Genesee Valley BOCES

Eight students from the Genesee Valley FFA chapter at the Batavia CTE Center attended the 2026 New York State FFA Convention May 14-15 in Syracuse, participating in leadership activities, workshops, and competitive events focused on veterinary science.

Students took part in activities including ice cream making, a community service lunch-making project, and an expo featuring industry partners and college representatives. They also attended a presentation by Nick “Sunshine” Toman from the television show Deadliest Catch and a stress management session.

On Friday morning, two Batavia CTE Center teams competed in the Veterinary Science Career Development Event. The competition included a 110-question exam covering topics such as parasites, breed identification, tool identification, math, disease, and animal health. Students also completed four hands-on skill demonstrations: proper donning of PPE, using a hog snare, filling a medication prescription, and preparing a blood smear.

Preparing for the event required extensive independent study and practice throughout the school year.

The students earned strong results among 229 participants statewide.

Individual placements included:

25th — Kaitlyn J., Alexander Central School
29th — Abbigail E., Pavilion Central School
43rd — Emma O., LeRoy Central School
45th — Elisabeth H., Cornerstone Christian Academy
86th — Hope S., Alexander Central School
105th — Brook B., Pavilion Central School
174th — Gillian H., Alexander Central School
180th — Wynter B., LeRoy Central School

In the team competition, Batavia CTE Center teams placed 16th and 49th out of 60 teams statewide.

Congratulations to all of the students on their accomplishments representing the Batavia CTE Center and Genesee Valley FFA at the state convention.

Librarians from across the Genesee Valley BOCES region gathered for the annual author event featuring bestselling author Gordon Korman. Korman shared how he wrote his first book in seventh grade as part of a classroom project and had it published by ninth grade after Scholastic picked it up. More than 50 years later, he is still writing books for young readers. While visiting the region, Korman also traveled to local school districts to meet with students and speak in classrooms about reading, writing and storytelling. Korman’s books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and continue to be favorites in schools and libraries across the country.

Batavia CTE Conservation students spent yesterday at Genesee County Park & Forest along Black Creek helping restore and protect the local watershed through the Healthy Headwaters project. From planting more than 300 native shrubs to stabilizing streambanks and working alongside environmental professionals, students gained hands-on conservation experience while making a lasting impact on the community. Genesee County, NY

Thank you to Avon Central School for hosting an incredible Special Olympics Track and Field event and creating such a welcoming and encouraging experience for everyone involved.

We were proud to have student-athletes participating from our Dansville Campus, Mount Morris Elementary, Mount Morris Academy, and the LIVES program. Each athlete showed determination, courage, sportsmanship, and heart throughout the day.

We are also grateful to the students from Early College High School and our CTE programs in the Health Careers Academy and Sports Science who volunteered their time and support. Your compassion and encouragement helped make the day so special.

Congratulations to every athlete who participated. We are so proud of all you accomplished and thankful to everyone who helped make the event possible.

Mount Morris Animal Science students stepped in to help when the NYS DEC asked for assistance rehabilitating orphaned baby robins. Because robins are migratory birds, they require specialized rehabilitation licensing, so students provided temporary care while the birds awaited transfer to a licensed wildlife facility.

Students fed the robins every 15 minutes, foraged for worms and other natural foods, and carefully monitored their health and progress. The birds were delivered to the Erie County SPCA, where staff said they were in great shape and thanked the students for their outstanding care.

A special thank you to Allyson Rease for caring for the robins during non-school hours!

Students from Genesee Valley BOCES programs at GCC spent a morning class taking part in the college’s annual tie-dye shirt day tradition. Learners from the Health Careers Academy and Sports Science programs at the Dansville Campus created colorful shirts and enjoyed time together. The event gave students a chance to connect with classmates while showing off their creativity. It was a fun way to celebrate the school year and campus community.

We celebrated an incredible milestone for four outstanding students from the GV BOCES LIVES Program at SUNY Geneseo. Congratulations to Dani, Morgan, Travis, and Emily on graduating and reaching this important achievement through hard work, determination, and perseverance. Throughout their time in the program, they have built valuable skills, formed meaningful connections, and shown tremendous personal growth. Their accomplishments reflect the support of their families, teachers, mentors, and peers who have encouraged them along the way. We are so proud of everything they have achieved and excited to see what comes next for each of them. Congratulations, graduates!!

The Wyoming County Business Education Council hosted its Annual Breakfast, bringing together 45 attendees to celebrate the strong partnerships between local schools and businesses across the county. The event recognized this year’s Business Partners of the Year and thanked the outstanding community partners who continue to support students, schools, and workforce development opportunities throughout Wyoming County. We appreciate the local businesses and community members who make these connections possible.

Our Mount Morris CTE Center cosmetology and barbering seniors are closing out their high school careers with a major accomplishment—completing the hours needed to pursue their licenses. From 1,000-hour cosmetology certifications to 600-hour barbering pathways, these students have put in the time, effort, and dedication to get there.

Over the next few week, we’ll be highlighting these students and the hard work behind their success. Below is the full list of students completing the hours needed for licensing. Some students participated in interviews, which will be featured in upcoming posts.

Congratulations Kayla B., Bessie B., Sakora D., Na'Ziah D., Abigail D., Saralyn E., Alyssa H., Taylor H., Natasha H., Tanzie K., Maya K., Magdalena L., Chantel L., Chloe M., Addison M., Gianna N., Charley P., Taniyah P., Alanais R., Serenity R., Valerie S., Abby S., Nevaeh T., Anna W., and Reagan N., Bella W. (not all pictured)

Ken Estes, Agriculture Program Director from Cornell Cooperative Extension, has come to our Dansville Campus to teach our students about agriculture. In this week's Ag in the Classroom lesson, students were given canvas bags to fill with potting soil. They were given a variety of choices of seed packets to choose from - watermelon and pumpkin were most popular, while others chose lettuce, peppers, radishes, beets, etc. Mr. Estes educated the students on how to get information about planting the seeds by looking at the packets, from depth and spacing of the seeds, to germination and harvest times. Students planted their seeds and watered them. They will be able to watch their plants grow over the remainder of the school year, and even take it home! Throughout the lesson, students were engaged and excited to share their own experiences with agriculture at home or other areas in their lives. Photo Credit: Laura Carmichael

Early College High School students have been hard at work this year bringing their greenhouse project to life. Through hands-on learning, they’ve grown a wide variety of plants now available for purchase. There are many options to choose from, perfect for gardens, homes, or gifts. This project highlights the students’ dedication and care throughout the growing season. To learn more about purchasing plants, contact teacher Tosca Lindberg at tosca.lindberg@gvboces.org.

Batavia Health Dimensions students wrapped up a highly successful year of clinical experiences. Throughout the year, they gained valuable hands-on skills and insight into patient care. A big thank you to the Veterans Home and The Grand for welcoming and supporting our students. Their partnership helped make this experience possible.

Early College High School Applied Math students wrapped up their research projects with a gallery walk, creating poster boards and presenting on topics ranging from Marvel vs. DC and video games to vacation preferences, sports, and heroes vs. villains—showcasing plenty of creativity while engaging with visitors and answering questions.

Batavia CTE Center welcomed new members into the National Technical Honor Society tonight. These students earned this recognition through strong academics, technical skills, and a commitment to leadership, service, and responsibility. Membership reflects consistent effort in and out of the classroom, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA and active involvement in their programs and communities. Congratulations to each of these students on this well-deserved achievement.

April Student of the Month honorees at Mount Morris Elementary are being recognized for their hard work and strong self-control throughout the month. These students have shown dedication in the classroom and set a great example for their peers. Congratulations to Kindergarten student Lua, third grader Jaxen, fourth grader Bentley, fifth grader Gryphon, and sixth graders Brandon and Ian—keep up the great work!

Dansville Campus students spent the day at Cumming Nature Center exploring the outdoors and learning along the way. Some students kicked things off with a guided nature hike, where they discovered local plants and wildlife, smelled skunk cabbage, and learned why it has such a strong scent. Along the trail, they spotted signs of beaver activity and visited a beaver dam and lodge. After lunch (and ice cream topped with the center’s own maple syrup), students worked in teams to build shelters for small animals using natural materials. To wrap up, their creations were put to the test as the guide simulated rain—an exciting moment as students saw just how well their shelters held up. Photo Credit: Laura Carmichael

Last week, we proudly celebrated 21 graduates from our Adult Education Practical Nursing program at Genesee Valley BOCES. Each graduate has shown dedication, resilience, and compassion throughout their journey in nursing. Family, friends, and instructors gathered to celebrate the hard work that led to this moment. The ceremony included heartfelt remarks, awards, and the LPN pledge, marking the transition into the nursing profession. These graduates are now prepared to make a difference in the lives of others through skilled and compassionate care. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 as they begin this important and inspiring next chapter. Photo Credit: Alecia Kaus

Congratulations to these electromechanical students at Genesee Valley BOCES for earning their National Career Readiness Certificates through the ACT WorkKeys assessments in Mr. Monroe’s class. This nationally recognized credential highlights workplace skills in applied math, graphic literacy and workplace documents.

Out of the 46 students who tested:
• 4 earned Bronze certificates
• 17 earned Silver certificates
• 16 earned Gold certificates
• 9 earned Platinum certificates — the highest level possible

Big news from Batavia CTE! Welding student Cooper H. from Pavilion Central School District took 1st place in both the TIG and MIG Welding competitions and finished 2nd overall at this weekend’s event in Albany. He was supported by his instructor, Andrew Geyer, throughout the competition. An impressive showing all around.

Students from GV BOCES LIVES and The Arc GLOW’s LIVES program recently presented at GREAT Day at SUNY Geneseo, a symposium that highlights student achievement and creativity. During their session, students shared what it’s like to be part of the program and experience college life, including videos that offered a look into their daily routines. Following the presentation, attendees explored student-created posters, where presenters answered questions and explained their work. The session wrapped up with a Q&A, giving students another opportunity to reflect on their experiences. It was a meaningful day of sharing, learning, and connection.