School Safety and Facilities

Brandon A. Cruz, Supervisor

Brandon CruzCoSer 644 provides training, consultation and technical assistance to create and maintain an educational environment that is a model for workplace safety and best practices. We  work directly with districts to handle matters of compliance with regulatory requirements and SAVE legislation.  

School Safety & Facilities
(914) 345-8500, Ext. 3167
bcruz@swboces.org

Events coming up

  • SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY

    Early Learning (PK-3) Educators Network

    Register here.

    Join us for collaborative learning experiences with colleagues who are dedicated to enhancing the educational experiences of Early Learners (PK-3) across all content areas. Together we will explore best practices, theories, and innovative approaches to early childhood education. Members of the group will engage in activities such as sharing resources, analyzing current research, developing curriculum strategies, and reflecting on their teaching methods. We welcome teams of teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, early learning specialists, department chairs, and all who support Early Learning.

    Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support
  • SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY

    2024-25 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leaders' Action Network

    Register here

    This professional learning workshop is designed to support school district teams in identifying, developing, and executing an initiative to create equitable systems within their districts. The Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Education Framework, will anchor our work to - "create student-centered learning environments that: affirm racial, linguistic and cultural identities; prepare students for rigor and independent learning; develop students' abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; and empower students as agents of social change.” Each participating district is strongly encouraged to register as a team of at least two members and up to 5. Together, participants will LEARN, SHARE and ACT on a new initiative or grow an existing one, that supports your district's vision to create inclusive school communities. We will provide strategies and support to help build a solid foundation for successful implementation. The intentional collaboration among various stakeholders ensures that this work is a shared responsibility, reinforcing the idea that creating equitable educational environments is a collective effort.

    Network Goals:
    - Ground our work in NYSED's CRSE Framework and NYSED's DEI Policy
    - Identify an area of focus and implement action steps to support your district's DEI initiative
    - Contribute to Network resources

     

    Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support
  • SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY

    Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Initial Certification Training

    Register here.

    Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® provides your staff with the skills to safely recognize and respond to everyday crisis situations that may involve more challenging behaviors. NCI™ training is designed to help you achieve compliance with current legislative initiatives and best practices.

    Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support
  • SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY

    Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Initial Certification Training

    Register here.

    Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® provides your staff with the skills to safely recognize and respond to everyday crisis situations that may involve more challenging behaviors. NCI™ training is designed to help you achieve compliance with current legislative initiatives and best practices.

    Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support
  • SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY

    SLS Collection Development Collegial Circle

    Register here.

    Join us for five sessions focused on a different area of diverse collection development. Each session will be two hours in length. The first part of the session will be educational in nature with participants learning about new books that have been published, how to find high-quality engaging literature, and identifying ways to continue to identify diverse books. Time will also be spent developing cultural competence with a critical eye towards eliminating problematic titles from current collections. The second part of the workshop will give participants time to create booklists, develop promotional plans, and work on their collection development with colleagues.

    Areas of focus:

    Session 1 - Native American
    Session 2 - Black/African American
    Session 3 - AAPI
    Session 4 - LGBTQ
    Session 5 - Hispanic/Latino

    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

    Register here

    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

    Advancing Inclusive School Communities

    Register here.

    The Advancing Inclusive School Communities learning series is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to create environments where all students feel valued, respected, and supported. Throughout the series, participants will explore strategies for integrating diverse perspectives to create welcome and affirming environments, implement culturally responsive teaching methods, and develop an Equity Lens approach to teaching and leadership.

    Session 1: Framing DEI in Prek-12 Setting- Getting to the WHY?
    Session 2: Unpacking Identity and Its Impact on Interpersonal Relationships
    Session 3: Introduction to Restorative Practices: A Tool to Build Community
    Session 4: Utilizing NYSED Tools to Create Welcoming and Affirming Environments

    Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support
  • via Zoom

    Youth Mental Health First Aid for RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium

    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.
    • 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

    RECOVS MTSSI Lab: Understanding, Designing, and Implementing MTSS-I systems and structures

    Register here.

    District MTSSi teams from SWBOCES's RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium will meet to discuss and collaborate around grant implementation through the lens of MTSS. Together, we will collaboratively explore the components of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Guided by the NYSED MTSS-I Pilot, we will investigate and design systems and structures. Our focus will be on exploring effective implementation strategies and utilizing data to enhance school and district practices. This group aims to share experiences, best practices, and develop tools to empower faculty and staff in meeting the unique needs of every student through the structures and guidelines provided by the RECOVS Mental Health Grant.

    Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support
  • SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY

    SLS Council Meeting

    Register here.

    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
View Monthly Calendar

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.

 

NYSED logo

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