Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES presented awards to staff members for longevity of service during the annual welcome back event, as 10-month employees returned days before the start of school for students.
Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson started off the school year lightheartedly by saying he didn’t mind an empty section of seats in the front-middle because if he wasn’t speaking on stage, he would be one of the people sitting in the back too.
Shepardson said he is excited for the year ahead.
“I welcome you back,” he said.
The Herkimer BOCES welcome back event took place on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. Shepardson and Herkimer BOCES Board of Education President Holly Pullis gave the opening remarks.
Pullis focused on a theme of “hungry for growth” for the school year.
“I welcome you to another school year and hope that each and everyone one of you is hungry to grow the opportunities for our students,” Pullis said.
Herkimer BOCES then recognized staff for reaching milestones in their years of service at BOCES. The following staff members were recognized for the following number of years at Herkimer BOCES:
10 years:
Leanne Alberts
Darlene Brewer
Sarah Jacquays-Alberts
Tamara Kilborne
Rachel Madison
Glenn Manning
Dan Parker
Beverly Petriski
Kelly Servello
Gloriann Steciak
20 years:
Jasmin Mortka
Heather Nitti
James Picolla
25 years:
Shawn Maxson
30 years:
Holly Fischer
Jean Rogers
45 years:
Diana Cassidy
Following the staff recognition, Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Kati Ferguson discussed the BOCES organizational chart and introduced directors, who introduced administrators in their departments. Herkimer BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services James Picolla discussed capital project and facilities update.
Then, Herkimer BOCES School Safety Advisor James Garcia introduced U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center Social Science Research Specialist Kevin Maass and Domestic Security Strategist Carrie Moran who discussed school attacks and signs to look out for by going through a case study. Following that, Herkimer BOCES Supervisor of Safety Services Adam Hutchinson covered required trainings for employees.
Before staff left Herkimer College to go to lunch and meetings at the Herkimer BOCES William E. Busacker Complex, they heard an energetic presentation from Duncan Kirkwood, who is a speaker, trainer and author. Kirkwood gave an engaging presentation titled “Grit in Education: The Psychological Resilience Critical for Success.”
Duncan Kirkwood, who is a speaker, trainer and author, gives a presentation titled “Grit in Education: The Psychological Resilience Critical for Success” during the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent welcome back event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recognized staff for reaching milestones in their years of service at BOCES during a staff welcome event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. Pictured here, recognized for 45 years of service: Diana Cassidy View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recognized staff for reaching milestones in their years of service at BOCES during a staff welcome event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. Pictured here, from left, staff who were recognized for 30 years of service: Holly Fischer and Jean Rogers. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recognized staff for reaching milestones in their years of service at BOCES during a staff welcome event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. Pictured here, recognized for 25 years of service: Shawn Maxson. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recognized staff for reaching milestones in their years of service at BOCES during a staff welcome event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. Pictured here, from left, staff who were recognized for 20 years of service: Jasmin Mortka, Heather Nitti and James Picolla. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recognized staff for reaching milestones in their years of service at BOCES during a staff welcome event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. Pictured here, from left, staff who were recognized for 10 years of service: Leanne Alberts, Darlene Brewer, Sarah Jacquays-Alberts, Tamara Kilborne, Rachel Madison, Glenn Manning, Dan Parker, Beverly Petriski, Kelly Servello and Gloriann Steciak. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Duncan Kirkwood, who is a speaker, trainer and author, gives a presentation titled “Grit in Education: The Psychological Resilience Critical for Success” during the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent welcome back event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center Social Science Research Specialist Kevin Maass and Domestic Security Strategist Carrie Moran give a presentation during the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent welcome back event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education President Holly Pullis speaks to staff during a welcome back event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson speaks to staff during a welcome back event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson speaks to staff during a welcome back event on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Herkimer College. View more photos from the welcome event on the @HerkimerBOCES Facebook page at www.facebook.com/herkimerboces.