Greetings from the Office of the Executive Director. I

hope you’re having a productive school year. I am

pleased to bring you this brief overview of some of

DCIU’s activities over this year.

DCIU Holiday Celebrations

DCIU staff and students held several holiday events and

activities in December. The Pennington School had an

impressive list of fun and festive activities including: a

field trip to Sky Zone; Gingerbread House Contest;

Sleigh Race (classes built “sleds” out of boxes); and a

Holiday Festival, where each class researched a country

and a winter holiday and made display boards for

viewing. The annual winter show at Marple Education

Center was held on December 18. This event was

entertaining as always as the students wore costumes,

sang songs from around the world and danced.

Senator Bob Casey Conference Call on Every

Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

On December 11, Senator Casey held a conference call

regarding the recently passed ESEA reauthorization, now

called Every Student Succeeds Act. DCIU hosted a

conference room for superintendents who wanted to

participate and who also planned to participate in the SPP

Listening tour at Morton on that same day. Senator Casey

provided a very brief update of changes the bill makes to

the existing No Child Left Behind law and shared his

advocacy for maintaining current funding rates for Title I

to Pennsylvania schools.

Operation Warm

On December 8, our Head Start classrooms participated

in the annual Operation Warm luncheon at Riddle

Hospital. Forty children from the Head Start center at

Folcroft joined volunteers

from Operation Warm at

the hospital for a literacy

activity and lunch. At the

conclusion of the event, all

children were provided a

new winter coat.

Project ELECT/ Family

Centers Host Teen

Forum

On November 11, DCIU

Project ELECT hosted its

second annual Teen Forum at the Morton Education

Center. Speakers from Widener University’s Center for

Human Sexuality Studies conducted a workshop on the

importance of open communication regarding a parent’s

role in discussing their adolescent children’s understand-

ing of human sexuality. The audience was comprised of

students receiving support from our Project ELECT

social workers and their parents. Many social agencies

manned stations outside the meeting room offering

information regarding their organization, including WIC,

Early Head Start, Child Care Information Services, and

Delaware County’s Department of Human Services.

Project ELECT offered transportation from several area

high schools as well as child care to bolster attendance;

consequently, the majority of young women receiving

services from Project ELECT participated in the event.

Just as important, parent participation was strong as well.

Should you have questions or need further information

on any of these items, or in general, please contact my

office.

THIRD-FOURTH

QUARTERS 2015

UPDATE

Inside this issue:

Introducing New Administrators 2

Mobile Ag Lab Visits Pennington 4

DCTS Students Prepare for Competitions

6

DCIU STARS 8

HR Corner 10

Message from the Executive Director

At its August 5 meeting, the DCIU Board of

Directors approved the appointment of Theresa

Carvajal as the new Director of Special Programs.

Ms. Carvajal, who was the Director of Special

Education and Pupil Services for the Penn Delco

School District, began her new position with the

Delaware County Intermediate Unit on October 5.

Ms. Carvajal received her undergraduate

degree from Villanova University and graduate

degree and superintendent letter of eligibility from

St. Joseph's University. She has broad experience as

a special education and pupil services administrator

in the West Chester, Upper Merion and Penn Delco

School Districts.

Special Programs Director

DCIU Welcomes New Administrators

At its regular meeting on December 2, the DCIU

Board of Directors approved the appointment of

Mr. David Tirado as the new Director of

Information Technology and Systems. He began

his tenure at DCIU on January 11, 2016.

Mr. Tirado has an extensive background

in networks, technical repairs and school

business. Prior to coming to DCIU, he was the

Director of Information Technology for the

Pennridge School District, a position he’s held

since 2013. Before that, he spent 14 years with

the Solanco School District, also as Director of

Information Technology. His past experiences

also include stints with the Central York and the

Lancaster School Districts.

After having served four years in the US

Army, Mr. Tirado received an Associate’s

Degree from Thompson Institute in Harrisburg in

Executive Data Management. He then obtained

his undergraduate degree from Central Pennsyl-

vania College in Information Technology and his

Master’s Degree in School Business Leadership

from Wilkes University.

Information Technology Director

With help from a $5000 grant from the National

Farm to School Network Seed Change Initiative,

Stacey Ciarrocchi and family and friends went to

work on the Pennington School: We're Growing

Together project.

Some of the EI children planted seeds before

they left for their three-week break in August with

help from speech therapist, Lindsay Horowitz. In the

meantime, Stacey had some help building the garden

beds and compost bins from her husband Eric, Paige

Rittinger from ACCESS and her husband, Jim, and

Barb Perkins and Joann Poole from ACCESS.

The fall vegetables that the children planted are

spinach, a few varieties of lettuce, peas, beets, bok

choy, kale, broccoli, and they plan to plant radishes

when school starts

The DCTS program was also asked to get

involved by building a shed to store the garden tools

and a composting project will also be started (in ad-

dition to Pennington’s existing recycling

program).

Page 3

Look What’s Growing at Pennington!

Literacy Camp 2015 served 16 students from

William Penn, Rose Tree Media, Haverford,

Radnor, and Marple Newtown School

Districts. The theme of the camp was "Expedition

Safari, Wild About Reading." Literacy Camp was

held for 5 weeks for 4 days a week, 3 hours a day

(July 6-August 6, 2015). Instruction was targeted

to provide direct instruction and repeated practice

to improve decoding, fluency, comprehension,

and writing skills. A presentation from the

Delaware Museum of Natural History brought the

theme alive to the students by providing back-

ground information and hands-on experiences

with specimens of skins, tusks, claws, and living

creatures from the rain forest, savannas, and

deserts of Africa. Finally, a celebration was held

on the last day of camp to showcase student

learning to parents and family members with oral

and written presentations of their research and a

student created museum in the classrooms

featuring a video, dioramas, murals, and rain

forest flora crafted from colorful papers and wire.

Students are Wild About Reading in Literacy Camp

Teachers Shown Appreciation

The Language Program along with the Intensive

Learning Support Program hosted a teacher

appreciation luncheon for the staff at Ithan

Elementary School on Thursday, November 12.

Ithan has hosted the ILS program for many years,

and just this year also welcomed the Language

Program as well.

The DCIU staff and students were happy to

let the Ithan team know how welcomed and

supported they have felt in this wonderful school.

The teachers were extremely happy and a great time

was had by all. The principal, Ms. Tronya Boylan,

wrote a note to thank the IU for recognizing Ithan's

commitment to our students' success.

Mobile Agriculture Lab Visits Pennington School

The PA Mobile Ag Education Science Lab visited

the Pennington School before the Thanksgiving

break. The 4-8th grade classes at Pennington (New

Pathways and Community Programs) each had two

lessons in the lab; the younger elementary New

Pathways classroom and the high school ES/LS

class each had one lesson.

The PA Farm Bureau's Mobile Ag

Education Science Lab is an agriculture education

science lab on wheels, complete with all supplies

and a certified teacher, that travels to a different

elementary or middle school in Pennsylvania each

week. The lab is designed to target grades K

through 8. It gives students an opportunity to learn

about agriculture in a fun and hands-on way.

A 40-foot. trailer, with heating and air

conditioning, the mobile lab contains twelve work

stations. Each station provides space for 2-3

students to complete hands-on experiments. The lab

accommodates up to 25-30 classes per week;

classes are 50 minutes each..

The PA Ag Lab visit was partially paid for

by grants obtained by the Pennsylvania Farm

Bureau and Friends of Ag Foundation.

New Early Head Start Program Accepts its First Infants/Toddlers

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU)

Early Head Start/Head Start program welcomed its

first infants and toddlers at its Rockbourne and

Yeadon centers to what had traditionally been a

program for 3-5 year olds and their families. In

July 2015, the DCIU expanded its Head Start

services to include Early Head Start and supports

for families with infants and toddlers. DCIU works

in partnerships with private child care providers in

Chester, Yeadon and Upper Darby to include

Early Head Start services in established childcare

centers in these communities. Just recently, DCIU

expanded Early Head Start to its existing

preschool centers in Upper Darby and Yeadon. In

addition to these center-based programs, there will

be thirty home-based Early Head Start openings

for infants, toddlers and pregnant women in the

William Penn and Upper Darby school districts.

“As the program evolves to a birth to age

five model, DCIU believes we are better posi-

tioned to assist families and their children as they

prepare for their experience in elementary and

secondary education,” said Dr. Maria Edelberg,

Executive Director, DCIU. “Although our

program offerings include our county’s youngest

learners, DCIU Head Start continues to place its

priority on providing supports to families seeking

self-sufficiency as well as the tools necessary to

advocate for their children,” she continued. By

investing resources in a new preschool curriculum

and assessment tools, the education team is better

equipped to meet the expectations of school

district partners by better preparing the children

for the world of kindergarten. In addition, the

program’s Family Service Workers are dedicated

in their cause in assisting families to acquire the

supports they need to overcome barriers such as

insufficient access to physicians and dentists,

unemployment and illiteracy.

On Friday, October 9, students from the DCIU

County Alternative High School (TCA)

participated in a community service project at

Chester High School. They prepared and served

lunch to about 120 staff members at the school.

And it was their idea to do so!

During a theory class in early September at

TCA, the culinary students discussed how

impressed they were that teachers in the Chester

Upland School District continued to work without

pay during the start of the school year. The

students developed a proposal to express their

appreciation for the effort by preparing and serving

lunch to the faculty of Chester High School. The

faculty and administrators were very impressed by

both the poise and talent of the students.

Students Prepare and Serve Lunch to Chester Upland Teachers

Students at all three Delaware County Technical High

School campuses participate in Career and Technical

Students Organizations (CTSOs) throughout the school

year. The organizations include Skills/USA, Health

Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Family,

Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

and Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).

Advisors and students have been busy preparing for the

many events and competitions they have a chance to be a

part of this year.

CTSO advisors hold monthly advisor meetings to

assist each other with fundraising plans, updates for

individual CTSOs and community service projects. Their

goal this year is to develop a unified CTSO student

council at the campuses made up of students from each

CTSO to meet regularly. The purpose is to promote

student participation in CTSOs, community service, and

school spirit.

Skills/USA helps to establish industry standards

for job skill training in the classroom. Skills/USA's

mission is to help its members become world-class

workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.

Skills/USA also offers competitive activities in which

students strive to achieve in a variety of occupational

skill and leadership areas. Our students attended the Fall

Leadership conference held in late November. The

purpose of the annual Fall Leadership Conference is to

train students and teachers in leadership skills that will

allow them to go back to their school and lead their local

chapters through a successful school year. Students

participate in sessions that guide them in developing team

building, public speaking, communication, and

community service skills. Each year, approximately 24

students and four advisors attend the three-day

conference.

The purpose of the HOSA organization is to

develop leadership and technical skill competencies

through a program of motivation, awareness and

recognition, which is an integral part of the Health

Science Education instructional program. The mission of

HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate,

quality health care by providing opportunities for

knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health

science education students; therefore, helping the student

meet the needs of the health care community. Students

from our Health Sciences, Medical Careers and Dental

Technology programs participate in HOSA. Our HOSA

students and advisors elected class officers and have held

regular meetings to work on fundraising plans and begin

to prepare for the State Leadership Conference in March.

Nearly 45 students will be going to the competitions.

FCCLA is the only student organization with the

main focus on the family. Their mission is to promote

personal growth and leadership development through

Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on

the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and

community leader, members develop skills for life

through: character development, creative and critical

thinking, interpersonal communication, practical

knowledge, and career preparation. FCCLA has many

different National programs and state programs that are

available to our students throughout the year. The biggest

events all year are the many different competitions they

offer our students in the areas of Culinary Arts and Child

Care. Over the years DCTS has had many national

winners and former students have traveled to many states

across the USA, like California, Minnesota, Florida and

Tennessee.

The mission of Careers through Culinary Arts

Program (C-CAP) is to promote and provide career

opportunities in the foodservice industry for underserved

youth through culinary arts education and employment.

This is a tremendous organization based out of Philadel-

phia that provides learning activities throughout the year.

The organization also gathers money for student

scholarships to help students pay for postsecondary

education in the culinary field. For the past three years

DCTS students have won thousands of dollars in scholar-

ships to some of the best schools in the country.

DCTS Students Prepare for Events and Competitions

American Education Week was observed from

November 16-22, 2015. The purpose of this week is

to celebrate the importance of public education and

the people who dedicate their time to making sure

our students have access to a high quality public

school education. DCIU hosted its annual luncheon

in honor of American Education Week on

November 18 at noon at DCIU’s Morton Education

Service Center. Representatives from every school

district were in attendance, along with several DCIU

administrators. The keynote speaker for the event

was Dr. Pedro Rivera, Pennsylvania Secretary of

Education, via videoconference. The event also

featured artwork and an acapella group, Rhapsody,

from the Ridley School District. Lee Ann Wentzel,

Ridley School District’s Superintendent, gave

closing remarks.

DCIU Celebrates American Education Week

DCIU played a significant role in the planning and

coordination of the 56th Annual Veterans Day

Parade held in Media, PA on November 11. The

event, which is a longtime tradition, is coordinated

by a small committee of volunteers who work

closely with the County to ensure a successful

event. DCIU is a partner and sponsor of the event

and solely coordinates the essay contest. The essay

contest is open to all Delaware County middle

school students. Over 50 essays were received this

year and read by a committee of DCIU staff. First,

second, and third place winners were chosen and

awarded checks and certificates for their hard work.

The winners were (pictured from right to left):

1st Place - Joshua Heins, Garnet Valley Middle

School; 2nd Place - Matthew Sparling, Springton

Lake Middle School; 3rd Place - Samiha Zarin,

Beverly Hills Middle School

The students were invited to the parade to read their

essays and were presented their awards by

Dr. Maria Edelberg, DCIU Executive Director and

Dr. Ray McFall, Assistant Executive Director.

DCIU Coordinates Annual Veterans Day Essay Contest

Photo courtesy of Springfield Press

Karen Yuschak, administrative assistant, Pupil

Services, nominated by Christine Adamo-Newell

and all of DCIU’s School Counselors

All of us educators know how crazy September can

be! Just like a storm we know is coming, the

beginning of the school year hits us like a whirlwind.

We could never survive this month, and every month

for that matter, without our diligent, reliable,

efficient, and always positive Karen! Karen's

professionalism and hard work are excellent

examples of what an amazing "STAR" should be,

and she works endlessly to make our jobs run

smoothly and for that we are truly appreciative.

However, it is her kindness, her helpful hand, her

smile, and her beautiful heart that makes her truly

stand out among everyone else and she is a role

model to all. There is not a day that goes by that we

do not feel grateful for the gift of you, Karen! And,

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver

than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and

smarter than you think, and loved more than you'll

ever know.”

Dr. Terri Erbacher, Carolyn Wilson-Reilly,

Andrea Spencer and Christine Adamo-Newell—

school psychologist and counselors, nominated by

Tracey Wolf

The DCIU PREPaRE Team is comprised of highly

qualified individuals who respond to schools/districts

in a crisis. The Leadership Committee readily

responds when notified of a crisis and facilitates

crisis intervention teams. Their dedication and

commitment to the DCIU PREPaRE Team's mission

and the safety and well-being of all children in

Delaware County is invaluable. Crisis of any nature

is difficult; however when that crisis involves a child

or children in tends to take on a higher level. Each of

these individuals goes over and beyond to ensure that

schools, families and staff are able to be "ok" before

leaving, which can take multiple days of crisis

response. A crisis does not occur always between the

hours of 8-3 or 9-5, and this team collaboratively

ensures that our response is quick and supportive to

schools.

Steven Parent, Emotional Support Teacher/New

Pathways at the Pennington School, nominated by

Nan Porter

Steve has a positive, helpful and outgoing attitude.

He seeks out ways to encourage students and staff.

On Friday, November 6, 2015 TC Hagee the art

teacher at Pennington planned for a Jackson Pollock

lesson. Steve, the willing volunteer, was wrapped in

plastic wrap from neck to ankles. He lay face down

on a black canvas for nearly 40 minutes! The

students, covered with large plastic garbage bags to

protect their clothing, used paint brushes to splatter

paint on him and the canvas, creating a large Jackson

Pollock-like masterpiece!

Daemar H. and A’Brae P., students at TCA,

Culinary Program, nominated by Bria Hoey and

Nora Connell

Daemar H. and A'Brae P. from The County

Alternative School did an outstanding job in

preparing and serving lunch to over 50 participants at

the Parent Partnership Forum on Friday October 13.

The parents and other participants raved over how

good the lunch was and were equally complimentary

of Daemar's and A'Brae's professionalism in the way

they served lunch. The event was an amazing

success; Daemar and A'Brae shared in that success!

We couldn't have done it without them! Thank you

for all of your help! Keep up the good work!

Leslie Martelli, Receptionist at Pennington,

nominated by Melissa Hance

Leslie is the receptionist at the Pennington School.

And, as such, even though she is busy answering the

door and having visitors sign in, she still finds the

time to help out the programs with necessary tasks

such as making files, laminating materials,

organizing information for the ACCESS office, and

more. She has a great attitude and is so willing to

help and always does a wonderful job. We are very

fortunate to have Leslie at Pennington!

DCIU STARS

Forty parents from a variety of Delaware County

School Districts attended a day-long session that was

co-sponsored by Delco PASS, the Right to Education

Task Force and DCIU’s Professional Development

Department. The highlight of the Parent Partner-

ship Forum was a 2 ½ hour keynote address by

Dr. Robert Naseef. The title of his address was

Families of Children with Special Needs: Caring

for Everyone's Needs. Dr. Naseef discussed and

engaged parents in topics related to developing and

maintaining emotionally healthy families while

coping with the challenges of raising a child with

special needs. In the afternoon parents had an

opportunity to network with other parents and make

contact with organizations in the county that provide

services and supports to students with special needs

and their families. Feedback from parents was

overwhelmingly positive. Plans for future events are

already in process.

DCIU Hosts First Ever Parent Partnership Forum

The DCTS Emergency and Protective Services class

hosted its annual Don’t Drink and Drive Distracted

Exercise in December. Held at DCTS Folcroft, the

exercise consisted of two cars positioned to simulate

an auto accident. Student actors served as victims,

perpetrators, EMTs, firefighters, police officers and

more. Folcroft Police and area fire companies also

joined in to make this a fun but most of all meaning-

ful exercise. This was once again a great opportuni-

ty for students to showcase their skills in responding

to an accident, CPR and extrication. For the students

observing the exercise, it was a good reminder of

what can happen when one drinks and drives or

drives distracted.

DCTS Mock Accident Shows Hazards of Drinking/Distracted and

Driving

200 Yale Avenue Morton, PA 19070 Phone: 610-938-9000 ext. 2058 Fax: 610-938-9982 airving@dciu.org

HUMAN RESOURCES CORNER:

HEALTH/WELLNESS/EDUCATION