e Center for Instruction Technology & Innovation recently
completed construction on the Oswego County Federal
Credit Union branch on the main campus in Mexico.
CEO of the Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Bill
Carhart, has worked with CiTi on completing the branch,
and this is not the rst time the OCFCU has worked with
CiTi.
“e OCFCU has collaborated with CiTi on their Most
Employable student program and have also taught training
classes for nancial planning,” said Carhart.
Jenna Hopkins is the manager of the CiTi branch and will
oversee the new services as well as two student employees.
e branch hopes to assist clients with checking accounts,
debit cards, loan applications and a texting request service.
“Our mission is to expose these students to money
management skills. Students may also discuss nancial topics including job hunting, building credit, taking out a loan,
savings and budgeting,” said Hopkins.
Two CiTi students have been hired to work the branch for the remainder of the year. Javen Kelley and Camden Hardy
went through an application and interview process conducted by the branch and the CiTi Career Center.
CiTi Opens Oswego County Federal Credit Union Branch on Campus
January 2020
CiTi alum Christian Talamo is from Oswego City
School District and is a 2019 graduate of the Welding
Technology program! Talamo currently works for
Universal Metal Works in Fulton as a fabricator. He said
the welding program gave him knowledge and skills that
he needed for his career. He said CiTi gave him a lot of
hands-on practice that is coming in handy now. Do you
know CiTi alumni who should be recognized for their
success? Share their story with the CiTi Public Relations
team at [email protected].
Alumni Feature
From left, Oswego County Federal Credit Union
member solution representative Gabrielle Doten,
CiTi students Javen Kelley and Camden Hardy, and
OCFCU branch manager Jenna Hopkins stand in the
new OCFCU branch at CiTi.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
2
CiTi Opens Oswego County
Federal Credit Union Branch
on Campus
“I am pretty excited to be working for the
credit union, and I love the opportunities
oered here at CiTi,” said Hardy.
“I’m denitely excited for the opportunity and
the real-world experience,” said Kelley.
e branch will oer services to both students
and sta at CiTi. Any resident of Oswego
County may also use branch services.
e branch also aims to expand and work with
other school districts in the county. OCFCU
plans to travel to dierent schools to expand
student nancial education.
“We oer scholarships to graduating students
and plan on bringing nancial speakers to
schools as well,” said Carhart.
e Oswego County Federal Credit Union
branch is now open at CiTi on Tuesdays and
ursdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Digital Media Technology students install
the OCFCU sign in the new branch at CiTi.
Former New Vision Student Interns with
CiTi Public Relations
Former New Vision Specialized Careers student Emily Catania
is interning with the Center for Instruction, Technology &
Innovation’s Public Relations team.
A 2017 Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District
graduate, Catania is now a junior at Keuka College pursuing a
bachelor’s in English with a concentration in communications
and writing. Catania previously interned with the public relations
department at CiTi when she was a senior in the New Vision
Specialized Careers program.
“I’ve always loved writing and wanted to use my skills in a way that
mattered to the community. Now, I am writing stories that people
read every day,” said Catania.
Catania is interning over the month of January through Keuka
College’s Field Period Program, which requires students to
complete an internship every year. She previously interned at the
Keuka College Admissions Oce and the Williamstown Public
Library.
Currently, Catania is writing pieces for local newspapers about
events going on at CiTi, taking and editing photos, managing
social media accounts and designing graphics.
“New Vision denitely prepared me for this position. I am very
grateful for my instructor’s guidance and opportunities the
program provided,” Catania said.
Catania hopes to graduate from Keuka College with her bachelor’s
degree in May of 2021 and work in public relations in the future.
3
Early Childhood Education student Megan Coe talks with
faculty member Carol Taormina during a mock interview.
Early Childhood Education Students
Practice Mock Interviews
Nearly 40 students in the Center for Instruction, Technology
& Innovation’s Early Childhood Education program learned
rst-hand what it’s like to talk with parents during a parent-
teacher conference.
Students in the program created a hypothetical student, with
a fake report card and talked through that student’s behavior
with a volunteer “parent” faculty member at CiTi.
“is is benecial for the students because it is a real-life
experience for working with children and parents in the
future,” said instructor Beth Britton.
Practical Nursing Students from the Center
for Career and Community Education
Practice Lab Skills
Students in the Center for Career and Community Education
Practical Nursing program practice inserting needles into
oranges during class. The program prepares students to work
as a practical nurse in home care agencies, nursing homes,
hospitals and more.
Students were graded by both Britton and the hypothetical
parents for their conferences. Students were evaluated on
communication, professionalism and recommendations,
among other things.
“is process of mock interviews really helps build our
condence for the future when we have to meet parents,”
said student Megan Coe.
Each conference lasted about 10 minutes. Britton said each
student normally goes into the mock interviews nervous
but comes out saying they felt more condent.
Air National Guard Visits Public Safety
Career and Technical Education’s Public Safety and
Justice program welcomes two guest speakers from the
local Air National Guard. Pictured, Ross Anderson and
Courtney Snyder inform students on the many career
opportunities offered through the Air National Guard.
4
Arts in Education professional development is offered to
music and art teachers in Oswego County at Paul V. Moore
High School on November 2. Some of the offerings included
technology in music, science in the arts and communication
and advocacy with parent support (pictured above).
New Security System Comes to CiTi Mexico Campus
e Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation has a new visitor management system coming to the main
campus in Mexico called the Raptor Security System.
e system will be used during the school day as a tool to better protect students and sta as well as provide a
consistent protocol for tracking visitors and volunteers.
“e system will improve our campus security, helping to keep our buildings safe,” said Director of Facilities Wayne
Wideman.
All visitors will be asked to sign-in to the building with a valid driver’s license or government ID to receive a visitor
badge to wear during their time on campus. Once a visitor has presented identication one time, they will not be
required to do so again; the front desk will be able to search their name in the system.
CiTi Social-Emotional Learning Committee Makes and Sends Gifts to Staff
CiTi Work-Study students at Fourth Street School assemble
coffee bags from the Coco Cafe to gift to CiTi staff members.
A Social-Emotional Learning Committee comprised of sta
members recently started at CiTi, with a focus on self-care, re-
energizing sta and emphasizing appreciation for both sta and
students.
roughout the year, the committee plans to create team-building
activities and self-care initiatives for all sta and students.
Notes of encouragement, surprise pizza, thank-you notes given out
to sta and students for random acts of kindness and enhancing
spaces for sta and student relaxation are some of the projects the
SEL committee will be working toward.
e SEL Committee has already collaborated with
Fourth Street School in Fulton, giing each CiTi
sta member with a bag of coee from their Coco
Cafe as a token of appreciation during the holidays.
A joy pendant and a custom sticker were also part
of the gi.
e SEL Committee has also incorporated Wellness
Wednesdays and plans on future self-care and
wellness events such as: posting inspirational
quotes, oering resources and strategy suggestions
for those who need support and a “Can’t Pour From
an Empty Cup” initiative, where sta members are
given free Keurig cups and bags of tea.
“e Social-Emotional Learning Committee is
designed to benet all in practicing self-care and
mindfulness. is focus at CiTi will show our
support for both students and sta,” said CiTi Sta
Development Coordinator Liane Benedict, who
heads the committee.
e SEL Committee meets every month and
Benedict encourages anyone who is interested in
the committee to join.
5
CiTi Welcomes New Work Based-Learning
Coach Kelly Balcom
From left, Work-Based Learning Coordinator Carol Taormina,
Work-Based Learning Coach Kelly Balcom and Business
Education Liaison Garrette Weiss assist CiTi students in the
career center.
E-NABLE Group Builds Hand for
Man Who Lost Limb
A prosthetic hand printed and meticulously
assembled by a digital humanitarian group
of Center for Instruction, Technology &
Innovation students and sta will soon help a
man in another country live a better quality of
life.
As an ocial e-NABLE chapter, the group
works as part of an online global community
of volunteers that’s using 3D printers to
produce free and low-cost hands and arms for
children and adults in need.
“Amazing impacts for individuals in need
can be made through a little dedicated eort
and the desire and willingness to help others,”
said Tracy Fleming, who helped organize and
found the group.
e local e-NABLE group, hosted by the
Oswego BOCES Teachers Association, consists
of Fleming, Jay-Nel Mera, Barb Kickbush, Lisa
Members of the Oswego County e-NABLE
team work with a CiTi STRIVE student to
assemble a prototype prosthetic hand
during school recently. From left is student
Dom Harrington and CiTi staff members
Tammy Cummings and Lisa Carney.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
e Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation welcomes
a new work-based learning coach to its career center on the CiTi
main campus in Mexico.
Formerly a teaching assistant for the Career and Technical
Education program’s Cosmetology class, Kelly Balcom will
now work with students on career preparation as a work-based
learning coach.
Balcom was drawn to the new position to use her work-based
learning certication.
“I wanted to put it to good use and help the whole school,”
Balcom said.
Balcom works with Business Education Liaison Garrette Weiss
and Work-Based Learning Coordinator Carol Taormina in the
career center. All three work with students on career preparation,
exploration and internships.
Balcom has been visiting classrooms to help students with
resumes, internships, job applications and interviews. She
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
6
Carney, Dave Eastman and Tammy Cummings — all sta
members at CiTi.
A 22-year-old man from the Dominican Republic who lost
his hand in a work accident will be the rst to benet from
Oswego County’s e-NABLE group. e team in late 2019
produced the hand for a peer chapter in Maine and the
Portland Rotary Club, which will deliver dozens of hands to
the Caribbean nation in late January.
Fleming noted the group ocially formed several months
ago, adding a number of team members are already certied
through e-NABLE in building and threading a hand. While
learning the process, Fleming created a unique tool that helps
ensure the hand stays at a 30-degree angle during threading, a
critical step in the process.
In recent weeks, the group has started including some students
from the CiTi STRIVE program, teaching them about the
methodology and process while assembling replica hands.
Carney, who recently brought students from her algebra course to work with the group, said the hope is to get more pupils
involved in the 3D printing and building process.
Some students may even become certied in the process through e-NABLE, she added.
Fleming thanked those who have made nancial donations to help purchase materials for the eort. Donations can be
made to the group via GoFundMe at: www.gofundme.com/f/CiTiTeachersAssociationE-NABLE
e group also noted they are happy to provide interactive demos for students and adults locally, introducing
the concepts of 3D printing to make a dierence in the world. To schedule a demonstration, contact the group at
EnableOswegoCoun[email protected]m.
E-NABLE Group Builds Hand for Man Who Lost Limb Continued
Team leader Tracy Fleming, at left, demonstrates a
technique used in the hand-building process during
a recent e-NABLE meeting at CiTi in Mexico. From
left is Fleming, student Chris Dewey, and e-NABLE
team members Jay-Nel Mera and Barb Kickbush.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
recently visited the rst-year CTE Welding Technology class and taught students how to ll out job applications,
resume worksheets and cover letters.
“I want to make students who attend CiTi employable and teach them so skills they’ll need for a professional
career,” says Balcom. Her other goals are helping students gain o-campus jobs or internships while attending
CiTi, going into as many classes as she can and being a positive role model for students.
Balcom’s favorite part of the job is the interactions with students.
“It means I made an impact on students, who I may not have known two months ago,” she said.
CiTi Welcomes New Work Based-Learning Coach Kelly Balcom Continued
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
7
Students Recognized with Most Employable
Awards for Quarter Two
Students in Career and Technical Education were recognized
with Most Employable Awards for quarter two.
Nominated by their instructors, students had to have a
minimum grade point average and attendance requirement to
be eligible. Of all the nominations, ve students were selected
from a random drawing for a gi card from the Oswego County
Federal Credit Union.
Students who were presented with Most Employable awards
were: Connor Billings (New Vision Specialized Careers), Kelsey
Combs (New Vision Law and Government), Kelton Crofoot
(Automotive Body Technology), Megan Coe (Early Childhood
Education), Nicole Redford (Nursing Assistant), Je Klein
(Computer Coding), Sammy Sawyer (Automotive Technology),
Nick McCombie (Outdoor Power Equipment Technology),
Trevor Gebo (Construction Technology), McKenna McCormack
(New Vision Allied Health), Jacob Wright (Public Safety and
Justice), Brayden Hartman (Industrial Electrical Technology),
Dalton Gibson (Culinary Arts Year 2), Ryan Whitcomb (Heavy
Equipment Repair & Operation), Jozlyn Fiorito (Culinary Arts
Year 1), Zachary Moore (Digital Media Technology), Kaila
Loadwick (Cosmetology 1) and Mitchell Donaldson (Advanced
Metal Manufacturing).
Career and Technical Education
Classes Tour SUNY Oswego
Technology Education Department
Career and Technical Education students
in Advanced Metal Manufacturing tour
the Technology Education Department
at SUNY Oswego. Industrial Electrical
Technology and Construction Technology
programs also toured the campus.
Career and Technical Education students are presented with Most Employable Awards for quarter two. Pictured
to the right in both photos, Oswego County Federal Credit Union Business Development Specialist Danielle
Hayden congratulates the students. The OCFCU presents gift cards to Most Employable students selected in a
drawing.
e Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation shall continue its policy of providing educational opportunities for all students who wish to enroll in any course without regard to race, sex, religion,
national origin or creed. e Title IX Compliance Ocers are Roseann Bayne and Mark LaFountain. ey can be reached by calling 315.963.4251 or by mail at 179 County Route 64, Mexico, NY 13114.
A publication of the
Public Relations service at
the Center for Instruction,
Technology & Innovation
Christopher J. Todd
District Superintendent
Board of Education
John Shelmidine,
President
Donna Blake,
Vice President
Brian Haessig
Darlene Upcraft
David Cordone
Kevin Dix
Nicole Nadeau
Ted Williams
Vanessa Haskins
179 County Route 64,
Mexico, NY 13114
315.963.4251
CiTiboces.org
The month of January showcases the Nursing Assistant and
Construction Technology programs in Career and Technical
Education. Above, students from the Oswego City School District
are featured. Nursing Assistant students practice practical lab skills
on mannequins and also work with residents at local rotation sites.
The Construction Technology program covers topics of carpentry,
electrical, masonry and plumbing. You’ve probably seen them out
and about in the community working with local organizations like
ARISE to build house ramps for those in need.
Career and Technical Education Programs of
the Month for January: Nursing Assistant and
Construction Technology
