Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services

Erie 1 BOCES Academic Newsletter

www.e1b.org HARKNESS CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER 2013 Spring Edition

New Visions Legal Academy Returns to Erie 1 BOCESAfter an intensive application and interview process, students from Cheektowaga, Williamsville East, Amherst, Lancaster, Sweet Home, Grand Island, Maryvale, Williamsville South and Lackawanna High Schools will participate in the 2013-2014 Legal Academy class. The program will allow students to earn 180 internship hours along with 4 high school credits in English 12, Participation in Government, Economics and Criminal Justice. Arrangements are being made for regular classroom sessions to once again be held on the Medaille College campus. Best of luck to the new seniors and The Legal Academy.

Mr. Merlino’s Electrical Systems 2 class using the solar trainer, taking time to pose for a picture. In the senior year, electrical students study renewable energy and solar is one of the many renewable topics covered.

SkillsUSA NewsSkillsUSA students had a busy school year including competitions and fundraising. Students participated in several community service initiatives including Toys for Tots, Pastors Pantry, and Hearts for Children’s Hospital. Harkness had a great response from our students and teachers which made each project a success.

Harkness had eleven students compete at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition at Alfred State College in March. Jacob Pudlewski from Mr. Merlino’s Electrical Systems class won third place in Electrical Construction Wiring.

For the state competition in Syracuse in April, Harkness had thirteen students compete and Emily Seliger from Mr. Mattimore and Ms. Albarella’s Digital Media class won second place in Advertising Design.

Thank you to Mrs. Chirico-Hager, Mr. Hunt, and Mrs. Reidy for serving as SkillsUSA advisors this year.

Cosmetology Students Assist with Sweet Home MusicalIn February, Sweet Home Middle School featured the musical Aladdin Jr. Two Harkness students from Mrs. Ranallo’s Cosmetology program volunteered their time to help the Sweet Home cast with their hair & makeup. Junior students Brittney McPeek and Paige Halter made the cast members look the part of their role. Volunteering for the musical gave the students a chance to experience applying makeup and styling hair in a creative way. The parents and staff helping with the musical were impressed by how our students dedicated their time to help out the musical.

SkillsUSA2013

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Early Childhood Field TripsThe junior ECE I class took a field trip to Westminster Early Childhood Center on April 25th. The students observed several classrooms and worked with the children from infants to age 5. Students also enjoyed a tour of the center and saw the annual art show.

Early Childhood students at Westminister Early Childhood Center.

Students Support Wings - Flights of HopeStudents at Harkness participated in a fundraiser to support Wings - Flights of Hope in May. Students from Introduction to Nursing, Baking and Pastry, and Aviation Technology sold bagels in support of Wings. The mission of Wings Flights of Hope Inc. is to help people in need of free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes. Wings Flights of Hope Inc. is a non for profit 501 (c) 3 organization.

Nurse’s CornerA friendly reminder to parents and guardians; please remember to pick

up medication for your child that is in the Nurse’s Office at Harkness. Any medication that is left in the nurse’s office

after June 19, 2013 will be disposed of.

Please contact Beth Thuman RN, at 961-4075 to arrange a time to pick up your child’s medication.

Students Participate in Taste of CulinaryHarkness Culinary Arts students and teachers participated in the Taste of Culinary event held at the Hotel Lafayette in April. The American Culinary Federation Buffalo chapter sponsors the event where chefs, chef educators, and culinary professionals in the Buffalo area promote culinary education, competition, and scholarship. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Chef and Child Foundation to encourage the fight against childhood obesity and educate children about nutrition.

Senior culinary students, led by instructor Kevin Labin, prepared a dish of smoked turkey breast, sweet potato pancake on a roasted jalapeno polenta topped with black bean and mango salsa. In addition, Ms. Fago’s Baking and Pastry Arts students served a s’more ravioli filled with chocolate and almond pastry cream on top of a graham cracker almond crumble, smothered in a torched marshmallow sauce.

Top row left to right: Jena Switzer (Lancaster), Adam Millar (Alden), Katie Janiak (Lancaster), bottom row left to right: Lisa Paglicci (Amherst), Manar Kustiro (Will North), Taylor Carroll (Lancaster).

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Human Services Students Visit Retail StoresStudents in Human Services II have been working with our community partners at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx Retail Stores. Students had the opportunity to volunteer at the stores in receiving, stocking, tagging, cleaning and assisting the floor associates. Students enjoyed the hands-on experience.

Human Services students learned about college opportunities as they toured Canisius College and SUNY@Buffalo in May. In addition, students spent time at Reinstein Woods. Other activities included visits from animal rescue agencies with their companion animals. They provided animal care expertise for our Animal Care unit.

Digital Media Creates Broadcasters VideoStudents from Digital Media created the news release video for the Buffalo Broadcasters BEMA, Broadcast Excellence in Media Awards. This official announcement was patterned after the Academy Award Nomination announcement and featured two members of the Buffalo Broadcasters Board of Directors. These awards recognize excellence in local broadcasting. The video was recorded by students at the Harkness Center TV & Sound Program studios, and was edited by Digital Media students.

The news segment was then uploaded to all major television stations and to the Buffalo Broadcasters website. Harkness students and their contributions were recognized at the awards which was attended by over 300 industry professionals.

Students in Digital Media also held the first annual 38 hour film project. Based on the national 48 hour film project, teams of students had 38 hours to write, shoot and edit a finished 4-7 minute film. Teams were given a prop, a line of dialogue and a character that needed to be woven into each film. They were then given a genre, and began to create their film.

At the end of the 38 hours, the films were presented in festival format and were judged by the class, Mr. Mattimore, Ms. Albarella and Mrs. Biniasz. Votes were cast for best film, best use of line, best editing, best character and audience favorite.

Amplifiers in Electronics & Computer TechnologyThe Electronics & Computer Technology II class recently completed a unit of study on audio amplifiers. The word “audio” is Latin for “I hear”. Audio amplifiers increase the power level of frequencies (sounds) that humans can hear. Electronics students are obtaining hands on experience by designing and building a unique Altoids Amplifier as part of their studies. This small but powerful amp operates from a 9 volt battery and is designed to “drive” earbuds, headphones or even a small speaker. An MP3 player, cell phone or even a guitar can be plugged into the amp to increase its volume level. Students construct an amp by fabricating a printed circuit board of their own design and then soldering the necessary transistors, resistors, volume control and other components to the board that must fit neatly inside the mint box. Instructor, Mr. Isula, reports that trendy Altoid amps are selling online for $30 to $60 but the total cost to build your own (including the mints) is about $4.

Earn College Credit at Erie 1 BOCESStudents enrolled in Erie 1 BOCES two-year career and technical education programs have the opportunity to earn college credit. Articulation agreements between Erie 1 BOCES and area colleges provide college credit and/or advanced placement for some of the high school work. This allows students to move from high school to college without taking unnecessary or duplicated courses.

If students have earned an 85% average in their BOCES career & technical education program, meet college admissions requirements, and have a letter of recommendation from their BOCES instructor, they are eligible to receive credit for college courses.

Erie 1 BOCES has more than 60 articulation agreements with various colleges. For additional information, please contact Nancy Lalley, Harkness Counselor, at 961-4070.

Erie 1 BOCES Academic Newsletter

Harkness Career & Technical Center

99 Aero DriveCheektowaga, NY 14225Phone: (716) 961-4070

Fax: (716) 632-1076

John Wodjeski – PrincipalKimberly Biniasz – Assistant Principal

Terry Ruh – Assistant Principal

Harkness Career & Technical Center is a career development location for

Erie 1 BOCES Secondary Programs division. Michael Capuana is the Associate Director of Career and Technical Education for the

Secondary Programs division at Erie 1 BOCES.

Events Calendar:Monday, May 27

Memorial Day HolidayTuesday, June 4 Student PicnicFriday, June 7

Last Day of Student AttendanceTuesday, June 11

Senior Awards Ceremony at Daemen College - 12 p.m.

Automotive NewsStudents in Automotive Technology participated in the Ron Smith Memorial Automotive Competition at Erie Community College in January. The junior class placed 2nd in the tire rodeo and seniors placed third in the automotive competition.

Pet Grooming Program Visits the Buffalo ZooStudents from Ms. Solecki’s pet grooming classes enjoyed a full day field trip to the Buffalo Zoo in April. Students received a guided tour from zoo docents who explained animal conservation and how the zoo cares for the animals. Students also visited the rainforest habitat and learned about the diversity of the ecosystem which includes birds, monkeys, and jungle cats. Students also enjoyed seeing the new baby polar bear, Luna, and hearing about her daily activities and exhibit.

Pet Grooming students Emily Wulf and Lydia Bidell, Akron High School, enjoy the zoo gift shop.

Mr. Shevlin, Tim Hendler (Clarence), Cody Bruyere (Akron), Mr. Mysliwiec and Mr. Herrmann.

Ashley Warren (Akron), Mr. Tom Herrmann of the NFADA, Mr. Ward, Mr. Mysliwiec and Eric Mayle (Akron).