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BOCES determines ongoing educational
needs that can be met most efficiently on a regional cooperative basis. BOCES
also responds to and introduces program requests and initiatives from local
districts and from the New York State Education Department. BOCES provides
services, facilities and personnel to meet the mutual needs of local
districts and receives and administers grants for a broad array of services
available to students, staff members and community residents in local
districts. The Center for Special
Services provides leadership and quality services to assist school districts
in meeting the current and future educational challenges of students with
special needs. This is built upon a comprehensive continuum that ranges from
direct services to students, to indirect services such as staff training,
support and consultation. The Center also coordinates gifted/talented and
enrichment programs. |
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BOCES central administrative offices are in Rye Brook. The
Center for Career Services and the Directions and general information about Southern
Westchester BOCES can be found on the website, SWBOCES.org. Directions to the Center for Special Services, along with administrators and phone
numbers, are included in both the SWBOCES Calendar/Directory and on the BOCES
Website.
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You will
receive information by mail about the program, school and hours prior to the
opening of school. State testing dates are noted on the SWBOCES Calendar
Directory and on the website. Notices regarding testing will also be sent by
your child’s teacher. |
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Much of
the information you will need is included in the SWBOCES Calendar/ Directory.
More specific information will be provided by mail prior to the opening of
school. Parents are encouraged to keep a list of important names and phone
numbers, as there may be changes and additions during the school year. |
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If your child attends a SWBOCES program in one of the
following locations, please follow our own SWBOCES calendar: The Rye Lake
Campus in |
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Please talk to your child about appropriate
behavior on the bus. Advise your transportation carrier or school district
immediately if your child reports any problem on the bus. Your school
district may reserve the right to suspend students from transportation for
inappropriate behavior. |
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On days when Southern Westchester BOCES closes due
to inclement weather, its fleet of school buses will not be running. There
may be occasions, however, when SWBOCES is closed, but the school your child
attends is open. If your school district uses a private bus company to
transport your child, you are advised to call your district’s transportation
office or bus company, If schools are closed due
to weather conditions or emergencies, announcements will be made on the
following radio stations: WFAS 1230 AM WFAS 104 FM WHUD 100.7 FM WLNA 1420 AM WVIP 1310 AM WVIP 106.3 FM WZFM 107.1 FM Information on school closings is also available on the
Internet at www.whud.com. |
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Many of the rules, services and activities are the same
regardless of where your child attends school. Attendance is extremely
important and each student is expected to attend school on a regular basis.
When a student returns to school following an absence, a note from his or her
parent/guardian is required. If a student is absent for three or more
consecutive days, or if his or her illness is of a contagious, serious
nature, a doctor’s note may be required. By
If it is necessary for a student to leave before the school
day ends, or arrive to school late, a written request signed by the
parent/guardian must be brought to the teacher. When possible, requests
should be made at least one day in advance. |
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Where
can my child participate in sports and extra-curricular events? Many school districts have developed co-curricular activities
such as after-school clubs and sports. These classes are often available to
SWBOCES students. Questions about such programs should be directed to your
child’s teacher. |
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If an accident occurs in school, the school nurse will examine
your child. If further medical assistance is needed, your child will be taken
to the nearest hospital emergency room and a BOCES staff member will notify
you. In the event of even a minor bus accident, your child will be
taken to the nearest hospital emergency room for a routine examination. The
parent/guardian will be responsible for all medical bills (emergency room,
doctors, ambulance, etc.) through the family’s own health insurance company
or family auto insurance carrier. If the accident occurred on a BOCES vehicle
and no coverage is available, or there is an unpaid balance, Southern Westchester
BOCES insurance will cover the balance. Otherwise, your home district’s
insurance will cover the balance. In the event of an accident with a BOCES
vehicle, a letter, together with the proper insurance form and instructions,
will be sent to you by the Center for
Special Services. |
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Because a number of students take regular daily medications, we
suggest that medication be given at home. However, depending on the student’s
needs, medication can be taken at school. If this is the case, the
parent/guardian and physician must provide written authorization each year
and/or when any change in medication is made. The parent/guardian is
responsible for providing the medication, which will be kept in a locked
place until administered as directed. The medication must be in a
prescription-labeled/pharmaceutical container with the student’s name,
medication, dosage in milligrams and instructions. In the interest of safety,
an adult must bring medication to school. Students will not be permitted to
deliver or carry any medication. These conditions apply to all medications
taken in school, including aspirin, antibiotics and allergy pills.
Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the nurse immediately of any
changes in medication. |
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Your child’s medication will be administered by the school
nurse. If a student becomes ill while at school, a parent/guardian or
emergency contact will be notified so that transportation can be arranged. A medical release form signed by the parent/guardian must be
on file with SWBOCES in the event that emergency medical care is necessary. Due to emergencies such as a student illness or school
closings due to inclement weather, it is important that teachers have
emergency phone numbers on file for each child. The emergency number should
include that of a relative, friend, neighbor, or a business number where we can
reach you during school hours. If your emergency
contact information changes, please notify your child’s teacher. |
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Before
students enter BOCES programs, they are evaluated for academic, social and
intellectual functioning, as determined by the local district’s CSE.
Assessment is part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and
the information is used to help plan each student’s educational program. The goals and
objectives of your child’s IEP form the framework for his or her educational
program. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in IEP conferences
conducted by their local CSE. The purpose of the IEP conference is to set the
instructional objectives for your child and to discuss your child’s
performance with regard to educational achievement, social development and
management needs. Once the school year begins, your child’s teacher will
arrange a mutually convenient meeting with you to review your child’s
education plan, established by your CSE. Your child’s
growth in reading comprehension and mathematics is measured yearly, using a
nationally known and validated standardized achievement test. Students are
tested each spring to measure progress. The classroom teacher will discuss
the results of achievement testing with you during a parent-teacher
conference. Your child’s progress is also evaluated by the mastery of goals
and objectives established in his or her IEP. Each April, SWBOCES program administrators and clinicians meet
with local school district special education personnel to discuss and review
each student’s progress. As a result of these meetings, Committees on Special
Education (CSE) are better informed and prepared for the annual review
meetings held with parents and with students, where appropriate. It is
important to note that all recommendations regarding student placement are
ultimately a decision between the local school district and the parent. BOCES
is a service provider and, as such, has no authority to change student
programs. |
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Parent-teacher conferences play a very important part in
planning your child’s future and for reviewing his or her progress. Such
conferences help bring the school and the home closer together and provide
complete information on student progress throughout the year.
Parents/guardians and teachers have a good deal to contribute to each other
in terms of understanding a student’s needs and concerns. Appointments may be
arranged by contacting the teacher directly at school. Teachers, as well as
parents and guardians, may request these conferences. |
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The Where appropriate, report cards are sent home during the
school year, based upon the reporting system of the school your child
attends. New regulations require that you receive a report of your child’s
progress as often as parents of regular education students. Report cards are
also forwarded to your local school district prior to annual reviews. Additional
information regarding your child’s progress in meeting the goals and
objectives set forth in his or her IEP will be made available to you during
the school year. |
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My child requires extra time and other accommodations
on tests. Who ensures that this will be provided? Special
education students will be allowed testing modifications according to their
Individualized Education Plans. In all cases, someone who is familiar with a
student’s special accommodations will administer the tests. Parents/guardians
will be notified of the test schedules and results. We encourage
parents and students with questions about learning standards and graduation
requirements to discuss them with their child’s teacher and their local
Committee on Special Education. |
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BOCES provides an array
of occupational education services, including Basic
Occupational Education
(BOE), which offers practical, hands-on career training for students with
disabilities. It is designed to be a self-contained special education program
with an occupational/vocational curriculum. BOCES Occupational Education
programs are located at the
Transition Services and programs,
including application for working papers, are provided for students 16 to 21
years of age. Students receive district-based services or attend a
community-based program. Emphasis is on career and basic life skills. Preparation for employment includes a combination of basic
skills developed through learning experiences from early childhood through
the secondary years. BOCES programs are designed to build upon students’
varied learning styles and to develop the ability to obtain and maintain
employment. Many students require a mix of instructional techniques and
curricula. For some, the approach may be through academics. For others, it
may be through vocational Training. BOCES believes that education is a
lifelong experience and that the extension of one’s knowledge and skills
should be viewed as an ongoing process. Each student is prepared and
encouraged to continue his or her training and education throughout life. |
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Southern Westchester BOCES is committed to improving each
student’s personal level of responsibility and believes that as students
learn to accept responsibility for their own behaviors, it is more likely
that they will take effective control of their lives. Research-based
therapeutic practices are incorporated into many BOCES programs. The goal is
to promote increased self-esteem by empowering students to make better
choices and act more responsibly. |
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When appropriate, field trips are an integral part of the
BOCES curriculum. BOCES classes may also be included in school-wide field
trips and other functions when appropriate. |
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An extended school year
program, otherwise known as Summer School, is available to students whose
disabilities require a 12-month structured learning environment. The program
ensures maintenance of a student’s developmental levels and prevents
regression. The Committee on Special Education must determine that a child is
eligible and participation requires parental consent. Parents/guardians
should check with their local CSE about eligibility. The State Education
Department emphasizes that a 12-month program can be provided only for
students with severe impairments.
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At the present time, there is no Services Guide for parents. |