At the August 14th Orleans/Niagara BOCES Board of Education meeting, Tricia Andrews, a representative from NYSSBA (New York State School Board Association) presented the board with two Champions of Change awards.
The NYSSBA Champions of Change Recognition program highlights the many district and BOCES programs and initiatives that are bringing positive, meaningful change to the students, communities and districts of New York. The organization picks stories that are featured in their E-clips and chose the Niagara Academy’s Interactive Bulletin Board and the Career and Technical Education’s Allied Health program.
The Niagara Academy’s Student Council created the bulletin board in response to a conversation they had on diversity, equity and inclusion in order to build awareness and spread a message of hope. The school’s counselors helped the students bring the idea to life. On hand to accept the award, with the Board of Education, was Assistant Principal Michelle Kulbago, Jen Herko (school counselor), Amanda Labernardo (school counselor), Amy Crocker (school social worker) and Stephanie Walker (school counselor).
The Allied Health program was recognized for their partnership with Lockport Memorial Hospital/Catholic Health Services. The students, all aspiring health care workers, spend two mornings each week rotating through eight different departments at the hospital with the goal of gaining a broad perspective on careers in the medical field. Niagara Career and Technical Education Center Assistant Principal Maureen Bartlett, Allied Health teacher Deb Rettig, Susan Brooks (Lockport Memorial Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Services) and Grace Ayoub (Lockport Memorial Hospital People Advocate & Community Strategy Administrator) were present for the award to represent the program.
The Board of Education which consists of Rae Amacher (Starpoint), Keith Bond (Royalton-Hartland), Vincent Cancemi, Sr. (Niagara Falls), Anthony Casinelli (Newfane), Carol Feltz (Barker), Dr. Bruce Fraser (Lockport), Ed Grabowski (Medina), Thomas Klotzbach (Lyndonville), Timothy Kropp (Wilson), Robert McDermott (Niagara Wheatfield), Danielle Mullen (Lewiston-Porter), Colleen Osborn (North Tonawanda) and Wayne Wadhams (Albion) also welcomed Dr. Taweepon (Pon) Farrar on her official first day as the new Orleans/Niagara District Superintendent.
Photo Caption: Tricia Andrews (NYSSBA Representative) poses with Orleans/Niagara BOCES Board of Education and program representatives.
Photo Caption: Board of Education President Wayne Wadhams with Dr. Taweepon Farrar.
