Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
Managing aggressive and violent behavior has become an essential skill relevant to all school personnel. Staff members need safe, effective behavior management training designed to maintain the care, welfare, safety and security of all involved in a crisis. Teachers and support staff will explore a range of "risk behaviors" and practice appropriate de-escalation strategies to address these behaviors while maintaining the best possible professional attitude. These sessions will be conducted via Zoom on three separate half days. You must attend the three half-days that are listed together on the list below. 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. If you have further questions regarding the course, please contact Brandon Cruz via email at bcruz@swboces.org.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
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 two-day Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training during the 2020-2021 school year are eligible to participate in the Refresher Training. These sessions will be conducted via Zoom on two separate half days. You must attend the two days that are listed together on the list below. In addition, we are asking that individuals attend in pairs or trios so that they can perform the physical interventions with a part- ner. All participants must complete the physical interventions in order to receive certification. If you have further questions regarding the course, please contact Brandon Cruz via email at bcruz@swboces.org.
You have probably heard the buzz about Breakout EDU. But have you experienced a Digital Breakout? In some ways, this form of breakout is more conducive to the "average” school room. No classroom set-up is required, students work in collaborative teams on a shared device, and there are no issues with those pesky locks! In this webinar, participants will experience a digital breakout and be informed of the steps that it takes to create one. If you are "game,” you can then sign up for a 6-hour online course where you will learn how to build your own and can get individual attention from the instructor to make it happen. Yes, there are some "canned” breakouts online, but if you want one that is customized to your class and discipline, you will gain much in creating your own. They may take some time and thought to create, but once you have done the legwork, they can be used over and over with students. They provide the same engaged learning experiences for students that traditional Breakouts involve - critical thinking, teamwork and complex problem solving.
Registered participants will receive Zoom connection information via email prior to session start.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
Managing aggressive and violent behavior has become an essential skill relevant to all school personnel. Staff members need safe, effective behavior management training designed to maintain the care, welfare, safety and security of all involved in a crisis. Teachers and support staff will explore a range of "risk behaviors" and practice appropriate de-escalation strategies to address these behaviors while maintaining the best possible professional attitude. These sessions will be conducted via Zoom on three separate half days. You must attend the three half-days that are listed together on the list below. 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. If you have further questions regarding the course, please contact Brandon Cruz via email at bcruz@swboces.org.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
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 two-day Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training during the 2020-2021 school year are eligible to participate in the Refresher Training. These sessions will be conducted via Zoom on two separate half days. You must attend the two days that are listed together on the list below. In addition, we are asking that individuals attend in pairs or trios so that they can perform the physical interventions with a part- ner. All participants must complete the physical interventions in order to receive certification. If you have further questions regarding the course, please contact Brandon Cruz via email at bcruz@swboces.org.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
This Network will support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and DEI point-personnel across our region. As the DEI point person for your school/district, we invite you to meet with DEI Leader colleagues to collaborative on DEI policy, strategic planning, and implementation; engage in turnkey DEI focused professional development; learn from experts; and explore DEI resources for student and adult learners.
Specifically, as a member of the DEI Leaders' Network you will:
• Consider the questions, is my school/district equitable? and How do I know?, and respond with evidence
• Deepen your understanding of the NYSED DEI policy and the NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Frameworks
• Develop your entry plan as DEI leader for your school/district
• Identify district/school informed goals/outcomes for your role and your DEI work
• Learn about Equity Visits and host one
• Explore ways to effectively engage stakeholder groups in your school/district's DEI work; plan, engage, and share with the network
• Select and adopt curriculum frameworks to examine exciting curriculum and, where needed, make recommendations to teaching colleagues to embed DEI in day-to-day teaching and learning
• Examine, practice, and implement research-based data collection and data study protocols
• Design and share your DEI plan
• Identify and contribute to Network resources and co-construct priorities
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
When schools adopt a building-wide approach to provide behavioral and social-emotional services through Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS), they can see a substantial jump in student motivation and a drop in disciplinary referrals. This PD Short provides an overview of the 3 tiers of intervention for MTSS-behavior. It also lays out ideas to ‘tune up’ your school’s MTSS-behavior plan in preparation for the coming school year. Free behavioral/social-emotional resources for MTSS will be shared at the training.
Calling all instructional technology integration specialists! You spend the year supporting everyone else's needs; become part of a community specifically designed to support your needs as a professional developer and instructional technology expert.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
The delivery of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) is a core responsibility of special education teachers. Yet, many still have questions about the differences between SDI, core instruction, and supplemental interventions. In this PD Short, participants will define SDI, explore research-based best practices, and discuss strategies for integrating them into instruction.
See the full list of 2021-22 Board of Education Meeting Dates.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
Schools can help struggling learners only when they know who they are and how to efficiently provide them with appropriate academic supports. This PD Short provides an overview of the 3 tiers of intervention for MTSS-academics. It also lays out ideas to ‘tune up' your school's MTSS-academic plan in preparation for the coming school year. Free academic resources for MTSS will be shared at the training.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
The ability to provide a safe and supportive environment, free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and bullying, is a top priority for K-12 educators nationwide. Through this 6-hour training participants will unpack the social patterns of harassment and discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex.
The training will address:
* The identification and mitigation of harassment
* Bullying and discrimination
* Strategies for effectively addressing problems of exclusion, bias, and aggression in educational settings
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
School violence is a significant public health issue and a harsh reality that educators face in the United States. School violence prevention is a top priority of policymakers nationwide. Education Law in New York State requires that certain individuals seeking licensure are required to complete two hours of training in school violence prevention and intervention. Upon completion, the learner will be able to:
*Identify the goal of the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation.
*Discuss how the components of the SAVE legislation interface in the prevention of violence in schools.
*Describe how educational, legal/regulatory, and environmental domains promote school safety within the SAVE legislation.
*Describe how the Public Health model relates to school violence prevention and intervention.
*Discuss risk and protective factors related to school violence
Successful completion of this course meets the NYS Mandate.
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
The ability to provide a safe and supportive environment, free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and bullying, is a top priority for K-12 educators nationwide. Through this 6-hour training participants will unpack the social patterns of harassment and discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex.
The training will address:
* The identification and mitigation of harassment
* Bullying and discrimination
* Strategies for effectively addressing problems of exclusion, bias, and aggression in educational settings
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
According to the Center's for Disease Control and Prevention, at least in 7 students experience child abuse or neglect in the United States. While much progress has been made, there are things that can be done to protect children from abuse. Through this training, K-12 educators will become equipped with the knowledge to recognize and report signs of abuse.
During the training, participants will be able to identify:
•Child abuse and neglect
•Professional issues and concerns
•Community resources
•Legal responsibilities in reporting child abuse/neglect cases
Click here to register through My Learning Plan.
Many students require individualized support to succeed academically and socially in the K-12 environment. As the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders increases, educators must be equipped with the tools necessary to meet this demand. As part of the New York State Regulations, this workshop will address the needs of students on the autism spectrum.
This overview will meet the state mandate for certification and will include the following topics:
-Definitions
-Etiology and prevalence
-Characteristics
-Evidenced-based instructional methods
-Behavior management resources
The Southern Westchester BOCES Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the draft Code of Conduct linked below and anticipates adopting the 2022-23 Code of Conduct at its June 8, 2022, meeting. Pursuant to Commissioner's Regulations (Section 100.2 – General School Requirements, section L), this draft is made available for public comment at least 30 days prior to its adoption.
Please review the draft document at: https://www.swboces.org/draft_code_of_conduct_2223
Use the form found at that page to submit your comments or questions. Thank you for your input.
On Sunday, May 22, students from the Automotive Technology program, along with Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, and TV/Video and Sound Production programs, participated in the 8th annual Classic Car Show at the Southern Westchester BOCES’ Valhalla Careers Campus.
Garrett Jennings, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at SWBOCES’ Career Services Campus, has been named “Rookie of the Year” by the Work Experience Coordinators' Association.
Julia Olivera, a 45-year-old mother of three from White Plains, began the GED Exam Preparation course program in April 2022 and has made great progress. She wants to pursue accounting to help with her husband’s business as well as others in the Hispanic community where she sees a need for reliable support.
A veteran SWBOCES leader in special education has been honored by her peers across New York State for being among the best in her field. Phyllis Rizzi, principal at Tappan Hill School in Tarrytown, learned late last month in a letter from Regional Association of Supervisors & Administrators President Anthony Baxter that she had been named Administrator of the Year by the group’s parent organization, Empire State Association of Supervisors & Administrators.
“This well deserved acknowledgement is a tribute to the hard work you have expended over the years to ensure student and staff success,” Mr. Baxter wrote. Ms. Rizzi had an opportunity to express her gratitude recently at the regional group’s virtual meeting before addressing a statewide audience at ESSAA's Annual Gala on May 20 at the Sleepy Hollow Conference Center.
This week, the Southern Westchester BOCES’ Career Services Campus in Valhalla was adorned with artwork created by students in the Commercial Art and Architecture/Interior Design/3D Art programs. The annual event provides an opportunity for students to showcase their work as part of the CTE campus's annual Media Show.
Class of 2020 alumna Scarlett Cabrera is grateful for her decision to study Animal Science at Southern Westchester BOCES, saying the experience put her in position to pursue a range of career options.
Students in Kurt Boysen‘s Construction and Plumbing class on our Career Services campus in Valhalla built flowerbeds specially designed to be wheelchair-accessible for students who attend SWBOCES Center for Special Services programs at Tappan Hill School in Tarrytown.
Southern Westchester BOCES Career Services students who are participating in a recently launched Workplace Initiative Program showed off their skills on a recent morning visit to The Knolls residential facility. The innovative program places students with disabilities in real-world work environments so that they can apply the training and education they are receiving in the very kinds of settings where they’ll seek employment after graduation.
SWBOCES staff were happy to participate in Sunday's Walk4Hearing event presented by Hearing Loss Association of America at FDR Park in Yorktown. Pictured here are Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services James Gratto, Director of Special Services Andrea Byrne, Speech Language Pathologist Eileen McGarvey, and Teacher of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Melinda Pittis. The event featured opportunities to learn about resources and technologies, connect with others in the community and bring attention to the importance of hearing health. Learn more about Walk4Hearing at walk4hearing.org.
Two Career and Technical Education students from SWBOCES won medals at the recent SkillsUSA Spring Competition in Syracuse, where they faced off against top students from all over New York State. They did so with the support of a teacher who was named a finalist at the event for Advisor of the Year.
