Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 congratulates the Class of 2024 for their perseverance, resiliency, and motivation to succeed. Several recognition ceremonies were held to honor the young adults graduating from various CIU 20 programs and initiatives. Following are highlights of the celebrations.

On May 23, 2024, graduating students from special education classrooms in Northampton and Monroe counties celebrated their accomplishments from their time in CIU 20 programs. The ceremony was held at the CIU 20 central office in Easton. Ms. Kasey Kinney, Director of Special Education, Dr. Jackie Bartek, Assistant to the Executive Director for Student Services, and Dr. Christopher Wolfel, Executive Director, presided over this year's ceremony.

Kylee Diaz, Pen Argyl Area School District, gave the student address.

Alexander Stepongzi, Nazareth Area School District, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Each graduate received a certificate of participation from CIU 20 and representatives from each of the ten districts were at the ceremony to present graduates with their district diplomas. Graduates also had the opportunity to participate in their home school district’s ceremony.

Highlight Video of Graduation Ceremony

On May 22, 2024, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 recognized 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 and Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 wish these graduates success in their future endeavors.

This June, CIU 20 celebrated students for completing their Project SEARCH internships at two locations, including the inaugural year for the Wind Creek Resort in Bethlehem, and the 8th year for Kalahari Resort in the Poconos. Project SEARCH is a one year training program for young adults with disabilities to gain work experience and obtain competitive employment in their communities.

This May marked the end of another successful Possibilities Program internship endeavor for five students at St. Luke's Anderson Campus. This career readiness program provides on-the-job skills through volunteerism. At the ceremony, St. Luke's University Health Network leadership and Colonial IU 20 team members praised the Colonial IU 20 student interns for the dedication, resiliency, and overall positive energy they brought to the St. Luke's campus on a daily basis. We plan to grow this collaborative partnership with St. Luke’s during the 2024-2025 school year and give even more students the opportunity to learn these valuable employability and independence skills.

The annual CIU 20 Summer Administrative Workshop (SAW) was held on June 20, 2024 on the campus of Northampton Community College in Bethlehem. This year's theme was "Navigating the Future: Guiding Students Towards Success" and marked the 50th anniversary of providing an annual large-scale regional professional development event that features a mix of national and regional presenters. The opening keynote was Dr. Byron McClure, a leading social-emotional development expert who has helped educators, school psychologists, social workers, school leaders, and youth all over the world to apply strength-based practices.

The day featured breakout sessions with strands and topics geared toward various types of administrative roles. The SAW Planning Committee is led by Dr. Michelle Bozzini, CIU 20 Director of Professional Learning, and is comprised of regional administrators. Dr. Richard Kaskey, Nazareth Area SD Superintendent, served as this year's Committee Chair.

Artificial Intelligence in Schools Panel Discussion

School Safety Breakout Session, Mr. James Stout

Title IX Legal Breakout Session, Attorney Liz Kelly

Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting the conference and keeping the registration costs low for our member districts: McClure Company, IXL Learning, Fraser, Renaissance Learning, Zito Business, King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul LLC, KinderCare Learning Companies, Your Money Line and BrainPop.

The Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Early Intervention Program welcomed families to the annual “Family Fun Day” at Wind Gap Park on May 30, 2024. Colonial IU 20 has been hosting this preschool level field day in conjunction with Team Northampton Special Olympics for over 30 years.

“Family Fun Day” allows the students served by the CIU 20 Early Intervention program and their families to enjoy playing and participating in age-appropriate sensory and motor activities with their peers. Special thanks to the Education Team at PBS39 for providing an activity station for CIU 20 students and their families.

On June 10, 2024, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 hosted the annual Literacy Symposium at DeSales University. The theme for this year was “Charting The Course: Structured Literacy Instruction for Adolescent Achievement” and featured keynote speaker Joan Sedita, a renowned author and founder of Keys to Literacy, a literacy professional development organization.

Nearly 200 regional educators attended the event that included breakout sessions facilitated by CIU 20 Professional Learning Department representatives and numerous member district and higher ed partners, including: Bethlehem Area SD, Duquesne University, East Stroudsburg University, Northampton Area SD, Pleasant Valley SD, Stroudsburg Area SD and Wilson Area SD.

The CIU 20 leadership team thanks the dedicated individuals who retired this year for their years serving our IU 20 community and public education.

Carolyn Altemose, Associate Teacher, 3.5 years at IU, 22.5 years total

Tammy Bonanni, Service Coordinator, 43.5 years at IU, 43.5 years total

Traci Brunner, Secretary, 11.5 years at IU, 14 years total

Joanne Brunnquell, Associate Teacher, 5 years at IU, 5 years total

Susan Butz, Associate Teacher, 25 years at IU, 20.5 years total

Charlotte Cary Boothe, Mental Health Treatment Specialist, 23 years at IU, 23 years total

Matthew Dees, Monitor / Van Driver, 18.5 years at IU, 29 years total

Yvonne Donato, Bus Driver, 7 years at IU, 13 years total

Francis Felix, Mental Health Treatment Specialist, 30.5 years at IU, 31 years total

Deborah Gladd, Teacher, 22 years at IU, 22.5 years total

Phyllis Heil-Henry, Mental Health Treatment Specialist, 25 years at IU, 25 years total

Thomas Hendel, Supervisor of Transportation, 3.5 years at IU, 32.5 years total

Joann Kleintop, Associate Teacher, 36 years at IU, 21 years total

Darlene Klingel, Associate Teacher, 16.5 years at IU, 16.5 years total

Michelle Makhoul, COTA, 10 years at IU, 10 years total

Carmen Maldonado, Monitor, 5.5 years at IU, 5.5 years total

Mary Marsden, Physical Therapist, 20 years at IU, 20 years total

Lynn Marsh, Teacher, 5 years at IU, 5 years total

Diane May, Associate Teacher, 9.5 years at IU, 9.5 years total

Sandra McCammon, Associate Teacher, 25.5 years at IU, 25.5 years total

Rosemary Morgan, Teacher, 26.5 years at IU, 26.5 years total

Francis Pullo, Van Driver, 7.5 years at IU, 7.5 years total

Kelly Reiss, COTA, 17.5 years at IU, 22 years total

Gerlyn Rudolph, Associate Teacher, 3 years at IU, 23.5 years total

Denise Skrapits, Physical Therapy Assistant, 26 years at IU, 26 years total

Jeanne Southard, Associate Teacher, 10 years at IU, 10 years total

Cynthia Sutter, Associate Teacher, 19 years at IU, 19 years total

Roxanne Tindula Popvice, Associate Teacher, 25 years at IU, 25 years total

Michelle Vail, NPSS Secretary, 20 years at IU, 24.5 years total

Christina Williams, Supervisor of Health & Nursing Services, 6 years at IU, 6 years total

L to R: Ms. Kelly Fox (Trust Secretary, EBTEP), Mr. Jon Wallitsch (Assistant to the Executive Director for Management Services), Solicitor Michael Balducci and Dr. Chris Wolfel (Executive Director)

Solicitor Michael Balducci has retired after serving as legal counsel for the Employee Benefit Trust of Eastern Pennsylvania (EBTEP) for 22 years. He consulted and advised on matters such as COBRA, healthcare eligibility as well as state and federal legislation. From 2010 to 2012 Solicitor Balducci, working with a group of Trustees, revised the Trust Agreement as well as six policies, all of which remain in use by the Trust today.  

Advising EBTEP and Pennsylvania Trust has been Solicitor Balducci's passion for most of his career. He takes with him a great deal of knowledge and he will be missed by the Trust Administrators, Consultants and EBTEP Trustees. Solicitor Balducci has been an asset to the Trust and we wish him the best as this chapter ends and the next one begins.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and unity of the African American community in the face of adversity, and it is a time to celebrate freedom, reflect on the past, and strive for a more inclusive and equitable future for all. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday.

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. CIU 20 recognizes the strength, resilience, and creativity that our LGBTQ+ staff, students and families bring to the organization every day.