UPDATE SECOND QUARTER 2015 A Word from Dr. O’Shea Greetings. I hope you’re team to interview qualified candidates. The search having a fantastic summer so team will develop the interview schedule, after far. Here is a brief overview of which we hope a successful candidate will emerge. some of our activities over the last quarter. If you need fur- Facilities ther information, please feel Marple Elevator Update. Work is continuing on the free to call me. elevator project. The elevator box is scheduled for delivery on July 20, 2015 with installation to be Human Resources completed by August 29, 2015. Our General Executive Director. As you Contractor, LJP Contractors, has the project ready know, I recently announced my retirement, effective for the delivery of the elevator as per instructions of September 2015. The search for the next executive the project manager. director is officially underway. Tom Templeton, Founder and Project Manager for Templeton Collingdale and Pennington Moves. We have been Advantage, will serve as the lead consultant on this moving the furniture and materials from the project. Templeton Advantage provides a portfolio Collingdale building. During the first few weeks of of leadership consulting services to school districts July, we will finish with moving printers, and non-profit organizations throughout technology equipment (e.g., interactive whiteboards, Pennsylvania. As the search begins to unfold, please computers, etc.) and other miscellaneous items. By check the link on our website for updates. the end of July, we will have cleaned the rooms, have done our initial walk through with the Borough Director of Human Resources. The posting for the manager to review restoration needs, and be out of HR Director position expired on June 24, 2015. the building. The Pennington renovations have The first interviews are scheduled for July 14, 2015. begun and are moving along. Over the next few Mr. Lilly’s last day with DCIU was Monday, July 6, weeks, we will be in full swing with hall doors being 2015. I am directly overseeing the HR Department installed, summer cleaning, and getting programs activities in the meantime. adjusted to their new space. Director of Special Programs. We have posted the Enjoy the rest of your summer. I look forward to position and the application window has closed. seeing you on Opening Day, September 3. Dr. Maria Edelberg is leading the internal search Inside this issue: Pennington Prom 2 MEC Spring Show/ TCA Awards 3 DCIU Class of 2015 4-5 Project ELECT Student Recognition 6 EI Spring Fling 7 Detention Center Speakers 8 DCIU STARS 9 Collingdale Talent Show 10 Garnet Valley Student Helps Plan Pennington’s Prom On May 15, Pennington’s Prom “Beach Bash” was well attended and enjoyed by Multiple Disabilities Support, Life Skills Support and Emotional Support students, staff and guests alike! Allison Brown, a Girl Scout and Garnet Valley High School student, made the planning, organizing and managing the prom her Girl Scout Gold Pin project. Thanks to her help and leadership, and her numerous volunteers, the gym and foyer were transformed into a beach scene with boardwalk games, activities, food and prizes. Luis and Chyna were crowned Prom King and Queen, while DJ Cindy had everyone movin’ and groovin’! As you can tell from the smiles of some of these prom goers, a great time was had by all. DCIU OPENING DAY 2015 DCIU OPENING DAY IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 AT THE DREXELBROOK CATERING FACILITY, 4700 DREXELBROOK DRIVE, DREXEL HILL, PA. THE DOORS WILL OPEN AT 7:00 AM; BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING WILL BEGIN AT 7:30 AND THE PROGRAM BEGINS AT 8:15. IT SHOULD END BY 10:30. CARPOOLING IS EXPRESSLY URGED! Marple’s Spring Show Features Songs from Around the WorldPage 3 On May 21, performing to a large audience, school age Autistic Support and New Pathways programs presented their show, “We are the World,” a multicultural musical and art event representing the countries of South Korea, Japan, China, Tanzania, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica and the US including Puerto Rico. Students sang, danced and played instruments, including African snare and bass drums, xylophones, hand bells and guitars. Highlights included a drumline, “Lil Einstein” dance, an exciting rendition of “Stand by Me,” sung by Tivahn, and the MEC Choir singing “World’s Greatest” and “Seasons of Love,” featuring the talented Shania who sang the descant harmonies. TCA Students Receive Many Awards At a ceremony on June 9, students at The County Alternative High School (TCA) were recognized for their achievements this past year. They received numerous academic awards and awards of excellence. Presented by their teachers in each academic area, including health and physical education, Food Prep and Personal Services, the awards included plaques, trophies, ribbons and certificates. Congratulations to the students and staff at TCA for a successful year. Pictured to the right, Malcolm made the most trips to the stage, receiving nearly ten awards for his hard work this year. DCIU Proudly Presents the Class of 2015 The County Alternative High School Pennington Deyontae Dysheena Larell Semaj Class of 2015 (continued) Marple Education Center Casey Sarah Ishmael Head Start Congratulations and best wishes to all! Family Center and Project ELECT Hold 20th Annual Student Recognition Celebration The DCIU Family Center/Project ELECT (Education Leading to Employment and Career Training) program recently held its 20th annual student recognition event to highlight the educational accomplishments of the students in those programs. Many milestones reached by the students were achieved through extenuating circumstances within the current school year, which made the event even more special. Project ELECT provides comprehensive services to pregnant and parenting teens all year round. Participants are provided case management, individual and group counseling, academic supports, parenting education, child development instruction, health and nutritional instruction, home visits, information on second pregnancy prevention, domestic violence education, supports to access childcare and transportation, mentoring and transition assistance as it relates to employment, vocational education and college entry. Students In the photo above, with Valerie Cook-Henry, from the following high schools participate in the Program Supervisor (left), is Amber Ott and her program: Academy Park, Chester, Interboro, Penn son Carter. Amber graduated from Interboro Wood, Ridley, Sun Valley and Upper Darby. High School in June, and she will have complet- ed her freshman year at Drexel University at the Pictured on left, staff member Marcia same time. She has a scholarship to Drexel Garbutt-Laughlin poses with her students from University to complete her bachelor's degree. Penn Wood High School and on the right, She received awards for Academic Achievement, Wanda Springfield is seen here with her students Outstanding Student and recognition as a from Chester High School. scholarship recipient during the celebration. Safety Awareness is the Theme of EI Spring Fling DCIU Early Intervention joined other members of the Delaware County Local Interagency Coordinat- ing Council on May 2 for Spring Fling. The event was held at the amazing playground at CADES in Swarthmore. This playground is designed for children of all ages and abilities and also includes a covered pavilion on the campus. This year’s Spring Fling theme was “Safety Awareness” and our young children completed a scavenger hunt by traveling to each station to learn about safety and earn a sticker. The stations included Emergency Preparedness, Water Safety, and Infant CPR. In addition to the scavenger hunt, the children enjoyed examining the Swarthmore Fire Company truck, meeting Sparky the firehouse mascot, playing in a moon bounce, and lots and lots of snacks and drinks. It was truly a fun event with a purpose! Pictured at top, one little guy is all smiles as he practices how to rescue someone in a pool. He learned to grab anything handy and help pull a struggling swimmer to the safety at the side of the pool. On the right, this little cutie finds a pal in Sparky. Marple Autistic Support Receives Donation from Zumbathon Pamela Nelson, DCIU art teacher at Marple, in conjunction with Autism Speaks at West Chester University, coordinated a “Zumba for Autism” fundraising event in April. There were eight Zumba instructors (see photo) from the West Chester, Kennett Square and Rocky Run YMCAs and over 40 people in attendance. A portion of the proceeds was donated to the MEC Autistic Support Student Activities Fund. Photo courtesy of Springfield Press Juvenile Detention Center Host Speakers DCIU Juvenile Detention Center staff hosted two special speakers this spring. What better way to educate students about the realities of the Holocaust than to hear it from someone who was there? Mr. David Tuck (pictured top right) shared his story of enduring concentration camps beginning at the age of 10. Mr. Tuck demonstrated ingenuity throughout his young life as a result of being forced into self-preservation mode. After the war Mr. Tuck married another survivor, relocated to the United States where he became a self-employed interior decorator, and started a family. The other speaker made her mark in history as a basketball player and coach. Theresa Shank Grentz’s (pictured below on right, second from the left) legacy started as one of the original players on the Immaculata basketball team, the “Mighty Macs.” She scored more than 1000 points in her career. The “Mighty Macs” won National Championships in 1972, 1973 and 1974 and is the only women’s team to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. Theresa shared inspirational stories about her playing and coaching career. She expressed excitement while answering questions surrounding the movie, “The Mighty Macs,” which was made in honor of the accomplishments of individual players and the team at Immaculata.