School Safety and Facilities
Brandon A. Cruz, Supervisor
School Safety & Facilities
(914) 345-8500, Ext. 3167
bcruz@swboces.org
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention®
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training provides your educators with the skills to safely recognize and respond to everyday crisis situations. You will learn to:
- Minimize Physical Interventions
- Recognize & Respond to Defensive Behaviors
- Understand What’s Behind the Behavior
- Address the Needs of the Individual
Regional Crisis Response Team
The SWBOCES Regional Crisis Response Team (RCRT) supports school districts after a crisis by providing Consultation, Counseling, Debriefing, and Support. A crisis can be a natural disaster, the passing of an individual within your school community, or a distant event that has a deep effect on students and staff. More information about the becoming an RCRT member or accessing services is available on the RCRT Resources Page
Coronavirus Resources
Southern Westchester BOCES has assembled and shared reliable resources about the COVID-19 outbreak since early in the pandemic. Our Coronavirus Resources Page is a continuously updated repository of information and guidance from medical professionals and public health officials, curated to inform and protect the health and safety of our community.
Events coming up
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via Zoom
NYSED Lead Evaluator Training (APPR) - MTSS/MTSS-I Framework (Virtual)
This professional learning experience focuses on integrating key educational standards and frameworks, including the 9 NYSED Required Elements of Evaluator Professional Learning Programs (APPR), PSEL standards, MPPR, and the Danielson Framework, within the context of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Participants will review the core components of MTSS, examine the NYSED MTSSi Pilot, and identify and organize existing academic and social-emotional learning (SEL) practices within the MTSS framework. Additionally, they will develop actionable steps to enhance MTSS/MTSSi practices from the perspectives of both School Leaders and District Leaders within their schools.
*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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
Mandated Training
The Mandated Training Link above lists School Safety training mandates and Facilities requirements for all NYS schools and districts. Please refer to the link and to our Training and Services listed below.
Regional Facilities News
Southern Westchester BOCES is proud to partner with the Southeastern Chapter of the New York State School Facilities Association (NYSSFA). Please use the links below to find the NYSSFA meeting calendar and training information.
NYSSFA Calendar
NYSSFA Training Opportunities
School Safety Training
- Active Shooter Training
- Building Level Emergency Response Planning
- CPR/AED
- Crisis Response Training
- DASA/Violence Prevention refreshers
- Develop Crisis Plans
- Incident Command Management
- Lockdown Emergency Training
- New Building Emergency Plan Template
- Risk Assessments
- Safety Audits
- Table Top Exercises
Facilities/Compliance
- Asbestos testing and training
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Chemical Hygiene Plan Development
- Chemical and Petroleum Storage
- Cooling Towers Inspections
- CPR/AED
- Fire Inspections
- Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Lockout/Tagout
- Playground and Gymnasium Inspections
- Right to Know
- Underground Storage Tank Programs
- Water Testing
