Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 students in Linda Moscaritolo's Life Skills Support classroom recently collaborated with their peers in Erik Everett's Industrial Arts classroom at Wilson High School to design and create a LED sign. The project was funded by a grant received from the Easton Rotary by Mr. Everett. Ms. Moscaritolo's students became involved when Mr. Everett recalled an experience he had working with students with special needs on a project he completed while in college, and thought a similar project would be impactful for everyone involved.

CIU 20 students were included in every step of the process; from choosing a design, to helping with materials, and the physical creation of the sign. Thank you to Mr. Everett and the administration of Wilson Area School District for including our students in this innovative project.

Several Colonial Academy students participated in the SkillsUSA District 11 Championships in early February. SkillsUSA is a national student organization that develops employability, participatory and leadership skills to complement the occupational skills developed by students in technical education classrooms. The students that were involved include: Nicolle Coronado, Dylan Muller, and Dakota Ribble. Dakota placed 3rd in the Action Skills category. Thanks to teachers Albert Uliana and Nick Strebig for their guidance and support of these students.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 is looking for young adults to participate in a new internship opportunity for the 2023-2024 school year at Wind Creek Resort in Bethlehem. This one year transition program will provide training and education leading to competitive employment for individuals with disabilities. Interested candidates must be 18 to 21 years old and entering or finishing their last year of high school. 

Information sessions were held for potential students, families and district administrators earlier this month for this new site location that resulted from CIU 20's continued collaboration with Northampton County, Human Resources Center, Inc (HRC), the Office of Vocational Rehab (OVR) and Project SEARCH. CIU 20 has partnered with Project SEARCH, HRC and OVR since 2015 with the Kalahari Resorts Project SEARCH site location in the Poconos, leading to nearly 70 students receiving the training and skills to support competitive employment.

Project SEARCH is a national organization that works with local agencies to assist young adults with disabilities to gain work experience and obtain competitive employment in their communities.

Clear Run Intermediate School

Elara Knezevich and Jaida Diaz with Dan Ryan (Advisor)

Stroudsburg Middle School

Michael Sharifipour and Owen Haubrich with Casey Bogdon (Advisor)

Aspiring to Technology Leadership. In this panel discussion, participants interacted with various technology leaders from school districts, career and technical education centers and intermediate units across the state about their path to leadership.

Dr. Thomas Kalinoski (Director of Technology & Operations)

It Takes a Village: Building Relationships to Maximize Student Success. Participants learned strategies for building relationships between remedial and classroom teachers that resulted from a data analysis and instructional planning initiative piloted by CIU 20's Nonpublic School Services Department.

Dr. Todd VanNortwick (Supervisor of Professional Learning and Auxiliary Services) and Keri Ramsay (Assistant Director of Professional Learning & Curriculum)

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 is accepting nominations for the 2023 Excellence in Education (EIE) Awards until March 1, 2023. This annual recognition for outstanding education programs throughout the public schools across the region is presented by CIU 20 and its member districts. Nominations may be submitted by any resident, school student, school employee, or school entity on behalf of the public schools in Monroe, Northampton, or Pike County. Learn more at this link.

The 2023 CIU 20 Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony will be celebrated this year on May 11th, with more details being released in the near future. The ceremony will also feature students who achieved the distinction of National Merit Scholars. A student achieves this honor by scoring in the top 3.3% on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

Kristina Deinarowicz is a Mental Health Treatment Specialist in the Partial Hospitalization Program at Pleasant Valley High School and recently obtained her Professional Counselor License. "She is a great example of the organization's ability to support professional growth," notes Supervisor of Clinical Support, Nikki Baker.

She began her journey with CIU 20 a little over nine years ago when she served as a 1:1 in the Partial Hospitalization Program at Colonial Academy. Her career path continued as she took on the role of Mental Health Worker in the Emotional Support Program and enrolled in a Masters in Clinical Counseling Program. She then moved back to the Partial Program to serve as a Management Assistant before stepping into her current role of Mental Health Treatment Specialist.

Kristina shares that the most rewarding parts of her job are "seeing students succeed and have progress with their treatment...the amazing people that I have met along the way and the support I have encountered...they have helped me with working towards my Masters degree as well as my LPC."

Her advice to an IU employee just starting out would be to "Always remain positive and work together as a team. Many of our students have been through a lot and they look to us to help boost their mood. Try to create a positive environment, it helps students and staff significantly." Furthermore, she says "I stay positive with the students by always making sure we take time to laugh and smile. It's important to appreciate the simple moments and small steps toward success."

 

Her focus on looking on the bright side is evident with her Supervisor, Nikki Baker, "She always has a smile on her face and lights up the room with her resilient positive attitude.”  

The mission of the Colonial IU 20 Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (EIB) committee is to provide positive, safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments. The EIB committee seeks to utilize and advocate for a culturally-responsive approach in which diverse strengths and identities are valued, thereby creating a community of belonging. Below is what is being celebrated this month.

Students celebrated Black History Month by researching influential leaders and writing a summary of their contributions to society.

Teacher: Steven Struble, Associate Teacher: Nicole Sullivan, Mental Health Worker: Jennifer Hugele

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!

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.