Dear School District Administrators and Educators, As both a lifelong musician and a proud product of our public school music programs, I’m passionate about bringing real-world music industry experiences into classrooms across New York State. I’ve had the privilege of working with many districts to design exciting, hands-on programs that inspire creativity, connect to STEAM principles, and align directly with state learning standards. My Music Industry Programs combine songwriting, instrument design and repair, live performance, and recording arts—giving students the opportunity to create, innovate, and explore the many sides of the modern music world. Using tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, and digital audio workstations, students connect engineering, math, technology, and art while building instruments, writing songs, and learning to play. These programs encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and self-expression—skills that reach far beyond music class and into every academic subject. As an educator and professional musician, I’ve shared the stage with legendary artists including Walter Trout, Mike Zito, Dickey Betts (Allman Bros.), Tommy Castro, Blackberry Smoke, Levon Helm (The Band), and Arlo Guthrie. I’ve toured with the Masters of the Telecaster (featuring G.E. Smith (SNL), Jim Weider, and Duke Levine (Bob Dylan)), received recognition from the Louis Armstrong Jazz Foundation, Berklee School of Music, and won Best Blues Recording from the Syracuse Area Music Awards two years in a row. I’ve also performed at major events like the NYS Blues Festival, Taste of Country Festival, Chenango Blues Festival, and countless sold-out venues across the region. Beyond performing, I’m deeply invested in arts education and community development. I’m the founder of a thriving Music School in Norwich, NY, serve on the Board of the Earlville Opera House, and act as Main Stage Music Coordinator for the Colorscape Chenango Arts & Music Festival. I also co-founded the Oxford Academy Summer Theater & Performing Arts Camp, Founder of the Norwich Youth Bureau Summer Guitar Camp and provide specialized backline support for touring artists—all of which help connect students to authentic, working examples of the music industry. Music is not just for the music classroom—it enhances literacy, history, math, science, and emotional intelligence. I believe every student deserves the chance to discover their creative voice, and I’d love to collaborate with your district to design a personalized, engaging, and unforgettable program for your students. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

Mission Be, Inc. is a New York–based not-for-profit that has scaled nationally since 2013, bringing mindfulness-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to schools, organizations, and communities. To date, Mission Be has reached over 350,000 individuals across 322 schools and organizations in 28 states and 11 nations. Our curriculum is rooted in neuroscience and aligned with the Next Generation Standards, NYS SEL Standards, the NYS Mental Health Standard, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and the NYS Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Framework (CR-S). Through workshops, classroom programs, retreats, and assemblies for students, teachers, parents, and faculty, Mission Be provides practical tools with the intention to: Reduce Stress – improve self-regulation and coping skills Increase Focus – strengthen attention and concentration Build Emotional Intelligence – reduce impulsiveness, improve empathy Develop Resilience – enhance capacity to face challenges Promote Well-being – foster healthier school climates and engagement Program Highlights Mission Be offers a variety of engaging, evidence-based programs for students, faculty, and parents, including: Mindfulness in the Classroom (Pre-K–12): 1–16 week curricula with weekly lessons (40 minutes each) taught by Mission Be staff or trained educators. Faculty Meetings & Workshops: Interactive sessions with breathing practices, SEL games, movement, and practical classroom strategies. Professional Development for Educators & Administrators: One-hour to multi-day trainings on neuroscience, stress regulation, and classroom integration. Mindful Mentoring Program for Educators: Six-hour training to strengthen teacher well-being and equip staff with mindfulness tools to support students. Student Leadership Retreats: Full- or half-day trainings empowering students to become “Mindful Mentors” and peer leaders. Parent Workshops: 75-minute sessions that provide families with mindfulness tools to support children’s well-being at home. Headquartered in Islip, NY, Mission Be serves districts across Long Island and beyond, with the ability to travel to regions throughout New York State and nationally. Learn more: www.missionbe.org/events Contact: Carin Winter, CEO — 631-513-6151 | ceo@missionbe.org

My name is I’m Billy Floyd and I'm the arena host and in-game announcer for the Adirondack Thunder, Union Men’s and Women’s Hockey, and the Glens Falls Dragons. Since 2021, I’ve been blessed enough to entertain and connect with fans all over the Capital Region and North Country -- especially kids! This year, I’m bringing that same energy and positivity right into schools. When I visit, we play trivia and fun games (just like we would do at the arena or ballpark for in-game entertainment) and I give away prizes. But here’s the thing... every trivia question and game comes with a valuable lesson that kids can really take with them. I also share stories from my own life about why failing and losing isn’t the end, how to bounce back, and why it’s so important to support others when it’s their time to shine. We talk about surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, doing what you love, why creativity is key, and why taking action matters more than anything else. Basically, I want to help students build confidence, stay positive, and have fun while learning how to succeed on and off the field. It's critical for my presentations to be extremely interactive because I want all of the kids to be involved in the "show" and this is my favorite way to connect with everyone. I'm beyond thrilled to bring the good vibes to your school!

Offering a local author visit. The author will read the story aloud and talk about the process of writing and publishing a story. She will answer student questions and sign any books purchased.

UticaWorx is an inclusive performing arts program established in 2023 through Broadway Utica, created to welcome participants of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Offering everything from summer camps to specialized workshops led by professional actors, choreographers, vocalists, and motivational speakers, the program provides immersive, skill-building experiences that nurture passion and creativity. With a faculty of experienced industry professionals and a rich curriculum, UticaWorx inspires participants to grow, whether they’re pursuing a future in the arts or simply exploring a creative outlet.

Engaging and fun school assemblies that can focus on Kindness, PBIS, Growth Mindset, Leadership, Anti-Bullying and Reading. Three "Basketball" Jones presenters with over 15,000 assemblies performed all over the country. This is a highly recommended assembly that is extremely engaging for both the students and staff.

The Schenectady County Historical Society shares stories, inspires dialogue, and encourages understanding of the history, people, and cultures of New York's Capitol Region. Founded in 1905, today we bring history and culture to life through exhibits, programs, and community events. Many teachers know us from the fantastic field trips we offer at our historic sites, like the Mabee Farm. However our programs can be brought to the classroom by our expert educators. Using engaging slideshows and real historic manuscripts, we can bring to life any topic in the K-12 social studies curriculum.

Second Generation Theatre offers a variety of paid and free theatre arts and dance education to students aged 5 through adulthood! Whether you have a child who loves to sing and dance, a student who is looking to stretch their creativity and make new friends while building new skills, or you are an adult who wants to jump back into dance, Second Generation Theatre Academy is for you!

The Career Day Inc. Full Day Program offers a transformative experience that connects students with a diverse range of professionals across industries and backgrounds. Speakers include school alumni and local professionals who share their personal journeys and practical insights, encouraging students to explore their interests and make informed decisions about their futures. The day begins with a high-energy keynote assembly, delivered by a dynamic speaker whose story sets an empowering tone. This opening session inspires students to embrace their unique talents and approach their futures with confidence. Following the keynote, students rotate through career-specific breakout sessions based on interests of THEIR CHOICE. In these smaller classroom settings, they engage directly with professionals—from electricians and engineers to artists and healthcare workers—who demonstrate how academic subjects like math, science, or art apply in real-world careers. For many students, these connections illuminate unexpected pathways, such as how a love of drawing could lead to a career in surgery, architecture, or design. All participating students are invited to apply for the Arie A. Bucheister Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 award granted to one student per school. The scholarship honors those who express how Career Day Inc. programs influenced their educational and career aspirations and encouraged lasting connections with mentors and potential career opportunities. Each Full Day Program is customized in collaboration with school administrators to meet the unique needs, schedules, and demographics of the school community. By introducing students to a wide spectrum of careers and pushing them to think beyond their comfort zones, Career Day Inc. empowers students of all academic levels to pursue exciting and often unimaginable possibilities. The Career Day Inc. Panel Style Assembly offers students a dynamic and inspiring experience by connecting them with a diverse panel of professionals across various industries. Each program is customized in collaboration with school administrators to reflect the interests, demographics, and goals of the student population. Career Day Inc. curates engaging speakers, including school alumni, local professionals, and subject-matter experts—who share personal stories, career insights, and advice for future success. Panels typically feature three to seven presenters, depending on the school’s schedule. A key feature of the program is student interaction. Ample time is provided for Q&A, and students are encouraged to submit questions in advance. The most thoughtful questions are highlighted and rewarded during the event to promote deeper engagement. To enhance the impact, many schools now include breakout sessions following the panel. These smaller group discussions allow students to connect more personally with the speaker or field that resonates most with their career goals, heritage, or cultural identity. The Career Day Inc. Panel Assembly fosters an inclusive, student-centered environment that broadens awareness of real-world career paths and empowers students to make informed decisions about their futures.

I am the author of Charlie and Sophie's Great escape, a 32-page illustrated children's book. The story is about two curious puppies who run off by themselves, leaving their boy behind. Charlie and Sophie enjoy their freedom until they run into a scary situation. They manage to escape but realize they are lost. They work together, relying on their senses to find their way back home. The story's moral is that mistakes are part of life's journey, but when we learn from them, they become stepping stones to growth. I present an interactive storytelling session of my book, touching on themes of friendship and faith in our abilities, with time at the end for some Q&A. We also discuss how dogs use their senses to learn about their world and how our senses compare with those of dogs. I am open to doing a related activty as an add-on to the book reading.

Cosmic Images Across the Spectrum: Teachers of the local district's schools will be given a workshop on how to use Astronomy as an Interdisciplinary Approach to Education. Training will include the use of NASA's MicroObservatory (MO) taking images and using the image processing software so they can, in turn, teach their students to do the same, and then create thematic units that utilize the talents of students in various disciplines and using alternative assessment strategies such as rubrics and portfolios. Art students can paint or draw a particular object from MO, Math students pinpoint size & scale, distance and celestial coordinates, English students use creative writing or poetry to describe the object, History, Social Studies and Foreign Language students form a timeline of the U.S. vs. other countries in discovery, impact and understanding of what was happening at the time, such as French influence from Charles Messier, and Science students explore the physics and chemistry data of the object recorded from telescopes and spectroscopy. Information for each object from all disciplines will be compiled onto a page or "block" and submitted to be added to a "Cosmic Quilt." Color poster-sized printouts of all blocks submitted can be assembled together for the physical Cosmic Quilt and put on display as an exhibit for all to see at the school. All the contributors' names and input will be recognized at the exhibit.

Eileen Egan Mack is a singer/storyteller who has several music programs, storytelling related programs that honor woman in one-person shows and storytelling programs that draw from folk tales, world cultures, history, and personal stories. This program proposal is for a music program. “Jazzy Ladies-Composers, Lyricists, and Singers” featuring vocalist Eileen Egan Mack backed by a jazz ensemble. Eileen, a retired educator, introduces the audience to the music and lives of women of jazz through brief stories and songs. It honors, among others, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan, Ethel Waters, Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall, and Marian McPartland. This is a program to recognize women’s place in music and social history and presents jazz standards through singing, program notes and jazz instrumentals.