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Mock Trial

Following two weekends of trials between Mock Trial teams from 13 local school districts, Washingtonville High School and James I. O’Neill High School faced each other in the Orange-Ulster BOCES Mock Trial Finals held on April 8th in the Orange County Courthouse.  James I. O’Neill's team played the role of the defense while Washingtonville played the plaintiff in this year's fictitious civil case, "Leyton Manns v. Sandy Townes." The Honorable Judge Timothy McElduff, Orange County Surrogate Court Judge, presided over the trial.

After well-developed arguments presented by both sides, James I. O’Neill High School was awarded the win.

Humanities Honoree National Anthem

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, thirty-four high school students who have distinguished themselves in the arts and humanities were recognized at the 2025 Humanities Honoree Awards Ceremony.  This event celebrates students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and commitment to the arts and humanities.

Abigail Yurchuk of Warwick Valley High School sang the national anthem.

2025 Spelling Bee Winner

Orange-Ulster BOCES held its annual spelling bee on March 13, 2025. Cora Massaro, an eighth grader who attends C.J. Hooker Middle School in the Goshen School District, became the first place winner of this year’s spelling bee, which is sponsored by the Orange County School Boards Association and the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

2025 Odyssey of the Mind

A total of 70 teams from 12 school districts from Orange, Ulster, and Dutchess counties came together to compete in the Mid-Hudson Regional Odyssey of the Mind Competition (New York State Region 5) on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Orange-Ulster BOCES hosted the event at the Emanuel Axelrod Education Center on the Amy Bull Crist Campus in Goshen. 

CTE Students Shine at 2025 SkillsUSA

Fifty-six Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education students competed at the SkillsUSA New York Area 4 Regional competition held over the past two weeks at various locations. Twenty-one students received a gold, silver or bronze medal in their area of expertise.

The SkillsUSA competition is a prestigious technical and leadership contest where career and technical education students demonstrate their expertise in various trade, technical, and leadership fields nationwide.

OU BOCES CTE Security Sentinels CyberPatriot Competition team

Congratulations to The Security Sentinels and The Bit Crushers!

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of these talented students from Mr. McMann's Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE ) Computer Networking and Cybersecurity class. In the recent CyberPatriot competition, the Security Sentinels earned an impressive second place in the Gold tier, while The Bit Crushers secured a commendable third place in the Silver tier.

Become a Practical Nurse!

The Practical Nurse program can provide many opportunities for employment: hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, physicians’ offices or home health agencies. The program adheres to NYS approved curriculum. The Orange-Ulster BOCES PN Program is approved for 1104 hours of instruction. Perspective students are required to attend an informational session prior to registration

Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education students in the Carpentry Program construct one of 10 tiny homes that will become part of the Rumshock Veterans Village Project in Port Jervis.

Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education students in the Carpentry Program have started construction of 10 tiny homes that will become part of the Rumshock Veterans Village Project in Port Jervis.

Veterans who participate in the program will be able to live in these units for a reduced cost, which will help address housing instability and reduce financial stress. The project’s goal is to provide veterans with a range of valuable skills and experiences that will help them reintegrate into civilian life and pursue meaningful careers.

OU BOCES student tries out sensory path

Running in the hallways is never allowed in schools. Running in place, though, along with jumping, spinning, and following all the other directions of the new sensory pathway in a hallway at Orange-Ulster BOCES Emanuel Axelrod Center in Goshen is encouraged. An outer space-themed sensory pathway was designed and installed by Orange-Ulster BOCES staff for use by students in the building’s special education programs.

Amy Bull Crist Seated

Amy Bull Crist is known for her historic ties to Orange County and for being a pioneer of educational and historical organizations and initiatives throughout the county. Amy was a seventh generation member of the very large Bull Family, whose ancestors were among Orange County’s earliest settlers. She was born on March 9, 1906 and died on May 20, 1995.

School Calendar

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Onken Conference Center, Orange-Ulster BOCES, 53 Gibson Road, Goshen, NY 10924

By The Numbers

99%

Career & Technical Education Completion Rate

1,060

Our Instructional Support Division provided 1,060 professional learning sessions to 8,314 educators in the 2019-2020 school year.

12,622

Computers/devices purchased for our districts through our Technical Support Services Division in the 2021-2022 school year

81%

More than 81% of OU BOCES Special Education students met or exceeded proficiency standards on the latest New York State Alternate Assessment (2018-19 NYSAA Data from Mid-Hudson RIC)

Over 187

Career & Technical Education business partners

33

Career and Technical Education programs