May 4, 2022
Reporter: Gail Lyman
Wednesday’s meeting:Tom Parsons, IFD Chief
“State of the Ithaca Fire Department 2022
Meeting on Zoom only
Everyone recited the Four-Way Test with the words posted on the Zoom screen.
Guest Tara O’Malley, an Ithaca High School counselor invited by Cal Walker to hear the TST BOCES presentation, introduced herself.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Catrina announced that Rotary Past-President James Brown is the recipient of the 2022 Tompkins County Distinguished Citizen Award. As this year’s honoree, James will be recognized by the Baden-Powell Council, B.S.A. and other business and community leaders for his significant achievements and service to the community and its youth. James has invested a lifetime in working with the United Way and currently serves as CEO of United Way of Tompkins County, as well as serving on the boards of important local nonprofits throughout his tenure. He will be feted on Monday, June 13th at the Emerson Suites at Ithaca College (5 PM Reception; 6 PM dinner); if you wish to attend, register here.- Dale Flinn reported that following last week’s announcement that $1300 was reallocated to RI’s Ukraine Disaster Relief Fund, members have matched that amount, doubling our efforts to help Ukraine. Also, individual contributions of $550 have gone to ShelterBox Ukraine. Bravo!
- President Catrina asked members to join in on a service project scheduled for Thursday, May 5th from 1-4 PM with the Rotarians that are having their District 7410 Conference at Coltivare this weekend (writing notes/cards for Meals on Wheels recipients).
Beverly Baker has passed along her duties of scheduling Thought for the Day speakers to Loretta Goss. She thanked everyone who has done it and concluded her assignment with this message: “Spend more time with people that you love and care about.”
LAST WEEK’S PRESENTATION
“All About Career & Technical Education (CTE)—Current and Future”
Gail Lyman, our club’s Scholarship Chair, introduced the TST BOCES team that presented: Cindy Walter, Executive Director of Career Education; Jeff Podolak, Dean of Students; Brian VanGorder, Instructional & Innovation Coach; and Chelsea Blovat, Career Education Teacher.
Cindy Walter stated that the CTE programs at TST BOCES combine academic programs with real hands-on learning, providing its students with many different paths to the future that include entering the work force with marketable skills or continuing in higher education.
Brian VanGorder shared the new TST BOCES
website that includes CTE program information and course descriptions combined with YouTube videos; the New Visions program that offers seniors a non-traditional, academically challenging year; and the World of Work program that teaches students work-based behaviors and attitudes that lead to success in the workplace. Brian emphasized how this newly designed website has proven to be an effective marketing tool for enrolling more students at TST BOCES.
Chelsea Blovat spoke about her new teaching assignment as the Career Education Teacher for the CTE Career Center. On the day of this presentation, the Career Center was having its National Skilled Trades Day.
Jeff Podolak spoke about Ivey Card, the 2021 Outstanding CTE Student of the Year, whose scholarship we sponsor. Ivey combined her Advanced Regents coursework at Lansing HS with a Heavy Equipment major at TST BOCES along with a Cazenovia Equipment internship to prepare her for college coursework at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). To learn more about Ivey, see this
Tompkins Weekly article.
Read about the Career & Technical Education programs at TST BOCES
here.
THANK YOU ROTARIANS
Newsletter Reporter: Gail Lyman
Photographer: Mike Brown
Newsletter Editor: Loralyn Light
Set-up Zoom: Brett Bossard
Recording Archive: Paul Martin
Club Service Facilitators: June Losurdo & Loretta Goss
