Smiles could be seen all across Dutchess BOCES’ campus Thursday, as students returned to a warm welcome from teachers and staff.
At Salt Point Center, young minds are ready for another year of growth.
On the first day, Alexzander Piper has enjoyed going outside, eating special snacks his mom packed for him and participating in gym. “I really love using the scooters because they are nostalgic,” he shared.
Piper’s favorite subject is science since he enjoys experiments and learning about how plants grow.
He is looking forward to the Halloween party right around the corner in October.
SPC is welcoming a larger group of students this year, mainly in kindergarten through second grade.
“I am looking forward to seeing all of the returning students and new students come back to school. We have a really good team at SPC and I am excited to see student growth in all areas,” shared SPC Principal Melissa Murphy.
(READ: Deputy Superintendent's Welcome message)
“This school-year SPC aims to enhance our high-leverage practices in academic areas, building upon the progress made last year,” Murphy added. “We will continue to integrate social emotional learning, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), Restorative Practices, CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute, specifically the Reframing Behavior program), and Trauma-Informed Care throughout the day for our students.”
Murphy shared SPC is also “working on communitywide school-based projects to support agency MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and increase collaboration with the other agency divisions and districts.”
A new mission statement paves the way for an impactful year at the Resilience Academy:
“Our mission is to provide students with the building blocks necessary to become resilient learners. We believe that it is our responsibility to ignite a passion for lifelong learning, promote student self-advocacy and encourage academic excellence while maintaining a positive, supportive, trauma-informed environment where all students can reach their academic and social-emotional goals.”
Principal Kiesha Tillman shared that this year, the school will focus on communication with all stakeholders, academic rigor, and growing therapeutic supports and common language through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). “Biweekly DBT lessons will teach students different skills and strategies to help them deal with stress and trauma,” Tillman shared.
Students received access to personal lockers today as well. “I think this will help students gain independence and responsibility,” shared Tillman.
Trevino Hiraldo shared that he is glad to have a space to store his personal items so he doesn’t need to carry them around throughout the day. “I was so happy when I got my combination this morning,” he shared.
Hiraldo is “excited about constructive changes in the school” throughout the last school year and looks forward to an assembly at the end of the day to see what is in store for him and his classmates this year.
Expressing an interest in psychology, Hiraldo will be attending the Career and Technical Institute in the afternoon to study early childhood education.
Kylie Sparks, a senior from Wappingers Central School District, is looking forward to her second year in the security and law class at CTI.
“I’m excited to learn more about forensics,” she shared.
Sparks is also member of Skills USA. She hopes to attend the fall leadership conference to get more involved. Her goal is to major in criminal justice or psychology at college next fall.
Sparks and her classmates in security and law had their first day in a new classroom today.
This change was one of many at CTI this summer. Facilities and Operations renovated two cosmetology classrooms as well as new esthetics classroom for students interested in the growing skincare industry.
Millas also shared CTI now has National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified shops.
“This year, we are going to focus on initiatives that align with our agency goals and the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations on graduation measures,” Millas said.
“I’m really looking forward to collaboratively moving forward, and consistently working across all of our programs and services toward the implementation of our student centered initiatives focused on program growth,” shared Deputy Superintendent Jodi DeLucia. “Our team of educators has worked collaboratively to advance initiatives such as the science of reading, restorative practices, resiliency, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports.”
The return of students to campus brings it all together.
“I’m glad to have the kiddos coming back and gracing the hallways with laughter and joy and excitement,” she said.