Westchester Hills School 29 honored

Westchester Hills School 29 at 47 Croydon Road in Yonkers is the latest public school in the city to receive Mayor Mike Spano”™s School Spotlight Award. The school was honored for being an inclusive learning environment that allows students from all backgrounds, learning styles and abilities to be successful.

“Westchester Hills School 29 continues to place a strong focus on the overall quality of education for our students by placing a strong emphasis on providing an inclusive learning environment,” Spano said. “I commend Principal Steven Murphy, as well as the administrators, teachers and staff for ensuring every child feels safe and has a sense of belonging.”

The school has 16 self-contained classes for students on the Autism spectrum, as well as Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classes from grades three through eight. ICT brings together children with special educational needs while also providing a regular curriculum. ICT classes have a special education teacher along with one for regular content. The school has full-time art and music therapy in addition to adaptive physical education. Students can receive services in speech along with occupational and physical therapy in partnership with Saint Joseph”™s Medical Center in Yonkers.

Edwin M. Quezada, the city’s superintendent of schools, said, “Over the past eight years, we have done significant work to bring our Special Education students back to schools in the district. We have increased the number of classes for students on the Autism spectrum from 14 classes to 41 classes in nine schools. This speaks volumes about our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts throughout the district.”

“During my many visits to the school, it is clear that this outstanding staff is focused on student achievement and welcomes parent as partners,” noted Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez.