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.
Southern Westchester BOCES is seeking candidates for the key classroom role of Teacher Aides in our Center for Special Services. Get started today on a career in education.
Complete the application linked here. Make a difference in the lives of children. Apply today!
Thirty Rye Lake Campus middle and high school students were recognized Nov. 21 for their academic achievement in an Honor Roll ceremony packed with proud parents, teachers and Southern Westchester BOCES officials.
Students at Southern Westchester BOCES’ Irvington High School programs expressed their Thanksgiving spirit of gratitude by crafting a mural in the main hallway filled with all the things for which they are thankful.
Teacher Linda Liebman's class celebrated Thanksgiving with a cornucopia of delicious dishes representing the cultural heritages of our students and staff. This month, the class learned about being thankful for our friends and families.
Staff and students gathered in the Tappan Hill School gymnasium with a few friendly turkeys and held a dance party to celebrate Thanksgiving. A conga line formed to the music, and the smiles were wide for photos during the annual Fall Ball festivities. Students enjoyed cider and donut holes when the dancing was done.
Educators at the Rye Lake Lower Campus took the learning opportunity of a Presidential election to hold their first Student Election Day Voting activity. The exercise provided a fun way to use current events to teach lessons of civic participation and having a voice in the way decisions are made.
The number of real-world vocational opportunities for Southern Westchester BOCES students continues to grow thanks to new and expanding partnerships with local businesses like retailer Party City and Big Apple Smoothie in downtown White Plains.
“We want to ensure that the time our students spend at our school is a reflection of and a preparation for adulthood,” Ms Dinzey said. “So we want to give them a lot of the realistic experiences they are going to need to accomplish independence.”
Earlier this fall, representatives from Westchester Arc visited Southern Westchester BOCES’ programs at Valhalla Center, providing professional development on Transitioning to Adulthood.
The expert presentation provided to educators at Valhalla Center covered how to best prepare students for Adult Day programs and how to support students and families in making decisions after graduating from SWBOCES. Jacie Feuer, Transition Services Director at Westchester Arc, led the learning session.
“Ms Feuer was very knowledgeable and resourceful,” Principal Diana Dinzey said. “The transition to adulthood is such an important topic for our families, and we are pleased to be able to provide them with expert guidance as our students look to lead full and successful lives after they leave our programs.”
Thanksgiving is a season for giving at Tappan Hill school, where students and staff once again participated in a food drive in collaboration with Feeding Westchester.
“Everything we do at Tappan Hill is an instructional and learning opportunity,” Principal Francesca Fernandez. “I’m thrilled each year at the generosity of our Tappan Hill community!”
A recent professional learning session led by the Assistant Director of Special Services at SWBOCES highlighted strategies for integrating the principles of NYSED's Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework into special education classrooms. Dr. Alexandria Connally’s session emphasized that embracing diversity goes beyond race, ethnicity, and culture—it must also include disability.
"It’s not about merely tolerating differences, but about celebrating and integrating them into the classroom environment," Dr. Connally said. She encouraged educators to view the CR-S framework as a flexible guide that helps inform culturally responsive teaching, tailored to meet the needs of students with diverse abilities.
During Superintendent's Conference Day at Tappan Hill School, staff engaged in multiple activities, including team building, by creating their own play dough mascots. This was such a wonderful opportunity for staff to work and learn together.
