DCIU Update A Word From Dr. O’Shea Sept./Oct. 2013 Delaware County Intermediate Unit #25 Inside this issue: Nonpublic Services Hosts Inservice for 400 2 EI Raises Funds for Breast Cancer 3 Recycling at Pennington 3 Education Foundation Golf Outing 4 Walk-4-Hearing 4 Help a Teen Parent/ Child for the Holiday 5 Zumbathon for Autistic Support 6 Head Start Teacher Publishes Book 7 HR/Wellness Information 9 Greetings from the Office of the Executive Director. This information is an overview of some of our activities over the past two months: Safety and Security Crisis Plans: Updated crisis plans have been completed for our Aston, Folcroft, Marple, Pennington, and TCA facilities. The revisions to the DCA and Morton plans are in progress and should be completed shortly. Each Head Start location is currently operating under the host district’s plan or existing DCIU crisis plans. We are in the process of transferring the existing plans into the same format as all other DCIU facilities. In addition to the comprehensive plan that has been developed, we are currently developing user-friendly version for classroom teachers. Dr. McFall has drafted an Administrative Directive that provides all building supervisors with direction in the implementation of the crisis plans that includes mandates on the type and frequency of emergency drills, as well as mandatory meeting with local law enforcement and emergency responders. An online tool is being developed to record and monitor emergency drills in each building. DelPASS: With the exception of the Folcroft facility (which encountered issues currently under review), Verizon has installed all of the necessary dedicated phone lines for the “panic” button. The first DelPASS button to be installed was at TCA. The contractor, hired by the County, has developed a schedule for all other installations. Dr. McFall and Mr. Fazio will be visiting each building to inspect the installation of the buttons and train the front desk staff. Public Address Systems: We have identified a cost effective and appropriate repair to the public address system issues we have experienced at Pennington. The system upgrade is necessary for a number of reasons, but primarily for use in the case of an emergency to effectively notify staff to execute the crisis plan. The system is now awaiting board approval. We are also looking to install a public address system at the Morton building. Business Services Internal Controls for Material Inventories: Administrative Directives and process maps have been developed to provide internal controls for inventory for DCIU and DCTS in 3 separate areas: equipment, low cost items, and mobile phones. The directives provide written procedures for adequate safeguards of inventory from purchase through disposal. The directives are currently going through an internal review process. Each directive out- lines the process of maintaining inventory data, establishes the responsibility to update inventory data, verify inventory records at fiscal year end, and to reiterate the procedure and policy for disposal. An inventory tracking template has been developed that identifies the required elements to record to assure the internal controls are met. Finally, as usual, should you have questions or need further information, feel free to contact me. Celebrate American Education Week November 17-13, 2013
Transcript
DCIU Update
Sept./Oct. 2013 Delaware County Intermediate Unit #25
DCIU Update
A Word From Dr. O’Shea
Sept./Oct. 2013 Delaware County Intermediate Unit #25
Inside this issue:
Nonpublic Services
Hosts Inservice for 400
2
EI Raises Funds for
Breast Cancer
3
Recycling at
Pennington
3
Education Foundation
Golf Outing
4
Walk-4-Hearing 4
Help a Teen Parent/
Child for the Holiday
5
Zumbathon for Autistic
Support
6
Head Start Teacher
Publishes Book
7
HR/Wellness
Information
9
Greetings from the Office of the Executive Director. This information is an overview of some of our activities over the past
two months:
Safety and Security Crisis Plans: Updated crisis plans have been completed for our
Aston, Folcroft, Marple, Pennington, and TCA facilities. The revisions to the DCA and Morton plans are in progress and should
be completed shortly. Each Head Start location is currently operating under the host district’s plan or existing DCIU crisis plans. We are in the process
of transferring the existing plans into the same format as all other DCIU facilities. In
addition to the comprehensive plan that has been developed, we are currently developing
user-friendly version for classroom teachers. Dr. McFall has drafted an Administrative Directive that provides all building supervisors with direction in the implementation of the
crisis plans that includes mandates on the type and frequency of emergency drills, as well
as mandatory meeting with local law enforcement and emergency responders. An online
tool is being developed to record and monitor emergency drills in each building. DelPASS: With the exception of the Folcroft facility (which encountered issues currently
under review), Verizon has installed all of the necessary dedicated phone lines for the “panic” button. The first DelPASS button to be installed was at TCA. The contractor, hired
by the County, has developed a schedule for all other installations. Dr. McFall and Mr.
Fazio will be visiting each building to inspect the installation of the buttons and train the
front desk staff.
Public Address Systems: We have identified a cost effective and appropriate repair to the public address system issues we have experienced at Pennington. The system upgrade
is necessary for a number of reasons, but primarily for use in the case of an emergency to
effectively notify staff to execute the crisis plan. The system is now awaiting board
approval. We are also looking to install a public address system at the Morton building.
Business Services Internal Controls for Material Inventories: Administrative Directives and process maps
have been developed to provide internal controls for inventory for DCIU and DCTS in 3
separate areas: equipment, low cost items, and mobile phones. The directives provide written procedures for adequate safeguards of inventory from purchase through disposal.
The directives are currently going through an internal review process. Each directive out-
lines the process of maintaining inventory data, establishes the responsibility to update inventory data, verify inventory records at fiscal year end, and to reiterate the procedure
and policy for disposal. An inventory tracking template has been developed that identifies
the required elements to record to assure the internal controls are met.
Finally, as usual, should you have questions or need further information, feel free to
contact me.
Celebrate
American
Education
Week
November
17-13, 2013
Page 2 DCIU Update
Nearly 400 Attend DCIU Inservice on Common Core
On September 27, DCIU Act 89 and Professional Development staff/contractors
(Lisa Glavin, Linda Barbato, Diane Messer,
and Cindy Kruse) presented a full day workshop on “Assessing the Common Core
Standards.” This workshop was developed at
the request of the Delaware County Archdi-
ocesan elementary school principals and
focused on developing instructional
strategies linked to the Common Core assessments which were piloted last year in
several of the nonpublic schools. This full-day workshop at Springfield Country
Club was attended by 392 teachers who
worked with same grade peers on methods
which can turn their classrooms into higher order learning environments. Emphasis was placed on
developing a deeper understanding of Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, close reading, and the
importance of having students cite evidence when they read. Common text structures such as
compare/contrast, define/describe, cause/effect, order/sequence, problem/solution were also
reviewed. Two follow up workshops on these topics have been scheduled for January and February.
Lisa Glavin (l) speaks with a group of Pre-K – first grade
teachers from St. Cornelius at the workshop
DCIU hosted a two-day workshop with Cheri Lovre, Director
of Crisis Management Institute. Cheri has over 30 years of experience in the field of prevention, crisis response, grief and
trauma with specialization in working with youth. Her greatest
strength in responding in the moment to catastrophic events that
are unfolding (when districts call and are still in lock-down) is
helping them predict many dynamics and prepare for the hundreds of soon-to-surface challenges that feel like one more
crisis. The goals of the workshop were for participants to grasp
the dynamics of overwhelming events and see the big picture,
not only so that they are better able both to organize their plans
for responding to this, but also to be able to see the big picture
at a time when lives are not at stake. This prepares us all for
better preventing loss of life when every minutes counts. The workshop provided the outline of the three phases
of responding to a catastrophic event in the school setting, such
as 9/11, a school shooting, an act of terrorism or a natural
disaster. Common errors become evident and tips for
organizing in ways that help meet the needs of students, staff
and parents also help minimize the likelihood of lawsuits.
Cheri Lovre Presents Two-Day Workshop on Catastrophic Events
Page 3 DCIU Update
EI Staff Raise Funds for Breast Cancer
On October 4, Early Intervention staff hosted a Breast Cancer
Awareness Campaign at the Marple Education Center (MEC).
As a result of the campaign, the staff sent a check for $370, from donations, to United For Her, in Pocopson PA, in support of our
psychologist, Jennifer Elam. They also created a display
window in the MEC lobby advertising the campaign and
another window with pictures of some of the generous donators. The windows are all built around the adorable Marple
EI mascot, Flo, the flamingo.
Recycling at Pennington
Pennington is currently running a school wide recycling program. The recycling program is the responsibility of students and
staff and allows students to gain vocational skills and social skills,
while collecting recyclable materials from classrooms and offices
around the building. Recycling has enabled Pennington to save
money and at the same time is helping to preserve the environment.
Pennington’s recycling program is an excellent example of both financial and environmental
stewardship.
The cost to remove recycling is less than the cost to remove trash. Furthermore, due to
recycling there is less trash.
The cost to remove 1 bin of trash is $429.91 per month.
The cost to remove 1 bin of recycling is $86.23 per month. Before the recycling program, the cost per month to have 3 bins of trash removed was
$1,289.73. The new total for 2 trash bins being removed and 1 recycling bin being removed is
$946.05 per month. This is a per school year savings of $3,436.80!
Page 4 DCIU Update
2013 DCIU Education Foundation Golf Outing
The 15th Annual DCIU Education Foundation Golf Outing was held on Monday, September 23,
2013 at the Springhaven Club. Nearly 80 golfers got in on the action that action. The Foundation netted about $1500 after expenses on the basket raffle, mulligans and putting contest. The total net
proceeds for the event was $18,813.90. This will enable the Foundation to award 18-20 mini-grants
for our classroom teachers for their innovative educational programming ideas in March 2014. The
golf outing was successful once again this year, and we appreciate the support of our numerous
sponsors, golfers, the Board, administrators and staff in this endeavor.
Team DCIU participated in the 2013 Walk-4-Hearing at
Ridley Creek State Park on September 22. For the third
consecutive year Team DCIU was awarded the prize for
“Most Registered Walkers on a Single Team” with over
100 individuals walking on behalf of the DCIU Hearing
Program! The team was comprised of teachers, Hearing
Program families and most importantly, the deaf and hard-of-hearing students we support. The Walk-4-
Hearing has grown each year and has almost tripled in
size in the last several years, making this award even
more impressive.
Congratulations to Team DCIU for continuing to represent our organization with pride!
Team DCIU Registers the Most Walkers at Walk-4-Hearing
Page 5 DCIU Update
Adopt a Teen Parent and Child for the Holiday
It’s time to begin Project ELECT’s Holiday
Giving Campaign!
Please join us and experience the warm feeling of helping
young parents during the holiday.
Each of our students has a unique story, but what they share in common is that, as teen parents, it’s
difficult to clothe, feed and think about school on a daily basis; however, you can make a difference
in their lives during the holiday season. If you would like to help, please fill out the form then email
it to [email protected] or fax your response to 610 499 3132. Once the form is received you will
receive a personal letter written by a Project ELECT teen parent. Here’s what we ask of you:
To respond as soon as possible.
To please wrap gifts and put visible name tags on them.
Locations to drop off the gifts will be given at a later date.
THANK YOU and for more information please call Rhoda Burrell @ 610 447-3878.
Project ELECT HOLIDAY GIFT CAMPAIGN
Yes, I will adopt. Please send me a student/child gift request.
NAME ______________________________________________________________________________
As part of this year’s Early Intervention Inclusion grant, Monica Quinn, Early Intervention Speech/
Language Pathologist and Autistic Support Classroom teacher, Maria Roberts gave an evening training
on October 24, 2013 on Engaging Preschoolers with Autism. The training provided Early Childhood educators and administrators with the keys to successful
participation of children with autism in Early Childhood learning environments. The training included
materials for increasing the participation and engagement of all preschool students. This presentation, which was geared for preschool teachers of typical children, was attended by
nearly 45 people and was very well received.
Felicia Jones, Lead Teacher at Head Start’s Sharon Hill Center has
published her first children’s book. The book, entitled Do You Have
Dreams?, discusses dreams that the characters have for their future. “What inspired me to write the book was the fact that when I
asked my students what their dreams for the future were, they would
always tell me what their nighttime dreams were. I had a hard time
finding books about the topic so I wrote one,” stated Felicia. Felicia
said the book was a long time coming, but she is excited that it has
become a reality.
The book is not available yet, but it will be soon on
Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.
Congratulations to Felicia and best wishes for success!
EI Staff Host Training on Engaging Preschoolers with Autism
