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.
Tappan Hill is getting into the holiday spirit! Teacher Adriane Lomupo’s class decorated ornaments for the school's holiday tree. Meanwhile, the lobby is decorated with a Christmas tree, aMenorah and a Kinara. The hallway is full of winter snowman, created by students in all our classes during their art time with teacher Claire Ballantyne. Tappan Hill is looking more like a Winter Wonderland!
Join the Southern Westchester BOCES Special Education Parent Teacher Association Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. for an informative discussion on Reasons for Guardianship. The guest speaker will be Janine Belfast from the Westchester Institute for Human Development.
Join this free virtual event on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 944 8030 2306
Passcode: 776672
The Rye Lake Campus Middle/High School team - students and staff alike - came together to celebrate Thanksgiving. The annual feast in the gymnasium marked the return of a welcome annual tradition. Principal Eric Ford was seen serving up traditional fare alongside staff, and the sheer number and size of the pies and other desserts on hand ensured no one walked away hungry.
Tappan Hill School parents and staff brought in food to celebrate the diversity of heritages in Teacher Linda Liebman's classroom through a United Nations Thanksgiving luncheon. Ms. Liebman describes this as a multicultural way of giving thanks and appreciation during the Thanksgiving season.
Faculty and staff prepared a range of traditional and unique Thanksgiving dishes, including everyone's favorite jerk chicken and a platter of cupcakes creatively decorated with candy to look like turkeys. All the children enjoyed heaping plates of turkey, stuffing, corn and other crowd-pleasing dishes, served up by staff. A happy Thanksgiving to all from the team at St. Matt's!
The conference room at the Valhalla Center Special Services location was decked out for Thanksgiving, and a buffet of traditional dishes ensured no one went home hungry. Crafty nameplates ensured every student had a seat at the well decorated table as each class took turns filling their plates with food prepared by staff as well as the chefs in the Culinary Arts kitchen on campus. In all, there was plenty to be thankful for at Valhalla Center.
The gymnasium turned into a Thanksgiving Dance Party at Tappan Hill School Tuesday, Nov. 21, as students and staff celebrated the holiday with smiles, hugs and fantastic dance moves.
An impressive 808 pounds of donated food items collected in recent weeks by the Tappan Hill School community were delivered to Feeding Westchester Tuesday, Nov. 21
Students, staff and families donated to the collection, which filled boxes decorated by each class and that lined the main hallway of the school. Thanks to all who contributed, the donations will make 673 meals for our neighbors in need this Thanksgiving!
Special thanks go out to teacher Errol Rivera, security aide Dwayne Welcome, and Facilities staff members Joe Cecere and Adam Diarra for to ensuring our food donations were delivered to Feeding Westchester.
Parents Guide to Google Classroom
Click the image here for a list of available online learning resources.
Staff Development Training
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
CHRISTMAS DAY
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
