Rockland BOCES

Students in our Extended School Year Summer Program take advantage of a beautiful day to get moving on our playground! Young learners on our West Nyack campus socialize with their peers while getting their wiggles out to allow better engagement and focus once they return to the classroom. ☀️🤸

At Rockland BOCES, learning never takes a vacation! Learn more about our offerings at RocklandBOCES.org.

Christian Grimshaw (Nanuet Union Free School District), a Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) student, competes in this year’s SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Christian, who earned a gold medal at the New York State Competition this past April, put his skills to the test, competing in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair. 🔧

Congratulations to Christian for an inspirational and successful year! We are of you and everything you have accomplished.

“We all have our own journeys…each and every one of our stories will be different. That is what is beautiful about this program, having the opportunities and the resources to follow our own path.”

Hudson Valley P-TECH senior Ana Castaneda-Merlos (East Ramapo Central School District) addressed our largest cohort to-date during this morning’s completion ceremony. Adorned in a myriad of colors representing their home districts, the proudly celebrated the milestone accomplishment of completing their high school requirements. Special mention was made for three students who fast-tracked their academic experience, earning their associate degree in the same time.

Principal Daniel Kaplan and Assistant Principal Christina Contento, along with BOCES Administrators and our partners at Rockland Community College, spoke to the 31 students about their resilience and encouraged them to build on the lessons they’ve learned.

“Thank you to our teachers, who forged us into young adults. And to our the parents, who have acted as the foundation,” expressed senior Jackson Merine (Suffern Central SD).

Congratulations PTECH! May you continue to dream big as you follow your pathway through life.

North Rockland Central School District South Orangetown Central School District Nyack Public Schools Pearl River School District Clarkstown Central School District

Our Jesse J. Kaplan school welcomes its upcoming kindergarten class (VISTA Program) to campus to meet teachers and staff in anticipation of the new school year. Parents of young learners hear from our physical, occupational and speech therapists about resources available to their children. Meanwhile, the littles meet their peers as they play with bubbles, climb on the jungle gym and complete an obstacle course.

Thanks to News 12 Hudson Valley reporter Diane Caruso for spotlighting Friday’s 2024 Jesse J. Kaplan School Commencement! We are 🫶🧑🏾‍🎓👨🏻‍🎓🤜🏼

Rockland County graduation moves indoors due to hot temps It didn’t stop dozens of families and students to come together to celebrate this year’s 17 graduates.

In a heartfelt ceremony, 17 Jesse J. Kaplan School students received their graduation certificates in front of staff and loved ones. The school choir sang “Don’t Stop Believing” to encourage our graduates as they received their certificates of completion from a representative in their home district. Students then each provided personal messages, thanking their families, teachers and staff for their love, support and encouragement.

Congratulations to the Jesse J. Kaplan School Class of 2024! We are so of every one of you.

If you would like to join us virtually for our Jesse J. Kaplan 2024 Commencement, visit our YouTube channel:

Rockland BOCES Jesse J. Kaplan School 2024 Commencement Join Rockland BOCES as we celebrate the graduation of Jesse J. Kaplan School students. The Kaplan School offers a stimulating learning environment for studen...

Our Mountainside High School auditorium was filled with proud families and teachers as we celebrated nine students who received their Regents Diploma. Guests and graduates intently listened to the regards of Dr. Matthew Darby as he gave the Principal’s Address, telling students their determination reminds us that anything is possible. 🎓

Congratulations to our graduates! We are of every one of you!

Graduates of our Project SEARCH program are all smiles as they celebrate their accomplishments. 6 students have been interning at Good Samaritan Hospital Suffern, NY, where they’ve been learning all the essential skills needed to join the workforce after graduation. At the ceremony, each intern shared their experiences about what they did with Project Search before receiving their certificate of completion. This program helps high school students in Rockland, Westchester and Orange County learn work and life skills by employing them within different departments at the hospital—everything from Same Day Surgery to Food Services - to help them become more independent.

Congratulations to Anthony, Alexandra, Jeff, Alice, Megan and Rosmeri on completing this milestone. Thank you to our partners at Westchester Medical Center, Accessvr and RCALD (Rockland County Association for Learning Disabilities) for the continued support of our students!

In December, our Preschool program opened its doors for the first time. Today, the program celebrates its first class during a Moving Up Ceremony. The presentation of certificates celebrates 4 graduating young learners and the accomplishments of 12 students moving up.

The Preschool program serves students from throughout Rockland County with communicative, cognitive and pervasive developmental disabilities, with a curriculum that will focus on communication, following instructions, tolerating situations and building friendships.

Congratulations to our first preschool class! We are of you!

Family, friends, teachers and staff celebrate the accomplishments of our CABAS® students as they move on to the next grade. These young learners gather at the Tappan Zee Education Center to celebrate their growth, perform songs for their special guests, and receive their certificates of completion.

Congratulations Wildcats!

The end of the school year didn’t stop our Career and Technical Education Center’s (CTEC) Criminal Justice program as they put their skills to the test. In their final days in the program, students donned VR goggles and entered a simulation world where they were police officers responding to different scenarios - like drunk drivers, domestic abuse, and public intoxication.

At Rockland BOCES, we make sure our students are ready for their careers. To learn more about our programs visit RocklandBOCES.org.

It’s prom day at our Jesse J. Kaplan School! Because our seniors are shining stars, they were celebrated with an Oscars-themed celebration, complete with a red carpet, velvet ropes and paparazzi. This fun annual event is organized by faculty with assistance from the PTA. It also featured music, dancing, and a delicious lunch. Congratulations to our seniors!

They grow up so fast! Our Hilltop School celebrates Moving Up Day for kindergarten, first and second graders. Students are recognized at the ceremony for academic success, creativity and personal achievement!

We are of our students as they prepare to start the next chapter in their education!

Our Hilltop School celebrates 15 graduating eighth graders who are moving on to high school! In front of family, staff and peers, graduates earn awards, perform and “let it shine” at their moving-up ceremony.

We are our Hilltop students. Congratulations to all!

Students took their final bows and curtain calls this evening at our River View High School, celebrating the ! 32 students received their diplomas in front of an auditorium filled with families, friends, and peers.

One special highlight of the evening, among a sea of plenty, was the singing of Queen’s “We are the Champions” by the class.

Congratulations to our River View High School graduates. You have made us and we know you are PREPARED for the future!

Tonight we celebrated our incredible Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) students who completed the rigorous requirements to graduate from our CTE program! We recognized 374 local high school students while also celebrating those who were honored with various awards and received more than $1.5 million in scholarships to colleges, universities, trade schools and the military.

Congratulations to the Rockland BOCES CTEC Class of 2024! We are of all of you and can’t wait to see what you do in the future!

From cubs to bears, our oldest learners at the Hilltop School are getting ready to leave the den! Students and staff alike today lined the halls to cheer on the during the Grade 8 Clap Out. Congratulations!

The Rockland BOCES Adult Education program held graduation exercises today at the BERC campus on Midland Avenue in Nyack. Students earned certificates in English as a Second Language as well as General Equivalency Diplomas.

“I heard someone say once that education is the dancing of the minds. Through these past months our minds have danced together to bring us to this day," Educator Lucy Sinacore said, Educator Lucy Sinacore said. "Some of those dance steps have tripped us or been difficult to follow, but with your perseverance and determination, you have mastered them all. I thank you for being my students and sharing your abilities and skills with each other."

Smiles and applause fill the air as we celebrate the graduates of our Practical Nursing (PN) Program. Donning their white uniforms, 20 students celebrate the completion of the program, taking part in the traditional “pinning” ceremony as they pledge “to raise the standards and prestige of practical nursing.” Congratulations to our graduates as you go on to change the world!

At Rockland BOCES, we prepare our students to leave their mark. Learn more about our programs at RocklandBOCES.org.

Our Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) Cyber Technology students are reaching new heights! Throughout the year, Cyber Tech students learn the basics of block-style coding and the Python programming language, applying fundamentals of math, science and logic.

At the end of the year, they use these fundamentals as they put their skills to the test, flying the drones through three different obstacles. Drone technology is a part of our Cyber Technology program's curriculum in response to emerging job opportunities in the Hudson Valley. Thanks, Mr. Rodriguez, for your digital expertise!

Learn more about our programs by visiting RocklandBOCES.org

It's a beautiful day to celebrate our seniors at our Jesse J. Kaplan School! Our Class of 2024 take a well-deserved break to enjoy music, food and summer fun! Congratulations! ☀️

welcomes André Spinelli as a new Student Services Divisional Principal!

Mr. Spinelli comes to Rockland BOCES with an extensive background in alternative high school programs in the Hudson Valley, where he set high academic and behavioral expectations for students. André is a hands-on leader with core values that align with our agency’s mission and philosophy.

Mr. Spinelli served as Principal and Assistant Principal of the Pine Bush High School STARS Academy, Principal of Ellenville Middle School, Assistant Principal of Highland High School and a classroom teacher at Highland High School and Fallsburg Junior-Senior High School.

André’s well-rounded background and proven instruction and administrative success will greatly benefit our Student Services division. Our Rockland BOCES school community welcomes Andre Spinelli!

SSG Andrew Cobo of the US Army speaks with students in our Career and Technical Education Center’s (CTEC) Automotive Technology program about opportunities through the military after graduation. Instructor Daniel Izaguirre remarks that part of his job is ensuring his students are prepared for their next chapter. “Whether the students are continuing what they studied at CTEC, going to college, or joining the army, we want to guarantee they have a first option, a second option, and sometimes even a third. You just never know where life will take you,” he said.

At Rockland BOCES, we’re making sure our students are ready for their future. Visit RocklandBOCES.org to learn more.

Students in our Career and Technical Education Center’s (CTEC) Graphic Design program are getting up close and personal seeing how digital designs are printed! Students visit Unimac, a print and packaging company, and receive a tour of their campus. Once there, students watch how their graphic projects come to life once they’re done designing on the computer.

At Rockland BOCES we offer our students opportunities to see firsthand how they can apply their skills to their career. Learn more about our programs at RocklandBOCES.org.

We celebrate acceptance and equality while ensuring our students' voices are heard during our Pride Celebration at River View High School. An open-mic poetry slam allowed students to share their original poems, songs and stories - in a safe and supportive environment. Afterward, students mingle as they learn more about local resources through the Rockland County Pride Center, register to vote and eat yummy ice cream! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Pride Month is observed each June in the United States in commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising. The month is also a time to recognize the contributions of LGBTQIA+ Americans and raise awareness about efforts for equal justice and equal opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community. Rockland BOCES is committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment - treating all people with dignity and respect.

Pearl River High School (Pearl River School District) hosted the 2023-24 PAVE Program (Practical Academics Vocational Education) Recognition Ceremony this morning celebrating the many accomplishments of PAVE students! Learners took to the stage to be honored with certificates acknowledging the hard work, progress, commitment to academic excellence and kindness shown to one another throughout the school year. Those in attendance also viewed a slideshow highlighting the many exciting opportunities that PAVE students took part in including engaging lessons and activities as well as field trips. Additional cheers for PAVE graduate Liam Gallagher...you are sure to make us !

Our Hudson Valley P-TECH celebrates 57 students who met the requirements for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)! This distinction recognizes those students who maintain a 90+ average in their career education courses, demonstrate leadership and skill development and are involved in school and/or community service. Additionally, 28 P-TECH students were recognized for academic achievement by placement on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

NTHS student representatives lit the ceremonial candles - acknowledging the seven attributes for membership: skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship and leadership.

Congratulations! 🥳🏆

welcomes Courtney Violetti as our new Principal for District-Based Middle School and High School Therapeutic Support Programs. Ms. Violetti comes to Rockland BOCES with an extensive background in special education administration, most recently serving the Suffern Central School District in the role Supervisor for Secondary Special Services.

As a Secondary Special Education Teacher with a concentration in Social Studies, Courtney possesses both the expertise of an administrator and the experience working directly with students facing a variety of academic and social-emotional learning needs. She is well-versed in developing and nurturing classroom environments and instructional practices that promote student growth and success.

Ms. Violetti’s well-rounded background and proven success will greatly benefit our students, families, staff and school community. Our Rockland BOCES school community welcomes Courtney Violetti!