positions and employment applications. Electronic applications are welcome.

Our campus offers thirteen Career and Technical Education (CTE) training programs that prepare students to enter the workforce after high school, including Automotive Technology, Barbering, Carpentry and Building Construction, Computer Technology, Conservation and Heavy Equipment Technology, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice/Police Science, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Human and Retail Services, Nurse Assistant, Visual Communications and Welding Technology.

Businesses can register using this form: https://forms.gle/C8TJ9D4kW8qmTrM28

For more information, please contact Sonnet Constable, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, at 607-335-1415.

Students in the Conservation & Heavy Equipment program at DCMO BOCES Harrold Campus got an opportunity to experience "big rig" truck driving Thursday… without leaving the building! The Trucking Association of New York (TANY) and the Shay Legacy Foundation brought their Traveling Truck Driving Simulator to campus for the day to introduce students to the diverse career opportunities available in the trucking industry. Students were able to sit in the drivers seat and experience the sensation of acceleration, braking, and steering– just like in a real truck– as they encountered a variety of road conditions, traffic situations, and weather challenges.

They also brought along a Virtual Reality setup, providing a similar truck driving experience right in the classroom. Trucking industry representatives Alan Gaines, Rusty Stetzel and Vincent Dinino provided the introduction to the simulator experiences. Thanks to DCMO BOCES Work Based Learning Coordinator Donielle Jordan for facilitating this exciting career exploration opportunity, and the conservation & heavy equipment instructors for hosting the visit.

Start Here, Go Anywhere!

Career-focused CTE programs like Conservation & Heavy Equipment help students find a career that works for them. Students like Bobby Black, Class of 2024 (Unatego CSD). Bobby initially did not know what path to take after high school and considered going into the construction field. He gained an interest in chainsaw operation while at DCMO BOCES. He wasn’t originally interested in learning about tree felling, but after his first tree, he was hooked. He worked hard his senior year to hone his skills, and took advantage of an opportunity to learn from and network with Asplundh Tree Experts when they came in to work with his class. He started working for Asplundh right after graduation, and is still there today. He loves his work, and plans to continue climbing at Asplundh– literally!

The Conservation & Heavy Equipment program helps students prepare for immediate employment, advanced certifications, and further education. Certifications, college credits and internships are available. Learn more about the program at http://www.dcmoboces.com/.../cte-conservation-heavy.... #ctemonth

Educators from Afton CSD, DCMO BOCES, Delaware Academy CSD at Delhi, Downsville CSD, Oxford Academy CSD, Otselic Valley CSD, South Kortright CSD, and Walton CSD were at the DCMO BOCES Support Services Center in Norwich on Monday for LETRS Volume 1 training. This session focuses on word-reading instruction: phonological awareness, decoding, and sight recognition, and is the first part of the LETRS literacy series. Julia Houk from Lexia Learning Systems was the presenter.

Last week, members of the Student Support Services Collaborative Advisory Team visited DCMO BOCES Pole Campus to observe the ongoing Year 3 implementation of Restorative Practices, a sustained effort developed in partnership with the company EdTomorrow. The visit provided an opportunity to see how this multi-year collaboration continues to advance a strong foundation for relationship-building, engagement, and a positive, supportive school culture and climate.

The DCMO BOCES School Store is back! The store will be open until April 3, with production taking approximately three weeks from when the store closes. Please read the details for each of the products for sizing and care. Get your DCMO BOCES gear here: https://zapathletics.chipply.com/DCMO-BOCES

Area schools took 10th graders to visit DCMO BOCES campuses earlier this month, and this week, students had the opportunity to visit again with their families during Career Night events. Wednesday night’s event at Harrold Campus in Sidney Center allowed students and their families to tour the Career & Technical Education programs and meet potential instructors in programs they may be interested in.

Students at the Pole Campus recently learned about small ruminant digestion from a visiting “kid”– a kid goat, that is! Mrs. Meseck, a 4-H Science Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, brought the young ruminant along to help with a lesson on the anatomy of sheep and goats. The students learned about the four compartments of a ruminant’s stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum), their digestive path and other parts of these interesting animals. The students enjoyed this very “hands on” lesson in ruminant anatomy!

Start Here, Go Anywhere!
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at DCMO BOCES helps students explore a wide range of careers working with children from birth through age 12. Students gain hands-on experience, first in our on-site preschool and special education classes, transitioning to work-based learning placements in their home districts, including elementary schools, preschools, and daycare centers where they build real-world skills and professional connections. Career-focused CTE programs like Early Childhood Education help students prepare for state licensure, immediate employment, advanced certifications, and further education. College credits, internships and state licensure is available. Learn more about the program at http://www.dcmoboces.com/.../cte-early-childhood-education #ctemonth