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Subscribe to our Career Services and Special Services enewsletters: Beyond Boundaries and Careers Central.
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- 2025-2026 Services Guide
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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School Closed for Summer Recess
St. Matthews -
via Zoom
NYSED Lead Evaluator Training (APPR) - Science of Reading: Leading for Literacy (Virtual)
Supporting literacy across the curriculum is essential to building the skills students need for success. NYSED's Literacy Initiative, Literacy Briefs, and Advanced Literacy Briefs provide valuable anchors to inform instruction and instructional leadership. This module will support educational leaders in leveraging the Science of Reading and the needs of our linguistically diverse students to support instructional improvement and student achievement.*
*PLCS, in conversation with NYSED and in response to changes to APPR, has redesigned our Lead Evaluator Training Program. We have designed half-day three hour sessions that you can choose from to design your own Lead Evaluator program. These sessions meet NYSED expectations for APPR Lead Evaluator recertification.
All leaders new to their district or role will need to attend our Foundations in Leading Leaders session to meet the requirements for NYSED's Lead Evaluator Training. Please check your district's APPR plan to determine the number of days/hours approved by NYSED for your district's Lead Evaluator Training.
Participants: School leaders who evaluate teachers. District leaders who evaluate principals.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
NYSED Lead Evaluator Training (APPR) - Science of Reading: Leading for Literacy (Virtual)
Supporting literacy across the curriculum is essential to building the skills students need for success. NYSED's Literacy Initiative, Literacy Briefs, and Advanced Literacy Briefs provide valuable anchors to inform instruction and instructional leadership. This module will support educational leaders in leveraging the Science of Reading and the needs of our linguistically diverse students to support instructional improvement and student achievement.*
*PLCS, in conversation with NYSED and in response to changes to APPR, has redesigned our Lead Evaluator Training Program. We have designed half-day three hour sessions that you can choose from to design your own Lead Evaluator program. These sessions meet NYSED expectations for APPR Lead Evaluator recertification.
All leaders new to their district or role will need to attend our Foundations in Leading Leaders session to meet the requirements for NYSED's Lead Evaluator Training. Please check your district's APPR plan to determine the number of days/hours approved by NYSED for your district's Lead Evaluator Training.
Participants: School leaders who evaluate teachers. District leaders who evaluate principals.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
** 17 Berkley Drive, Rye Brook, NY 10573 **
**CANCELLED** Board Meeting- 7 PM
** CANCELLED** Board Meeting- 7 PM
** 17 Berkley Drive , Rye Brook, NY 10573 **
Large Board Room
Southern Westchester BOCES -
Hybrid event. In person at 450 Mamaroneck Avenue or via Zoom
Leading Teams & Teaming Practices to Improve Instruction & Achievement (part of our Leadership Suite)
Teacher collaboration has been shown to have the greatest impact on student achievement. Such teamwork is known as "collective teacher efficacy.” In this session come explore how to lead and leverage teacher teams to optimize their potential. We will consider ideas and resources from Elena Aguilar's The Art of Coaching Teams and assorted resources connected to PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). Participants will then have time to plan how they will apply their learning to launch teacher collaboration in the 2025-26 school year with power and purpose. (This session is part of the PLCS Leadership Suite.)
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
Virtual/ Online event
Planning with Gizmos- STEM programing
Discover how to integrate Gizmos to transform your classroom by engaging students in real-world problem-solving through interactive simulations. In this session, you'll learn how to implement Gizmos into your curriculum, guiding students as they take on roles like scientists or engineers, form hypotheses, conduct virtual experiments, and make data-driven decisions. By the end, you'll have practical strategies to enhance student engagement and deepen their understanding of STEM concepts. Registrants will receive a Zoom invite prior to the session.
LHRIC Instructional Technology -
Hybrid event. In person at 450 Mamaroneck Avenue or via Zoom
Integrating Social-Emotional Learning to Improve Student Achievement
Even when educators believe in the value of social-emotional learning (SEL), SEL can feel like something "extra.” This session will ground educators in how SEL is integral to academic achievement (and success in the world at large). Then, we will explore strategies for embedding attention to social-emotional learning in academic instruction, and participants will apply their learning to plan for the 2025-26 school year.
SWBOCES RECOVS Mental Health Consortium districts may attend at no cost.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
NYSED Lead Evaluator Training (APPR) - Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Restorative Practices (Virtual)
Social and emotional well-being and skills are foundational to academic success, cultivating a culture of belonging, and nurturing our students' capacity for civic engagement and career readiness. In this module we will explore NYSED's Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Benchmarks and the tenets of Restorative Practices to anchor our thinking about and leadership of efforts to improve school culture, student competencies, and optimize conditions for learning.*
*PLCS, in conversation with NYSED and in response to changes to APPR, has redesigned our Lead Evaluator Training Program. We have designed half-day three hour sessions that you can choose from to design your own Lead Evaluator program. These sessions meet NYSED expectations for APPR Lead Evaluator recertification.
All leaders new to their district or role will need to attend our Foundations in Leading Leaders session to meet the requirements for NYSED's Lead Evaluator Training. Please check your district's APPR plan to determine the number of days/hours approved by NYSED for your district's Lead Evaluator Training.
Participants: School leaders who evaluate teachers. District leaders who evaluate principals.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
NYSED Lead Evaluator Training (APPR) - Implementing the NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework (Virtual)
Through the eyes of leaders, we will explore Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our current educational settings. In this module we will examine the CR-SE framework to gain an understanding of how it can guide instruction and operations within your school/district. We will explore each of the four principles of Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education: Welcoming and affirming environment, High expectations and rigorous instruction, Inclusive curriculum and assessment, and On-going professional learning. By using different protocols and strategies, we will identify areas of opportunity and create pathways to improve the student and staff experience overall through the CR-SE lens.*
*PLCS, in conversation with NYSED and in response to changes to APPR, has redesigned our Lead Evaluator Training Program. We have designed half-day three hour sessions that you can choose from to design your own Lead Evaluator program. These sessions meet NYSED expectations for APPR Lead Evaluator recertification.
All leaders new to their district or role will need to attend our Foundations in Leading Leaders session to meet the requirements for NYSED's Lead Evaluator Training. Please check your district's APPR plan to determine the number of days/hours approved by NYSED for your district's Lead Evaluator Training.
Participants: School leaders who evaluate teachers. District leaders who evaluate principals.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
MTSS Illuminated: From Theory to Practice
MTSS Illuminated: From Theory to Practice is a full-day, interactive workshop designed for building and district leaders looking to strengthen their Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This session moves beyond theory, guiding participants through the essential components of MTSS, data-driven decision-making, and effective implementation strategies. Through hands-on problem-solving, case studies, and collaborative discussions, leaders will leave with actionable steps to enhance student support systems in their schools and districts. Whether you're building MTSS from the ground up or refining existing structures, this workshop provides the tools and insights needed for success.
Understand the Core Principles of MTSS - Define MTSS and its role in improving student outcomes across academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning.
Establish a Strong MTSS Framework - Learn how to develop and sustain a tiered system of support at the school or district level.
Use Data-Driven Decision-Making - Explore assessment tools, progress monitoring strategies, and data collection methods to drive interventions.
Clarify Roles & Responsibilities - Identify the key responsibilities of leaders, teachers, and support staff in the MTSS process.
Create an Actionable Implementation Plan - Develop next steps for strengthening or launching an effective MTSS system in participants' schools or districts.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
Sleepy Hollow High School Library
RECOVS Youth Mental Health First Aid
Register here.
Please note that this training is free for personnel from districts who are part of SWBOCES's RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium. If you have questions about whether you are eligible to attend for free, please contact Adam Weinstock (aweinstock@swboces.org).
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training gives adults who work with youth the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to adolescents (ages 12-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Participants are taught an action plan that they can apply to non-crisis and crisis situations.
The course includes 2 hours of self-paced (asynchronous) remote learning, which will be emailed to participants to complete in advance of the scheduled session, which consists of 4.5 hours of synchronous real-time learning via Zoom, plus a 30-minute break.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• Describe the purpose of Youth Mental Health First Aid and the role of the Youth Mental Health First Aider.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact youth.
• Explain the impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience on adolescent development.
• Apply the appropriate steps of the YMHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to non-crisis situations.
• Apply the appropriate steps of the YMHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to crisis situations.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
Virtual/ Online event
How do I expand my use of Gizmos?
Gizmos are online simulations for math and science topics, grades 3-12. When students engage with simulations, they use their spatial reasoning to learn fundamental concepts and are encouraged to explore and experiment and build conceptual understanding. Gizmos lend themselves to group work, independent work, and whole-class instruction. This session will provide a fresh look at the Gizmos library of content and correlations to textbooks and standards. We'll also brainstorm ways to effectively incorporate Gizmos into daily classroom routines. Registrants will receive a Zoom invite prior to the session.
LHRIC Instructional Technology -
Port Chester Public Schools
District Specific (Portchester) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Key Points Refresher Recertification
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Key Points Refresher is designed to help improve your understanding of key program concepts, enhance your skills and provide strategies to apply the information to workplace realities. Only participants who have completed the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible to participate in the Refresher Training. You must attend all sessions. In addition, we are asking that individuals attend in pairs or trios so that they can perform the physical interventions with a partner. All participants must complete the physical interventions in order to receive certification.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
Board Meeting-**5:30PM **
Board Meeting- 5:30 PM
** 17 Berkley Drive , Rye Brook, NY 10573 **
Large Board Room
Southern Westchester BOCES -
Virtual/ Online event
How can I improve student-teacher connection with Hapara?
Learn how to utilize Hapara's management tools with ease. Hāpara empowers educators and students with mission-critical tools that make digital learning collaborative, efficient and transformational and deepen its connection to K-12 pedagogy. Classroom management: Provides visibility into learners' Chrome browsing activity as a way to guide real-time learning along with tools like chat and link sharing that promote digital citizenship and greater autonomy over their own learning. Gives educators a birds-eye view of learners' Google Drive folders, allowing them one-click access to view their assignments and provide frequent formative feedback. Safety & wellness: Web filtering and wellness solutions that ensure a safe and supportive digital learning environment with actionable insights that allow designated school staff to quickly intervene in potentially harmful situations. Registrants will receive a Zoom link prior to the session.
LHRIC Instructional Technology -
Labor Day
Office Closed
Center for Career Services -
Superintendent's Conference Day
Center for Career Services -
Superintendent's Conference Day
Center for Career Services -
School Opens
Center for Career Services -
School Re-Opens for 25-26 School Year!
St. Matthews
SWBOCES Centers and Programs
- Center for Career Services
- Center for Special Services
- School Communications
- Lower Hudson Regional Information Center
- Center for Adult & Community Services
- Interscholastic Athletics & Section One
- Professional Learning & Curriculum Support
- LHRIC Instructional Technology
- School Library System
- Hudson Valley RBERN
Our Mission, Vision & Core Values
Our Mission
Southern Westchester BOCES supports students, districts and communities across our region through innovative, future-focused services, and forward-thinking leadership, centered on equity, access, and opportunity for all.
Our Vision
We aspire to be a proactive, responsive, student-centered, and centralized hub of support, expertise and innovation, that serves as a model for our regional and state-wide partners.
Our Core Values
We believe that we can achieve our vision and accomplish our mission if, in all of our work, we strive to uphold the following core values:
Service - We support our educational partners and stakeholders by maintaining the highest levels of responsiveness, expertise, and collaboration.
Integrity - We are committed to maintaining trusting and respectful relationships with all stakeholders.
Equity, Opportunity and Access - We embrace the importance of wellness, inclusivity, and dignity for each individual.
Read about Southern Westchester BOCES's Blueprint for Excellence - Strategic Plan 2025-2028.
