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
Science Investigation (Biology). Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: For the Birds -Designing Solutions
This one-day session focuses on Science Investigation (Biology). Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: For the Birds -Designing Solutions.
This Investigation for the Regents Examinations in Life Science: Biology is a hands-on laboratory experience that prepares students for the new Regents Examinations to be administered in June 2025. (This is 3 of 3 Science Investigations: Biology).
Participants in this one-day session will: experience this Investigation both as a teacher and student; simulate the collision between a bird in flight with a glass window; collaborate to design, evaluate, and refine a window screen that could be used to reduce the force of this impact and bird mortality; construct a data table(s) that will be used to organize the data collected evaluate the results of this simulation and determine the effectiveness of the solution; refine the solution to further optimize its effectiveness; deepen their understanding of NYSED's expectations for the new Regents' exam in Life Science: Biology.
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
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 resourcesCenter for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Early Learning (PK-3) Educators Network
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
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 -
via Zoom
Facing History's Approach to Teaching ELA
In this virtual session, Facing History* will introduce educators to its approach to teaching secondary English Language Arts (ELA) that can be used to support common instructional formats: text sets, whole-class reads, and book clubs.
*Facing History & Ourselves focuses on equipping schools, districts, and teachers with the tools they need to shape the future by nurturing empathy, curiosity, and civic responsibility in young people.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Science Investigation (Biology). Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: For the Birds -Designing Solutions
This one-day session focuses on Science Investigation (Biology). Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: For the Birds -Designing Solutions.
This Investigation for the Regents Examinations in Life Science: Biology is a hands-on laboratory experience that prepares students for the new Regents Examinations to be administered in June 2025. (This is 3 of 3 Science Investigations: Biology).
Participants in this one-day session will: experience this Investigation both as a teacher and student; simulate the collision between a bird in flight with a glass window; collaborate to design, evaluate, and refine a window screen that could be used to reduce the force of this impact and bird mortality; construct a data table(s) that will be used to organize the data collected evaluate the results of this simulation and determine the effectiveness of the solution; refine the solution to further optimize its effectiveness; deepen their understanding of NYSED's expectations for the new Regents' exam in Life Science: Biology.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Advancing Reading Engagement & Comprehension in Middle & High School Classrooms (Aligned to NYS Literacy Briefs)
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
Meet-Up: Fostering Engagement & Independence with Making Thinking Visible (MTV)
Making Thinking Visible (MTV) catalyzes High Impact Practices recommended across content areas, per the NYS Literacy Briefs and Advanced Literacy instruction. Visible thinking routines can support engagement and learning, helping illuminate the content and process of thinking, while supporting entry points for all students. Come learn about the why, what, and how of MTV to determine what you can bring back to your school tomorrow - and beyond.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
Critical Media Literacy in the Age of AI (via Zoom)
Students today are faced with unprecedented challenges in determining fact from fake, as they are bombarded with misinformation and disinformation through conventional and social media. As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced and prevalent, these challenges grow more difficult and complex. In this session, educators will explore trusted, content-rich resources, including Britannica School's curated resource packs and lesson plans that support student research, media literacy fundamentals, misinformation and disinformation concepts, and action plans to determine fact from fake.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Advancing Inclusive School Communities
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 EnvironmentsCenter 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
