Dutchess BOCES

Governor Kathy Hochul's new "bell-to-bell" cell phone guidance will be implemented across New York State for the 2025-26 school year. This directive mandates that all school districts, including Dutchess BOCES, establish policies to limit personal device use during school hours. The core objective is to reduce distractions and cultivate optimal learning environments that promote student success and well-being.

The Extended School Year (ESY) program is off to a busy start with students maintaining the academic skills they learned during the school year to prevent substantial regression when they return to school in September. The program continues until Aug. 15.

Dutchess BOCES’ Career & Technical Institute welcomed 72 middle school students during the week of July 7 for the annual Middle School Summer CTI Experience where they learned the tricks of some of the school’s trade programs.

Danielle Rocco used words like unreal, fantastic, fun, cool and amazing in describing her experience at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference June 24-27. The Rhinebeck High School graduate was the first student from Dutchess BOCES’ Career and Technical Institute to win a state nursing assistant title to qualify for nationals.

Staff at Dutchess BOCES’ Salt Point Center are setting up their classrooms this week to host 23 classes and close to 200 students for the Extended School Year Program (ESY) making for an educational and fun summer starting July 7 and concluding August 15.

“When I look around this room, I see faces of people who make a difference every single day,” remarked District Superintendent Dr. Jodi DeLucia in her speech at the 2025 End of Year Recognition Ceremony.

While families, friends and BOCES faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the Resilience Academy’s Class of 2025’s commencement ceremony, students waited anxiously to enter the conference room, chatting amongst themselves and reflecting on who supported them along the way.

When it comes to hosting a fun and heartwarming event, it’s easy as “ABC” for staff and students at Dutchess BOCES’ Salt Point Center (SPC).

Forty-eight students graduated from Dutchess BOCES’ Practical Nursing Program at the Career Technical Institute during an annual ceremony at the Pete and Toshi Seeger Theater at Beacon High School on June 23.

Students and staff at Dutchess BOCES’ Resilience Academy received certificates and praise for their efforts this school year during the school’s Fourth Quarter Award Ceremony on June 13. Fifty-nine students received awards in 27 award categories, while six staff members received awards in five categories.

Dutchess BOCES not only provides career and technical education for students through its Career and Technical Institute, but gives them real world experience by hosting some of those students as interns throughout the year and placing others outside the agency.

Nine dedicated Dutchess BOCES staff members earned tenure during the 2024-25 school year and were honored at a reception during the June Board of Trustees meeting.

Representatives of 13 Dutchess County school districts gathered at Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls to honor each district’s distinguished graduates at the Dutchess BOCES Distinguished Graduate Recognition Breakfast this month. Each high school recognized two students.

Morgan Leonard enjoyed her educational experience at Dutchess BOCES’ Career and Technical Institute and is ready for what’s next. The early childhood education student was one of 321 students recognized for completing their programs at CTI’s Recognition Ceremony at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie June 12.