SIDNEY CENTER – On Dec. 13, 2005, voters in the 16 component school districts of the DCMO BOCES approved a facilities proposal to renovate and expand the two BOCES campuses located in Norwich and Sidney Center. The Robert W. Harrold Campus, located at 270 BOCES Drive in Sidney Center is nearly complete.
The Harrold Campus has 60,000 square feet of new space, and all existing spaces have been renovated. Unique to this campus is a design which connects two previously existing instructional buildings and creates a new, fully connected instructional facility. Many program improvements have been achieved through this undertaking.
Career and Technical Education prepares the workforce of tomorrow to support the businesses in our area. As a result of the expansion and renovations, CTE shops simulate the quality work environments in business and industry. Updated, efficient lighting, heating and air exhaust systems are in place. Appropriately designed customer service areas provide students with opportunities to interact and problem solve with customers. Dedicated classroom space for each CTE program allows for quality, integrated, credit-bearing core academic instruction.
Special Education programs prepare all students to demonstrate academic achievement and contribute to society. Classrooms conducive to providing Regents-level, credit bearing instruction are available. Other classrooms are designed to allow for life skills instruction, including a kitchen, with all appliances, a laundry area, and a full bathroom. Small offices with windows into the hallway allow teachers to talk with students and parents privately without having to leave the classroom. Preschool/Daycare facilities for preschool aged students with and without disabilities provide classrooms with a common, private entrance into a shared cubby room, open space to set up a variety of learning centers, and direct access to the playground. An occupational/physical therapy room allows multiple treatment options within one space, including gross and fine motor areas and a mat table area.
The Alternative Education program – the “Career Academy” - creates an alternate environment to help more students graduate from high school while developing job skills. Additional classrooms have been built to meet the demands of students in grades 7 through 12, and existing classrooms have been renovated. Classrooms with natural light provide space for required care academic instruction in a small group setting, allowing students to successfully complete their high school diploma requirements.
Shared spaces have been intentionally designed for access by all programs and students. Science labs are available for all full time students attending Special Education and Career Academy programs to insure appropriate, Regents-level instruction in the sciences. Foreign Language and art classrooms are provided to meet credit requirements in these areas for full time Special Education and Career Academy students. A Library Media Center, equipped with a reading area, a computer lab, and a conference room, provides all students with resources to support their academic programs. A full size gymnasium, with a dividing partition, allows for multiple required credit-bearing physical education classes to be held simultaneously. Additional features of the gymnasium include a weight room, aerobics room, locker facilities, and a rock climbing wall. Four ft. by 6 ft. banners hang in the gymnasium representing our 16 component school districts. A state-of-the-art kitchen and bakery for Culinary Arts and the School Lunch Program includes a dining room that provides a restaurant/food court atmosphere for full time BOCES students. And, finally, additional support services space is available for students to receive needed counseling and other ancillary services in a confidential setting.
Students and staff alike are enjoying the expanded and renovated facilities. Community members often enjoy lunch in the Culinary Arts dining room, which provides a breathtaking view of the valley. If you are interested in learning more about our facilities and programs, or are interested in a tour, call Patti Gallaher, Director of Special Education at 335-1231.