Valhalla Center

Diana Dinzey

Welcome to The Center for Special Services’ Valhalla Center! Our mission is to support students, families, and component districts by empowering every student to transition successfully into adulthood. We prioritize the development of essential life and vocational skills, preparing students to become confident, capable, and contributing members of their communities.

At The Valhalla Center, we focus on providing personalized, rigorous academic instruction, strengthening daily living skills, and offering students meaningful vocational and community integration opportunities. Our goal is to ensure every student receives a well-rounded education that is relevant, individualized, and grounded in real-life experiences. Through ongoing assessment and data-driven practices, our educators work closely with service providers and specialists to create cohesive, targeted programming that fosters both academic growth and functional success.

Equally important is our commitment to social-emotional learning and interpersonal skill development. Through integrated recreational activities and restorative practices, students build positive relationships, develop accountability, and strengthen their ability to navigate social situations with confidence. These experiences help our students grow not only in skill, but also in self-assurance and independence.

Recognizing the invaluable role families play in student success, we continually provide opportunities for parent engagement. From workshops to collaborative meetings and school events, we strive to build strong partnerships that support students both at school and at home.

At The Valhalla Center, our mission is to provide student-centered, future-focused programming that prepares learners for meaningful lives and active participation in the world beyond the classroom. We are deeply grateful to work alongside such a dedicated and caring community.

Warm regards,

Diana Dinzey
Principal

Calendar

Oct 13

Columbus Day / Indigenous People's Day

School closed in observance

The Valhalla Center
Oct 20

Parent / Teacher Conference 3:00-5:00pm

The Valhalla Center
Oct 27

Halloween Spirit Week 10/27-10/31

Halloween theme spirit week

The Valhalla Center
Oct 28

Halloween Spirit Week

The Valhalla Center
Oct 29

Halloween Spirit Week

The Valhalla Center

View Monthly Calendar

Announcements

September Highlights & Valhalla Center’s Back-to-School Open House

As we step into October, we’re excited to share our September Newsletter along with highlights and photos from our Back-to-School- Open House.

Valhalla Center welcomed over 20 family members to our Back-to-School Open House! It was such a wonderful evening of partnership, learning, and community. Families connected with teachers, related service providers, administrators, and one another while enjoying cookies, a cheese-and-cracker platter, and Mr. Ben’s delicious baked cake. Staff were also on hand to assist families with eSchool Parent Portal registration and SEPTA sign-ups.

In Ms. Allison’s class, families celebrated student success and received thoughtful apple gifts with handwritten notes from their children saying “to Mom and Dad.” Mr. Max shared a slideshow highlighting students’ daily learning and life-skills activities that build independence, followed by a tour of the Life Center Room. Ms. Lisa shared classroom goals, plans, and her point system for encouraging positive engagement. Ms. Adriana proudly showcased her classroom’s task boxes, instructional breakfast program, and the heartfelt thank-you notes her students wrote for their parents.

We are so grateful to our families for partnering with us to support student growth, independence, and success. Here’s to a school year filled with learning, collaboration, and achievement!
The Valhalla Center
BluePath Service Dogs welcomed at Valhalla Center

Valhalla Center students were excited to welcome back their furry friend from the BluePath Therapy Dog Program! Students had the chance to pet, walk, and engage with the therapy dog, building both comfort and confidence through these meaningful interactions.

Therapy dogs provide more than just joy. They help students develop social and emotional skills, reduce stress and anxiety and create a calming presence in the classroom. For many students, engaging with a therapy dog also encourages communication, responsibility and positive peer interactions.

Programs like BluePath give our students a unique way to learn and grow while enjoying the unconditional love and support that only a furry friend can provide. We are so glad to have this special program as part of our school community!
News Feed - Valhalla Center
Pawsitive Vibes at Valhalla: Therapy Dog Visit!

Valhalla Center students were excited to welcome back their furry friend from the BluePath Therapy Dog Program! Students had the chance to pet, walk, and engage with the therapy dog, building both comfort and confidence through these meaningful interactions.

Therapy dogs provide more than just joy—they help students develop social and emotional skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and create a calming presence in the classroom. For many students, engaging with a therapy dog also encourages communication, responsibility, and positive peer interactions.

Programs like BluePath give our students a unique way to learn and grow while enjoying the unconditional love and support that only a furry friend can provide. We are so glad to have this special program as part of our school community!
The Valhalla Center
Hands-On Learning in the Life Skills Classroom

Students in Ms. Lisa Culler's class at the Valhalla Center are actively building essential skills in our Life Skills classroom. From folding and stacking to organizing, counting, and sorting, they practice daily routines that promote independence and confidence. Ms. Lisa’s students truly engage in all things Life Skills!
The Valhalla Center
Valhalla Center Welcomes Students

The first few days of the 2025-26 school year at the Valhalla Center set the tone for what promises to be a wonderful year ahead.

Students were warmly received by their classroom teaching teams, service providers, and administrators, including our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Miriam Jackie Nunez. From the moment students entered the building, they were met with light music, smiles, and a welcoming energy. The numbers “25–26” were proudly displayed as a symbol of the new school year and the high expectations we hold for our students.

It was a joy to see new students stepping into the building for the first time, alongside familiar faces returning with confidence and excitement. Teachers were ready to engage with their students from the very first moments, ensuring that everyone felt at home and ready to learn.

Our High School CAD Class, now located at St. Matthew's School, also began their Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming this week. This expansion reflects our commitment to offering meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that prepare students for future success.

A special highlight of the week was a thoughtful gesture from one of our veteran teachers, Ms. Karen Walker. She took time on the first morning to introduce Ms. Adriana Nicholas to the students she taught last year. This “passing of the baton” allowed students to transition smoothly and meaningfully to their new teacher. Ms. Walker will now continue her important work at St. Matthew's, leading one of our High School AIIM classes, while Ms. Nicholas brings her own energy and expertise to her new classroom.

The warmth, readiness, and enthusiasm of these first days reflect our shared commitment to student success. With such a strong start, the Valhalla Center community is poised for a year filled with learning, growth, and achievement.
News Feed - Valhalla Center
Valhalla Center marks the end of joy-filled, engaging summer programs

Valhalla Center students and staff enjoyed a joyful and engaging Extended School Year, filled with hands-on learning both in and out of the classroom.

Students took part in exciting community outings to Homefield Bowl, local ice cream shops, and the Maritime Aquarium—practicing valuable life skills such as celebrating others, waiting their turn, following directions, and navigating public spaces with confidence. Yoga sessions, led by veteran BOCES Physical Therapist Phyllis Marto, gave students the opportunity to practice breathing techniques and poses to build self-regulation skills, with some even stepping into leadership roles to help guide the group.

Every Friday, our Continent Study assembly brought the school together to share projects, artwork, geography lessons, and food inspired by India, Brazil, Italy and Poland—fostering communication, collaboration, and cultural awareness. Breakthrough Fitness led skill-based adapted fitness classes each Wednesday, while Blue Path continued their weekly visits, bringing smiles and joy to our students.

On Aug. 14, we celebrated our ESY Closing Event with students, families, and staff coming together to reflect on all the learning, creativity, and growth achieved over the six-week program. We are deeply grateful to the families who joined us and to everyone who made this summer such a success.

We look forward to welcoming our students back on Sept. 4, 2025, for what promises to be a wonderful 2025–2026 school year. Until then, we wish you all a joyful and restful remainder of the summer!
News Feed - Valhalla Center
Families, longtime staff embrace students' success on their special day

Valhalla Center salutes four graduates for their accomplishments, perseverance

Families, friends, educators and administrators packed the room at Valhalla Center on June 12 as four graduates were celebrated for the hard work, vibrant spirit and unique contributions that marked their time at Southern Westchester BOCES. “We are so incredibly proud of each and every one of you,” she said. “These are not just graduates, they are really, truly bright stars, each with a powerful story and a beautiful future.”
News Feed - Valhalla Center
Student's design a standout success at recent campus fashion show

Kimberlyn Lopez Martinez, a student in the CAD program at Valhalla Center, also studies Fashion Design and Merchandising on the Career Services Campus. She created the dress pictured here and poses proudly at the CTE program's recent fashion show with Teacher Erroll Rivera and Principal Diana Dinzey.
News Feed - Valhalla Center

View More Posts

Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs NYSAA K-12

This programs provide a highly structured site-based classroom environment designed primarily for students with autism spectrum disorders at the elementary, middle and high school levels for New York State Alternately Assessed students. Instructional methodology includes the applications of structured teaching and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) that have demonstrated effective outcomes in the school environment. Specialized clinical consultation is provided for both structured teaching and ABA classes. In addition to academic outcomes, the development of appropriate communication, social and behavioral skills are stressed.

CoSer 203.100

Classroom Ratio 8:1:2

Communication and Academic Development Program (CAD) NYS Alternately Assessed

This program is offered to students who require small group instruction in a therapeutic setting. Students in this program primarily present with mental health challenges that significantly interfere with the students' ability to be educated and supported within a typical general education classroom environment. Students' needs are met through highly structured classroom settings with counseling and instructional supports. At the secondary level, the program provides students with transition services and supports.

CAD Grades 6-12 CoSer 230.100

Student Teacher Ratio 12:1:1