Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services

News from our schools

• Seven students lauded by principal for their respect, consideration and caring

  Middle schoolers at Irvington move up, ready to take on high school

  The Southern Westchester BOCES Special Services programs in Irvington celebrated not only the accomplishments but the educational journeys of seven eighth-graders who are moving up to high school in the fall. "We have every faith in your ability to shine brightly,” Principal Grant-Johnson told them.

  News Feed - Irvington High School

• A singular achievement: Graduate is in a class by herself

  Rye Lake Lower Campus celebrates graduate's special day

  Graduation Day was a one of a kind experience for Amber Rose Castillo. Surrounded by loved ones and cheered on by educators and peers, she was the sole graduate this June from the AIIM program at Rye Lake Lower Campus. "I want you to remember you have all of the tools to succeed," Teacher Tiffany Kittrell said. "We are so proud of you, and we will miss you a great deal. Continue to bloom, our Amber Rose." 

  News Feed - Rye Lake Lower Campus

• Tappan Hill School honors nine students moving up and six who are graduating

  A class like no other: Tappan Hill salutes its last graduates

  The gymnasium was filled for a final time for the pomp and circumstance of an emotional graduation ceremony as Tappan Hill honored the academic success of 15 students, including six graduates. "There has never been a class quite like this one," Principal Francesca Fernandez said. "Your class has been unapologetically yourself." The school will revert to the Tarrytown School District next school year, as programs are relocated to new locations.

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• A dozen former attendees mingled with students and staff

  Alumni welcomed back to SWBOCES' Irvington High program

  A dozen former students of Southern Westchester BOCES' programs at Irvington High School returned May 30 for an alumni luncheon and the chance to share. their life experiences." I'm so pleased at the turnout and that so many of our former students feel that connection to and appreciation for our Irvington program," Principal Alberta Grant-Johnson said. 

  News Feed - Irvington High School

• Tappan Hill's last dance was a signature display of talent and community spirit

  If it was to be Tappan Hill School's last dance before programs move to new location in the new school year, then students and staff made the very most of the "Tappan Hill's Got Talent" variety show on May 23. 

  Each class took turns staging enthusiastic musical numbers, replete with elaborate costumes, for a delighted audience of students, staff, families and Southern Westchester BOCES administrators. Organized by the school's Connected Learning Team in collaboration with Music Director Donald Stevens, the event featured more than a dozen performances, from Ms. Liebman's class's performance of Hakuna Matata to the rendition of I Always Wanted a Brother by Ms. Santoro's class. The show concluded with an all staff performance of Golden Girls. 

  The entire show was filled with the excitement and community spirit that has long been a signature of Tappan Hill School, which has been home to SWBOCES programs since 2015. 

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Rye Lake Middle-High students share their learning on figures of Medieval history

  Rye Lake High School students staged a Renaissance Exhibit of presentations on great figures of the period, from Shakespeare and Michelangelo to Raphael.

  The event follows a visit earlier this spring to the Medieval Times Dinner Theater in New Jersey in late April. There they witnessed reenactments of medieval-style games, sword-fighting, and jousting. The Renaissance Exhibit required students to research an artist or writer from the period and produce a presentation based in Google Slides and an art piece. Their research ranged from samples of great works and biographical information about the figure to details about their impact on the world at the time.

  Visitors perused the tri-fold displays arranged in the school’s main conference room, allowing students to share information and answer questions about their research.

  News Feed - Rye Lake Middle/High School

• Student's design a standout success at recent campus fashion show

  Kimberlyn Lopez Martinez, a student in the CAD program at Valhalla Center, also studies Fashion Design and Merchandising on the Career Services Campus.  She created the dress pictured here and poses proudly at the CTE program's recent fashion show with Teacher Erroll Rivera and Principal Diana Dinzey.

  News Feed - Valhalla Center

• Spring is here: Tappan Hill students plant flowers following life cycle lesson

  After learning about the life cycle of a flower, Class 7 planted beautiful flowers in the front of Tappan Hill School.  

   

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Honorees from across the community lauded for partnership, passion for students

  American Dreamer Awards honor partners in support

  There are few more moving events on our calendar than the annual celebration of the community partners whose commitment to our mission contributes to all students' success. The annual American Dreamer Awards honored 10 such individuals.

  News Feed - Center for Special Services

• Finding their passion and a great workplace, 12 educators also found a path to advancement

  From Teacher Aides to TAs: 12 step into new roles across SWBOCES

  Since the start of the 2024-25 school year, a dozen Teacher Aides across multiple Southern Westchester BOCES programs have moved up to the key classroom role of Teaching Assistant. “We appreciate that they all took the steps to further their careers and chose to continue to bring their knowledge, experience, and dedication to students and to our school communities,” Director of Special Services Jessica Walker said. 

  News Feed - Center for Special Services