Amy's Notes

"Krazy Kellys" Smash through $14,000 Goal and Raise $27,261.81 for Special Olympics Area M!

Amy C. Morton — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:34:00 GMT

On Saturday, February 6, 2010, five CAIU employees plunged into freezing Susquehanna River waters during the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge. The high that day was a whopping 29 degrees!

Cheryl Park, Cindy Mellott, Tracy Hipple, Tracy Geist, and Beth Light were a part of the 90-person team that has been taking the plunge for five years to help raise money for Special Olympics Area M.

In 2009, the team raised $11, 862, the most money as a group, and won the "Community Hero" award. This year, the "Krazy Kellys" smashed through their $14,000 goal and raised $27,261.81!

The Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge was started in 2005 and takes place each year on City Island in Harrisburg, PA. The money raised helps to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Special thanks to all of those who helped support the "Krazy Kellys" and our five CAIU employees! Way to go!

Pictured above: Cindy Mellot and family holding the Outstanding Polar Bears Award for raising the most money at the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Area M.

Dr. Jim Delisle Talks "Giftedness"

Amy C. Morton — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:11:00 GMT

Expert in the area of gifted education, Dr. Jim Delisle, presented to teachers, administrators, counselors, and psychologists at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit on Tuesday. Later that evening he gave a similar presentation to parents.

Dr. Jim Delisle is a teacher of gifted children for more than 30 years and the author of more than 250 articles and 14 books, including top seller Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy and Successful Children.

His presentation covered the needs of gifted students, including understanding the intensities that accompany giftedness, accepting personal imperfections, finding and keeping true friends, and enjoying one's abilities in the context of the wider world.

He also highlighted more than 20 classroom-tested lessons for educators to instill compassion, self-awareness, and leadership among gifted children.

High School Seniors Earn Certification in Nurse Aide Training Program

Amy C. Morton — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:55:00 GMT

On Monday, March 1, graduation ceremonies were held for high school seniors who successfully completed a five-week nurse aide training program provided by Harrisburg Area Community College through a partnership with the Capital Region Partnership for Career Development (PCD) and the schools in the Capital Area Intermediate Unit.

Nurse Aide Training (NAT) certification provides immediate employment for many of the students in nursing care facilities. The program, in operation since 2005, has produced 152 graduates out of 163 student participants demonstrating a 93% completion rate.

The Capital Region Partnership for Career Development has been instrumental in bringing together educators and business leaders to create innovative programs that provide hands-on experiences for students inside and outside of the classroom. Students across the mid-state have numerous opportunities to interact with employers, explore career opportunities, earn job certifications while earning academic credits, experience the demands of the workplace, and engage in targeted activities that will guide the decision making process.

Capital Area School for the Arts Auditions

Amy C. Morton — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:45:00 GMT

The Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA), the region's magnet high school for the arts, will hold auditions for interested students beginning this Saturday, February 27, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will continue to hold auditions until all spots are filled. Auditions will be held at the school's location: Strawberry Square at Third and Walnut Streets in downtown Harrisburg.

The Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) was founded in 2001 through a partnership between the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and Open Stage of Harrisburg. CASA offers intensive instruction in visual art, dance, music, theatre, film and video, and new to 2010-11, writing, to qualified high school students in the region (over 150 students from 24 different high schools). The school uses the city of Harrisburg as its "classroom," affording its students access to the numerous resources located downtown and utilizing a yearly theme based on the urban environment.

For more information regarding audition requirements or to receive general information, please contact the school at 717-732-8450 or visit CASA's website at www.casa-arts.org.

CAIU Exceeds State Averages in Early Intervention Pre-School Family Survey

Amy C. Morton — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:22:00 GMT

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit's Early Intervention Program meets or exceeds state averages, due to a recently released 2008-2009 OCDEL Cross Systems Family survey.

The survey was conducted across the Commonwealth. Respondents (family members) answered on a 1-6 likert scale, 1= very strongly disagree and 6=very strongly agree.

According to the survey, CAIU's Early Intervention Program scored an average of 4.72. The state averaged 4.64. The findings will be discussed at the Early Intervention Leadership meeting on March 3 and 4.

To all of our Early Intervention Staff-Great Job!

CAIU Earns Several PenSPRA Communication Awards

Amy C. Morton — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:43:11 GMT

Congratulations to the CAIU staff and contractors who contibuted to the high quality communication tools used by the CAIU.� This year, the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA)�recognized the CAIU for several�Excellence in Education Communications Contest Awards. Specifically, the CAIU received the highest level of award in the following categories:

Award of Excellence - Internet/Intranet Website, Capital Area Intermediate Unit Website (www.caiu.org)
Award of Excellence - Internet/Intranet Website, Capital Region Partnership for Career Development Website (www.partnershipforcareerdevelopment.org)
Award of Excellence - Special Purpose Publication, Champions for Children: Serving Children with Unique Needs (capital campaign brochure, with design by SunHo Design)�

Capital Campaign Booklet�

�

CAIU Sponsored Videoconference Connects Area Students with Alaskan Dogsledders

Amy C. Morton — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:09:00 GMT

At West Creek Hills Elementary School, students in Mr. Todd Baldwin's third grade class and Mr. Dan Peck's fourth grade class have been studying Alaska and the historic race that pits men and their sled dogs against the harsh elements of the Alaskan wilderness.

On February 18, 2010, the third and fourth graders at West Creek Hills Elementary School (East Pennsboro School District) joined students from Northside Elementary School (Central Dauphin School District) and Steelton-Highspire Elementary School (Steelton-Highspire School District) in a videoconference that connected students with dogsledders in Kigluait, Alaska.

Alaska is a big state with harsh weather, few roads, and tough geographic conditions. For thousands of years, dog teams have been an important part of the Alaskan lifestyle. The Capital Area Intermediate Unit provided the advanced technology that allowed students in three school districts to interact simultaneously with the dogsledders.

During the videoconference, students went for a real time dog run, saw a sled dog kennel, and visited mushers as they introduced their favorite dogs and shared their love for the mushing lifestyle.

According to West Creek Hills third grade teacher Todd Baldwin, "The technology side of this is the biggest draw. Who wouldn't want their students to have this experience? Most of my students can't comprehend how far away Alaska is."

In addition to the video conference, Li Kohr, Senator Pat Vance's legislative assistant, brought her two Siberian Huskies, Lobo and Kita, to give the students a hands-on experience (Pictured below).

Visit the online photo gallery under the "news + events" tab to view more photos of the Sled Dog Videoconference event.

"Hat Day for Haiti" at Hill Top Academy

Amy C. Morton — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMT

As a result of the major earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, many schools and organizations have started various fundraising efforts to help earthquake victims and their families.

Last Thursday, Hill Top Academy celebrated Hat Day for Haiti. Students and staff were encouraged to make a cash donation in order to wear their favorite hat all day long. The funds raised will go to a local mission in Haiti.

Here is a pig-ture of our very special Hill Top Caf� staff!

Don't they look Ham-tastic?

�

A Stranger's Random Act of Kindness

Amy C. Morton — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:02:00 GMT

How can one ordinary person-you or me-put a positive and lasting mark in history? One way is to practice "paying it forward." Although simple, this good-will concept followed correctly could change the world.

"Paying it forward" begins with doing a nice deed for another person without any expectation of being paid in return. The chain reaction of good deeds occurs when that person does a favor for someone else-ideally three other people. If each person helps three other people do something they cannot do for themselves, good favors would be spread exponentially throughout society.

Here is one story of how "paying it forward" can truly make a difference:

CAIU Group Appreciates Stranger's Kindness:
Patriot News, Letters to the Editor
January 27, 2010

My colleagues and I took a group of special needs preschoolers to the Farm Show. I escorted "Bobby," who is multiply handicapped and in a wheelchair.

Bobby didn't particularly care for the Farm Show until we took the kids to the play area.

We are not always sure about how much Bobby can see, but when I showed him how to play with the toy where a car zigzags down a wooden structure, he watched it all the way down and smiled the biggest smile. We enjoyed watching Bobby take such an interest, as did a woman at the other end of the table with her child.

In a few minutes, it was time to pack up to go back to school. As I placed Bobby back into his wheelchair, the woman asked what school we were from. I replied that we were from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. Bobby and I were off with the rest of our school to meet the bus when I heard someone shouting. I turned around and running to meet me was the woman from the table. She handed me a paper bag, but I was confused.

She said, "Now the Capital Area Intermediate Unit has one," and I looked in the bag to find the same toy, newly purchased, that Bobby had been playing with. I hope that she or her family will read this letter and know that her generosity was greatly appreciated.

LORI HOLTZINGER, Camp Hill

Click here�for the Patriot-News/Pennlive article.

If you have been the recipient of a "pay it forward" deed, or if you have performed a "pay it forward" deed for someone else, please comment. I would love to hear your stories.

�

Taking Time to Recognize Our Talented Staff

Amy C. Morton — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:01:00 GMT

Now that the holiday bustle is behind us and the New Year with all good intentions has arrived, the time has come to recognize some folks for their hard work over the last few months.

Special "Recognition" Goes To.

Diane Kovac - who with the help from her son, Eric, delivered a minivan full of toys collected by The Picture People, a business in the York Galleria Mall, to CAIU kids and classes during the holiday season.

Jill Machemer - who worked with teachers, administrators, and students from Cumberland Valley School District and West Shore School District to send over 80lbs of supplies to U.S. Soldiers stationed in Camp Taji, Iraq. The supplies included snacks, games, books, stationery supplies, and personal products.

Shana Montgomery - who, in November, was invited to present to the Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities Committee of the PA State Bar Association about advances in the field of Deaf Education.

Jason Conway and Sue Voigt - whose proposal for the Project CLEAR REMS grant evaluation was recommended to provide services to the Project CLEAR Grant Consortium. The REMS grant provides emergency management training and preparedness to school districts. The total for services is $25,000. Jason and Sue will serve as the official grant evaluators.

Kathleen Eich, Joan Gillis, Susan Kutz, Tanya Morret, Nancy Neusbaum, and Karen Ruddle - who, in January, trained over 300 student teachers from area colleges and universities on the Learning-Focused Schools model during the High Impact Strategies Training sessions. Our curriculum team received excellent feedback from both the students and teachers. Teachers reported that this training has helped student teachers become better prepared for full-time teaching.

Ruth Knapp, Connie Steinour, Elizabeth Stinner, and Dianne Shuey - who, in November, hosted the Russian Delegation from Open World. Delegates from Moscow visited Focused on Living and two preschool classrooms at Marshall Elementary. Ruth Knapp and Connie Steinour, from Focused on Living, gave a warm welcome to the delegation. Elizabeth Stinner's and Dianne Shuey's preschool teams at Marshall awakened the delegation to the idea of children participating fully in classrooms in local public schools.

With the help from those mentioned, and our entire 550+ staff, the Capital Area Intermediate Unit has been able to stay on its mission: to achieve educational excellence with families, schools and communities through leadership, partnership, and innovation.

Thank you.

Keep up the good work!

Look a Little Closer, and You'll Find Some Great Resources

Amy C. Morton — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 09:35:00 GMT

We are always hard at work adding more information, documents, and features to our extensive CAIU website. It is our goal to provide you with an excellent source that will help to answer any questions you may have about the CAIU and the services we provide.

You'll notice some great features on our website, but unless you continue to browse, you may miss some excellent resources. For instance, tucked away in "Resources for Families" are some great instructional videos produced by our Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist Team with the help from Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) film and video students.

To watch the videos, scroll over the "resources" tab and click "for families." Then click "Instructional videos for gross and fine motor skills."

Here is the direct link: http://www.caiu.org/resources/families/motor-skills-videos.aspx �

Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola Visits CAIU

Amy C. Morton — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Throughout his term, Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola has become increasingly aware of Pennsylvania's 29�Intermediate Units and the essential role IUs play in the educational system. On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, Senator Piccola stopped by for an official tour of the Capital Area Intermediate Unit's�Enola facility.

His visit included a warm welcome and a facility tour, including interviews with�some of our CAIU staff. The tour will result in a two-part television show to be aired in March and April.

Special thanks go out to all of the�those involved in making this event possible.�Senator Piccola�and his team were very impressed by all of you, which comes as no surprise to me. I loved listening to the interviews and your explanations of what you do and how you truly live our mission!

Senator Piccola's assistant, Colleen, also sends kudos to our employees.

She writes: ".All of us, particularly Senator Piccola, look forward to featuring the fine work being done by CAIU as well as the resources provided by our intermediate units...Thanks again to you and your staff for helping to coordinate all of the details for yesterday's visit/tour and putting together a great outline! We were very impressed with your operations!!!"

Visit�the online photo gallery under the "news + events" tab to view more�photos of yesterday's event.

CASA Displays Artwork at Pennsylvania Department of Education

Amy C. Morton — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

This January, a group of young artists from Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) have their works displayed at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The artwork is incredible! If you would like to see it for yourself, visit the spacious Honors Suite Gallery on the first floor of the Department's 333 Market Street, Harrisburg location.

The exhibit will continue through January and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

The students we serve are so talented!

Five CAIU Employees Decide to Take the Plunge!

Amy C. Morton — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Even icy conditions won't stop five CAIU employees from plunging into freezing Susquehanna River waters on February 6, 2010.

They didn't agree to a double-dare either. Cheryl Park, Cindy Mellott, Tracy Hipple, Tracy Geist, and Beth Light are a part of the "Krazy Kellys," a 90-person team that relishes the idea of taking a chilly dip into waters hovering 40 degrees. Named after Cindy Mellott's daughter, Kelly, the "Krazy Kellys" have been taking the plunge for five years to help raise money for Special Olympics Area M.

Last year, the team raised $11,862, the most money as a group, and won the "Community Hero" award. This year, the "Krazy Kellys" hope to raise $14,000.

If you would like to encourage our employees and donate to this worthy cause, please visit www.firstgiving.com. Look for "Find A Friend's Fundraising Page" and type in the name of one of our five CAIU plungers.

And if you'd like to take the plunge yourself, you can register on the Special Olympics Area M website, www.sopam.org.

Best of luck to the "Krazy Kellys" and all the other gutsy plungers as well! Brrrrrrr!

��
�� Cindy Mellott and Cheryl Park

CAOLA Expands Options for High School Students

Amy C. Morton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

In the spring of 2009, CAIU's collaborative effort, Capital Area Online Learning Association (CAOLA), teamed up with EdisonLearning to help school districts across Pennsylvania offer more options to their high school students.

The decision to work with EdisonLearning, the nation's leading public school innovator and partner for school districts and charter schools, has proven to been a good one.

Kevin Roberts, Director of Curriculum for Big Spring School District, says, "This program has helped our students access courses that they typically would not have been able to take."

Courses like Chinese and astronomy are not normally offered in smaller school districts. Even larger school districts do not hire teachers for such specific subject matters. Fortunately, CAIU's online learning option, gives students the opportunity to enroll in a subject they really want to learn.

Currently, 150 students within the districts supported by CAIU are enrolled in CAOLA's online program. Next semester, all districts throughout the state can participate.�

Visit our "Press Room"�under the�"News+Events" tab�to read the PRNewswire press release entitled:

Innovative Online Learning Program Expands Options for High School Students across Pennsylvania.