Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services

News from our schools

• Thanksgiving food drive brings out generous spirit at Transfiguration

  With the help of students like Keren, pictured helping to post flyers around the school, SWBOCES at Transfiguration is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive. The effort is collecting donations from families and staff at the Tarrytown school through Nov. 21. All donations will go to Feeding Westchester. Items requested include canned gravy, canned corn, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn bread, rolls & biscuits, white rice, canned yams, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. "I'm heartened by the show of generosity and student engagement this food drive has brought out in our Transfiguration community," Principal Francesca Fernandez. "Knowing we are helping our neighbors in need at this holiday time is a precious gift in itself."

  News Feed - Transfiguration School

• New play space offers inclusive fun for students with unique needs

  Rye Lake Lower Campus unveils new playgrounds

  Steel-gray November skies couldn't steal an ounce of shine from the unveiling of new, inclusive playgrounds for students at Rye Lake Lower Campus. 

  "We are thrilled that our brand-new inclusive playground is officially open," Principal Jonathan Remeny said. "It was gratifying to see our school community come together for a joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate this exciting milestone for the Rye Lake Lower Campus."

  News Feed - Rye Lake Lower Campus

• Thanksgiving Food Drive

  SWBOCES at Transfiguration's Thanksgiving Food Drive is underway!

  Students and staff are welcome to contribute through November 21. 

  Proceeds will benefit Feeding Westchester!

  Transfiguration School

• Transfiguration School teachers collaborate at professional learning session

  Election Day was a day off for students, but SWBOCES educators at the Transfiguration School in Tarrytown spent the day working together in the gymnasium during professional development workshops. The superintendent's conference day was an opportunity for them to learn together and collaborate around best practices. Classes resumed the following day with the return of students.

  News Feed - Transfiguration School

• SEPTA Virtual Event: Supported Decision Making and Self-Direction

  Join the Southern Westchester BOCES Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) at its next virtual workshop, "Supported Decision Making and Self-Direction," presented by Janine Belfast and Carole Lucas.

  Zoom Meeting link 

  Meeting ID: 943 8374 7157
  Passcode: 763360

  SEPTA

• Students receive college guidance during annual meet-up

  Westchester Community College rep assists Rye Lake seniors with their applications
  

  Westchester Community College admissions officer Stephanie Annunziata assisted seniors at Rye Lake Campus Middle-High School with applying to the school and offered guidance in navigating the college planning process.

   

  Ms. Annunziata visits with seniors here each fall. A professor and former WCC student, she walks students through WCC’s online application and answers their questions. Application fees were waived for all WCC applicants from Oct. 20-Nov. 3.

   

  “We are so appreciative to have this opportunity each year to assist students with the application process,” School Counselor Cristina Tompkins said. “WCC is a great option for so many of our students."

  News Feed - Rye Lake Middle/High School

• Students from SWBOCES' Irvington program join International Day of the Girl gathering

  Irvington students attended the International Day of the Girl annual event on Oct. 9, at Manhattanville University, joining young leaders and advocates to celebrate the power, potential, and voices of girls around the world. The day was filled with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and meaningful connections. 

   

  The Westchester County Youth Bureau, in partnership with local non-profit and private organizations, hosted the annual conference. It is inspired by the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl Child, which was established in 2012, to highlight and uplift girls throughout the world.

   

  The event featured a keynote address by entrepreneur Lauren Morris, founder of Loola Doola, Inc., a performance by the Westchester Children’s Chorus, a vendor room, photo booth and eight breakout sessions on girl-empowerment topics.

   

  Assistant Director for Special Services Dr. Alexandria Connally, who also chairs the Westchester County Youth Board, took part in the day's events.

   

  "There is no limit to what women can do," Dr. Connally said. "Westchester County’s International Day of the Girl is an important reminder that running like a girl means winning the race." 

   

  SWBOCES student Jamiyah Oliver said that her favorite part of the day was the sense of community and unity that filled the room.

   

  "Everyone came together to empower and uplift one another," Jamiyah said, "creating an environment of genuine support. It was truly refreshing to be in a non-judgmental space where every voice was valued and every girl was encouraged to shine.”

  News Feed - Irvington High School

• Pumpkin Path Parade rounds out fall season at Rye Lake Lower Campus

  Students at the Rye Lake Lower Campus celebrated the season with a festive day of fall-themed activities on Oct. 31. The campus was filled with hands-on fun as students explored sensory bins, created colorful fall foliage crafts, and expressed their creativity through pumpkin decorating.

  The day concluded with our much-anticipated Pumpkin Path Parade, where students proudly showcased their decorated pumpkins for all to enjoy. It was a joyful event that brought together creativity, sensory exploration, and school spirit, perfectly capturing the magic of autumn at RLLC. Special thanks to the Community Committee for helping with this wonderful event.

  News Feed - Rye Lake Lower Campus

• Fall-O-Ween Spirit Week at Saint Matt’s School

  Saint Matt’s School celebrated Fall-O-Ween Spirit Week with energy, creativity, and community spirit! Students and staff embraced each themed day with enthusiasm, showing what makes our school such a welcoming and vibrant place — supportive, joyful, and full of heart.

  We kicked things off with Sports Team Day, proudly wearing jerseys, hats, and team colors while enjoying fun games like the Eyeball Toss and Bowling Ghost Ghoulies. On Think Pink Day, our school turned every shade of pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Wacky Wednesday brought out bold socks, wacky hats, and lots of laughter, while Pajama Day kept everyone cozy and ready to learn in their favorite PJs.

  Our Literary Pumpkin Contest highlighted teamwork and imagination, with Ms. Nikiya's class earning top honors (Second Place) for their Don't Let the Pigeon Go Trick or Treating –inspired pumpkin.

  One of the week’s most memorable moments was the Apple Pie Contest, when our friends from Valhalla Center visited Saint Matt’s for a friendly morning of baking and taste testing. The collaboration was filled with smiles, teamwork, and the delicious aroma of homemade apple pies. Congratulations to Karen Walker’s class from Saint Matt’s for earning top votes with their winning pie!

  We wrapped up the week with our Fall-O-Ween Costume & Candy Bash, where students and staff showed off fun, inclusive costumes and celebrated together with games, treats, and lots of Saint Matt’s spirit.

  It was a wonderful week of laughter, learning, and community connection — a true reflection of the Saint Matt’s family! 🎃🍎

  St. Matthews

• Fall-O-Ween Spirit Week at Valhalla Center

  Valhalla Center celebrated Fall-O-Ween Spirit Week with energy, creativity, and plenty of smiles! Students and staff brought their best spirit each day, showing what makes our community so special — supportive, fun, and full of heart.

  We kicked off with Sports Team Day, proudly wearing team colors while enjoying games like the Eyeball Toss and Bowling Ghost Ghoulies. On Think Pink Day, everyone wore shades of pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Wacky Wednesday brought out bold socks, silly hats, and lots of laughter, while Pajama Day wrapped us in cozy comfort and calm.

  Our Literary Pumpkin Contest showcased teamwork and imagination, with Adriana’s class winning first place for their Charlotte’s Web design. Max’s class joined St. Matthew’s School for a friendly Apple Pie Baking Contest, and we cheered on Karen Walker’s class from St. Matthew’s for taking top votes!

  Creative Door Decorations brightened our hallways with fall and Halloween themes, and we wrapped up the week with our Costume & Candy Bash — a fun-filled celebration of trick-or-treating, games, and a haunted hallway adventure.

  It was a week full of laughter, learning, and Valhalla spirit — a true reflection of our vibrant and caring school community! 🎃

  The Valhalla Center