“We’re looking forward to a wonderful year. We’re very excited,” Principal Phyllis Rizzi said. “Don’t forget to look out the windows to see our new playground.”
Students and teachers at SWBOCES Valhalla Center capped off Spirit Week with a special school-wide breakfast on Sept. 27. The hearty fare included French toast casserole, cinnamon buns, muffins, fruit and more. Everyone was asked to wear clothing that is blue and white – the school colors – on that day.
At the Special Education PTA’s first meeting of the year on Sept. 18, parents met with representatives of community organizations that offer training, supports and recreational opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
On the first day of school, administrators, teachers and other staff at the Rye Lake Campus told students how much they had missed them and marveled at how much they had grown over the summer.
Tappan Hill School staff members were thrilled to welcome more than 80 students to the 2019-20 school year. Principal Phyllis Rizzi said everyone has a lot of enthusiasm and positivity about the new academic year.
Students at Tappan Hill Elementary School filled backpacks with school supplies for distribution to students in need as part of a three-way collaboration between Southern Westchester BOCES’ Center for Special Services, the Guidance Center of Westchester and Ivy Rehabilitation in Harrison.
Summer school is off to a great start at our Tappan Hill School in Tarrytown! Every morning, students in Special Education teacher Kathy Knudsen’s AIIM class grab their mats and head outside to a shady spot for their daily fitness routine. The students stretch and build strength using a routine created through the collaborative efforts of Phyllis Marto, PT, Diane Storm, Adaptive Physical Education teacher, and Ms. Knudsen. At the end of each session, the students lie on their backs and practice mindfulness techniques.
Steven and Leah started in Southern Westchester BOCES programs when they were in elementary school. On June 17, Tappan Hill School celebrated their successes and wished them well as they transition into adult programs.
The Rye Lake Decagon Program on June 12 celebrated the accomplishments of three young men at graduation, and then enjoyed music, dancing, homemade food and a photo booth at a prom party and luncheon that followed. SWBOCES Center for Special Services students Caron Brown, Seth Darkey and Shawn Moriarty graduated and will transition into adult programs in the community.
During an end-of-the-year awards and moving-up ceremony, Southern Westchester BOCES teachers and students at Pocantico Hills School wished two sixth-graders farewell as they move on to middle school. Teachers and Principal Jessica Walker also gave certificates of achievement to every student in an area they excelled in.
