Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services programs support the needs of students with disabilities by offering specialized instruction tailored to the learning needs, individualized educational plans and life goals of each student. Our six school programs offer environments in which social emotional and academic learning are integrated so that students develop confidence, self-esteem, self-reliance, and resiliency. We believe a growth mindset is the key to progress.
Our classrooms feature small staff-to-student ratios that provide for individualized support and attention. Staff and students develop positive learning communities where students can connect with peers and form friendships.
Our curriculum is aligned with New York State and Next Generation standards which aids in a smooth transition when students may be ready to return to their home districts. Our instructional professionals implement a comprehensive program that accounts for unique student learning styles and needs. Programs are therapeutic in nature and build in positive behavior supports and reinforcement.
Our clinicians and related service providers include psychologists, social workers, school counselors, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers of reading and the deaf and visually impaired and crisis intervention specialists. Transition is a primary focus so school counselors and social workers support students and families in planning and readiness for returning to district or post-secondary experiences, including adult programming, vocational placements and college or career training. Our work with families is paramount to our students’ success. We partner with them in navigating community supports and services.
The Center is comprised of six schools on five campuses. Each program serves a diverse group of students ages 5-21 and offers opportunities in the visual arts, music instruction, technology, and physical education. Students also participate in health and wellness learning, community trips, and activities that build social skills.
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Join the Southern Westchester BOCES Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) at its next virtual workshop, "Supported Decision Making and Self-Direction," presented by Janine Belfast and Carole Lucas.
Meeting ID: 943 8374 7157
Passcode: 763360
Students at the Rye Lake Lower Campus celebrated the season with a festive day of fall-themed activities on Oct. 31. The campus was filled with hands-on fun as students explored sensory bins, created colorful fall foliage crafts, and expressed their creativity through pumpkin decorating.
The day concluded with our much-anticipated Pumpkin Path Parade, where students proudly showcased their decorated pumpkins for all to enjoy. It was a joyful event that brought together creativity, sensory exploration, and school spirit, perfectly capturing the magic of autumn at RLLC. Special thanks to the Community Committee for helping with this wonderful event.
Saint Matt’s School celebrated Fall-O-Ween Spirit Week with energy, creativity, and community spirit! Students and staff embraced each themed day with enthusiasm, showing what makes our school such a welcoming and vibrant place — supportive, joyful, and full of heart.
We kicked things off with Sports Team Day, proudly wearing jerseys, hats, and team colors while enjoying fun games like the Eyeball Toss and Bowling Ghost Ghoulies. On Think Pink Day, our school turned every shade of pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Wacky Wednesday brought out bold socks, wacky hats, and lots of laughter, while Pajama Day kept everyone cozy and ready to learn in their favorite PJs.
Our Literary Pumpkin Contest highlighted teamwork and imagination, with Ms. Nikiya's class earning top honors (Second Place) for their Don't Let the Pigeon Go Trick or Treating –inspired pumpkin.
One of the week’s most memorable moments was the Apple Pie Contest, when our friends from Valhalla Center visited Saint Matt’s for a friendly morning of baking and taste testing. The collaboration was filled with smiles, teamwork, and the delicious aroma of homemade apple pies. Congratulations to Karen Walker’s class from Saint Matt’s for earning top votes with their winning pie!
We wrapped up the week with our Fall-O-Ween Costume & Candy Bash, where students and staff showed off fun, inclusive costumes and celebrated together with games, treats, and lots of Saint Matt’s spirit.
It was a wonderful week of laughter, learning, and community connection — a true reflection of the Saint Matt’s family! 🎃🍎
Valhalla Center celebrated Fall-O-Ween Spirit Week with energy, creativity, and plenty of smiles! Students and staff brought their best spirit each day, showing what makes our community so special — supportive, fun, and full of heart.
We kicked off with Sports Team Day, proudly wearing team colors while enjoying games like the Eyeball Toss and Bowling Ghost Ghoulies. On Think Pink Day, everyone wore shades of pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Wacky Wednesday brought out bold socks, silly hats, and lots of laughter, while Pajama Day wrapped us in cozy comfort and calm.
Our Literary Pumpkin Contest showcased teamwork and imagination, with Adriana’s class winning first place for their Charlotte’s Web design. Max’s class joined St. Matthew’s School for a friendly Apple Pie Baking Contest, and we cheered on Karen Walker’s class from St. Matthew’s for taking top votes!
Creative Door Decorations brightened our hallways with fall and Halloween themes, and we wrapped up the week with our Costume & Candy Bash — a fun-filled celebration of trick-or-treating, games, and a haunted hallway adventure.
It was a week full of laughter, learning, and Valhalla spirit — a true reflection of our vibrant and caring school community! 🎃
As we step into October, we’re excited to share our September Newsletter along with highlights and photos from our Back-to-School- Open House.
Valhalla Center welcomed over 20 family members to our Back-to-School Open House! It was such a wonderful evening of partnership, learning, and community. Families connected with teachers, related service providers, administrators, and one another while enjoying cookies, a cheese-and-cracker platter, and Mr. Ben’s delicious baked cake. Staff were also on hand to assist families with eSchool Parent Portal registration and SEPTA sign-ups.
In Ms. Allison’s class, families celebrated student success and received thoughtful apple gifts with handwritten notes from their children saying “to Mom and Dad.” Mr. Max shared a slideshow highlighting students’ daily learning and life-skills activities that build independence, followed by a tour of the Life Center Room. Ms. Lisa shared classroom goals, plans, and her point system for encouraging positive engagement. Ms. Adriana proudly showcased her classroom’s task boxes, instructional breakfast program, and the heartfelt thank-you notes her students wrote for their parents.
We are so grateful to our families for partnering with us to support student growth, independence, and success. Here’s to a school year filled with learning, collaboration, and achievement!
Students from the AIIM and MD programs had a fantastic time visiting the Rye Lake Pumpkin Patch! Each student selected a pumpkin to decorate and use for classroom activities before bringing it home. This hands on seasonal activity fostered sensory exploration, communication, and teamwork, all while celebrating the joys of fall together.
A heartfelt thank you to the Community Committee and Rye Lake staff for creating such a joyful and inclusive experience for our students, and an extra special thank you to Tricia Lynch for volunteering to pick up the pumpkins for our wonderful patch of students!
“Wonderful events like this would not be possible if not for the efforts of the dedicated staff members of the Rye Lake Lower Campus," Principal Jonathan Remeny said. "Their creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment to providing meaningful experiences for our students truly bring our school community to life. It’s through their teamwork and dedication that we’re able to create such engaging, memorable moments that support both learning and joy for our students.”
Students and staff at Rye Lake Lower Campus marked Breast Cancer Awareness with a spirited walk around the quad, wearing pink and bearing creative signs with messages of support.
There was a slight chill in the air and the changing leaves burst with color as educators led students past the classroom huts and up by the Decagon building, making two laps before returning to their respective classes. This was just one of a several such awareness events held across Southern Westchester BOCES Special Services campuses in October. The joy on the faces of students and teachers, aides and TAs alike was palpable as the campus came together for this important cause.
“It's inspiring to see our students engaged so enthusiastically in an activity like this, learning about what it means to show support for others in unity as a campus," Principal Jonathan Remeny said. "Thank you to our entire staff for organizing this very public display of compassion and empathy for others.”
No School in observance
No School in Observance of Holiday
The second annual Recreation/Transition Fair will be hosted by Scarsdale and Pelham Public Schools, in collaboration with Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Chappaqua, Edgemont, and White Plains School Districts.
This fair is designed to provide students with disabilities and their families with valuable information about recreational/transition opportunities. A wide variety of vendors and representatives from state agencies will be present to highlight their programs and support. Many of these opportunities can be accessed through OPWDD, Self-Directed Funding, or self-pay options.
Presenters: Janine Belfast and Carole Lucas
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 943 8374 7157
Passcode: 763360
Thanksgiving break students will be dismissed half day 11:15am
No School in Observance of the holiday
Thanksgiving weekend no school
