Student Board Training Prepares Future Leaders
Students from Dutchess BOCES and its component districts gathered at the campus’ smaller conference room on Sept.
Dutchess BOCES
Collaboration, Innovation, Efficiency, Excellence & Leadership
Salt Point Center kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month activities
Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and BOCES students and staff are honoring it by working on art projects celebrating Hispanic culture and notable Latinos who made significant contributions to history.
Resilience Academy Dean Encourages Kids To Be Heroes Of Their Own
Matthew Pidel has firmly settled into his role as the Resilience Academy’s first Dean of Students and has already developed a strong rapport with the students encouraging them to grow.
“I’m really grateful to be here,” Pidel said. “I feel like it’s a place where I can really make a difference and be a good support in the community.”
BOCES remembers 9/11
Students in the Career & Technical Institute’s Security & Law class honored the over 400 first responders who died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the tragedy’s 24th anniversary.
Professional development across the agency
Throughout convocation and the following Superintendent’s Conference Day, staff members gathered across campus with their colleagues to learn about changes, gain skills and collaborate to help make the 2025-26 great for our students.
Convocation begins new chapter at BOCES
Dutchess BOCES welcomed new and returning employees to the 2025-2026 school year during the annual convocation on Sept. 2 at Salt Point Center. The event was an opportunity to learn about exciting plans for the agency going forward, as well as hear about successful summer programs and numerous upgrades to campus.
Dutchess BOCES welcomes students back
Classes resumed at Dutchess BOCES on Sept. 4 for the 2025-2026 school year with students ready to learn and teachers and staff ready to support them on their journey.
New program could help fill EMS gap in county
High school juniors interested in a career saving lives as an emergency medical technician have a new opportunity through a partnership between Dutchess BOCES and Empress Emergency Medical Services. The Career and Technical Institute’s Emergency Medical Technician program debuts this month.
Agency growth spurs hiring of largest cohort of new employees
Dutchess BOCES administrators and human resources staff welcomed 82 new employees in varied departments during the New Hire Orientation Aug. 21, marking the largest number of new hires in the agency’s history.
How Dutchess BOCES is implementing the distraction-free schools law
Starting with the 2025-26 school year, a new New York State law prohibits students from having internet-enabled devices during school hours at Dutchess BOCES schools. Exceptions are made only for devices authorized by an individualized education plan or those provided by the school for specific lessons.
Salt Point Center Gets New Playground
Students will be sliding into the 2025-26 school year with a brand new playground. Set to be completed in time for students’ arrival, the more than 5,500 square feet area has one mission: ensuring every child can participate in the fun. The new playground has been thoughtfully designed with student desires and inclusivity in mind.
Showcase Closes Out ESY With A Bang
Students at Salt Point Center’s (SPC) Extended School Year proudly showed off what they learned over the course of the six-week program during the annual ESY Summer Showcase on Aug. 14.
Meet the Resilience Academy’s New Assistant Principal
Geomari Fermin, an educator with over 10 years of experience, is the new assistant principal at Dutchess BOCES’ Resilience Academy.
The Board of Education approved Fermin’s hiring at its April 9 meeting and she started work in July getting acquainted with the school and assisting Salt Point Center Principal Melissa Murphy with the Extended School Year program.
Makeover To Bring Updates To CTI
When students at Dutchess BOCES’ Career & Technical Institute (CTI) return in the fall they will see improvements as soon as they enter the hallways.
New lockers are being installed in CTI’s hallways to replace the original ones, which were removed by Hertz Furniture during the week of June 30. Hertz will also do the installation.
Former BOCES SRO Returns To Teach
Steve Price, who previously served as a school resource officer (SRO) for Dutchess BOCES during the 2023-2024 school year, is returning, albeit in a different role.