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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SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Advancing Reading Engagement & Comprehension in Middle & High School Classrooms (Aligned to NYS Literacy Briefs)
Instructor: Adam Weinstock
While students are often expected to comprehend texts in their middle and high school classes, even students who can name every word may not be reading actively or making sense of the texts they're given.
How do we support students' engagement with text and reading comprehension across content areas in secondary classrooms, in alignment with the Science of Reading?
This session will share and engage participants in strategies that help students think more deeply both about how and what they read, from think-alouds and metacognitive reflection to visible thinking routines and protocols for activating reading strategies.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
Secondary Literacy Study Group: Bringing NYSED's Literacy Initiative and SOR into Practice
Instructor: Dr. Hope Weinberg
Between NYSED launching its Literacy Initiative and publishing seven Literacy Briefs in January and ongoing attention to 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 serveas a forum for mutual support.
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 -
via Zoom
SLS Elementary School Librarians Forum
Register through My Learning Plan here
Join your fellow elementary school librarians in the Southern Westchester Region to discuss issues that impact your teaching, library program, and school community. Librarians are encouraged to submit topics of interest as we co-create our monthly agenda together. For questions regarding this activity, please contact aprice-gordon@swboces.org.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
SLS Secondary School Librarians Forum
Register through My Learning Plan here
Join your fellow secondary school librarians in the Southern Westchester Region to discuss issues that impact your teaching, library, and school community. Librarians are encouraged to submit topics of interest as we co-create our monthly agenda together
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
The Science of Reading: Pedagogy into Practice Book Club
Instructor: Dr. Hope Weinberg
In an effort to school ourselves, we need to engage in deep learning about the body of research known as the Science of Reading. (The Reading League, 2022)
Together, let's explore how to make small changes that have a big impact on our students. In the book 7 Mighty Moves: Research-backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-3 Reading Success By: Lindsay Kemeny, we will explore seven ways K-3 teachers can modify what they are currently doing to transform their reading instruction with strategies connected to the Science of Reading.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
Building Leadership Capacity - Ongoing Training for Those Who Observe Teachers
This series is for continuing administrators who will be evaluating teachers and have previously completed the initial Lead Evaluator certification training; the training can be used by districts as evidence for recertification. Participants will develop skills in evidence-based observation and feedback, as well as thoughtful coaching conversations that promote teacher reflection, in order to support improved instructional practice and professional growth. Using a lens of equity in the evaluation process will be discussed, and APPR updates from the state will be shared during the training.
During the sessions, participants should have access to a copy of the rubric being used in their district for teacher evaluation.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy: Orton Gillingham Educator Training
Offered through the Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy, Classroom Educator Training introduces participants to the fundamental elements of an Orton-Gillingham based approach characterized by explicit teaching of foundational literacy skills. The course includes an introduction to phonology and basic phonics, and focuses on instruction to promote fluency, vocabulary acquisition, and an understanding of the structure of the language. The content includes information on dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, strategies for multisensory instruction, using assessment results for small/large group lessons, and planning an Orton-Gillingham lesson. The scientifically based methodology is explicit, interactive, diagnostic, multisensory, and integrated. The course is designed for general and special-education teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists, and speech and reading specialists, and is recommended for instructional assistants and tutors.
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of course completion from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practioners and Educators. Attendance at all sessions is required. Materials will be included. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the start of the course.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
Building Leadership Capacity - Ongoing Training for Those Who Observe Teachers
This series is for continuing administrators who will be evaluating teachers and have previously completed the initial Lead Evaluator certification training; the training can be used by districts as evidence for recertification. Participants will develop skills in evidence-based observation and feedback, as well as thoughtful coaching conversations that promote teacher reflection, in order to support improved instructional practice and professional growth. Using a lens of equity in the evaluation process will be discussed, and APPR updates from the state will be shared during the training.
During the sessions, participants should have access to a copy of the rubric being used in their district for teacher evaluation.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy: Orton Gillingham Educator Training
Offered through the Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy, Classroom Educator Training introduces participants to the fundamental elements of an Orton-Gillingham based approach characterized by explicit teaching of foundational literacy skills. The course includes an introduction to phonology and basic phonics, and focuses on instruction to promote fluency, vocabulary acquisition, and an understanding of the structure of the language. The content includes information on dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, strategies for multisensory instruction, using assessment results for small/large group lessons, and planning an Orton-Gillingham lesson. The scientifically based methodology is explicit, interactive, diagnostic, multisensory, and integrated. The course is designed for general and special-education teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists, and speech and reading specialists, and is recommended for instructional assistants and tutors.
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of course completion from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practioners and Educators. Attendance at all sessions is required. Materials will be included. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the start of the course.
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 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. If you have further questions regarding the course, please contact Brandon Cruz via email at bcruz@swboces.org.
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.
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
