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
-
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
2025-26 RECOVS MTSSI Lab: Understanding, Designing, and Implementing MTSS-I systems and structures
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
Attendance Matters: Initiatives for Student Success (included for 563 members)
This workshop is designed for school social workers, counselors, and psychologists to shift the paradigm on student attendance from a punitive approach to a preventative, supportive, and success-oriented one. Participants will learn how to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism and develop evidence-based, tiered interventions to ensure every student is present and engaged in learning.
Through data analysis, team-based planning, and collaborative discussion, participants will:
1. Analyze Attendance Data and Identify Root Causes
2. Implement Tiered Interventions
3. Strengthen Collaboration and Family Engagement
Participants will leave with a structured plan for implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for attendance and concrete tools to significantly reduce chronic absenteeism, fostering greater student engagement and success.
CEU available for school social workers, school psychologist and speech therapistCenter for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Restorative Practices for School & District Leaders for RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium (March 2026)
Please note that this training is limited to leaders 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 Maisha Campbell (mcampbell@swboces.org). Lori DeCarlo of Restorative Edge Consulting will lead this interactive training, which is essential for leaders who are bringing restorative practices to their schools/districts - to understand key principles of restorative practices and conditions for systemic implementation 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.
• Systemic considerations, including implementation science and discipline policies and practices (e.g. Codes of Conduct)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 Maisha Campbell (mcampbell@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 -
via Zoom
Northwell Mental Health PD -Building Resilience in Teens and Adolescents [Virtual]
This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of building resilience in teens and adolescents, a critical life skill that affects a young person's ability to cope with stress, overcome adversity, and thrive amidst life's challenges. Learn practical strategies to equip teens with essential coping skills, promote positive self-perception, and cultivate a growth mindset, thereby facilitating their personal growth and long-term well-being.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
PK-12 Literacy Study Group:Bridging the Science of Reading 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.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
The IDEA Exchange (Inspired by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Special education leadership comes with unique challenges, requiring collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. The I.D.E.A. Exchange is responsively designed for special education leaders to engage in open, guided discussions on the most pressing topics in the field. Each session will center around a key theme-ranging from MTSS integration to family partnerships-while allowing participants to share experiences, problem-solve, and build a network of support. Whether you're a director, coordinator, or instructional leader, this space will empower you with fresh insights, practical strategies, and a collaborative professional community.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
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.
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.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
LETRS for Elementary Educators- Volume 1
LETRS is professional learning for elementary educators that invests in teachers' literacy knowledge and professional practice. Teachers gain essential knowledge to master the fundamentals of literacy instruction required to transform student learning. This program is recommended for educators with kindergarten through third- grade students and educators with students working toward proficiency in fourth and fifth grade. LETRS fills gaps in teacher preparation education by covering all layers of language organization (phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, semantics) and their relevance for teaching reading, spelling, writing, and oral language. All participant materials are included. This course is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association ®
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
PE/HE Consortium:Lesson Rx - Project based Prescriptions for Health Ed
This workshop equips health educators with ready-to-use, project-based learning experiences designed to engage students and deepen their understanding of key health topics. Drawing from years of classroom practice, participants will explore a variety of innovative projects that aim to promote student voice, critical thinking, and real-world application. Educators will leave with practical tools and adaptable projects to energize their health ed curriculum.
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
