Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services

News from our schools

• Tappan Hill class works on skills while making 'Easter Dirt Cake'

  Students in Teacher Kris Cook's class had a blast making "Easter Dirt Cake."  Working with their classroom staff and related service providers, students worked on trunk/head/neck control, bilateral hand skills through mixing, pouring and stirring, visual scanning and visual attention through identifying ingredients. Students also worked on concepts like "add, separate, put in, pour, mix, following directions and communicating with their voice or their AAC device. Special thank you to Kris Cook, the Room 5 staff, Maria, Diane, Maureen, and Claribel for making this fun and educational activity possible!

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Tappan Hill students learn about the lifecycle of butterflies

  Students in Teacher Adriane Lomupo's class at Tappan HIll School learned about, observed and identified stages of the lifecycle of a butterfly. This science lesson was engaging and provided opportunities to interact with the materials used in the lesson while gaining understanding of an important natural process.

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Tappan Hill's global travels culminate in 'We Are the World' concert

  Tappan Hill School celebrated their journey around the world over the past seven weeks, with a ‘We Are the World’ Concert. Led by the Westchester Conservatory of Music’s Mr. Donald Stevens, classes selected songs from around the world and performed for our school community. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brendan Lyons and Director of Special Services Jessica Walker joined in on the fun, which included singing, dancing and plenty of smiles!

  For the past several weeks, classes at Tappan Hill celebrated the various cultures and countries to which students and staff are connected. This took the form of instructional lessons, hands-on activities, celebrations and even visits by family members. 

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Restorative circles demonstrate Tappan Hill team's many connections

  During an extended day activity, staff took part in appreciation restorative circles. Those pictured were facilitated by Social Workers Yolette Levy and Daniella Phelan. Check out all our connections!

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Tappan Hill travels to South America end with carnival, lesson classmate's home country

  On Friday, April 4, Tappan Hill culminated their learning about South America with their very own Carnival! Led by Claribel Cruz-Cocco and Diane Torsiello, classrooms created shakers and festive headpieces. The school community gathered in the Gym to listen to Brazilian music and participate in a conga line. Meanwhile, in Kris Cook's class, the travels to South America took students to Guyana. Serena and her mom taught the class about the food, culture, and history of Guyana. The students enjoyed learning about their classmate's family history. 

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Stew Leonard's offers a delicious and nutritious learning experience for Tappan Hill class

  Teacher Rachael Lynch's class at Tappan Hill School trekked to Stew Leonard's supermarket in Yonkers on Wednesday, April 2, to do some shopping and learning. Students created a shopping list and purchased items. It was a great learning experience for students and provided them with sensory input. 

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Rye Lake Lower Campus lights it up blue for Autism Awareness Walk

  Students marched the Rye Lake Lower Campus adorned in blue and carrying signs of heartfelt support in honor of Autism Awareness Month. April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day, so students and staff followed a route from the greenhouse adjacent to the Decagon building and down to the classroom huts before circling back and pausing for class photos.  Everyone was encouraged to wear blue in order to 'Light It Up Blue' for Autism Awareness. They'll do so again for the remaining four Wednesdays of April. 

   

  News Feed - Rye Lake Lower Campus

• Seeking passionate, qualified individuals for summer positinos

  Our Extended School Year program begins July 7, and we are seeking passionate, qualified educators to fill key classroom roles. We have openings for Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Teacher Aides, Nurses, Bus Drivers and Monitors. Find all of the details and submit applications at the SWBOCES RecruitFront website. See the flyer linked below for details as well. Share this with others, especially if you know of someone who might be a fit for one of these roles.

  • Summer 2025 ESY Flyer.pdf

  News Feed - Center for Special Services

• As Earth Day approaches, Rye Lake Lower Campus learn firsthand about recycling

  Tour of county facility educates students on important topic

  Rye Lake Lower Campus students learned firsthand about recycling during a tour of Westchester County’s Material Recovery Facility in Yonkers.

  News Feed - Rye Lake Lower Campus

• Rye Lake's spirit on full display with a 'Step Into Spring' theme

  Rye Lake Campus Middle-High School students and staff celebrated the arrival of spring with multi-themed week of school spirit displays.

  "Step Into Spring," the spirit week theme, featured "Green Day" on March 17 with a wearing of the green, followed on Tuesday by sports team Jersey Day and and PJ Day on Wednesday. Thursday was all about Crazy Socks, of which there were many fun examples. However, Friday brought out Principal Eric Ford's fun side with Cartoon/Superhero Day where everyone was invited to dress up as their favorite character or hero!

  School Spirit is thriving at Rye Lake, encouraging a positive, inclusive culture and unity among all students. 

  News Feed - Rye Lake Middle/High School