The Coffee Bean

When it comes to being a student in Early Intervention, we encourage everyone to feel confident, heard, and understood. Our staff strives to properly equip our students to tackle the goals set in place to further their education and development in fun and creative ways! Our student spotlight Sterling Guaditis, has been doing just that! Sterling started in our early childhood special education classroom in 2022. When he began, he was not yet using verbal communication and demonstrated frustration when he was not understood. Sterling has participated in Variety's My Voice program where he obtained an AAC device to assist with his communication development. Since starting in the Early Intervention program, we see a Sterling who is confident, adaptable and resilient. Sterling has displayed a love for all things Halloween and spooky, points out ghouls and ghosts, saying "boo!" and "spooky" when Halloween related things pop up. Sterling will say "thank you" and follows commands to sit or put things away when it's time to transition to another task. Sterling is an active participant in circle time and centers, showing interest and curiosity to learn and be included with all things available in the classroom. His word development is increasingly apparent. Today Sterling uses a total communication approach to use greetings with his friends, show off his favorite toys such as dinosaurs and trains and request snack such as apples and blueberries. Sterling is beginning to play with friends and remains a constant source of joy and energy in the classroom. We are so proud of Sterling and the effort he has put forth! He is one of many shining stars amongst our EI Students.

Shara Bauman - Act 89

Megan Benke - Early Intervention Para

Ashton Boyarsky - Early Intervention SLP

Ky Brown - Early Intervention Teacher

Carolyn Bryan - Training and Consultation

Susan Cieless - Early Intervention Para

Jamie Cominsky - School Age Teacher

Michelle Cummings - BCBA

Erica Duffy - Early Intervention Teacher

Sarah Duran - School Age Para

Frank Escobar - School Age Social Worker

Kara Fahey - Early Intervention OT

Julia Friedman - Early Intervention Teacher

Sophie Genello - School Psychologist

Lindsay Harvey - Mental Health Technician

Virginia Hayes - Early Intervention Para

Anne Kennell - School Age Assistant Supervisor

Mauri Kurcin - Early Intervention Para

Ashely Masters - School Age Speech Therapist

Arielle May - Early Intervention Teacher

Miranda McNally - Early Intervention Para

Christina Mellow - School Age Teacher

Janelle Placencia - Mental Health Technician

Nicole Pychewicz - Early Intervention SLP

Lisa Rooney - School Age RN

Our EI Evaluation teams have moved from using the Arizona Articulation test to the Goldman Fristoe assessment. This change of assessment was part of professional development by Erin Walsh, EI Speech Therapist Diagnostician. Erin surveyed staff, met with other IUs and researched different assessments in order to collaborate in this decision with EI administrators. This change will help staff better plan for SLP goals and progress monitoring for our EI students. Shown here is Malcolm. He is learning how to use his AAC device to ask for help completing a puzzle. Malcolm is in Miss Shannon's room at Chestnut EI. Malcolm is learning to talk and communicate by using assistive technology!

On October 22nd and 23rd, Molly Weber attended the Early Intervention Leadership Conference in State College, PA. The conference focused on inclusion and EI State initiative of Coaching Across Settings. There was also a session focused on Assistive Technology for Preschool children. Molly shared the positives of receiving the EI AT Grant and was able to collaborate with other EI Leaders on tools that we purchased and how we plan to use them for IU19. There were also a number of opportunities to collaborate with HASD and WCC on programming for our regions and understanding how to beneficially use our PELICAN data for future programming and professional development. Future collaboration dates have been set for regional meetings between HASD and WCC for transitional planning.

Our Chestnut EI building is proudly showcasing holiday student artwork! Each classroom has dedicated one craft to the front office showcase.

Melissa Orman attended the Pennsylvania Literacy Leadership Summit on October 4, 2024, sponsored by International Dyslexia Association Pennsylvania (IDA-PA). This summit provided literacy leaders the opportunity to learn strategies for creating system-level conditions necessary for effective structured literacy implementation. Guess visitor, Representative Justin Fleming, spoke to the attendees about House Bill 998, Literacy Achievement for all Pennsylvanians.

Gena Bensinger and Jessica Capwell attended the opening day of Educator in the Workplace at Career Technical Center. Educator in the Workplace, a Skills in Scranton workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, seeks to align and connect business and industry leaders with educators in the region. The day consisted of guest speakers from area manufacturing companies and a tour of CTC with ambassador students.

On October 8, 2024, Carly Coalson appeared on PA Live! to promote the efforts of the Lackawanna County Literacy Council and to invite the public to a screening of The Right to Read Documentary being held at Lackawanna College. During the segment, Carly emphasized the critical role of both community engagement and policy change in addressing the ongoing reading crisis in our area, urging viewers to take part in the conversation and the event. Featured in the photo are members of our NEIU Act 89 and Literacy Department, Curriculum, TaC teams, Dr. David Kilpatrick and Sandie Lamanna.

Erin Pencek hosted a virtual professional learning session for school nurses entitled :Considerations for the Prevention and Treatment of Eating Disorders and the Ethical Treatment of All Bodies. This program discussed factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders and body image struggles. Weight stigma and the harms of "diet culture" were explored, as well as considerations in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. This session was facilitated by April Rudat, MS Ed., RDN, LDN and Marlee Stefanelli, MS, LPC. This program was held in partnership with the Moses Taylor Foundation.

In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, the nation's largest drug prevention campaign, NEIU's Rory Stevens, Student Assistance Program Coordinator, presented "Happy, Healthy, and Strong" to third and fourth grade students at Isaac Tripp Elementary in the Scranton School District. Rory's presentations focused on making healthy choices and understanding the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Following the presentation, students signed the Red Ribbon Pledge, committing to stay safe, healthy, and drug-free.

BT Lively, NEIU Curriculum and Social Studies Lead hosted Dr. Jason Jividen of Ashland University for a day-long seminar on historical connections to modern political theory. Alongside James Madison Fellow Rusty Eder, Dr. Jividen engaged educators from across the NEIU19 region in a Socratic-style discussion on "Supreme Court Cases That Changed America." This seminar explored the historical influence on today's political landscape and Supreme Court decisions, providing educators with rich content to bring back to their classrooms.

On October 11, 2024, NEIU in partnership with Lackawanna College hosted Pick Your Pathway: Collaborate, Innovate and Inspire Education in NEPA. The event was held at the Mohegan Conference Center. Over 150 educators participated in this engaging and interactive day designed to expand knowledge of diverse career pathways for students. Key event highlights included: Pathways to Lifelong Careers Panel, this panel discussed opportunities available through dual enrollment and career programs, such as STEM, Healthcare, and Business. Three-Dimensional Teaching Panel: Focused on strategies for STEM classrooms, with insights from educators and the Chamber of Commerce. Interactive Exhibits: Attendees explored hands-on learning stations, including a mobile lab, VR experiences and STEM education resources, to connect academic programs with real-world applications.

The ARC of NEPA Buddy Walk was held on Sunday, October 6th at Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium. It is a program established by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome. The program has grown to become the world's largest Down Syndrome awareness program. Shown below are Dr. Colleen Penzone and Amanda Jacobino representing NEIU 19, along with participants in the walk.

Our first Climate Survey will be available for completion until November 6, 2024. If you haven't yet, please complete the attached survey. Your input is valuable to us. We greatly appreciate all that you do for our students, districts, and our organization. Your insights and suggestions will play a key role in guiding our continued progress and improvement.

Employee climate survey

October is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, the most common cancer among American women with about 250,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Breast cancer awareness month acts as a reminder to prioritize breast health and support those affected.

This month is a time to raise awareness of dyslexia, the most common learning disability in the United States. It's also a time to advocate for better resources and accommodations for people with dyslexia.

MISSION : The NEIU is an educational agency that supports the diverse needs of all learners by collaborating with families, educators and community partners to provide innovative leadership, programs and services.

VISION: NEIU—the leader in advancing education and community partnerships