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.
Parents Guide to Google Classroom
Click the image here for a list of available online learning resources.
Southern Westchester BOCES is seeking Teacher Aides for its summer programs. This is a great opportunity to work in education and make a difference for kids. Complete our easy application and get started today: https://forms.gle/8DxNdU8nLQhNhjwh8
Students in Mrs. Schwartz’s and Ms. Salinger’s classes at Rye Lake Campus visited Cranberry Lake Nature Preserve, where they hiked to South Pond. Students were able to catch bugs, frogs, and other macro invertebrates under the guidance of nature center staff.
Mangia! Mangia! Mrs. Christiansen's students at Tappan Hill School learned all about how to make individual pizzas, from following a recipe to hands-on pizza-making techniques and, most popular, eating the delicious finished product. Yum!
Students in Teacher Danielle Schwartz’s class at Southern Westchester BOCES's Rye Lake Campus celebrated the conclusion of their novel study on The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies with a lemonade stand for their campus mates to enjoy. Students in the AIIM and TSP programs on the Lower Campus stopped by and purchased a refreshing cup of lemonade and a snack using pretend currency.
On May 24, the Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services held the 30th Annual American Dreamer Achievement Awards, an event that honors individuals who perform outstanding works of service for, and on behalf of, students with special needs. The heartfelt awards luncheon recognizes of the exceptional work done by both students and community partners throughout the SWBOCES community.
Student wellness is always a priority, but it was at the forefront May 8-12 in the form of activities and programming designed to meet the needs, abilities and preferences of all students in all programs. All six program locations took part in the weeklong slate of events, which ranged from flower planting and yoga to sports skills competitions, hiking and even a dance party plus more.
“It was gratifying to see this collaborative effort come together across our programs and locations and to see our students engage in so many meaningful activities that benefited their wellness physically, mentally and emotionally,” Director of Special Services Andrea Byrne said.
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!
Southern Westchester BOCES students at St. Matthew’s School in White Plains enthusiastically crossed the finish line of a school year-long journey of physical fitness and personal achievement.
“This is such a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for them,” said teacher Denise Hurvitz, who has been involved in the Achilles Virtual Marathon at SWBOCES programs for 15 years. “Their families can’t believe it when I tell them.”
Extended School Year 2023 at CSS will be held from July 3 – August 11
Information coming soon!
Nine volunteers with Volunteer New York!'s RISE program were honored by the organization for their work with Southern Westchester BOCES students at Tappan Hill School.
RISE stands for Readiness thru Integrated Service Engagement. The program connects young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so they can build skills while volunteering.
The honors were announced at the Annual RISE Volunteer Recognition Celebration at the Greenburgh Library. The event was hosted in recognition of April being Global Volunteer Month
The honorees have been volunteering weekly in the middle school and high school classrooms at Tappan Hill School as peer mentors throughout the 2022-23 school year. These peer mentorships are part of their transition planning, in understanding how their older peers spend their day once they leave school. One of the RISE groups works with the students to do community service projects that give them a chance to volunteers as well. Other RISE volunteers offer self-advocacy support and resources, while the rest help in a physical education class or read to the students in the classroom.
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.
