School Safety and Facilities
Brandon A. Cruz, Supervisor
CoSer 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
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
Orton Gillingham Educator Course
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
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.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
via Zoom
NYSED Lead Evaluator Training (APPR) - MTSS/MTSS-I Framework
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.
*PLCS, in conversation with NYSED and in response to changes to APPR, has redesigned our Lead Evaluator Training Program. We have designed half-day three hour sessions that you can choose from to design your own Lead Evaluator program. These sessions meet NYSED expectations for APPR Lead Evaluator recertification.
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
PE/HE Consortium -The ABC's of SUD's: New Approach to Teaching Teens About Addiction
This workshop is designed to refresh your approaches and strategies for teaching about current trends in substance use, substance use disorders, treatment, and recovery. Participants will engage in activities that they can use with their students to bridge the "disconnect" between public opinion and scientific information regarding substance use content. Particular attention will be paid to activities that facilitate self reflection and recognition of individual perceptions, risk and protective factors, and stigma. Participants will also explore current resources and evidence-based practices that can be used to update and invigorate your current health education curriculum and offer possibilities for expanding your health elective offerings.
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
Orton Gillingham Educator Course
Center 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
Restorative Practices for School & District Leaders for RECOVS Mental Health Grant Consortium
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 Adam Weinstock (aweinstock@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)
A highly engaging Restorative Pedagogy will be utilized for the delivery of in-person instruction.Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
PE/HE Consortium - Mindfulness and PE Best Practice
In this session, we'll dive into incorporating mindfulness into physical education, focusing on a category I refer to as 'mindful movement,' which includes a unique set of transferable skills. We'll explore a variety of activities that are particularly effective for teaching mindfulness skills, such as karate, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and outdoor pursuits. In addition to discussing these core skills and teaching methods, we'll cover best practices in PE instruction, including assessment techniques and grouping strategies. By the end, we'll discuss practical approaches to refine your teaching and integrate mindfulness into a well-rounded, year-long curriculum map.
Center for Professional Learning and Curriculum Support -
SWBOCES - 450 Mamaroneck Avenue, 3rd floor, Harrison, NY
Restorative Practices 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 Adam Weinstock (aweinstock@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
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