10:00 am Executive Committee
The School Library System Council is responsible for developing and approving the Plan of Service and is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Plan of Service. The Council recommends for approval the annual budget prior to submission to the District Superintendent for his signature and supports the activities of the School Library System, through service on this committee.
8:30 - 11:00am
Register on My Learning Plan
In order to ensure that school libraries throughout our region are supporting their district's goal of graduating College and Career-Ready students, one librarian representative from each district, appointed by the Superintendent, joins their colleagues four times a year to engage in collaborative professional development and informational sessions. These meetings are an essential way to focus on Common Core Learning Standards, relevant resources, curriculum development, primary resources and technology. There is no charge for this membership/service; the program is state mandated and supported, in part by New York State Aid.
12:00 - 3:00pm
Register on My Learning Plan.
The SWBOCES Digital Library Program is a collaborative online service for middle and high school students that provides access to over 5,500 digital ebooks and audio books to students and staff. This service is an extension of the print collection in school libraries; however it is online with 24/7 access. It is convenient for students to check out titles anywhere, anytime in multiple formats.
8:30 - 11:00AM
Register on My Learning Plan.
The SWBOCES Digital Library Program is a collaborative online service for elementary students that provides access digital ebooks and audio books to students and staff. This service is an extension of the print collection in school libraries; however it is online with 24/7 access. It is convenient for students to check out titles anywhere, anytime in multiple formats.
8:30 - 11:00 AM
Register on My Learning Plan.
Kathy Conley, currently Assistant Executive Director of the LHRIC, has been named to succeed Executive Director Dennis Lauro effective Dec. 28. The SWBOCES Board of Education made the appointment following a collaborative process that engaged partners from the LHRIC, Rockland, Putnam/Northern Westchester and Southern Westchester BOCES, and their component Districts.
Read about how Career Center Staff had the experience of being a student for a day during their recent Professional Development Day.
Attend the annual SEPTA Book Fair Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 & 11, at Barnes and Noble in White Plains from noon to 4 p.m.
There will be story readings, a treasure hunt and a coloring station. If can't make it, you can still participate and get your holiday shopping done early by ordering online at bn.com/bookfairs from Nov. 10-15. At checkout, enter Book Fair ID #12453643.
We hope to see you there. Thank you for your support!
Several students at the Center for Career Services got an inside look at possibilities for their futures with two career-related field trips.
On Oct. 30, students traveled to the Universal Technical Institute in Bloomfield, NJ.
The Fordham University Graduate School of Education’s Division of Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy and Southern Westchester BOCES are pleased to announce an upcoming speaker series for current and aspiring school and district leaders in the greater New York City area.
Southern Westchester BOCES Culinary Arts program was among 30 food and beverage vendors invited by Cerebral Palsey of Westchester to participate in its 13th annual 'Taste of Westchester' fundraiser on Oct. 29.
The good news came when students in Carmen Galiano’s Fashion and Retail class took a field trip to the Westchester SPCA in Briarcliff Manor to deliver cat and dog toys they had made.
Click to read about why 15 students in Christine Ireland’s Architecture and Interior Design/3D Art classes took a field trip to New York City’s High Line in search of inspiration.
Teacher Sean Harty took his students to the Audio Engineering Society’s Pro Audio Convention at the Jacob Javitz Center Oct. 18. Read more about how they met industry leaders and tested equipment they had only heard of but never seen.
Students in Mr. Walsh's, Ms. Lloyd's, Mrs. Gaines-Chastine's and Ms. Culler’s classes our Valhalla campus participated in “Spirit Week” Sept. 24-28.
Monday: Crazy Hat Day
Tuesday: Sports Day
Wednesday: Backwards Day
Thursday: Pajama Day
Friday: Blue and White Day (for SWBOCES' colors)
Students made posters to advertise each day’s activity. Staff also joined in and enjoyed the activities with the students.
Principal Leslie Handler provided cupcakes, which students decorated with blue and white icing and sprinkles, and several flavors of ice cream for sundaes with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Kaya loved wearing pajamas to school on Pajama Day. She said she was so comfortable! Chantay’s favorite day was Blue and White Day because she got to make an ice cream sundae! Brandon liked Sports Day best because he loves to wear his jerseys to school. Christian loved Pajama Day! He said he was very comfortable. Clarence said his favorite day was hat day because he liked seeing all the different hats, and we decorated my helmet in Occupational Therapy, which was fun.
Elijah said his favorite day was Sports Day because he likes watching sports at home, and he got to wear his New York Yankees shirt. He also liked seeing what his friends' favoritesSports and teams were.
During a gathering with refreshments in the gym, Tappan Hill Principal Phyllis Rizzi announced that the school is getting a new playground. Parents clapped when she told them the news.
“This playground, as you can see, is so beautiful,” she said as she showed them a rendering of it.
Parents who attended the Southern Westchester BOCES Special Education PTA’s recent Meet and Greet learned about the variety of community support services available, from music therapy and recreation to special education advocacy.
Parent Marcela Stern, a SEPTA executive board member, said the group sponsors educational and fun events for students and parents throughout the year. Topics covered at educational sessions include guardianship and transition planning. The annual book fair fundraiser at Barnes & Noble in White Plains is in November.
“Every time that we have something like this, parents find out new information that is useful for their lives,” Ms. Stern said during the morning session. There was a second Meet and Greet in the evening.
One of SEPTA’s goals this year is to get more families involved, said Frank Alvarez, SWBOCES’ director of special services.
Inspiring role models and awesome apple tarts were both in amply supply at the White Plains YWCA's 'Turn Up the Heat' event, thanks to SWBOCES Culinary Arts students.
Students showed off their newly developing skills for their parents, and teachers answered questions and showed off their programs at the Careers Center's annual Open House.
Trainer Jim Soto of the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, along with the New York State Police, presents "Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools" today for three dozen school and district officials from the Southern Westchester region and beyond.
The training lasts three days and covers the development of school Emergency Response Plans; the process used to assess your school environment; the development of training and exercises based on your ERPs; and a tabletop activity that can be used as a model for your school district. For more training like these and information on ways to contact Brandon Cruz, SWBOCES Supervisor of School Safety & Facilities, at https://pd.swboces.org/safety_and_facilities.
In today’s Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training, Director of Safety & Facilities Brandon Cruz demonstrated techniques to de-escalate and disrupt confrontations and potentially violent behavior. Learn more about our Safety & Facilities programming at https://pd.swboces.org/safety_and_facilities.
Veteran nurse and nursing administrator brings three decades' experience to leadership role with SWBOCES' flagship nursing program.
Educators who utilize Fountas & Pinnell resources attended a free workshop this morning at our Harrison training center. The seminar, led by Mary Ruff-Heinemann, focuses on what proficiency looks like and will help educators develop shared expectations and a common language.
Southern Westchester BOCES SEPTA invites you to the annual Welcome back Coffee on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 9:30-11 a.m. and again from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Rye Lake Campus, 1606 Old Orchard St., White Plains.
Join us for coffee, learn about SEPTA’s plans for the new year and meet representatives from different Westchester organizations that provide workshops, respite, therapeutic and recreational services:
ARC Westchester Carin Horowitz will be available to discuss overnight/weekend respite options and other support and recreational services available through their organization.
Music Conservatory of Westchester Lisa Sandagata will talk about their programs for children and adults with special needs, including music therapy, given by certified professionals.
Parent to Parent Mariela Adams will present on parent support systems, self-direction and resources for parents.
North East Westchester Special Recreation Nanci Bellini, the Program director, will present about their non-profit, community-based therapeutic recreational agency and its programs, serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Special Needs Advocate/ Special Needs Family Counseling Jennifer Kahn Ruoff will speak about what it means to be an advocate and other issues concerning family counseling.
Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center at Westchester Institute for Human Development Lulu Bencosme will speak about their services to support families with children with special needs.
For questions, contact Cathy Fragoso at 914-366-2560 orcfragoso@swboces.org.
A guest orders a piece of dessert, an apple cheese tart, made and served by students in the Southern Westchester BOCES Culinary Arts program at the Turn Up the Heat event in White Plains.
A Tappan Hill School Student shows off a floral arrangement he made.
District Superintendent Harold Coles addressed the SWBOCES Special Education PTA - SEPTA - at its recent Meet & Greet event on our Rye Lake Campus.
Director of Safety & Facilities Brandon Cruz leads a workshop teaching techniques of non-violent crisis intervention, Oct. 11-12, 2018.
Mary Ruff-Heinemann leads the Fountous & Pinnell workshop at SWBOCES PD Center's Harrison training center Oct. 4.
Students and faculty in the Cosmetology program provided manicures, natural skin treatments and other offerings at White Plains Family Fun Festival at Tibbits Park in White Plains Sept. 16.
Tarrytown Police Officers accepted gifts from SWBOCES students and Volunteer New York! clients at Tappan Hill School in August.
Educators from Fordham University, SWBOCES and Rye City Schools participated in in “Creating the Conditions for Continuous Improvement in Schools & Systems,” a three-day seminar led by author Elizabeth Leisy Stosich and Margaret Terry Orr and hosted by SWBOCES' Center for Professional Development.
