Along with customized academic and behavioral supports, a highly trained and experienced staff, and preventative services, Colonial Academy’s approach to educating the whole student is rooted in producing good citizens. Many of the therapeutic activities that Colonial Academy students participate in revolve around service projects that give back to the community. See below for recent initiatives that align with this goal.

The Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Training and Consulting (TaC) Staff have recently developed the "Tac Talks" series - weekly discussions on classroom tech tools, techniques, and strategies. Ms. Denise Kaminski, Assistant Director of Professional Learning and Curriculum says that, "The weekly virtual TaC Talks have created authentic collaboration between CIU 20 staff and local teachers on topics that matter most during these times. The brevity of the weekly sessions allows teachers to learn new strategies and share resources in a way that fits into their busy schedules. We're happy to continue to be a part of the IU's support system of our member districts with this initiative."

To view recordings of previous sessions and / or join upcoming sessions, please visit www.ciu20.org/tactalks/

Ms. Kristen Sauers has been teaching art at Colonial Academy for the last ten years, and began uploading videos on YouTube at the beginning of this school year as a way to better connect with her students and families during the pandemic.

Ms. Sauers' videos encompass various types of content, including how to create sketch books, color wheel demonstrations, fall themed art activities, and a recurring segment called Let's Read. "This is a great way for our IU community to come together at a time when many people are still at home. It also provides a moment for someone other than a family member to read a story" notes Ms. Sauers.

The intersection of art and other content areas is something that Ms. Sauers is passionate about, "Art is so important, not just for things like improving fine motor skills and following directions, but also to allow my students at the Academy a chance to flex their creative muscles, to practice problem solving, and to make those broader connections between art and other subjects." She recently worked with Ms. Weaver to engage students in learning about heat transfer and an upcoming lesson on ecology will involve Ms. Sauers assisting in the creation of terrariums.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Colonial Academy have made numerous innovations to the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Initiative to ensure that students are still being rewarded for their commitment to the program.

At the end of last school year, the resiliency and creativity of the Colonial Academy teachers were on full display. The staff quickly modified the PART tickets reward system to reflect the sudden virtual setting. Delivery drivers were used to send home gift cards, thank you notes, and certificates. CIU 20 supported local businesses by ordering pizzas and food to be delivered to those students who were going above and beyond.

As the 2020-2021 school year sees some students receiving in-person instruction and others receiving virtual instruction, the Colonial Academy teachers have again evolved the PART tickets reward system to include an online menu of reward items that can be utilized by all students. Additionally, several on-site therapeutic physical activities have been implemented with social distancing, disinfecting, and other safety protocols in place.

On October 9, 2020, CIU 20 Training Consultants Emily R. Sharp, Ph.D. and Amanda Helman, Ph.D., presented at the annual PA Council for Exceptional Children virtual conference. The presentation topic was "Designing Teacher-Friendly Curricular Resources for Students with Learning Disabilities" and featured discussion regarding the Orton-Gillingham (OG) pilot program with CIU 20 non-public school reading specialists Ann Kinney and Diane Lazar.

Ms. Sharp and Ms. Helman outlined the pilot's goals, schedule and outcomes. Ms. Kinney and Ms. Lazar shared their overall experience which included an increased level of effectiveness and positive feedback from students and parents. They also noted that classroom teachers reported a difference in students' reading ability and an increased willingness to read in class.

Orton-Gillingham is an explicit, sequential, and systematic phonics instructional approach that incorporates simultaneous oral spelling and tracing that stimulates the visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic sensory channels to aid students’ retention of phonics learning.

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.