The Erie 1 BOCES class located at Frontier High School is a 6-1+A grouping from the Exceptional Education Excellence Core strand. Most students will graduate with a Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential.  The focus of the program is to prepare students for post-graduation environments.

      The major emphasis is on transitioning to work environments however future residential preparation is also considered for students. The learning content selected is based on the needs of students and their current IEP goals (to be sure student’s individual needs are being met). Student’s goals are aligned to the Common Core Learning Standards (to be sure they have access to the general education curriculum).  Concentration is on English/Language Arts (communicating, listening, reading, and writing), vocational skills, Math (especially functional math skills), domestic skills and social skills.

    The program has a variety of settings students may participate in for their vocational preparation. Students are involved in all options that are deemed appropriate after considering student and parent preferences, requirements of post-graduation aspirations, behavior, and skill levels. The options are:

1.    In-class sheltered workshop job training  - simulated workshop tasks, cleaning jobs and functional word instruction of job related vocabulary.

2.    In-class cleaning activities – some of the tasks students participate in are: washing tables, watering plants, sweeping floors, clearing tables,washing and drying dishes, and laundry skills.

3.    Out of classroom jobs within the school building- opportunities may include: cleaning tables and chairs in the cafeteria, filling vending machines,working at the school book store, working in the district print shop.

4.    BOCES operated BEST (Basic Employment Skills Training) Program – located at McKinley School in Lackawanna.  Students are transported to this site for instruction one or two times per week for two hours each excursion.  A special education teacher runs the program.  Whenever possible students engage in actual jobs that might be encountered in a sheltered workshop. 

5.    Internships at sheltered workshops during the last years of school.

6.    Small group enclave in area businesses such as the Clarion Hotel, TGI Fridays, and Joanne Etc. 

    Communication is integrated into all settings during the school day from therapies, classroom, cafeteria, community instruction opportunities and vocational placement. Communication is a vital component of success in any avenue pursued after graduation therefore it must be functional for the individual and the setting and must be integrated into all activities all day long.

    Opportunities for community instruction, in the areas of purchasing goods and services are utilized throughout the school year.  Students are instructed in the classroom in the areas of communicating with employees, money usage and budgeting, safety precautions and appropriate behavior.  These lessons are then carried over into purchasing situations in the cafeteria, school book store and vending machines.

    Academics for most students focus on functional topics such as community sight words, money skills, time telling, etc.  The use of learned skills in real situations is a main focus.  For some students rudimentary literary and math skills are addressed. 

    The class is situated in a typical high school.  This affords many daily opportunities for interaction with non-disabled peers. Regular education students serve as peer helpers in a variety of settings.  Students in the class who are independent may have the opportunity to sit with typical high school students at lunch.  

    The Frontier High School class of Erie 1 BOCES offers many other activities.  Those outlined above are the main focus on a daily basis. Questions can be referred to the teacher:  Alma Marranca-Ceccarelli at 926-1720 ext. 2124,  aceccarelli@frontier.wnyric.orgor amarranca-ceccarelli@e1b.org .