Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
As principal of St. Matthew's School, I promise that this is going to be a great year!
I am extremely excited to be working with a highly experienced and dedicated group of staff members.
This year many of our staff are returning here with a few new additions that we are happy to have join us. We will work with each student to increase their abilities and teach them skills to be as independent as possible in an individualized, engaging, and supportive manner. This includes their academic, behavioral, and social emotional skills.
As I reflect on the last year, your children, our students have been amazingly resilient, flexible, and cooperative in adjusting to all the many changes that we have implemented. This includes all their newly acquired abilities with technology and the different safety protocols. We will continue to build on all these strengths that they have displayed.
This year the program at St. Matthew's will consist of 4 classes. We have three AIIM classes, one for our middle school students and the other two for our high schoolers. There is also one TSP-DD class for high school students.
All of the Southern Westchester Reopening plan guidelines will be followed to ensure the safety of all of the students and the staff. This includes all the procedures we put in place last year such as social distancing, face coverings, enhanced cleaning, and a change in our arrival and dismissal procedures. The students have been as successful at St. Matt's because of our collaborative relationship working with parents, guardians, and our school districts. This partnership ensures that the students receive the best education that we can provide. I look forward to continuing this with all of you.
Please remember that the staff and I am here to assist you in any way possible. My door is always open, and you can reach me at lhandler@swboces.org or at 914 761-7524.
Sincerely,
Leslie Handler
Principal
We at St. Matthews believe our responsibility is to guide students to develop trust, respect, responsibility, and collaboration with peers and their community.
Students explore both the school and community to develop abilities to engage in meaningful academic and vocational skills, character education, positive social interactions, and leisure/recreational skills.
We strive to increase the independence of every student so that when they enter the world beyond these walls, they continue to blossom and lead productive lives that are full of worth and meaning.
At St. Matt’s we honor the abilities and individuality of every learner, and believe that all of our students can reach their full potential.
At St. Matt’s, magical things happen.
This program provides a highly structured site-based classroom environment designed primarily for students with autism spectrum disorders at the middle and high school levels for New York State Alternately Assessed students. Instructional methodology includes the applications of structured teaching and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) that have demonstrated effective outcomes in the school environment. Specialized clinical consultation is provided for both structured teaching and ABA classes. In addition to academic outcomes, the development of appropriate communication, social and behavioral skills are stressed.
We currently offer alternately assessed AIIM classes at St. Matt's at the middle and high school level.
CoSer 203.100
Student Teacher Ratio 8:1:2
Included Related Services:
*Speech/Language Services Group (middle school only) 1x30 per week
*Counseling services for Group & Transitional Services
*Consultant Occupational Therapy
*Consultant Speech and Language Services
*Consultant Psychiatric Services
*Parent Training
Direct OT, PT, nursing, speech, counseling (additional) or other related services as per student IEP are billed to districts in addition to tuition costs.
Career Training:
Where appropriate, high school students who are alternately assessed (NYSAA) may attend half day career preparation programs, to meet the requirements for attaining the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SKILLS).This program is offered through the Center for Career Services, at no additional charge to the district
Districts are responsible for providing transportation services for students to be able to attend programs located at the Career Services Center in Valhalla. Southern Westchester BOCES can provide transportation services for a fee that would be billed separately to participating districts.
This program is designed to meet the needs of students who are determined by their CSE to be alternately assessed (NYSAA). The TSP/DD Program facilitates social/emotional/behavioral skills necessary for students with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges to function successfully in home, school and community environments. Functional academics and specialized instruction in academics are emphasized. At the secondary level, the program provides students with transition supports, career awareness and services and vocational experiences and skills necessary for students to attain the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SACC).
We currently offer TSP-DD classes at St. Matt's at the high school level.
CoSer 231.100
Student Teacher Ratio 8:1:1
Included Related Services
* Psychiatric Consultant Services
* Counseling Services 1x30 group per week
* Consultant Occupational Therapy
* Consultant Speech and Language Services
* Consultant Guidance Counselor
Direct OT, PT, nursing, speech, counseling (additional) or other related services as per student IEP are billed to districts in addition to tuition costs.
Career Training
Where appropriate, high school students who are alternately assessed (NYSAA) may attend half day career preparation programs. This program is offered through the Center for Career Services, at no additional charge to the district
Districts are responsible for providing transportation services for students to be able to attend programs located at the Career Services Center in Valhalla. Southern Westchester BOCES can provide transportation services for a fee that would be billed separately to participating districts.
St. Matt's students and staff celebrated Wellness Day on Friday, May 12th. There was a focus on tending to our minds, bodies and beautifying the space around us! Students got to participate in music therapy, yoga, art therapy and planting flowers. Please enjoy some photos from our event!
Blue Path Service dogs recently came to visit our students at St. Matt's. Student had the opportunity to interact, walk and play with Ginger, a trained yellow lab service dog, if they were comfortable. Ginger was very sweet and the students had a great time!
St. Matthew's students celebrated our remarkable women during Women's History Month.
Students and staff in Ms. Donaghy's room spent some time honoring Black History Month by learning about the Underground Railroad. Students read Follow the Drinking Gourd, learned and made their own gourds in honor of the story.
Southern Westchester BOCES
Center for Special Services
St. Matthew's School
3 Carhart Ave., White Plains, NY 10605
ph. 914-761-7524
fax 914-761-8806
