Virtual Graduation Ceremony
Honors Class of 2020
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On May 20, 2020, students from special education classrooms in Northampton and Monroe counties celebrated their accomplishments from their time in Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 programs.
This year’s graduation ceremony was held virtually and live streamed on YouTube due to safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 1,000 people tuned in. Dr. Christopher Wolfel, Executive Director, and student speaker, Jay-Jay Savercool, Wilson Area School District, were at the CIU 20 central office, while all others logged in from their homes.
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The class of 2020 is comprised of students representing twelve school districts served by Colonial IU 20: Bangor Area, Bethlehem Area, East Stroudsburg Area, Easton Area, Nazareth Area, Northampton Area, Pen Argyl Area, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain, Saucon Valley, Stroudsburg Area, and Wilson Area. Graduates also have the opportunity to participate in their home school district’s graduation ceremony.
In Dr. Wolfel’s address to the graduates he said, “I am sure we all felt disappointment and still do with what COVID-19 has done to our lives. Yet, somehow we have pulled together. COVID-19 symbolizes not something negative, but just another obstacle that was in the road on your path to your success. As you have done for many years and many times before, you have met challenges and barriers in your life head on, and you have triumphed."
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A Special Delivery for Graduates
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The day before the ceremony, Dr. Wolfel along with Director of Special Education, Jackie Bartek, and other Colonial IU 20 team members traveled to the graduates’ homes via school bus to deliver caps, gowns, tassels, diplomas and balloons in preparation. See the video below for highlights of this special moment for families.
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Colonial IU 20 Participates in
Statewide PBS Broadcast
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Director of RESOLVE Behavioral Health Services, Jim McDonald, participated as a panelist on the PBS39 program titled "Coping During COVID-19: Children and Trauma." The May 14th broadcast was shown on all PBS affiliates across the Commonwealth and focused on how our children’s culture and mental health have been impacted by COVID-19.
Topics included: how families and organizations are working to build resilience, how they’re addressing barriers to equitable access and reducing the adverse effects of this global crisis.
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Colonial IU 20 Partners with WLEV for Prom
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Colonial IU 20 held this year's prom "At Home and on the Radio," thanks to a partnership with WLEV 100.7. On May 8, 2020, CIU 20 families and staff were invited to tune into WLEV's listening platforms and enjoy music and special shout-outs from 7 p.m. until midnight.
CIU 20 also hosted a private Zoom meeting where current prom-age students could spend time with their peers and listen to WLEV together. This year's prom king was Jay-Jay Savercool and the prom queen was Christina Dawn Llewellyn.
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Telehealth Services Provide Continuity for RESOLVE Behavioral Health Programs
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At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, CIU 20 rolled out telehealth services across four RESOLVE Behavioral Health programs: Partial Hospitalization, Outpatient, Intensive Behavioral Health Services, and Therapeutic Emotional Support. Supervisors created a sustainable plan for extended ongoing support to staff and families during the school closure through safety plans, wellness checks, and other continued support for students, families, and the community.
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“You are doing an amazing job given all these circumstances. I am so glad we have this and I can tell everyone is trying so hard for the kids.”
~ Parent Quote
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Each department is continuing to offer their services through a virtual platform. Staff, students, and their families are able to continue mental health services such as group therapy, individual and family sessions, as well as medication management. Support for students and families has been maintained, and our dedicated staff are virtually in the homes of their students, helping them and their families work through the stressors and challenges they are currently facing each day.
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Working with Districts on Plans for
2020-2021 School Year
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Colonial IU 20 continues to support its member districts as the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close, and more importantly, provide support for plans for the 2020-2021 school year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. CIU 20 is leading task force teams comprised of various district leaders to develop protocols and guidelines in the areas of: Instruction, Special Education / Pupil Services, Technology, Transportation, Facilities, Safety / Health / Food Service / Security, Administrative Operations, Extra-Curricular / Athletics Activities, Human Resources, and Communication. This work will continue over the summer in preparation for the fall.
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Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 is still carrying out its pandemic action plan and continues to provide resources and supports for schools, families, and the community in regards to the COVID-19 crisis. Please visit the sub-page of the Colonial IU 20 website that was created for providing resources and supports to our stakeholders during this time:
www.ciu20.org/cvr
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Follow us on our social media channels to learn more about the resiliency of
#AmazingIU20Kids and creative approaches to learning that our
#AmazingIU20Staff have implemented!
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At Colonial IU 20, we believe in
RELATIONSHIPS that support student growth,
RESPONSIVENESS to stakeholders crucial needs,
RESULTS demonstrated through effective services and programs, and
INNOVATION to improve student outcomes.
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Colonial IU 20 provides educational, administrative, and management services to 13 school districts and 3 career and technical centers in Northampton, Monroe, and Pike Counties. As one of the community’s largest employers and contributors, the 1,400 full and part-time staff at CIU 20 provides direct and indirect services to 79,000 public school children; 9,000 non-public school children; and 7,000 professional staff in our service region of 1,200 square miles.
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