DCIU Update
Upcoming Events
Parent Training: What Parents Can Do To Help Their Anxious Child
November 9 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Virtual
Click HERE to register.

Family Center Game Night
October 28 | 5:30 PM | Virtual
Register HERE.
A Message from the Executive Director
Greetings,
 
I hope you are all staying safe and healthy during this fall season. While the beginning of this school year was very different from what we are used to, I am so thrilled that DCIU has been successful in our efforts to provide the continuity of education and services that we promised our families and clients. Thanks to our dedicated staff, we have adapted well to the new environment and I look forward to the many ways in which we will continue to provide our services while maintaining a safe and healthy work place.
 
Maria Edelberg, Ed.D.
Executive Director, DCIU
DCIU Partners with CCIU and CCHD for Video Series
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit recently partnered with the Chester County Intermediate Unit and Chester County Health Department to produce a series of videos titled “Shared Knowledge, Shared Success.” The series is focused on school reopening and the importance of regional collaboration efforts as we open our buildings and prepare for this new environment. Guidance from local health officials and education leaders is critical to successful reopening plans.
 
This three part series highlights these important partnerships and serves as a reminder that we all have a role in keeping our schools safe. Part one of the series, “Returning to Schools and Keeping Spaces Safe”, features principals, teachers, and students from Delaware and Chester counties providing important messages about maintaining a safe and healthy environment in schools. 
 

Part Three of the series, “We All Have a Role”, provides further details from CCHD officials and we hear from a school nurse who is at the frontlines helping our students.
Best Buddies Virtual Bingo

On Wednesday September 16th, Haverford High School best Buddies program held its first Best Buddies event of the school year! Although the bingo was held through Zoom and there was no pizza involved, that didn’t stop everyone from having a fun time! There was a mix of associate members, peer buddies, buddies, returning members and even some new faces that attended. Three rounds were played and each person played them very intensely, hoping to win. In between each round and as numbers were being called out, the members of our club shared many laughs, conversations and stories about their school days.
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DCIU Director of IT Featured in Local Magazine

Khalid Ayyubov, Director of Information Technology at DCIU, was recently featured in the Fall 2020 issue of The Pennsylvania Administrator, a magazine for educators.
 
Khalid penned an article titled, "Ransomware- Cyber Pandemic in Public Education" in which he discusses cybersecurity in the rapidly moving age of information. DCIU is proud to have staff continuously educating the community and providing the safe, quality technological services our programs need.
403(b) Plan Information
Kades-Margolis has provided DCIU and DCTS staff with information regarding options for 403(b) plans. Staff can use these resources to learn about what plans work for them and their families. It is important to review this information thoroughly and reach out to Human Resources or Kades-Margolis should you have questions. A flyer outlining the Roth 403(b) can be viewed HERE.

DCTS staff can view a video and learn more HERE.

DCIU staff can view a similar video and learn more HERE.
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DCTS Alum Heads to Hawaii for World-Class Training Opportunity

Will Lochetto, a graduate of the DCTS Culinary Arts program, recently accepted a role on the culinary team of star chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa in Hawaii. Will’s interest in cooking began when he worked at Azie in Media while attending Penncrest High School. He eventually enrolled in the DCTS Culinary Arts program and expanded on his intertests. Since finishing the Culinary Arts program in 2015, Will has worked in several restaurants in the region, including Jean Georges at the new Four Seasons in Philadelphia.  Read his full story in the Delaware County Times.
Project ELECT Adopt-a-Teen Campaign Open

The DCIU Project ELECT program provides resources and services to pregnant and parenting teens. Each year, they hold the Adopt-a-Teen campaign during the holiday season. Staff can individually, or as a team, adopt to a teen and give back to those young families in need. You can sign up to adopt a teen here.
STARS
Mike Mullen (nominated by Kayla Kishbaugh)
Michael Mullen is an English teacher at Haverford High School but has contributed to the DCIU Life Skills program greatly. For the past year, Mike Mullen has been coming into the DCIU class every Friday to play music on the guitar with and for the students in the classroom. Mike will take requests from our students and learn how to play the songs for them or will create a song on his own that is personal to the students. This is something the students, Mike and I look forward to every Friday. Even COVID-19 has not stopped Mike from making sure he plays music for the students. Mike has shared videos of himself playing guitar to share with our students. He goes out of his way and goes above and beyond to do this for the DCIU students.

Amy Toogood, Mary Simmonds Maryanne Regan (nominated by Petra Hildmann)
·       Ms. Amy Toogood is a true team player, always assisting wherever needed and is always looking out for her coworkers, families, and the children in her care. She is compassionate and supportive and just a pleasure to work with. She truly deserves to be recognized for all she does for the children, families and staff.
·       Mary Simmonds is always assisting wherever she is asked to, and she never asks for anything in return or complains about doing things for others. Mary is loved and respected by so many children and families as well as staff members. She always has a kind word for others as well. She shows a great deal of compassion for others and always goes above and beyond her job duties. No matter what, you can always count on Ms. Mary Simmonds. She truly puts the “e” in team!!
·       Maryanne Regan is always assisting others. In classrooms, on a playground, and even bathrooms! She can always be found giving valuable advice and support to anyone who needs it. She has true compassion for others. She often takes on so many other tasks and still somehow manages to complete her tasks along with all the extras. Maryanne is a true blessing and a valuable addition to our Head Start Program. She is highly respected and appreciated by so many. She is a true leader.
Judith Campbell (nominated by Theresa Fay)
Judy Campbell has been an amazing official addition to the hearing support program, and one who always has a warm smile. The kids love it when Mrs. Campbell comes into their classrooms to help them. She is a great resource to the families we work with because she has walked in their shoes. Judy has a daughter with a hearing loss. She is always willing to help, no matter the situation. We are truly blessed to have Judy on our staff!


Deb Terpstra (nominated by Lydia Greene)
There have been numerous occasions where I've had to rely on Deb to assist me with job functions, in
particular, with technology and managing the website. Deb goes above and beyond and is always so gracious and kind when she provides me with the much needed help. Not only does she help me with immediate problems, but actively educates me on computer skills so that I can more effectively and efficiently perform my duties. Her willingness to teach and understand her peers exemplifies the DCIU mission.

Mike Schartner (nominated by Barb Boylan)
Mike is the Head Custodian at Morton. While he has always been more than ready to help anyone and everyone, he has been especially helpful during our closure. At a time when much has been asked of the custodians, he has proven to be up to the challenge and a jack-of-all-trades. His easygoing nature, friendliness and sense of humor have been a welcomed respite from the demands of working from home. Mike leads by example – always ready to lend a hand no matter how big or small the job and he always does it with a smile. He demonstrates his leadership with a quiet confidence that is reassuring to his team, as well as to the entire building. We, who work with him at Morton, are more than lucky to have Mike taking care of us and our building. For these reasons, I believe Mike is more than deserving of this honor.

Morton Facilities Staff –Sandy Butler, Mike Schartner, John Yuschak and Mike Cantlin
The administrators and staff in the Morton building wish to thank the entire Morton facilities staff for all of your extra work, attention to detail, quick response, and overall kindness you displayed during the closures and as we have welcomed our staff and students back to the building. From cleaning on a consistent routine, to cleaning on demand, to moving furniture, to hanging signs, to building new work spaces, to redesigning common areas, and maintaining all of your other duties at the same time, we are so grateful for all of you and your dedication to DCIU. These last seven months have indeed been challenging for all of us. We truly appreciate the Morton Facilities staff for being flexible and resilient throughout this difficult time. We acknowledge that, and we know we would not be able to serve our students, families and districts in the way that we do without your hard work and positive attitudes.
Congratulations!
Congratualtions to Speech Language Pathologist Amy Cohen on the birth of her baby girl Maya on October 7, 2020!
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