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
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
Supporting Diverse Learners: Understanding Disabilities and Building Inclusive Schools
This professional development session is designed to deepen the understanding of school social workers, counselors, and psychologists regarding diverse learning needs and strengthen their ability to create truly inclusive, supportive learning environments for all students. Participants will explore practical, evidence-based strategies to address the complex academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students with disabilities, focusing on collaboration with teachers, families, and administrators to promote belonging, equity, and success in the classroom and school community.
Through interactive discussion, analysis of case studies, and collaborative reflection, participants will:
1. Build Foundational Knowledge of Diverse Learners
2. Address Complex Needs
3. Facilitate Inclusive Social-Emotional Growth
4. Promote Collaboration and Family Partnership
Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources and communication strategies to champion the needs of diverse learners and build inclusive, compassionate school settings where all students, regardless of ability, can thrive.
CEU available for school social workers, school psychologist and speech therapist
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
SLS- OPALS User Group
Join fellow librarians for an engaging OPALS User Group session designed to foster collaboration, share best practices, and explore new features and updates in the OPALS library automation system. Whether you're a seasoned OPALS user or getting started, this session offers a space to connect with peers, troubleshoot challenges, and maximize the impact of your library program. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, showcase creative uses of OPALS in their schools, and contribute to a growing community of support and innovatio
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
PE/HE Consortium:Star Themes and Theatrics: Using Thematics and Theatrics in Units in Adapted or Elementary Physical Education
1. Create Theme based Units or events in Elementary Physical Education to bring a school community together
2. Set up a Physical Education space for safety so students can engage in the activities
3. Identify Resources or Props that they can use to different skills and adapt them to different student based stations Why Important? In Schools Teachers need to reinforce Physical Education with themes such as literacy, storytelling, health concepts or sports in putting together special events or themes. Teachers can develop strategies to help students learn as well as help bring about community involvement and parent engagement.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
Northwell Mental Health PD - Adjustment Disorders for ENL Students [Virtual]
This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of adjustment disorders in English as a New Language (ENL) students, a challenge that arises from the cultural, linguistic, and social transitions experienced by students newly arrived, affecting their emotional well-being, academic performance, and social integration. Learn strategies to identify the manifestations of adjustment difficulties in ENL students, implement culturally responsive interventions, and facilitate their successful integration into the school community.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
Northwell Mental Health PD - Project ECHO - ADHD [Virtual]
Using the Project ECHO model these sessions will provide expert guidance and review of cases (deidentified) and focus on facilitating open discussions and fostering collaborative team learning, sharing expertise and a teach all learn all model.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Launching the Seal of Civic Readiness
New York State's Civic Readiness Initiative embodies what we value most about our students' learning and development - that they're prepared with the skills, knowledge, mindsets, and experiences to participate meaningfully in the communities they're a part of in their lives. Further, the Seal of Civic Readiness is both a graduation pathway and a reflection of attributes of the Portrait of a Graduate that aims to define our priorities for when our students complete high school.
In this session, come learn about the components of the Civic Readiness Initiative and the Seal of Civic Readiness. Then, consider what's needed to offer the Seal of Civic Readiness in your high school. Participants will then be guided to apply these ideas to their own context and come away with clear next steps for launching the Seal of Civic Readiness.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Early Learning (PK-3) Educators Network
Our early learning network has a new look! We will meet in person at the Center for Professional Learning and visit host schools to engage in learning walks focused on Early Learning.
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 including 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
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 in the last 12-18 months are eligible to participate in the Refresher Training. 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 -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
2025-26 DEI Leaders' Action Network: Advancing Equity Through the NYSED Portrait of a Graduate
Join a powerful network of school district teams committed to advancing equity, and access in ways that transform classrooms and communities. This year, we will ground our work in Liz Kleinrock's Start Here, Start Now and connect its practical strategies directly to the New York State Portrait of a Graduate.
Over five full-day sessions, district teams will:
1.Engage in deep professional learning on equity-centered leadership and culturally responsive-sustaining practices.
2. Participate in guided book study discussions and collaborative activities that link Start Here, Start Now to Portrait of a Graduate attributes.
3. Design and refine a district-specific DEI initiative anchored to one of the six Portrait attributes.
4. Receive targeted support and coaching to move from concept to actionable implementation.
5. Showcase their work and leave with a clear action plan for 2026-2027.
By the end of the year, each team will have:
-Selected a Portrait of a Graduate attribute to anchor their DEI work.
-Designed and tested a district-specific initiative that advances equity and belonging in their school community.
-Developed stakeholder engagement and sustainability strategies to ensure lasting impact.
-Built strong cross-district connections to share resources, successes, and lessons learned.Each participating district is strongly encouraged to register as a team of at least two members and up to 5.
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
