Southern Westchester BOCES

News from Our Campuses

• Dog training demonstration

  Meet Kara and Havoc, guests who demonstrated dog training techniques to the Animal Sciences classes.

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• EMS students participate in hospital drill

  EMS students participated in a drill at the Westchester Medical Center as part of a service learning activity.

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Center for Special Services Welcomes New Assistant Director

  Andrea Byrne is the new Center for Special Services assistant director. She is veteran educator with 25 years of experience. Ms. Byrne, who started the job last summer, said her new colleagues are enthusiastic and work hard to support students, communicate with families and help children grow.

  News Feed - Center for Special Services

• Port Chester resident with several years school trustee experience joins SWBOCES Board of Education

  The Southern Westchester BOCES Board of Education has appointed Robert Johnson of Port Chester as it newest member. Mr. Johnson was sworn in prior to the board’s Dec. 10 meeting. He will be eligible to seek reelection to a full three-year term in the spring.

  “I’m looking forward to working hard to bring the best services possible to the students of our region,” he said.

  Mr. Johnson is a trustee of the Mount Pleasant Cottage School Board of Education. From 2011 to 2017, he was a trustee of the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District Board of Education. He served as vice president of that board in 2014-15 and president in 2015-16.

  Since 2007 he has taught chemistry and physics at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn. He has also been a producer/host with WPKN in Bridgeport, Conn., for 40 years and has held the same role with White Plains Community Media since 2016. He is a board member of the nonprofit Ripple Effect Artists in New York City

  He holds a master’s degree in teaching from Lehman College and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Sacred Heart University. He is married to Dr. Michaele Goodman, a psychologist in private practice. They have a son, Ari, who is a senior at Port Chester High School.

  News Feed - Southern Westchester BOCES

• SWBOCES hosts regional forum on mental health in our schools

  Some 85 educators and mental health professionals turned out at our Harrison training center for “Accessing Community Health Resources to Support Mental Health in Our Schools.” 

  The regional mental health forum was convened to examine current  trends in the behavioral health of students and available resources to support work in schools.

  Michael Orth, Westchester‘s Commissioner of Community Mental Health, W. Andrew Mullane, Westchester Jewish Community Services' Regional Director for Behavioral Health Services and Coordinator of Substance Use Treatment for Southern Westchester County, and Stephanie Marquesano, president of The Harris Project, led the conversation.

  Marquesano, whose son died of a drug overdose at 19, has campaigned to raise awareness of youths struggling with substance-use and mental-health disorders. She tells her family’s story to effect change and  to educate young people and inspire them to take action.

   

  "I knew that when he died, I wanted to be more than just a mom with a story," Ms. Marquesano said. "I wanted to be able to empower young people to know what paths to choose."

   

  News Feed - Southern Westchester BOCES

• A visit to Broadway

  Audio students in Sean Harty's classes get a behind the scenes look at a theater.

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Statement on the vote to amend the Section One constitution

  With the passing of a Friday, Dec. 7, closing date for voting on proposed amendments to the Section One constitution, the section’s ad hoc Constitution Committee will continue to seek input from member districts.

  We are pleased with the progress of the collaborative process to date as well as the support displayed by a majority of member districts that voted in favor of the proposed amendments. That support, while falling short of the supermajority necessary to enact changes, demonstrates that the process is moving in the right direction. The committee continues to strive to meet the needs and expectations of our district partners.

  The Constitution Committee will continue to meet as needed to collaborate with, and hear feedback directly from, district stakeholders. Upon the receipt of this information, the committee will reconvene and consider the specific, detailed input that is needed. The Constitution Committee will present member schools with a revised document this winter for a new ballot referendum.

  News Feed - Southern Westchester BOCES

• SEPTA to ring in the season with annual Holiday Party 12/13 at Rye Lake Campus

  The Southern Westchester BOCES Special Education PTA's annual Holiday Celebration for students and families is Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at the Rye Lake Campus, 1606  Old Orchard St., White Plains. Please see the attached flyer for all the details. We hope to see you there!
  

  News Feed - Center for Special Services

• All About Ovarian Cancer: What Nurses Need To Know

  On Tuesday, Dec. 11, Southern Westchester BOCES Practical Nursing Program will host a presentation by Yorktown-based Support Connection, "All About Ovarian Cancer: What Nurses Need to Know."

  Students currently enrolled in the program will hear directly from a survivor, who will share her powerful personal story, including how her cancer was found and successfully treated and critical information such as symptoms to look for and questions to ask patients,.

  Ovarian cancer is often called “the disease that whispers.” The symptoms are subtle and hard to recognize, and there is no routine screening test.  If ovarian cancer is found and treated before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%. However, only 20% of all ovarian cancers are found at this early stage.

  Nurses and other medical professionals who interact closely with patients and listen for symptoms can be the key to early detection and survival.

  Support Connection is a not-for-profit organization that provides free support services to women and families dealing with breast and ovarian cancer. Learn more at www.supportconnection.org.

  News Feed - Center for Adult and Community Services

• Careers student creates anti-bullying short film

  TV/Video Production student Sebastian DiGirolomo created a thought-provoking and impactful short film on the important topic of bullying. Have a look and share your thoughts.

   

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Where to find SWBOCES notices about delays, closings and dismissals

  With the increasing chance of inclement winter weather, please note there are a number of media sources where announcements about closings, delays and dismissals are made.

  These include:

  • An alert posted to the Southern Westchester BOCES website   
  • News 12 Westchester's website http://westchester.news12.com/ . Note: SWBOCES information usually does not scroll on the bottom of this news channel.
  • WHUD – 100.7 FM — Storm Center updates are scheduled by the station to be read on air at the top and bottom of every hour.
  • The WHUD online Storm Center: http://www.pamal.com/stormcenter/whud.php
  • FiOS1 News — Go to http://www.fios1news.com/lowerhudsonvalley  and  click on the "Weather" tab at the top of the page. Then click on “View school closings." 

  Southern Westchester BOCES

• Students create costumes

  The students spent several weeks measuring, cutting and sewing, many learning new skills on the spot, after being asked to create costumes for the North Salem High School Drama Department production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Read the latest Tools of the Trade!

  The Fall edition of our quarterly campus newsletter, Tools of the Trade, is out! Click here to read about all the great things going on around the Careers campus!

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Student to attend Syracuse University to play basketball

  Career student Teisha Hyman was awarded a scholarship to play basketball at Syracuse University.

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• SWBOCES staff dig deep to help neighbors in need this Thanksgiving

  Once again, fundraising efforts among SWBOCES staff helped provide a dozen meals to Westchester families in need this Thanksgiving. 

  News Feed - Center for Professional Development & Curriculum Support

• Happy Thanksgiving to all!

  SWBOCES classes, offices and programs will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from noon Thursday, Nov. 21, through the weekend. We will reopen Monday, Nov. 26. We wish our entire community a Happy Thanksgiving! 

  Southern Westchester BOCES

• Trip to SUNY campus allows Careers students to explore options

  It was an early morning for 41 students and 5 staff members at the BOCES Center for Career Services. They were on the road at 7 a.m. on Nov. 13 for one of several college exploratory trips that are planned throughout the school year according to School Counselor Maynor Loria.

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Veteran educator named new LHRIC Executive Director

  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.  

  News Feed - LHRIC Instructional Technology

• Students for a day

  Read about how Career Center Staff had the experience of being a student for a day during their recent Professional Development Day.

  News Feed - Center for Career Services 2018-19

• Support the SEPTA at our book fair at Barnes & Noble Nov. 10 & 11

  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!

  News Feed - Center for Special Services