Cullen Pumpkin Farm generously donated all of the pumpkins for each team across the WEB Complex Special Programs – kicking off a spirited pumpkin decorating contest that showcased incredible student and staff creativity!
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Each classroom and specialized department – including music, gym, art, SPED, nurse, speech, PT and OT – received a pumpkin to decorate as a collaborative team project.
Tasked with using paint, ribbon, cloth, construction paper and other vibrant craft supplies without any carving, the teams transformed their pumpkins into imaginative designs inspired by book characters, historical figures and original ideas before displaying them in the lobby on Oct. 29.
Following a schoolwide vote during Halloween week, the results were announced on Oct. 30, crowning “Inside Out” as the first place winner, followed by “Hedgehog” in second place and “Magic School Bus” in third place, making the event a fantastic highlight of fall fun.
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Each classroom and specialized department – including music, gym, art, SPED, nurse, speech, PT and OT – received a pumpkin to decorate as a collaborative team project.
Tasked with using paint, ribbon, cloth, construction paper and other vibrant craft supplies without any carving, the teams transformed their pumpkins into imaginative designs inspired by book characters, historical figures and original ideas before displaying them in the lobby on Oct. 29.
Following a schoolwide vote during Halloween week, the results were announced on Oct. 30, crowning “Inside Out” as the first place winner, followed by “Hedgehog” in second place and “Magic School Bus” in third place, making the event a fantastic highlight of fall fun.
The Special Programs team at the WEB Complex hosted a spirited Halloween parade - bringing students, families and staff together to celebrate in full spooky fashion!
Families and friends lined the campus sidewalks to cheer on students as they proudly showed off their costumes.
The success of this schoolwide event was made possible by the dedicated team members who transformed the hallways and pods with festive decorations and set up accessible trick-or-treat candy stations along the route. Throughout the parade, students actively participated using AAC tools - including button switches, communication devices and picture visual supports - ensuring a joyful, inclusive experience for everyone involved.
Special thanks to Michelle Burton, events coordinator, for bringing our team together for Halloween fun!
Families and friends lined the campus sidewalks to cheer on students as they proudly showed off their costumes.
The success of this schoolwide event was made possible by the dedicated team members who transformed the hallways and pods with festive decorations and set up accessible trick-or-treat candy stations along the route. Throughout the parade, students actively participated using AAC tools - including button switches, communication devices and picture visual supports - ensuring a joyful, inclusive experience for everyone involved.
Special thanks to Michelle Burton, events coordinator, for bringing our team together for Halloween fun!
Dylan Burditt presented on behalf of Richfield Springs CSD at the Oct. 8 Herkimer BOCES Board of Educaiton meeting!
He is the student representative from Richfield Springs serving as one of the ex officio student board members for Herkimer BOCES.
His updates to the board were pertinent and informative, and the board greatly valued his contribution!
He is the student representative from Richfield Springs serving as one of the ex officio student board members for Herkimer BOCES.
His updates to the board were pertinent and informative, and the board greatly valued his contribution!
Diana Cassidy was recognized for an impressive 47 years of service to Herkimer BOCES during the Oct. 8 board meeting. As she retires on Oct. 30, we wish her all the best in her much-deserved retirement!
Diana (center) is pictured here with her husband, Brian (left), and Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson (right).
Diana (center) is pictured here with her husband, Brian (left), and Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson (right).
Herkimer BOCES Special Programs at the WEB Complex hosted its very first Student Council assembly of the school year! Led by dedicated advisor Michelle Burton, the event was a joyful celebration centered around announcing the winners of this year's student election.
Every student who stepped up to run for an officer position went through the process of submitting nominations to participate in the vote. When the candidates were presented to their peers, the room erupted into cheers, applause and huge smiles. There was an overwhelming atmosphere of encouragement, inclusion and pride during the assembly.
Moments like these highlight the powerful, inclusive community at the WEB, where students with diverse abilities shine, support their classmates and take an active role in shaping their school experience.
A huge thank you goes out to Michelle Burton for organizing such a heart-warming kick-off assembly. Here’s to an incredible year ahead for the WEB community - we can't wait to see what Student Council has in store for us!
Every student who stepped up to run for an officer position went through the process of submitting nominations to participate in the vote. When the candidates were presented to their peers, the room erupted into cheers, applause and huge smiles. There was an overwhelming atmosphere of encouragement, inclusion and pride during the assembly.
Moments like these highlight the powerful, inclusive community at the WEB, where students with diverse abilities shine, support their classmates and take an active role in shaping their school experience.
A huge thank you goes out to Michelle Burton for organizing such a heart-warming kick-off assembly. Here’s to an incredible year ahead for the WEB community - we can't wait to see what Student Council has in store for us!
Resilience and mental health speaker Duncan Kirkwood is presenting at schools in the Herkimer BOCES region this week!
Pictured here during his visit to Herkimer CSD, Duncan's tour also includes Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Mount Markham, Owen D. Young, Richfield Springs and the Herkimer BOCES Pathways Academy!
Pictured here during his visit to Herkimer CSD, Duncan's tour also includes Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Mount Markham, Owen D. Young, Richfield Springs and the Herkimer BOCES Pathways Academy!
We had a BEAR-y exciting time celebrating Fat Bear Week!🐻
Fat Bear Week is an annual online voting tournament celebrating brown bears at Brooks River in Katmai National Park in Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive, and Fat Bear Week celebrates their success in preparation for winter hibernation, according to the Katmai Conservancy website.
Our Career Prep and Special Programs students had fun learning, exploring and celebrating Fat Bear Week together!
Students rotated through six fun, hands-on stations, giving everyone a chance to learn and participate in a way that worked for them:
🐾 Bear facts and vocabulary: We learned fun facts and new bear words!
🎨 Bear art: We got creative with our own bear-inspired artwork.
⚖️ Bear size and weight: We explored just how big these bears can get!
🍎 Bear food and hibernation: We learned what bears eat and how they prepare for winter.
📸 Bear observation: We watched and observed bears while practicing our science skills.
🗳️ Fat bear voting: We picked our favorite bear and cast our votes!
It was wonderful to see our students learning, laughing, exploring and cheering each other on throughout the morning.
A huge “thank you” goes out to all of our staff who helped make the day possible and participated in our stations. We couldn’t have done it without you!
The event was a fun way to bring science, literacy, math, art, communication and social skills together for a memorable day!
#FatBearWeek #SpecialEducation #CareerPrep #HandsOnLearning #LearningThroughFun #PositiveAndProductive
Fat Bear Week is an annual online voting tournament celebrating brown bears at Brooks River in Katmai National Park in Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive, and Fat Bear Week celebrates their success in preparation for winter hibernation, according to the Katmai Conservancy website.
Our Career Prep and Special Programs students had fun learning, exploring and celebrating Fat Bear Week together!
Students rotated through six fun, hands-on stations, giving everyone a chance to learn and participate in a way that worked for them:
🐾 Bear facts and vocabulary: We learned fun facts and new bear words!
🎨 Bear art: We got creative with our own bear-inspired artwork.
⚖️ Bear size and weight: We explored just how big these bears can get!
🍎 Bear food and hibernation: We learned what bears eat and how they prepare for winter.
📸 Bear observation: We watched and observed bears while practicing our science skills.
🗳️ Fat bear voting: We picked our favorite bear and cast our votes!
It was wonderful to see our students learning, laughing, exploring and cheering each other on throughout the morning.
A huge “thank you” goes out to all of our staff who helped make the day possible and participated in our stations. We couldn’t have done it without you!
The event was a fun way to bring science, literacy, math, art, communication and social skills together for a memorable day!
#FatBearWeek #SpecialEducation #CareerPrep #HandsOnLearning #LearningThroughFun #PositiveAndProductive
DONATE TODAY through the Mohawk Valley Gives initiative to support scholarships for students in the Herkimer BOCES region!
MV Gives takes place today, and you can visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation to donate to the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2025-26 school year.
MV Gives takes place today, and you can visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation to donate to the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2025-26 school year.
Mohawk Valley Gives takes place tomorrow, and that means an opportunity to support scholarships for students in the Herkimer BOCES region!
Visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation to donate to the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation through MV Gives on Friday, Sept. 18.
To donate to the Scholarship Foundation through MV Gives, visit next Friday.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2024-25 school year.
Visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation to donate to the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation through MV Gives on Friday, Sept. 18.
To donate to the Scholarship Foundation through MV Gives, visit next Friday.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2024-25 school year.
Congratulations to Herkimer BOCES Building Maintenance Supervisor Dalton Currier on receiving the New York State School Facilities Association’s 2026 Richard P. Mills Scholarship!
The scholarship, which is named for the late New York state commissioner of education, covers attendance at NYSSFA’s annual Conference & Expo in October and the School Facilities Managers’ Academy.
The award is presented each year to an NYSSFA member with seven or fewer years of service who “demonstrates extraordinary dedication to the school facilities profession and a promise for future leadership.”
The scholarship, which is named for the late New York state commissioner of education, covers attendance at NYSSFA’s annual Conference & Expo in October and the School Facilities Managers’ Academy.
The award is presented each year to an NYSSFA member with seven or fewer years of service who “demonstrates extraordinary dedication to the school facilities profession and a promise for future leadership.”
Later this week, you can support scholarships for local students by donating to the Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation through the Mohawk Valley Gives initiative!
Visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation this Friday, Sept. 18, to donate. Scholarships go to students in the Herkimer BOCES region.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2023-24 school year.
Visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation this Friday, Sept. 18, to donate. Scholarships go to students in the Herkimer BOCES region.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2023-24 school year.
The Herkimer Region College & Career Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to local students in the Herkimer BOCES region, is joining the Mohawk Valley Gives initiative one week from today on Friday, Sept. 18!
To donate to the Scholarship Foundation through MV Gives, visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation next Friday.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2022-23 school year.
To donate to the Scholarship Foundation through MV Gives, visit https://www.givemv.org/organizations/herkimer-region-college-and-career-scholarship-foundation next Friday.
Pictured here are scholarship winners from the 2022-23 school year.
During Rescue Heroes day five, the final day for Rescue Heroes 2026, a panel of female professionals shared their career highlights and answered questions from the students about how they handle all of the challenges that come with being of service to the community as a first responder!
The panel included Amy Jacobs, a 911 dispatcher for Herkimer County; Sgt. Jessica Alberts, of the Herkimer Police Department; Robin Polkosnik, a former police officer and current Herkimer BOCES Criminal Justice teacher; Anjali Saugh, a college student currently working as a correctional services coordinator; Mary View, a career firefighter and the first female fighter fighter in Herkimer County, and Officer Kendra Benoit, of the Ilion Police Department.
After a final luncheon, the day ended with a completion ceremony for the students.
Families were invited, and the students presented to them about what they learned at Rescue Heroes Summer Day Camp. Awards were given out, and the students enjoyed an ice cream bar with their families as they celebrated the end of a great week.
The panel included Amy Jacobs, a 911 dispatcher for Herkimer County; Sgt. Jessica Alberts, of the Herkimer Police Department; Robin Polkosnik, a former police officer and current Herkimer BOCES Criminal Justice teacher; Anjali Saugh, a college student currently working as a correctional services coordinator; Mary View, a career firefighter and the first female fighter fighter in Herkimer County, and Officer Kendra Benoit, of the Ilion Police Department.
After a final luncheon, the day ended with a completion ceremony for the students.
Families were invited, and the students presented to them about what they learned at Rescue Heroes Summer Day Camp. Awards were given out, and the students enjoyed an ice cream bar with their families as they celebrated the end of a great week.
Rescue Heroes day four began with Stop the Bleed Training, provided by Tom Moran, the trauma education, injury prevention and outreach coordinator for the Albany Med Health System.
All students received this hands-on training and certification, in addition to our own medical quality Stop the Bleed Kits with everything they would need in this emergency situation.
This was followed by our final field trip for the week, this time to learn about a volunteer fire department, with the staff at Cedarville Fire Department. Students got to tour all the rigs and equipment at their facility, learned about the history of female firefighters and were offered an opportunity to join their youth program and summer camp.
All students received this hands-on training and certification, in addition to our own medical quality Stop the Bleed Kits with everything they would need in this emergency situation.
This was followed by our final field trip for the week, this time to learn about a volunteer fire department, with the staff at Cedarville Fire Department. Students got to tour all the rigs and equipment at their facility, learned about the history of female firefighters and were offered an opportunity to join their youth program and summer camp.
Day 3 of Rescue Heroes was an informative and hands-on day at the Utica Fire Academy and Training Center!
Led by Lt. William Balsamico, the students learned about the benefits of a career as a professional firefighter and were able to test their strength in various aspects of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a physical evaluation that simulates real-world firefighting tasks.
The fun included stair climbing with weighted vests, breaching a locked door, ceiling breach and pull, rescue drags and crawling through a dark maze. The day ended with all students getting a chance to use the fire hose.
Led by Lt. William Balsamico, the students learned about the benefits of a career as a professional firefighter and were able to test their strength in various aspects of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a physical evaluation that simulates real-world firefighting tasks.
The fun included stair climbing with weighted vests, breaching a locked door, ceiling breach and pull, rescue drags and crawling through a dark maze. The day ended with all students getting a chance to use the fire hose.
This year's Rescue Heroes Summer Day Camp included students from seven of the 10 Herkimer BOCES component districts!
Day 2 started with CPR training provided by the EMT professionals at Mohawk Valley Ambulance Corps (MOVAC). All students received their CPR Certification, learned about the benefits of a career as an EMT, and they got to tour the ambulance and all of its emergency medical equipment and supplies.
After lunch, it was time for self-defense training with Captain Burns of the Herkimer Police Department. The students learned how to fight back and escape an attacker - as well as many life lessons on situational awareness.
Day 2 started with CPR training provided by the EMT professionals at Mohawk Valley Ambulance Corps (MOVAC). All students received their CPR Certification, learned about the benefits of a career as an EMT, and they got to tour the ambulance and all of its emergency medical equipment and supplies.
After lunch, it was time for self-defense training with Captain Burns of the Herkimer Police Department. The students learned how to fight back and escape an attacker - as well as many life lessons on situational awareness.
Extended School Year students enjoyed a visit from the Utica ZooMobile during Animal Week last week!
They had the opportunity to learn about a sand snake, a painted turtle and a Madagascar hissing cockroach. Students also had fun dressing up as different animals and creating animal crafts.
This week, ESY "hits the beach!"
They had the opportunity to learn about a sand snake, a painted turtle and a Madagascar hissing cockroach. Students also had fun dressing up as different animals and creating animal crafts.
This week, ESY "hits the beach!"
We recently wrapped up our fourth annual Rescue Heroes Summer Day Camp for young women in Herkimer County who want to learn more about careers as first responders!
Day 1 kicked off on a high note with a field trip to Mercy Flight in Rome. Rescue Heroes attendees learned about careers as a flight nurse or paramedic and the many benefits of working in a critical care air medical service setting. They watched one of the helicopters come in for a very precise landing, met with the crew and even got a tour of the helicopter and all of its emergency medical supplies!
Then, they were treated to a presentation and Q&A with nutritionist and personal trainer Kelly Daukontas, owner of Live Well Fitness, who also prepared delicious and nutritious protein bowls for them to enjoy!
Day 1 kicked off on a high note with a field trip to Mercy Flight in Rome. Rescue Heroes attendees learned about careers as a flight nurse or paramedic and the many benefits of working in a critical care air medical service setting. They watched one of the helicopters come in for a very precise landing, met with the crew and even got a tour of the helicopter and all of its emergency medical supplies!
Then, they were treated to a presentation and Q&A with nutritionist and personal trainer Kelly Daukontas, owner of Live Well Fitness, who also prepared delicious and nutritious protein bowls for them to enjoy!
Throwback Thursday to this spring, when Herkimer BOCES Special Programs was thrilled to welcome Herkimer BOCES Board of Education President Holly Pullis for Ag Literacy Week!
She teamed up with Sarah Schubert’s Child and Family Services CTE class for a truly special collaboration. Using this year’s selected book, "Seasons on the Farm" by Chelsea Tornetto, our CTE students stepped up to help read the story and designed a hands-on project to lead our 6:1:2 autism students.
It was a wonderful day of connection and inclusive learning!
She teamed up with Sarah Schubert’s Child and Family Services CTE class for a truly special collaboration. Using this year’s selected book, "Seasons on the Farm" by Chelsea Tornetto, our CTE students stepped up to help read the story and designed a hands-on project to lead our 6:1:2 autism students.
It was a wonderful day of connection and inclusive learning!
Herkimer BOCES Welding students constructed a bench under the guidance of Mason Fisher and Sam Weeks and gifted this amazing project to Rick and Brandie Reid in memory of their daughter, Mariah Lacey-Reid.
This bench will be placed at New Hartford Town Park. The bench will also be used for suicide awareness.
