25 area school district programs along with GVBOCES, were recognized for the 2025 school year at Letchworth Central Schools on Saturday morning, as part of the Genesee Valley School Boards Association Annual Legislative Leadership Day. GVSBA Executive Director, Patrick Burk, hosted Saturday morning’s award presentation.
After the Awards Program, superintendents and educators were able to meet with representatives from Congresswoman Tenney’s office, Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office, NYS Senator George Borrello’s office, Assemblyman DiPietro’s office, Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey of the 133rd District, and NYS Senator Pamela Helming of the 54th District. Educators had the opportunity to advocate and discuss current and future education issues.
2026 EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT SERVICES AWARDS
Albion Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Student Leadership Team, called the Elementary Student Lighthouse Team, comprised of 4th and 5th grade students who promote and model leadership principles throughout the school. Students worked in several action teams like Safety Patrol, Welcome Crew, Eagle News, Recycling Club, Gardening Club, Birthday Crew, Health and Wellness Club and the Event Planning Team
Alexander Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Lunch and Learn program for 9th -12 grade students where they can learn about a wide range of careers they may not have known about previously.
Attica Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Fresh Connections Club that serves students in grades 5-8. The Club helps students build connections to healthy food, their local community and practical life skills through hands on learning. Students actively participate in the full food cycle by planting, growing, harvesting and preparing food themselves.
Avon Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their NYS Smart Scholars Avon CSD and GCC Early College High School program. Early College High School enables students to earn a high school diploma and between 24-60 transferable college credits up to an associate’s degree.
The Batavia City School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Peer Mediation Program at the Batavia Middle School, which improved the school environment by giving the students the tools to resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully after developing essential skills in active listening, open ended questioning, reflective statements, conflict resolution and peer support.
The Byron-Bergen Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Student Leadership Summits with student leadership developed around the belief that student voice matters and is vital to the success of the Byron Bergen school community. A major focus of the Summit was gathering student input and feedback to engage in honest dialog, reflect on leadership, and collaborate with peers and school leaders on real issues that impact their daily lives during school.
The Cal-Mum School District’s Elementary School received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Reading Raiders Program for PreK-5th grade. The goal is to increase reading engagement in the school community. Reading Raider volunteers record an engaging picture book read aloud. Readers were welcome to record as a family, just the pages of the book with voice or with their pets. The recordings were shared each weekend on Parentsquare.
Dansville Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Bicycles in Schools Program for K-2nd grade students. Bike Club provides students with an opportunity to enjoy bike riding and or learning to ride a bike after school. Students also learned bike safety and the importance of wearing a helmet and other protective gear, checking both ways at crosswalks and maintaining a good self-space while riding.
Elba Central School received an Excellence in Student Services Award recognizing their Clerical Staff who are the heart of the school community and exemplify the spirit of student services that go far beyond their daily responsibilities and they consistently go above and beyond to meet the needs of students and families.
GVBOCES received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Graphic Arts Program for students in 9th-12 grade who represent multiple Genesee County School Districts. Students participated in the Genesee County STOP DWI Poster Contest which challenged students to create a professional quality design public safety pester that communicates the dangers of drinking and driving. Four students from three different school districts, Le Roy, Oakfield-Alabama, and Batavia were awarded first, second and third place and a Grand Prize winner. Award accepted by Julie Donlon, Deputy Superintendent at GVBOCES
Geneseo Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for the DoGooders Club, which has been around for over a decade. Guided by two faculty advisors, the club empowers high school students to engage with the needs of their local, national, and global communities through meetings, service projects, and partnerships. The program exemplifies the core values of student services by supporting students’ social, emotional and civic development and inspires purposeful action.
Keshequa Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their enriched Art Department, that offers Community Art and Design, Printmaking, expanded Digital Photography, Darkroom Photography and a Ceramics program. The courses allow students to engage with art as a form of expression, problem solving, communication and community contribution. The program promotes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary connections and experiences that show how art skills are transferrable and applicable beyond the classroom.
The Le Roy Central District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Knights’ Media Multimedia Production Course. Knights’ Media is a full- year, 1.0 credit course offered to students in grades 9-12 at Le Roy Jr. Sr. H.S. The program immerses students in all aspects of modern media production, including videography, photography, post-production, journalism and digital content creation. Students are trained in news and feature writing, investigative reporting, editorial writing, sports writing, advertising and journalism ethics, while delivering school and community news and special features to the Le Roy community. The program emphasizes communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and leadership. Participants gain hands-on experience, learn professional expectations and build skills that support college, career and civic readiness. Interim Jr. Sr. H.S Principal Tom Kopp accepts the award on behalf of Knights’ Media.
Letchworth Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their National Junior Honor Society Program for 7th-9th grade students with an overall average of 90% an above. The students demonstrate excellence in leadership, character, citizenship, scholarship and service. The focus of the program is service towards all facets of the school community. Students participate in many service programs during the school year that are generated by students, working with administration and school personnel. They are encouraged to take ownership and responsibility while continuing their academic average of 90% or higher.
Livonia Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Climate Connections Club for students in 6th-12 grades. The Club is and environmental and outdoor club where students learn about climate and ecosystems through real life experiences. They collect and study environmental data, hike local trails and observe nature and participate in sustainability projects like recycling and composting. During the late winter and early spring, they participate in a Maple Sugaring Project where they tap trees on school grounds, collect and track sap and make and sell pure maple syrup.
Lyndonville Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Tiger Talks Student Newspaper that produces regular print and online editions. Junior and Senior High School students collaborate to write articles. edit content, take photographs, design layouts and distribute publications. The club emphasizes journalism skills, teamwork, leadership and authentic student voices. The newspaper gives students a platform to reflect student interests, report on school events and strengthen communication within the school community.
Medina Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Work Based Learning Program for students in 9th-12th grade. The program moves students through a structured sequence of career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation. The program is impactful as it shifts a student’s identity from a passive learner to a contributing professional. Beyond just learning a trade, it changes how students view their education and their own potential.
Mt. Morris Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award after creating a new High School class this year called Officiating Fundamentals. Students benefit by gaining a clear understanding of sports rules, developing leadership and communication skills, while also acquiring an employable skill that can provided immediate income and long-term career opportunities. The focus of the class is to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and professional understanding needed to become a competent and confident sports official. and emphasizes learning and applying specific rules, understanding qualifications and certification requirements for officials in NYS.
Oakfield-Alabama Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter that serves students in grades 6th-12th who are enrolled in agricultural education and technology courses, including welding, small engines, residential structures, residential electrification, Introduction to Animal Science, Exploratory Agriculture and Agriscience and Technology classes for 6th-8th grade. The program focuses on leadership development, career exploration, hands on, responsibility and community involvement. The FFA Chapter in Oakfield was established in 2017.
Pavilion Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Secret Santa Program. Now in its second decade, the program addresses students’ social emotional and basic needs during the holiday season. The program exemplifies the district’s commitment to equality, dignity, ensuring that students feel seen, valued and cared for during a time that can be especially challenging for families experiencing hardship. The success of the program is due to the collaboration among school staff, families, alumni and the Pavilion community.
The Pembroke Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Unified Sports Program which provides opportunities for high school students with special needs to participate on athletic teams in partnership with general education students during the winter and spring sports seasons with Unified Bowling and Basketball. The program provides every player an opportunity to contribute to the success of the team. Social barriers are dissolved as student athletes and partners forge positive and sincere relationships through the pursuit of shared goals. Pembroke Central School District Superintendent, Matthew Calderon accepts the award on Saturday.
Perry Central Schools received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Maternity Leave benefit for new mothers and mothers who previously had children while in service to the District. The benefit is designed to provide new mothers with peace of mind during their periods of disability. Individuals who take advantage of the benefit receive 40 days of stand-alone maternity leave per maternity leave taken that does not impact the unit members’ accrued sick leave. The District also credited unit members who had babies while serving the District prior to the existence of the benefit with 20 sick leave days per occurrence to be credited at the time of retirement. The benefit began in July of 2025.
The Warsaw Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Raking for a Reason event hosted by Warsaw Middle School this past fall. Students and staff gave back by assisting Warsaw Village residents in need of fall yard clean up. Students worked in various neighborhoods throughout the village, raking leaves and moving them to the roadside for village pick up. The event served as a valuable service-learning experience, giving students the opportunity to work collaboratively, demonstrate responsibility, and build empath though hands on community involvement.
Wayland-Cohocton Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for their Holiday Helpers Program, which begins each year in October. The group is made up of members of the district’s Student Support Team along with faculty, staff and the community. The group focuses on supporting district families who may be experiencing financial hardship or family trauma during the holiday season. Support begins with Thanksgiving, where families receive a full traditional holiday meal. The Holiday Helpers continue through the Christmas season, ensuring children across the district experience the joy of receiving gifts.
Wyoming Central School received an Excellence in Student Services Award for a group called the Turtle Squad, which benefits all students and staff by supporting school wide recycling efforts. The Turtle Squad improves environmental practices and fosters a culture of responsibility and sustainability throughout the building. Students work collaboratively to support the school’s paper and cardboard recycling program by collecting and managing recycling from classrooms across the building. The program emphasizes shared responsibility and the belief that while no single person can do everything, everyone can do something. Students are encouraged to problem solve, develop routines and take ownership of improving recycling practices within the school. The Turtle Squad meets once per week after school.
York Central School District received an Excellence in Student Services Award for instilling the love of music in York students, offering a curriculum that provides students with opportunities for growth and diversity between the instrumental and vocal music course offerings and performance ensembles. In April, the YCS Middle and High School Concert Bands performed in the Zone 2 NYS School Music Association Major Organization Festival. The High School Band earned the prestigious Gold Award and the Middle School Band earned a Sliver Award. The York CSD Music Program and its outstanding reputation is a source of pride for students, staff and the community. Superintendent David Furletti accepted the award on behalf of the York Central School District Music Department.