Welcome to the Center for Special Services!

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.

 

News from our schools

  • Holiday spirit is already on display at Tappan Hill

    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!

    News Feed - Tappan Hill
  • Special Education PTA to host virtual event: Reasons for Guardianship

    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

    SEPTA
  • Rye Lake Campus Middle-High celebrates Thanksgiving as one

    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.

    News Feed - Rye Lake Middle/High School
  • United Nations Thanksgiving luncheon celebrates classroom multiculturalism

    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.

    News Feed - Tappan Hill
  • St. Matthew's celebrates in style with staff potluck feast

    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!

    News Feed - St. Matthews
  • Valhalla Center puts out a Thanksgiving spread for students and staff alike

    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.   

    News Feed - Valhalla Center
  • Tappan Hill tradition continues with Thanksgiving Dance Party

    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.

    News Feed - Tappan Hill
  • Tappan Hill School donations amount to 673 meals for those in need

    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.

    News Feed - Tappan Hill
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