In Celebration of the Class of 2021
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 congratulates the Class of 2021 for their perseverance, resiliency, and motivation to succeed during a very challenging time. Check out the video below that highlights some of our celebrations for the new graduates.
Colonial IU 20 Graduation Ceremony
On May 27, 2021, students from special education classrooms in Northampton and Monroe counties celebrated their accomplishments from their time in CIU 20 programs.
This year’s graduation ceremony was held virtually and live streamed on YouTube due to continued safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Christopher Wolfel, Executive Director, and student speaker, Nicholas Dorion, Easton Area School District, were at the CIU 20 central office, while all others logged in from their homes.

The class of 2021 is comprised of students representing eleven school districts served by Colonial IU 20: Bangor Area, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area, Nazareth Area, Northampton Area, Pen Argyl Area, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain, Saucon Valley, Stroudsburg Area, and Wilson Area. Graduates also have the opportunity to participate in their home school district’s graduation ceremony.
Bangor Area School District
Lonnie Lomount Fields, Jr.
Jacob Allen Fisher

Bethlehem Area School District
Roman Comoglio
Samantha Garnsey
Daniel Morales
Nathan Musselman
Christopher Remes

Easton Area School District
Sean M. Bartholomew
Taylor Corrine Bennett
Nicholas G. Dorion
Evan Lee
Mathew Otero
Tionna L. Smith

Nazareth Area School District
Corrinne Kropa

Northampton Area School District
Caitlin Rose Stanislawski
Pen Argyl Area School District
Chase Alexander Hudnall

Pleasant Valley School District
Joshua Jacob Pineiro

Pocono Mountain School District
Alexander John Brown
Gabriel James Brown
Matthew T. Castillo
Patricia Cristal Dueño
Paula Rose Leggio
Jillian Rogers
Victoria Elizabeth Thompson

Saucon Valley School District
Cecilia Kohn
Alexander K. Svolos

Stroudsburg Area School District
Jared Ashton Khan

Wilson Area School District
Michael Amato
Project SEARCH Graduation Ceremony
On June 9, 2021, twelve students were celebrated for graduating from Project SEARCH, an innovative internship program in partnership with Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Manor. Project SEARCH is a one year training program for young adults with disabilities to gain work experience and obtain competitive employment in their communities.

The celebration included students' families, Kalahari representatives, district administrators, CIU 20 representatives, and other local agencies.
East Stroudsburg Area School District
Darrell Gibson
Christina Jones
Michael Walsh

Pleasant Valley School District
Riley Clifford
Yazmin White
Nazareth Area School District
Jamie Ross

Pocono Mountain School District
Mark Ambrose
Sabrina Brito
Juliana Brunstetter
Diego Lugaro
Anyah Male
Jorge Rodriguez
Colonial Academy Senior Recognition Day
On May 26, 2021, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 recognized twenty four students who attend Colonial Academy and graduated this spring from their respective school districts in Northampton and Monroe counties. The entire staff of Colonial Academy wish these graduates success in their future endeavors.
Bangor Area School District
Aden Schafer-Burger

Bethlehem Area School District
Angel Colon
Marie Comoglio
Samantha Garnsey
Nathan Musselman
Christopher Remes

Delaware Valley School District
Jeremiah Arana

East Stroudsburg Area School District
Malachi George
Jordan Lanza

Easton Area School District
Andre Staves

Nazareth Area School District
Justin Santos-Ponce
Pen Argyl Area School District
Nathanial Pope

Pleasant Valley School District
Steven Bauer

Pocono Mountain School District
Damani Carew
Matthew Castillo
Quinton Freeman
Aviyon Lavant
Paula Leggio

Saucon Valley School District
Alex Svolos

Stroudsburg Area School District
Imeek Crawford
Ryan Kessler
Jared Khan

Wilson Area School District
Michael Amato
Early Intervention Move-Up Ceremony
The Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Early Intervention program is planning a special ceremony on July 29th for approximately 150 students who will be "moving up" to kindergarten in their respective districts. More details to follow.
Partial Hospitalization Program Prioritizes Self-Care for Staff
A key aspect of CIU 20's commitment to helping students and families with COVID recovery is the importance of our team member's regulating their own minds and bodies to enhance the services they provide.

At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, members of the school-based partial hospitalization staff were challenged to make self-care a priority. Activities that have been spearheaded by "Self-Care and Resiliency" trainings include: weekly self-care tips, affirmations exercises, monthly challenges, and organized opportunities for individuals to share their progress.

The monthly self-care challenges encouraged individuals to share on specific topics, including: Self-Care Bingo, Gratitude, Vision Boards, Holiday Cheer, Self-Care Rituals, and Connections. Feedback has been positive and staff have reported decreased feelings of isolation during this school year. The next steps include continuing this process of weekly, monthly, and quarterly challenges as we move forward into the 2021-2022 school year.
In Recognition of CIU 20 Retirees
The CIU 20 leadership team thanks the dedicated individuals who retired this year for their years serving our IU 20 family and public education.
George Abt, Mechanic, 14 years at IU / 14 years total
Stephanie Agentis, Cabinet Secretary, 13 years at IU / 13 years total
Colleen Brewer, Associate Teacher, 5 years at IU / 6 years total
Anne Butler, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, 16 years at IU / 16 years total
Mary Ellen Callanan, Secretary, 18 years at IU / 21 years total
Anthony Casciano, Associate Teacher, 5 years at IU / 6 years total
Toni Casciano, Associate Teacher, 15 years at IU / 15 years total
Dennis Causey, Van Driver / Monitor, 6 years at IU / 7 years total
Judith Csencsits, Teacher, 12 years at IU / 32 years total
Helen Cuiffo, Teacher, 8 years at IU / 22 years total
Susan Detzi, Associate Teacher, 12 years at IU / 17 years total
Mary Dumas, Coordinator of Early Intervention, 20 years at IU / 20 years total
Gary Fagan, Transition Coach, 11 years at IU / 12 years total
John Farnack, Jr., Bus Driver, 19 years at IU / 21 years total
Martha Flynn, Speech Therapist, 36 years at IU / 36 years total
Reik Foust, Mental Health Worker, 12 years at IU / 16 years total
Patricia Freeman, Associate Teacher, 18 years at IU / 18 years total
Elizabeth Hoagland, Executive/Board Secretary, 12 years at IU / 19 years total
Ellisa Hoffman, Associate Teacher, 26 years at IU / 24 years total
Marleen Iobst, Guaranteed Daily Substitute Teacher, 13 years at IU / 24 years total
Sharon Klinger, Associate Teacher, 21 years at IU / 21 years total
Rosalie Keenhold, Associate Teacher, 35 years at IU / 35 years total
Pamela Morrow-Henriquez, Secretary, 21 years at IU / 21 years total
John Musyt, Guidance Counselor, 43 years at IU / 43 years total
Vicki Rishcoff, Mental Health Treatment Specialist, 21 years at IU / 21 years total
Margaret Ritter, Teacher, 18 years at IU / 18 years total
Naomi Rivera, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, 20 years at IU / 20 years total
Mary Ann Tarantino, Mental Health Treatment Specialist, 15 years at IU / 15 years total
Bonnie Treible, Associate Teacher, 19 years at IU / 19 years total
Eleanore Yamrus, Associate Teacher, 10 years at IU / 19 years total
Kandiena Yashur, Medical Billing Technical Specialist, 8 years at IU / 8 years total
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all by celebrating diversity and inclusion for our students, families, and staff.
Pride Month
Pride month honors the accomplishments of individuals who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, while also recognizing the continued efforts to achieve equal justice and equal opportunities.
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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.
Colonial IU 20 provides educational, administrative, and management services to 13 school districts and 3 career and technical centers in Northampton, Monroe, and Pike Counties. As one of the community’s largest employers and contributors, the 1,400 full and part-time staff at CIU 20 provides direct and indirect services to 79,000 public school children; 9,000 non-public school children; and 7,000 professional staff in our service region of 1,200 square miles.