THE COFFEE BEAN
May 2024
"A Team Above All, Above All A Team"
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT...LUCAS
Lucas is an exceptional student who always puts in his best effort to achieve his goals. He has made significant progress in using his communication device to interact with his teachers and peers. He is always saying, "hello", making requests for his favorite activities, telling teachers about his family, and talking about wrestling using his AAC device. Lucas demonstrates his intelligence and eagerness to learn every day in the classroom. He loves playing with his friends, going down the slide, and listening to Taylor Swift! It's a pleasure to witness Lucas's success in the classroom and his readiness for Kindergarten. Everyone in Ms. Demetria's classroom will miss him, but they are excited to see the continued progress Lucas will make when he goes to Kindergarten at Valley View Elementary in the fall. Lucas's teacher describes him as a student who works hard in class everyday. He always comes with a big smile on his face. Lucas cares about all of his classmates and does great sharing with them. Lucas will often use his tablet to tell his classmates he cares about them. He frequently challenges himself to do fine motor tasks that are difficult for him. He is a joy to have in class. Lucas loves spending time with his classmates, and has 1 or 2 special friends that he looks forward to engaging with. He shows his love for physical movement such as spinning in the egg chair, sliding down the slide, or being pushed in his chair by his favorite friends, by giving a wide grin, or requesting activities on his device. Lucas is a wonderful artist, and makes beautiful watercolor abstract paintings with pride. Though motor planning is still a challenge for Lucas, he always puts in maximum effort. He is a star student!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT...PHIL VULLO
Mr. Philip Vullo began his career as an automotive teacher on August 22, 2017. Phil came to us as a professional mechanic with a passion for wanting to help teach special education students. He worked diligently to complete a program through Temple University on a Career and Technical Intern Certificate from March 2020 through February of 2023 and as a result of his hard work and perseverance, on February 1st of 2023, Phil earned his Instructional I certificate. Phil continues to run the NEIU Auto Shop program which is focused on students in middle and high school with various disabilities. Phil's passion for mechanics and dedication to his students is evident by the ways in which he is able to make connections with them and get them engaged in learning. He is a constant source of motivation and has worked diligently to revamp the auto program to focus on the varying skillsets of the students. On any given day you can see Phil working with a student on learning how to change brakes to rebuilding a small engine for a lawnmower. Phil's success can be seen in the growth of our students after they graduate. In the last few years we have students leave our program and take jobs in such places as Tome Hesser Chevrolet, Autozone and a local car detailing company. Phil not only goes above and beyond for his students but also for anyone in the organization. He is always looking to lend a hand and most recently this past Christmas, Phil and his assistant dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for our Early Intervention students at the Line Street program. This is just a small glimpse of his true kindness, dedication and hard work. NEIU would like to thank Mr. Vullo for his continued dedication to his students and the organization. Keep shining brightly!
ALL DEPARTMENTS...DAY ON THE HILL
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES...
The NEIU Aevidum planning team coordinated an Aevidum Spring Showcase at Mid Valley Secondary Center. Over 80 students from local high schools participated in the showcase. Pictured below are members of the Mid Valley Aevidum team who led the efforts! This Aevidum Spring Showcase was funded through generous grants from the Moses Taylor Foundation and the Scranton Area Community Foundation. We look forward to supporting our schools as we promote the 4 pillars of Aevidum (acceptance, appreciation, acknowledgement and being cared for) next school year.
"TOGETHER WE RISE"...
A community conversation on advancing literacy practices, "Together We Rise," was held at the NEIU Admin Building. The event was coordinated by Eliza Vagni, Carly Coalson and School Psychologist Sandie Lamanna. The conversation highlighted the importance of literacy and featured a panel discussion that was attended by State Senator Rosemary Brown, Representative Kyle Mullins, Mr. Justin Gensimore (representing Senator Marty Flynn), Representative Bridget Kosierowski, Susquehanna County Commissioner Judy Herschel, Representative Kyle Donahue and Representative Jim Haddock. The panel addressed funding disparities between Pennsylvania and other states and shared personal experiences with learning to read, emphasizing the importance of reading for success in society. The event fostered positive discussions and a collaborative approach to advancing literacy in our community.
EARLY INTERVENTION...
EI Staff were welcomed with baskets of goodies to start their week off on Monday May 6th, 2024. All staff, including paraprofessionals were given an Neiu19 t-shirt as a special token of appreciation to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Also, members of our Early Intervention Staff have been enjoying outdoor walks during the warm May weather. Both are shown in pictures below.
ANNUAL END-OF-YEAR TRAINING...
On Wednesday May 22nd, the Early Intervention Department held their annual end-of-year training which included: staff professional development presentations, wellness activities, and an afternoon of team building fun! Teams dressed according to their chosen team name. We have an amazing group of educators in EI and are so proud of their hard work and dedication to our students.
MIS and STEM...
Steph Williams and Lexie Konsur-Grushinksi were judges for the STEM Design Challenge state competition in Harrisburg at the State Farm Show Complex. IU19 was represented by Wayne Highlands school district for both the 4-5 grade band and the 6-8 grade band. We are very proud of all students and their advisors for their accomplishments!
STEM LESSON..LEARNING CAMPUS..
Lexie Konsur-Grushinski and Steph Williams engaged students at our Dunmore Learning Campus in hands on STEM lessons about potential and kinetic energy sources by building and testing air-powered rockets. Students colored different types of US launched NASA rockets, attached them to balloons and raced them across their classrooms.
WORTH THE WATCH 🎥...
"Life is beautiful not because of the things we see or things we do.
Life is beautiful because of the people we meet."
~Simon Sinek
MAY...
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH...
SPEECH AND HEARING AWARENESS MONTH...
Speech and Hearing Awareness is observed in May every year. It's a month dedicated to raising awareness for communication disorders, helping patients overcome any type of hearing and speech impairment, as well as celebrating the contributions of professionals in the speech-language-hearing industry. From speech-language pathologists, audiologists, hearing scientists, and other support personnel, we pay them respect for the help they have given, which includes assisting their patients and students and providing life-altering treatments.
MEMORIAL DAY...
Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2024 will occur on Monday, May 27. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
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