Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and Touchstone Theatre have partnered for over 25 years to provide therapeutic activities to high school students in the Resolve Behavioral Health programs. This year's cohort featured students enrolled in the Partial Hospitalization programs at Easton High School and Liberty High School, Bethlehem Area SD. Their final performance occurred on February 14th on stage at Touchstone Theatre in southside Bethlehem.

The innovative program, Building Bridges, uses theatrical exercises and games to help students explore their creative side through a series of group activity sessions and builds towards a final performance. Building Bridges has reached hundreds of students over the years and provides a safe environment for students to learn more effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills, increased self-control, improved critical thinking skills, enriched problem solving and decision-making skills, increased self-esteem and a stronger sense of community.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 recently welcomed future educators from Pocono Mountain East & West High Schools to the CIU 20 central office to explore career opportunities in the field of Special Education. Students met in small groups with CIU 20 staff to learn about what they do and how to obtain education and certifications needed to achieve certain career pathways, including: Assistive Technology, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Teachers of the Visually Impaired.

The event stemmed from the "Developing Future Special Educators Grant" that Colonial IU 20 was awarded by PDE, in partnership with Pocono Mountain SD and East Stroudsburg University. The grant is part of PDE's APR initiative.

Attract, Prepare, and Retain (APR) is a priority of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Special Education (BSE) with a primary focus that is three-fold:

Dakota Ribble, a Bangor Area SD student attending Colonial Academy was awarded a bronze medal for the second straight year at the District 11 SkillsUSA Competition. Dakota competed in the Action Skills category and worked closely with Colonial Academy Building Trades Instructor Mr. Albert Uliana to practice his demonstration of changing a blade in a 10 inch compound miter saw. Mr. Uliana noted that "The judges gave Dakota excellent feedback in his review providing comments regarding how methodical and knowledgeable he was with the material while using correct terminology and working in a safe and efficient manner."

Dakota looks forward to representing Colonial Academy in next year's competition and hopes to improve his performance and win a gold medal. 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.

Officer Daniel Marino has been serving Colonial Academy as a School Resource Officer since June 2023, when he took over for John Zwally after he was promoted to Corporal within the Bushkill Township Police Department. Colonial IU 20 is grateful for the partnership with Bushkill Township to utilize one of its police officers as the School Resource Officer for Colonial Academy.

February 15th was National School Resource Officer day - we appreciate everything that Officer Marino does to keep the students and staff at Colonial Academy safe! Officer Marino has been with Bushkill Township since 2011, his entire law enforcement career. When asked about his approach to connecting with students, he says "Sharing common interests with them and being able to have a conversation with them that they can relate to." Officer Marino says the most rewarding part of his job is "Seeing the positive impact myself and staff have on the students and watching them succeed."

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 is accepting nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Education (EIE) Awards until March 11th. 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 2024 CIU 20 Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony will be celebrated this year on May 9th, 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®).

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.

Staff and students across CIU 20 programs and classrooms celebrated the achievements and history of African Americans during Black History Month. Activities included art-themed projects and researching influential leaders and discussing / writing about their contributions to society.

Thomas, a student in Ms. Sydney Slone's CIU 20 classroom at Saucon Valley Middle School, is diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome (AS), a rare neuro-genetic disorder that shares symptoms and characteristics with other disorders including autism and cerebral palsy. Ms. Slone organized a school-wide effort to wear blue on February 15th to bring awareness to AS. Thanks to Principal Dr. Lensi Nikolov and the entire staff and student body at Saucon Valley Middle School for their continued efforts of inclusivity.

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.