Hendrick Hudson Sophomores Introduced to BOCES’ Offerings

Hendrick Hudson High School’s Class of 2027 listened to a presentation in the school auditorium on Friday, Jan. 10 about the more than 50 programs offered at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES’ Career and Technical Education Center, commonly known as the Tech Center. The presentation was delivered by Mary Cuomo and Samantha Vredenburgh, who have spent recent weeks visiting PNW BOCES’ 18 component districts to detail what prospective students can learn at the Tech Center.

“We see a lot of interest in these programs,” said Dr. Aaron Kleinman, Hendrick Hudson’s Director of Guidance. “Our role is to provide more information to our students. They may like something they see and want to pursue it as a career path.”

Currently, Dr. Kleinman estimated that approximately 70 juniors and seniors at Hendrick Hudson attend class daily at the Tech Center, which is located in Yorktown Heights. The programs include everything from Auto Mechanics to Cosmetology, Sports Medicine, Law Enforcement, Carpentry and much more.

During the presentation, Cuomo, the school’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Vredenburgh, a School Counselor, played a video that showed the Career and Technical Education Center’s classrooms, which often mirror real-life business environments, then discussed what those programs entail in greater depth.

When Vredenburgh asked, “Did anything you see spark your interest?,” dozens of students raised their hands.

During the presentation, the Tech Center representatives highlighted how their classroom teachers often work or previously worked in the field and detailed how Tech Center students can earn certifications and/or college credits by completing the programs.

Cuomo also displayed a slide with a host of businesses the Tech Center partners with for job shadowing and internships.

The Tech Center will host students from Hendrick Hudson and other component districts for Tech Tours on Jan. 15-16. These on-campus tours will allow students to spend 15 minutes with programs of their choosing and participate in activities related to that program. The Tech Center will also offer an evening Open House on March 11.

The PNW BOCES programs are offered to juniors and seniors and they are free to Hendrick Hudson students. Transportation to and from campus is provided by the district as well.

“For many of our students, this is their first exposure to what BOCES offers,” Dr. Kleinman said. “If they are interested, they can take the tour next week and then come back and talk to our counselors if they find anything that interests them.”