Unit Board of Directors, are proud to serve as representatives of the 42 ... with the support of the Office of Child Dev
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Issue No. 29
BOARD
BOARD September 2016
N E W S F R O M T H E A L L E G H E N Y I N T E R M E D I AT E U N I T B O A R D O F D I R E C TO R S
Message from the Executive Director
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ongratulations and thank you to all area educators and students who will be attending the AIU’s third annual STEAM Showcase. On September 27, area administrators, students and thought-leaders will gather at the IBEW Circuit Center and Ballroom for a day of learning and networking. Thanks to the continued generosity of several foundations, school districts throughout southwestern Pennsylvania have been able to implement creative initiatives that increase awareness and individual achievement in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics, otherwise known as STEAM subjects. We congratulate everyone for their outstanding contributions to the region’s STEAM efforts.
We, the members of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Board of Directors, are proud to serve as representatives of the 42 boards in our Allegheny County school districts. By way of this correspondence, we hope to keep you better informed of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s programs and services.
IN THIS ISSUE Message from the Executive Director Legislative Roundup Early Childhood, Family & Community Services Special Education and Pupil Services Teaching and Learning
Legislative Roundup HARRISBURG RECONVENES The General Assembly has returned for a short fall session. The House will be in session for 12 days, while the Senate will be in session for nine. After October 26, both sessions will adjourn until after the November 8 elections. During this time, the legislature is expected to focus on pension reform, charter reform and gaming legislation to increase revenues. While it is not likely that these issues will be resolved, we can expect a lot of discussion and possible movement by one chamber.
NEWS FROM
ECFCS Early Childhood, Family & Community Services
CONGRATULATIONS ROSAMARIA CRISTELLO! Congratulations to Rosamaria Cristello who has been named as one of the 2016 40 Under 40 award winners by Pittsburgh Magazine and Pump. Every year, this program recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 whose creativity, vision and passion enrich the Pittsburgh region. Congratulations, Rosamaria!
BULLYING CONFERENCE On August 20, the Parent Council of the Latino Family Center, with the support of the Office of Child Development, A+Schools and the University of Pittsburgh, organized a conference to discuss bullying with parents and children. Attendees increased their knowledge about bullying prevention strategies and learned how to support their children when they are involved in bullying. Conversations were thoughtful and informative.
AEP FEATURED IN PENNSYLVANIA INTERMEDIATE UNITS AT WORK!
NEW FAMILY CENTER OPENS The AIU’s new Carnegie Family Center had its first open house on September 13 with food, activities and raffles. This center serves families with children birth to five. This additional service in Carnegie is thanks to continued collaboration with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Human Services.
The AIU’s AEP Community School West is featured in the latest edition of the PAIU newsletter, Pennsylvania Intermediate Units at Work! The story explains how a student, with the help of staff, used 3D printing technology to create a fullyfunctioning hand for a child in need.
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BOARD
BOARD
N E W S F R O M T H E A L L E G H E N Y I N T E R M E D I AT E U N I T B O A R D O F D I R E C TO R S
NEWS FROM
Special Education and Pupil Services
N E W S F R Sunrise O M School – August 30
Teaching and Learning ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM EXCEEDS ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES The AIU’s K-12 ESL program was recently notified that it has met and exceeded all of the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for the 2013-2014 school year. According to a status report released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, during the 2013-2014 school year, 75.8 percent of the children in the ESL program made progress toward learning English, 14.8 percent higher than the state goal. In addition, 45.3 percent of the children in the ESL program attained English proficiency, which was 19.3 percent higher than the state goal. It was determined that the program also reached its goal of making annual measurable objectives. Congratulations to everyone in the ESL program – great results!
DR. KELLY NOYES DEFENDS DISSERTATION BACK TO SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Staff in the Special Education and Pupil Services Division started the new school year off right after opening remarks by AIU executive director Dr. Linda Hippert, division leader Dr. Nanci Sullivan presented “Our Compass: Transformation with Excellence, Dignity and Respect.” In the afternoon, Candi Castleberry Singleton, founder and CEO of Dignity and Respect, along with the AIU’s Erin Karus and Michelle Lubetsky, discussed a variety of topics including the growth mindset and respect for self and others.
SENSORY ROOM SHINES In order to better serve students with sensory processing needs, staff at Mon Valley School have collaborated with the AIU’s OT/PT program to develop an enhance sensory program. A sensory room has been filled with equipment that will provide new and enhanced opportunities for students. Holly McElhinny and Mary Grassi, along with the OT/ PT staff, collaborated with principal Rich McDowell to present an inservice for Mon Valley teachers and paraprofessionals to review sensory processing needs and explain new procedures. So far the program is well received by both students and staff. Great job!
UPCOMING STUDENT EVENTS The month of October is shaping up to be a busy one at Mon Valley. Staff and students will break out their school pride during Spirit Week, scheduled for October 10 to 14. In addition, students will compete for most spirit during pajama, red carpet and team days. Parents are invited to participate in Mon Valley’s Parent Night Out on October 25. During this semi-annual event, students spend an evening at school with teachers and staff while their parents enjoy an evening to themselves. Fun times for everyone!
PATHFINDER THEATRE ARTS Pathfinder School welcomes the Mt. Lebanon-based Center for Theatre Arts! Members of the theater troup work with students every week, introducing various aspects of the fine arts. In addition to musical theater, acting and singing, performers have added movement in the form of dance. Thanks to the efforts of the group, students at Pathfinder have had the opportunity to participate in activities that they would normally have not been able to access.
Congratulations to Dr. Kelly Noyes for successfully defending her dissertation at Point Park University. Dr. Noyes’ achievement is the first doctorate degree ever conferred by the university. Congratulations, Dr. Noyes!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES The AIU’s ESL program is pleased to offer a professional development series for the 2015-2016 school year. On October 5, nationally-recognized speaker and educator Dr. John Hodge will lead a workshop at the AIU’s Central Office on providing opportunities for English Learners to be successful and valuable members of school communities. These trainings are free to AIU Title III Consortium members and available to other districts for a small fee. Please contact Gina Oliphant for more information.
SCHOOL LEADERS! READY TO HACK YOUR SCHOOL CULTURE? APPLY FOR THE SCHOOL RETOOL FELLOWSHIP
AIU, IDEO and the Stanford d.school are excited to announce the launch of School Retool, a new professional development fellowship that helps school leaders redesign school culture using small, scrappy experiments called ‘hacks.’ With funding from The Grable Foundation, the AIU is currently recruiting middle and high school principals who lead buildings where at least 40 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch and who are ready to shake things up to reach better outcomes for students. Interested principals should contact Rosanne Javorsky or Tyler Samstag for more information.
STEAM SHOWCASE The AIU’s Center for Creativity will hold its third annual STEAM Showcase on Tuesday, September 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the IBEW Circuit Center and Ballroom, 5 Hot Metal Street. Students and teachers from 28 school districts will show how they are transforming education using STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) grants. (continued)
N E W S F R Sunrise O M School – August 30
Teaching and Learning (cont’d.)
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BOARD
BOARD
N E W S F R O M T H E A L L E G H E N Y I N T E R M E D I AT E U N I T B O A R D O F D I R E C TO R S
Local innovators from CMU CREATE Lab, CMU Personal Robotics Lab, BirdBrain Technologies, Maker Faire Pittsburgh, Stem Jobs Magazine, TechShop Pittsburgh, Digital Dream Labs, SLB Radio Productions, Schell Games EverFi, The Sprout Fund, Sevenzo, John Heinz History Center, Green Building Alliance and Common Sense Education will also attend. Each school district represented has been awarded a $20,000 STEAM grant made possible by the Chevron, Claude Worthington Benedum and Grable foundations. Since 2009, the foundations and the AIU have awarded more than $3 million in STEAM grants to school districts in southwestern Pennsylvania. Just a reminder, the Center for Creativity will be sponsoring several upcoming events including: October 4 – Digital Citizenship Strategies for K-12 (Common Sense Education) October 12 – SWPA OER Network: Session 1 October 13/14 – Games for Change October 18/19 – Learning in Motion
TAC TALKS The AIU is pleased to be hosting a new offering to educators throughout the region: TacTALKS. This speaker series will feature nationally known experts in the areas of education and the arts. All workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the AIU’s Central Office, 475 East Waterfront Drive. Act 48 hours are available. A schedule of upcoming speakers includes: October 17 - Cindy Schneider – Acting Antics: Social Learning through Role Play, Skits and more! November 2 – Jed Baker, Ph.D. – Managing Anxiety and Teaching Social Skills November 10 – Dan Habib – Inclusive Practices: Real Life Applications through Film November 18 – Bradley Witzel, Ph.D. – Math Instruction and Intervention for Non-Strategic Learners
ACADEMIC EVENTS Presented by Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the AIU, the Eco Challenge was held on September 21 and 22. This event allows high school students to investigate environmental issues and challenges them to create solutions that make a difference. Students explored elements of watersheds and learned about the conservatory through a scavenger hunt and environmental billboard. A total of 308 students from 32 school districts participated. The Teaching and Learning Division will also host its annual CalcuSolve competition for students in grades 9-12 on October 11 and 12 at Duquesne University. CalcuSolve is a competition that tests students’ problem-solving skills in mathematics. Students compete individually and as part of a group. For more information, contact Amy Cribbs.
For more information, contact Michelle Lubetsky or Saige Foster.
Sunrise School – August 30
Sunrise School – August 30
AIU Board of Directors
Let’s Get Social!
Thomas Kelly, President, North Hills School District Roger Tachoir, Vice President, Clairton City School District Debbie Beale, Secretary, Highlands School District David Schaap, Treasurer, Brentwood Borough School District Leonard Fornella, South Fayette School District Peter Lyons, Pine-Richland School District Gerri McCullough, East Allegheny School District Daniel O’Keefe, Northgate School District Larry Pollick, Allegheny Valley School District Connie Ruhl, Bethel Park School District Robert Shages, Hampton Township School District Dr. Linda B. Hippert, AIU Executive Director William C. Andrews, AIU Solicitor
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