Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES is one of 145 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group's "School Safety Excellence Award" for 2016 at the Titanium level.

The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts' safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. TST BOCES received its award at Utica National's 36th annual school safety seminar at the Syracuse Doubletree, East Syracuse, NY, one of seven such seminars the company hosts in the state. For over 40 years, Utica National has kept kids and school staff safe and currently insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York alone.

TST BOCES officials accepted a certificate to commemorate the district's safety efforts from Utica National representatives.

Utica National's School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels – titanium, platinum and gold – in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys.


"Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts," explained Brian Saville, resident senior vice president in Utica National's educational institutions unit. "Districts that go 'above and beyond' to provide a safe, healthy and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we're pleased to count TST BOCES among them."

Saville noted that, beyond the recognition itself, an added benefit of following the safety program is the chance to pinpoint specific threats to safety. "The time to address those threats is before a loss happens, which really helps contribute to the safety culture that districts are working toward."

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