Meeting a need, Rye Lake Lower Campus program continues to grow
Campus adds fifth section of TSP-I program for elementary students
"Respect, safety, community. That's great," she said of the illustration in marker on red construction paper.
Each student in the class worked on a similar project with that focus, though each brought unique artistic skills to the exercise. The common lesson, however, is an important and timely one as Ms. Evangelista and two teaching assistants establish expectations and structure in this new instructional setting.
This class is part of the growing TSP-I program, the newest of five sections currently provided on the Rye Lake Lower Campus. TSP-I stands for Therapeutic Support Program-Intensive. It serves students who will benefit from greater social-emotional supports. Students learn coping strategies and behavioral management skills that will help them to succeed in a regular education program.
This is an 8:1:2 program, meaning there are no more than eight students in each classroom, along with a classroom teacher and two teaching assistants. Additional aides may be on hand per students' individual educational plans.
"They come to us for therapeutic support, and the goal is to help them to return to a standardized program in a district," Assistant Principal Nickolas Villano explained.
The Center for Special Services at Southern Westchester BOCES always seeks the best possible fit between students and programs in order to ensure the highest probability of success, Principal Julia Dolan added. The program's growth is a measure of how well the program is meeting students' needs.
"It's really a reflection of the fact that we are providing the supports and services students need, and our families and districts recognize that," Ms. Dolan said.
The Lower Campus TSP-I program serves elementary-aged students; neighboring Rye Lake Upper Campus provides the program for middle school and high school students.
