Students in Northampton County (Bethlehem Area School District, Nazareth Area School District and Saucon Valley School District) that are visually impaired or blind have been busy making braille holiday cards to distribute to the deafblind community. CIU 20 staff members donated cards that the students interpreted using braille code. This activity has reinforced the skills of the students as they continue to utilize braille code as a way to communicate.

The braille cards will be distributed at the joint holiday celebration of two organizations - Step Up Services and DeafCAN. These two agencies within the Commonwealth of PA serve the deafblind community by providing support service providers to enhance independence and empower all to make choices in their daily lives.

The Kiwanis Club of Easton sponsored its annual holiday party for students in Colonial IU 20 programs at the Charles Chrin Community Center on December 5, 2023. The partnership has lasted more than 40 years and this year students enjoyed a gift bag of goodies from Kiwanis volunteers and the following activities: Berry Steiner, storyteller and Ukelele player; Tom Yurasits, Magician; Santa and Chance, the PetSmart Mascot.

Sponsors included: Eric Adams, the Charles Chrin Center, Just Born, Keystone Foods, Kathy Heller, members of the Kiwanis Club of Easton, PetSmart, ShopRite, SURV Restaurant, St. Luke’s, Unity Bank and Walgreens.

Kylee Diaz is joining the Colonial IU team to serve as the Youth Ambassador for our region. Kylee is a Pen Argyl Area School District student and is enrolled in the CIU 20 Life Skills classroom at Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. She is active as an athlete and volunteer in the Special Olympics organization. The Youth Ambassador program is new to our region and the Commonwealth and is made possible by a partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehab (OVR).

In her role, she will work collaboratively with service providers to improve the transition of students with disabilities from school to postsecondary education or an employment outcome. She will advocate for herself and peers by participating in local and statewide meetings and assist in program development and engagement of youth with disabilities in our community. We look forward to working with Kylee as she brings tremendous perspective to the daily operations of our IU!

On November 18, 2023, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 administrators and Parent Support T.E.A.M. members attended a Special Needs Expo organized by Representative Ann Flood at the Forks Township Community Center. The event served as an opportunity to connect community members with providers of services for individuals with special needs.

Thanks to Representative Flood for allowing CIU 20 to share how we support students and families with special needs.

Kyle Gabbard began his career with Colonial IU 20 in 2018 as a Long Term Sub in the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). He then moved to a full time position with the Emotional Support Program, before returning to PHP about two years ago. He says the most rewarding part of his job is, "sending my students back to their home districts and seeing the vast improvement and impact that I can make as an educator. We are also looking to successfully discharge three more of our students in January."

Mr. Gabbard's approach to making connections is "genuinely caring about these students and not just the ones in my classroom. Kids can read a room and tell who truly cares and who doesn’t." His advice to a new employee starting out is, "Don’t bring a bad day home with you. Never show any fear, and never second guess yourself. Make decisions with confidence and play to your strengths."

Mr. Kory Kutzler, Supervisor of the Partial Hospitalization Program, highlights the professional growth and relationship-building ability of this month's Staff Spotlight, "Kyle has grown significantly in his role as a teacher. When you go into the room you can feel the connection he has with the students and his lessons are highly engaging. His room has shown a larger decrease in restraints than any other PHP room."

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.

In conjunction with the CIU 20 Parent Support T.E.A.M., CIU 20 hosted an event on December 18th that gave students and families an opportunity to enjoy each other's company and meet Santa in a sensory friendly environment. Thanks to the generous sponsors of this event: King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC, American Fidelity, Mike Grabarits and Leading with Optimism Consulting.

Colonial IU 20 held a food drive to support CIU 20 students and families in need over the holiday season.

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.