The Coffee Bean

"What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year."

- Vern McLellan

Seamus is a shining star in the Early Intervention program at NEIU. Since joining the program at the age of 3, Seamus has been making incredible strides under the care of his dedicated team. In Ms. Demetria McGowan's classroom at Line Street EI, Seamus is a true delight. He greets the staff with a warm smile and brings a big personality that's equal parts sweet and spunky. His teacher reports that he has shown remarkable growth, excelling at choosing songs on the iPad and using various signs to communicate. Beyond his love for basketball, Seamus has started exploring new toys in the classroom, showing his growing curiosity and adaptability. Seamus's physical therapist, Jim Minella, celebrates his emotional growth, highlighting his improved separation from his mom and a significant reduction in challenging behaviors. Meanwhile, Jacquie Bowan, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, praises Seamus's hard work and his ability to brighten the room with his infectious smile and radiant inner joy. His positivity spreads to everyone around him, making him a cherished part of the NEIU community. Seamus resides in the Abington Heights School District and we are so proud of his progress. We can't wait to see what he accomplishes next!

Dr. Megan Hazelton and Dr. Emily Witts:

We are thrilled to announce that Megan Hazleton and Emily Witts, two of our outstanding occupational therapists, have recently earned their Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees from Misericordia University in December 2024. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to advancing their knowledge and skills in occupational therapy are truly inspiring. This achievement not only highlights their personal and professional growth but also strengthens the expertise and care they provide to our students and families in Early Intervention. Megan and Emily have been working in the NEIU19's Early Intervention department since the 2021/2022 school year. Both therapists have supported our EI department by completing EI OT evaluations, and coaching staff in both our department and local preschools and daycares. Megan and Emily along with the OT team, have developed many resources for our EI staff and ECE partners. resources include information regarding feeding, fine and visual motor skills, potty training, sensory and behavior, and routines for bed, bath and dressing. This year Megan and Emily are working on creating social stories specific to the needs of the students in our classrooms. Their work has helped give families and staff immediate access to strategies and support for common concerns.

Phil Vullo's Auto Shop students spent a day working with our EI students at Line Street. The Auto Shop students constructed wooden toys as part of their classwork and brought them for the students as a painting activity. What an amazing collaboration!

Michael Motsko, NEIU Safe School Coordinator partnered with the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) to offer the 40-hour Basic SRO Course at the NEIU Administration Building. This course is a mandatory prerequisite for individuals pursuing roles as School Resource Officers (SROs), School Police Officers (SPOs), or School Security Officers (SSOs) in Pennsylvania. By offering these training opportunities, NEIU reinforces its commitment to school safety and supports local districts in creating secure learning environments.

ICreate STEM, Stephanie Williams, MIS Coordinator and Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski , STEM services coordinator visited the gifted program at Montrose Area SD where they spoke to K-12 students about careers in drone piloting. Students had the opportunity to read aerial maps and program drones in teams. They learned about certification requirements for unmanned aircraft pilots and local employment opportunities. Students enjoyed working together to solve flying challenges. It was inspiring to see students of all ages actively participating, collaborating, and building their skills in this cutting-edge field.

Mindfulness Schedule...

Dates for The Mindfulness Workshop with Phil Sallavanti:

-March 13th, 2025- Thursday, 6-7pm

-May 15th, 2025- Thursday, 6-7pm

Classes are held at the Administration Building, Archbald and are open to all NEIU employees.

In January we celebrate our amazing Board of Directors, who are representatives from our IU19 school districts. Thank you for your dedication, passion for education, and commitment to NEIU19. We appreciate you!

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