By Sarah Vakkas, Director of CTE & P-Tech
CTE programs are partnering with our Exceptional Education programs, RAS, and P-Tech programs to launch our campus-wide Fall Fest on Friday, October 30! Held in the center of our TST BOCES campus, Fall Fest will be an opportunity to bring together all of the students for a day of connection, creativity, and celebration.
At its heart, Fall Fest is about more than seasonal fun. It is about building a stronger campus culture, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating meaningful opportunities for students across our programs to learn from one another. By opening our campus to interactive, student-led experiences, we are celebrating the talents, interests, and skills that make our TST BOCES community unique while strengthening relationships across our programs.
Students and staff will explore hands-on activities, demonstrations, and experiences led by our talented students and educators. Highlights include:
Interactive Skill Booths: Face painting, temporary tattoos, mask making, and hair updos hosted by Early Childhood and Cosmetology students.
Creative & STEM Exploration: UV bracelet making, mini lava lamp construction, “oozing pumpkin heads,” and tabletop launcher challenges led by CTE academic teachers.
Culinary & Health Experiences: A “stuffed animal hospital” hosted by Nursing students, sensory activities from Animal Science, and seasonal treats such as apple crisp and whoopie pies prepared by Culinary and Food Services.
Featured Demonstrations: An exciting Auto Tech soapbox derby race on the hill and a collaborative “Punkin Chunkin” giant pumpkin launcher demonstration behind the E building.
Culture & Community: Opportunities to celebrate traditions, explore different perspectives, and engage in activities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and shared experiences.
These experiences naturally reinforce the broader goals of New York State’s educational vision, including the NYS Inspires initiatives. Through student leadership, creative problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and inclusive participation, Fall Fest supports the development of skills and dispositions that prepare students for success in school, work, and life.
A special thanks and gratitude go out to Mike Goforth, Renee Christopher and Francesca Considine-Drake for bringing the idea forward and coordinating the details for this to be a robust campus event! Thank you to our staff and students who accepted the invitation and want to make a contribution to our campus community.
Join us on Friday, October 30, as we launch this new tradition and celebrate the creativity, talent, and community spirit that make our campus a place where students can connect, contribute, and grow!