Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21
2017 Spring Newsletter
March
Students work their mental math muscles with Math 24
Students grades 4-8 compete to win the Math 24 Challenge and advance to the state competition. With this game, cards of varying difficulty are laid on the table and kids need to use math skills to attain a solution of 24. As the competition nears the end, cards become more complicated to solve, with dual rings and missing numbers challenging players even more.
Regional Computer Fair brings stiff competition
This year's Regional Computer Fair brought graphic design, web page design, coding, animation, and digital video creatives to the forefront. Winners in each category advance to the state competition. Students have a set of guidelines to abide by, including following copyright laws and other appropriate use rules.
High-schoolers think fast for Academic Competition
At our Academic Competition, students have just 60 seconds to answer a question after it is read to completion. Many times, readers are cut off with a buzzer and a student's confident answer. It is a sight to see the quick thinking! Winners of the regional Academic Competition advance to the state competition.
Deaf/HOH Class visits Mack Trucks
Students from Orefield Middle School's deaf and hard of hearing program visited Mack Trucks in Emmaus. Here, they were given a tour of the facility by a deaf engineer, able to talk with HR, see the manufacturing process, and learn about the company. Many of the students took great interest in the company and called it an eye-opening and refreshing experience.
April
EPLC'S Visit to CLIU
The Education Policy and Leadership Center came to share some information about school budgets with local administrators. A panel at the information session included Ron Cowell (EPLC), Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss (Salisbury SD), Jay Himes (PASBO), Sean Crampsie (PSBA), and our own Dr. Elaine Eib.
CLIU Board President visits CCEA
Our board president, Mr. Robert Bold, took time to visit Carbon County Enhanced Autism center. On this visit, Mr. Bold, Director Dr. Eib, and Assistant to the Director Kim Talipan, were able to take a peek into an autistic classroom.
Special Soles 5k delivers good time to families
Special Soles 5k was without snowflakes this year! We had sunshine and fair weather for the walk/run event which included a kids fun run, food, music, and raffles. This event benefits Carbon Lehigh Special Needs Children's Foundation.
Student Forum Wacky Olympics benefits Angel 34
As Student Forum's culminating project this year, Wacky Olympics was held with participating school districts and the additional teams they brought. This event served as a way to cap off students' fundraising efforts for Angel 34. Hundreds of kids gathered at LCCC's gymnasium to compete in a series of silly mini-games that resulted in winning teams receiving trophies for their feat. At the end of the day, Doug Sheriff, CEO of Angel 34, announced that Student Forum efforts raised nearly $9,000 to aid in the battle against pediatric cancer.
K'Nex Challenge flexes a muscle in STEM world
These students are using their STEM knowledge to build a K'Nex design that meets both a design challenge and judging criteria. Criteria this year was to build an environmentally friendly, moving attraction like you'd see at a theme park or fair. The older group of students competing had to also include a budget in their presentation. Student designs twirled and whirled when activated, impressing passersby!
Board members visit Western Salisbury classroom
Cliff Castoral's classroom received lots of visitors from the CLIU board and administration on this day! Several members of the CLIU board enjoyed seeing the daily happenings in Mr. Castoral's room; including morning meeting, breakfast, and check-ins with medical staff. One board member recounted how she stayed late into the afternoon, and how much she enjoyed seeing the kids in such a dynamic and inclusive environment.
May
Work Based Learning flips as teachers serve students at picnic
This is one time the work-based learning students get to kick up their feet and get served, instead of doing the serving! Students in the work based learning program learn many skills to expose them to independence and working. Their picnic this year had pizza, hot dogs, and other food served by teachers and aides. There was also music, games, and face painting for them to enjoy.
Keystone Technology Innovator Day brings area educational tech leaders together
Keystone Technology Innovator's day brought two local keynote speakers, Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy, co-authors of "Hacking PBL", to kick off a day of networking and learning. Breakout sessions after the keynote opening included tech tools and methods for classroom integration. Other topics included Google sites, digital centers, screencasting, Nearpod, flipping the classroom and more.
Special Olympics draws huge crowd at Whitehall High School
Embracing kids from all ways of being, Special Olympics encourages special needs kids to throw their hat in the ring and compete! Kids loved taking their best shot at stations that included the softball throw, long jump and more. The students had support from teachers, aides, and family who cheered them on to completion. Volunteer students from local districts helped get each competitor to the right station and assisted with the organization of the event.
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21
Helping Children Learn
Email: social@cliu.org
Website: www.cliu.org
Location: 4210 Independence Drive, Schnecksville, PA, United States
Phone: 610-769-4111
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Twitter: @CLIU21