Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Special Services

News from our schools

• Special Education leader provides guidance, expertise in key area for ensuring equity for all students

  Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education: A Path to Equity in Special Education at SWBOCES

  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.

  News Feed - Center for Special Services

• Tappan Hill staff build team spirit on Superintendent's Conference Day

  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.

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Program spanning multiple sites teaches young musicians to work together

  Irvington music students learn to ‘stand by’ one another
  

  Music teacher Andrew Ruoti travels among multiple Southern Westchester BOCES Special Services locations, pushing into classroom with lessons about musical arrangement, teamwork and the passion for the arts that was sewn in him at an early age. On an October morning at Irvington High School, middle school students of varying musical experience came together on a soulful rendition of the classic Stand By Me that left them smiling at the success of their ongoing musical collaboration.

  News Feed - Irvington High School

• Rye Lake Lower Campus marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month

  Students and staff at Rye Lake Lower Campus wore pink and participated in a walk, one of a several similar events across our campuses to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students carried signs they created bearing messages of unity and support.
  
  “It's inspiring to see our students learn about supporting others who are dealing with difficulties," Principal Julia Dolan said. "It's gratifying for our staff to support them in such a positive display of compassion and empathy.” 

  News Feed - Rye Lake Lower Campus

• Tappan Hill community greeted by old friends bearing pumpkins

  Donation is a welcome one for Halloween fun

  Familiar faces returned to Tappan Hill School in Tarrytown on Oct. 29 with a delivery of pumpkins for Halloween decorating. 

  Teacher Erroll Rivera, who retired last school year, and Tappan Hill graduate Michael "MikeyMo" Wisher joined the festivities along with Michael's mother, Justine Riordan. 

  Principal Francesca Fernandez expressed appreciation for the pumpkin donation and said it was exciting to see Michael and Mr. Rivera at Tappan Hill again. Given the proximity to Sleepy Hollow and Sunnyside, the Washington Irving estate, Halloween is a pretty big deal in the surrounding community. 

  "What a special moment it was to see our old friends again and to enjoy this generous contribution," Ms. Fernandez said. "Our classes will incorporate activities into their instructional work that include planning and decorating pumpkins, similar to what we do with our bulletin boards and classroom doors. The Tappan Hill community is very appreciative"

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• Annual visit provides advice and support for the college search

  WCC rep offers insights, free applications to Rye Lake seniors
  

  Admissions officer, professor and former Westchester Community College student Stephanie Annunziata met with three college-bound students at Rye Lake Campus Middle-High School recently. Her primary goal was to walk them through WCC’s online application. She even provided a code for them to enter to waive the application fee. The college sends a representative here for this purpose each school year.

  “This is an invaluable opportunity to have an expert walk you through the college application process,” School Counselor Cristina Tompkins said. “These students have so many options and opportunities in front of them. WCC’s low tuition and excellent reputation make it an obvious choice to include in their decision-making process.”

  News Feed - Rye Lake Middle/High School

• Tappan Hill students engage in civics lesson on voting

  Tappan Hill School Teacher Kris Cook's class learned about elections and what it means to vote. Students participated in their own vote for class mascot. Together, they brainstormed possible mascots and chose four to vote on. Then, each student filled out a ballot with their vote. Finally, they counted the votes and reviewed the data. As you can see, chicken was the landslide winner! 

  News Feed - Tappan Hill

• St. Matthew's students walk White Plains neighborhood for breast cancer awareness

  St. Matthew’s School student and staff wore pink and participated in a Breast Cancer Awareness in downtown White Plains on Oct. 23. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

  Students carried signs they helped to make bearing messages of unity and support as they strolled the sidewalks of their school’s neighborhood before returning to gather for sweet treats specially decorated for the occasion.

  “It’s wonderful to see our school community unite around this meaningful cause,” Principal Diana Dinzey said. “The students learned about supporting others who are dealing with difficulties and how they can come together as a community and make a difference.”

  News Feed - St. Matthews

• SWBOCES team makes strides against breast cancer at annual walk

  SWBOCES employees and their family members joined the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Manhattanville College on Sunday, Oct. 20. Their efforts, which have become an annual tradition, raised $1,738 for the American Cancer Society. Special thanks to Team Captain Mairead Schuelein from Tappan Hill School, pictured here along with Principal Francesca Fernandez, Assistant Principal Jonathan Remeny, LHRIC Executive Director Ellen McDonnell, and LHRIC Assistant Director Madalyn Romano, among many others who participated.

  News Feed - Center for Special Services

• Pink Out! Tappan Hill team dons pink for breast cancer awareness

  In an annual tradition, faculty and staff at Tappan Hill School in Tarrytown wore pink Friday, Oct. 18, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

  News Feed - Tappan Hill