Victor Stabin authored the book Daedal Doodle: The ABC Book for the Ages that helps children develop literacy skills, creative writing skills, and encourages artistic endeavors. His work has been featured in publications like Time, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. His credits also include nine postage stamps commissioned by the US Postal service, a mural for RCA/BMG’s headquarters, and the cover of the KISS album, “Unmasked." A museum of his creations is located in Jim Thorpe, PA.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 is looking for young adults to participate in a new internship opportunity for the 2022-2023 school year at the Easton Campus of St. Luke's Hospital. 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. More detailed guidelines can be found here: www.ciu20.org/ProjectSEARCH/

This new program has resulted from the continued collaboration with CIU 20 community partners St. Luke's and Project SEARCH. CIU 20 has partnered with St. Luke's since 2018 on the "Possibilities Program" initiative that empowers students to learn valuable employability and independence skills. CIU 20 has partnered with Project SEARCH since 2015 with the Kalahari Resorts site location in the Poconos. We are nearing the end of our 6th cohort of interns who will realize the goal of competitive employment upon graduation at the end of this school year.

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.

In late March, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 held its annual regional STEM Design Challenge in a virtual format. The specific challenge for this year encouraged teams of up to 4 students to create a prototype of a new or improved transportation system. A total of 15 teams competed in the Grade 4-5 category, and 12 teams competed in the Grade 6-8 category. Overall, more than 100 students were involved in this year’s event. The top team in each category from the CIU 20 regional competition is invited to the state competition that will take place virtually in May.

First place: Moravian Academy, Lower School (Project D) - pictured

Second place: Easton Area School District, Palmer Elementary School (Project K)

Third place: Easton Area School District, Palmer Elementary School (Project L)

First place: Nazareth Area School District, Intermediate School (Project R) - pictured

Second place: East Stroudsburg Area School District, JT Lambert Intermediate School (Project P)

Third place: Nazareth Area School District, Intermediate School (Project Q). 

On April 1, 2022, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 hosted the annual Regional Academic Competition for public and non-public high school teams in Northampton, Monroe, and Pike counties. Nearly 100 students from 15 local high schools participated in the event that provides an opportunity for teams to compete in a “college-bowl” format, where students answer questions from categories of literature, math, science, history, geography, and contemporary events.

Nazareth High School edged out Pleasant Valley High School in the championship match and advances to the Pennsylvania Academic Competition in Harrisburg on April 29, 2022. Players for the winning team were Liam Allen, Neethi Sheeka, Veeren Sheeka, Ohm Sohagia, Sameer Rahman, and Cameron Koch led by advisor Mr. Aris Asdourian.

Other high schools that competed included: Bangor High School, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Delaware Valley High School, East Stroudsburg High School North, East Stroudsburg High School South, Easton High School, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter HS, Liberty High School (Bethlehem), Northampton High School, Notre Dame High School, Pen Argyl High School, Pocono Mountain East High School, Pocono Mountain West High School, Stroudsburg High School and Wilson Area High School.

Kelly Schultheis is in her first year as a teacher in the CIU 20 Autistic Support Program, but she's already made a positive impact on the students in her classroom, and they've made a positive impact on her too. She says "Although the job can, at times, be demanding, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love what I am doing. It is rewarding on so many levels. Each day is a new opportunity to help my students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I love watching my kids develop confidence, independence, and positive outlooks on school and learning."

Kelly started her professional teaching career during the pandemic, so she's had to be innovative from the start, "This has always been the “norm” for me. I’m always up for a challenge and thinking of new ways to engage with my students no matter the format." One example of innovativeness with her students is the utilization of a standards based online math game that can be personalized for each student. This gives students opportunities to practice skills that their peers are learning in regular education classrooms as well.

When asked how she remains positive in sometimes overwhelming or challenging environments, she says "As teachers, we have the opportunity to really make an impact on our students’ lives. When I’m feeling overwhelmed about everything that has to get done, I think about how important my job is and how I am changing lives."

Students Faye Bradley and Aniya Rosario were chosen to work with Art teachers Kristen Sauers and Katie Foster in the mural's creation.

The mural is partially completed and includes a painted tree with meandering branches that will house temporary student-made artifacts based on a theme or season. The first theme will be autism awareness puzzle pieces that were made by the staff and students in the Elementary Autistic Support program.

A new mural is being created at the CIU 20 central office that celebrates awareness and inclusion, and the idea came from this month's staff spotlight feature, Kelly Schultheis. Supervisor of Autistic Support, Kasey Kinney, asked her staff to contribute ways to celebrate autism awareness and this concept that was chosen from numerous other wonderful suggestions. The idea is being put into action thanks to the creativity of two art teachers and two students from Colonial Academy, CIU 20's alternative education high school in Wind Gap, PA.

The Colonial IU 20 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee seeks to foster a sense of belonging for all students, families, and staff. Below is what is being celebrated this month.

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.