HFM BOCES news

Summer School is in session

HFM BOCES regional program off to a smooth start

When school buses pulled up at Johnstown High School early Wednesday to deliver students for the opening day of HFM BOCES’ Regional Summer School, Principal Christine Pietro was happy to see classes get underway.

After months of planning, recruiting teachers, and the final hectic week of registering students, Mrs. Pietro said summer school was off to a smooth start. The inaugural year of the shared summer school program saw 479 students enroll for classes.

Buses from districts that provided transportation to the program deposited more than 150 students at the school before the first class session. “Everyone just picked up their schedule and went on to their classes with hardly a glitch,” Mrs. Pietro said.

Eight HFM BOCES component school districts signed up to participate in the six-week program. Several students from non-component districts paid tuition individually and registered for classes through participating districts.

Mrs. Pietro, an assistant principal at Amsterdam High School, was selected to serve as principal for the first year of the regional summer school.

The HFM BOCES program, hosted by Johnstown High School, was designed to help students who require classes to graduate on time. Students from grades 9-12 could register for classes in English, social studies, math, science and health. Classes meet Monday-Thursday in two-hour daily sessions. Regents exams are scheduled for August 12-14.

“Having this huge opportunity is a privilege for students,” Mrs. Pietro said. “They can earn a full credit in six weeks for a course that usually takes 40 weeks in a typical school schedule.”

To accomplish that goal, attendance is the key policy for summer school. More than three absences from any class will result in a student’s removal from that course. Being late by more than 10 minutes is regarded as half an absence. Chronic tardiness of less than 10 minutes may also result in a student’s removal from class.

The shared program enables Mrs. Pietro to take advantage of HFM BOCES’ Starbase system to organize and track student schedules. She was also able to enlist help from various districts and BOCES to assist students with first-day scheduling problems and finding their way to classrooms in an unfamiliar school building.

The regional program also allowed Mrs. Pietro to select the “cream of the crop” from a large number of teacher applications from all the component districts.

Going to school in July is not usually the first choice for most students enrolled in summer school. How do teachers engage their students and help them focus through six intensive weeks of a high school course?

“That was the pivotal question in all of our teacher interviews,” Mrs. Pietro said. “We intentionally chose the most innovative, enthusiastic, and effective teachers to put in our classrooms.”

FAQ

Download the FAQ flyer here

• Why is HFM BOCES offering a regional summer school?

• Where is the Regional Summer School being held?

• What are the dates and times for summer school?

• What classes are offered at HFM BOCES Regional Summer School?

• Which school districts are taking part?

• Is Drivers’ Education being offered?

• What is the attendance policy for Regional Summer School?

• How are Regional Summer School students graded?

• Is there a Code of Conduct for Regional Summer School?

• Is transportation provided?

• Is lunch provided for students?

• Who will pay for a student to attend regional summer school?

• Regents/RCT Exam Schedule

Why is HFM BOCES offering a regional summer school?

In an effort to consolidate services and provide more cost-effective
programs, HFM BOCES this year is offering a regional summer school to area high school students.

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Where is the Regional Summer School being held?

All classes are held at Johnstown High School, 1 Sir Bills Circle, Johnstown.

From Fonda (Route 30A):

Follow Route 30A into Johnstown. Take a left onto S. Perry Street. Continue to intersection with Main Street. Take left onto Main Street, travel through four traffic lights to Cayadutta Street. Turn right onto Cayadutta Street, left onto State Street, and left onto Pearl Street.

From Broadalbin (Route 29)

Take Route 29 west to Route 30A in Johnstown. Turn left onto Route 30A south. Turn right onto Route 67 west (Main Street) and continue straight until its intersection with Cayadutta Street. Turn right onto Cayadutta Street, left onto State Street, and left onto Pearl Street.

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What are the dates and times for summer school?

Classes are now in session through Thursday, Aug. 11.

There are three sessions per day, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., 9:30-11:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. No classes on Fridays. Regents exams will be administered Aug. 12-14.

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What classes are offered at HFM BOCES Regional Summer School?

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Which school districts are taking part?

Eight districts have contracted to participate in the Regional Summer School: Amsterdam, Broadalbin-Perth, Canajoharie, Fort Plain, Gloversville, Johnstown, Northville, and St. Johnsville.

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Is Drivers’ Education being offered?

No. Check with your home district for the availability of Drivers’ Ed.

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What is the attendance policy for Regional Summer School?

More than three absences from any course will result in removal from that course. Lateness in excess of 10 minutes will be regarded as ½ absence. (For example, lateness to class on six occasions will be considered the equivalent of three absences. The next incident would result in removal from the course.) Lateness of less than 10 minutes on a regular basis may also result in removal from a course at the discretion of the summer school principal.

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How are Regional Summer School students graded?

Students are graded according to the policy of their home school districts.

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Is there a Code of Conduct for Regional Summer School?

Yes. Students must adhere to the Johnstown High School Code of Conduct.

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Is transportation provided?

HFM BOCES is not providing transportation. Check with your home districts to see if they are offering transportation to and from summer school.

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Is lunch provided for students?

No food is provided.

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Who will pay for a student to attend regional summer school?

Participating districts pay for their students to attend regional summer school. Students who live in a non-participating district may attend if their parents/guardians make arrangements directly with a participating district. Parents would be required to pay $70 per course for tuition.

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Questions?

You may call your home district with any other questions about the Regional Summer School.

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