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
Southern Westchester BOCES: Union Catalog and ILL Workshop (VIRTUAL)
Are you making the most of your library's access to the Union Catalog and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system? Join us for this engaging, interactive workshop where you'll discover how to navigate the Union Catalog, set up user permissions, and streamline your library's resource-sharing capabilities! Whether you're new to the system or looking for best practices to improve efficiency, this workshop will provide practical skills and insider tips to help you optimize your library's resource-sharing potential. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance access, expand collections, and better serve your patrons
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
PK-12 Literacy Study Group: Bringing NYSED's Literacy Initiative and SOR into Practice
In response to NYSED'S Literacy Initiative, the Science of Reading and meeting students' academic needs, this study group will provide a recurring opportunity to convene with colleagues to collaborate around leading for literacy and the systemic and classroom-based practices that will support all students' literacy development. As schools and districts pursue similar aims and navigate similar obstacles, space for reflecting on and sharing practices and navigating challenges can serve as a forum for mutual support. During the sessions, time for grade level focus work groups (Elementary and Secondary) will be built in.
We welcome teams of teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, reading specialists, department chairs, and all for whom literacy instruction is integral, to join us as leaders of literacy.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
PE/HE Consortium: Peer Leaders in Health Education
This workshop will provide an outline for incorporating student leadership in the health education curriculum at the high school level.
The presenter, Doug Carpenter, has taught high school health education in Hudson Valley for 17 years. He is currently the health education teacher and peer leadership coordinator at Byram Hills High School.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Librarians Unite: Establishing Our Community Forum (MEET-UP)
Join us for an engaging and collaborative session designed to bring school librarians together to establish a vibrant community forum! This meetup aims to create a supportive network for librarians to share ideas, resources, and best practices. During this session, participants will discuss the vision and goals for the community form, exploring topics that matter most to our libraries and the students we serve. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, voice their needs, and contribute to the development of a forum that fosters collaboration and innovation in library services. Through interactive discussions and brainstorming activities, we will outline the structure and focus areas of our forum, ensuring it becomes a valuable space for professional growth , problem solving, and advocacy. Together, we will empower each other to enhance our library programs and create inclusive, engaging learning environments for all students. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow librarians, build lasting relationships, and lay the groundwork for a thriving community forum that supports our collective mission. Let's unite and make a difference in our schools-together!
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
Youth Mental Health First Aid for RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium
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.• Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Youth Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Restorative Practices Educator Training for RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium
Please note that this training is limited to 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, please contact Adam Weinstock (aweinstock@swboces.org). Lori DeCarlo of Restorative Edge Consulting will lead this interactive series to provide training to educators in the use of restorative practices designed to support social-emotional learning and mental health.
The training will focus on:
• Restorative practices as a trauma-informed approach for creating a culture of belonging, safety, and inclusion
• Responsive restorative practices, including Affective Communication/Non-Violent Communication, Tier 2 Whole Group Responsive Circles, and Tier 2 Restorative Circles to respond to specific incidents of harm.
• Restorative Discipline: how to embed restorative practices into discipline, including:
---Creating a restorative classroom as an alternative to out of school suspension,
---Exploring how to use a restorative intervention known as the 5 Step Plan,
---Learning how to facilitate a Tier 3 Restorative Conferences for serious disciplinary incidents,
---Learning how to facilitate a Welcome Back & Re-Entry Circle for students returning from an out of school suspension.A highly engaging Restorative Pedagogy will be utilized for the delivery of in-person instruction.
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 -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Restorative Practices Educator Training for RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium
Please note that this training is limited to 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, please contact Adam Weinstock (aweinstock@swboces.org). Lori DeCarlo of Restorative Edge Consulting will lead this interactive series to provide training to educators in the use of restorative practices designed to support social-emotional learning and mental health.
The training will focus on:
• Restorative practices as a trauma-informed approach for creating a culture of belonging, safety, and inclusion
• Responsive restorative practices, including Affective Communication/Non-Violent Communication, Tier 2 Whole Group Responsive Circles, and Tier 2 Restorative Circles to respond to specific incidents of harm.
• Restorative Discipline: how to embed restorative practices into discipline, including:
---Creating a restorative classroom as an alternative to out of school suspension,
---Exploring how to use a restorative intervention known as the 5 Step Plan,
---Learning how to facilitate a Tier 3 Restorative Conferences for serious disciplinary incidents,
---Learning how to facilitate a Welcome Back & Re-Entry Circle for students returning from an out of school suspension.A highly engaging Restorative Pedagogy will be utilized for the delivery of in-person instruction.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
SLS Council Meeting
The School Library System Council is responsible for developing and approving the Plan of Service; is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Plan of Service; 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 a committee.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
504 Chairperson Training
This professional learning is focused on the facilitation of 504 meetings and the implementation of 504 plans for those who serve as Chairpersons for 504 Committee Meetings.
Professional learning will include the following areas:1. Legal Foundations and Compliance Overview of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
2. Roles and Responsibilities
3. 504 Plan Development
4. Meeting Facilitation and Parent Engagement
5. Monitoring and Review
6. Intersection with Other School Supports
7. Cultural Competence and Equity 8. Resource ReviewCenter 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
