Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 held the Grand Opening for its Colonial Cafe 71 on the morning of September 12, 2024. The event was attended by CIU 20 staff, student workers with families, media, legislators, and community partners. Colonial Cafe 71 is a full-service coffee shop located at the CIU 20 central office, operated by students with special needs that promotes independence and supports skill building for future employment opportunities.

Several classrooms from the Colonial IU 20 Life Skills program work at Cafe 71. With the support and guidance of CIU 20 staff, the students interact and take orders from customers, operate electronic point-of-sale systems and make specialty drinks from a commercial grade coffee machine.

L to R: Representative Joe Emrick, Dr. Chris Wolfel (Executive Director), Ms. Kasey Kinney (Director of Special Education) and Representative Milou Mackenzie

L to R: Dr. Chris Wolfel (Executive Director), Ms. Kasey Kinney (Director of Special Education) and Ms. Enid Vazquez (Senator Lisa Boscola's Office)

L to R: Ms. Kasey Kinney (Director of Special Education),  Dr. Chris Wolfel (Executive Director) and Ms. Abby Watcher (Representative Ann Flood's Office)

On September 10, 2024, Colonial IU 20 hosted a workshop for regional educators on the topic of "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia." The session was facilitated by Mr. Ira Hays, LCSW of Hays Health and Wellness and was funded through a grant. Participants had the option to attend virtually or in-person. Attendees were equipped with knowledge, skills with practical insights and treatment recommendations needed to make a positive impact on children and adolescents who exhibit school refusal and school avoidance.

For students diagnosed with Autism, language and literacy skills are critical pathways to greater independence and academic success. Colonial IU 20's Autistic Support teachers have been engaged in learning and implementing structured literacy practices for over a year and they are supported by CIU 20 Training and Consultation staff (TaC) Emily Killian and Lauren Snyder. Structured literacy is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes explicit, systematic teaching of reading.

The enthusiasm and commitment from our teachers and staff is inspiring, as they embrace these new methods, programs, and tools to enhance their teaching and best support their students. As we continue to roll out structured literacy across our classrooms, we're excited about the positive impact it will have on our students. CIU 20 is committed to transforming our classrooms with structured literacy to ensure that every student has the tools they need to thrive. Together, we're building a brighter future where our hope is that every student can achieve literacy success, regardless of their learning differences.

Ms. Jennifer Zingales has served the Early Intervention (EI) program for all of her 26 years at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20. She came on board as an Associate Teacher while she worked to obtain her certification in Special Education. She then moved into the roles of Teacher, Program Specialist and has been a Coordinator in EI for the last 13 years. Jen was the recipient of the Leadership / Margaret M. Kahler Memorial Fund Award in 2006. This award is given annually by CIU 20 leadership to a staff member who exhibits a positive energy and inspires an enthusiasm for learning among students, their families and the community.

Creating a Culture of Kindness

Ms. Zingales' focus as a Coordinator of Special Education has been to bring that positive energy to motivate and inspire the staff to generate impactful moments with young children. Her vision is simple but profound - create an environment where every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired through small but consistent acts of kindness. Some examples include: weekly raffles, staff bonding activities, positive messaging in common areas, and a mobile cart known as "Khloe the Kindness Kart."

The cart is filled with snacks and other various small items that staff members can choose from and keep, as a way to brighten their day and remind them that their hard work is recognized. Jen also uses it as a way to provide an opportunity for face-to-face connections, "I like getting out in their rooms and talking with them about their day and letting them know even in a small way that I appreciate them and their work." 

Jen says the most rewarding thing about working at CIU 20 is "I love working with and for the dedicated staff in EI. I am in awe of their hard work and dedication to our students and families. I also like helping children be enrolled in a preschool as I am very passionate about our students being included with peers." 

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.

World Mitochondrial Disease Week

Colonial IU 20 staff and students came together, dressed in green, to show their support for World Mitochondrial Disease Week (mito). We're proud to raise awareness in hopes of improving the lives of people affected by mito and their loved ones. 

This disease refers to a group of rare genetic disorders caused by dysfunction in the mitochondria, the parts of cells responsible for energy production. These diseases affect the mitochondria's ability to generate energy properly, leading to a wide range of symptoms that can affect multiple organ systems, particularly those that require a lot of energy like the muscles, brain, and heart.