Each month, the Center for Schools and Communities, Director, Dr. Shileste Morris, engages in short conversations with colleagues to highlight the diverse work happening at the CSC and its alignment with our Core Values: Service to Others, Equity in Action, Passion for Excellence, and Innovation for Growth.
To see previous episodes like this and to learn more about other initiatives supported by the Center for Schools and Communities, visit the YouTube channel playlist. The videos are added to the monthly CSC Professional Opportunities Update and promoted on social media.
CSIU Annual Student Art Reception
On May 17, 2023, the CSIU celebrated 23 student artists and three talented musicians from 13 regional districts during its annual Arts Reception. Students, families and teachers gathered to celebrate the artists and their teachers, but also the larger contribution that art plays in our schools and lives.
Click the link below to view this year’s collection!
The Migrant Education Program (MEP) celebrated its 2023 Migrant Education Graduation on May 16 at Harrisburg Area Community College. Nine of CSIU’s twenty-nine graduating seniors attended along with family and friends as their invited guests. More than 200 MEP students from across PA graduated this year. Student speakers and alumni shared their experiences as migrant students--including fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan--and the ways in which the MEP staff have supported them and their families along the way. Most of the graduates present indicated that they will pursue post-secondary education, while others were entering the military and the workforce.
CSIU would like to extend an invitation to next year’s MEP Graduation to the Board of Directors and regional superintendents. It is an inspiring event that also showcases the impact of our programs--in our backyard and across the state!
Special Education and Professional Development Celebrations
Twenty-three students from eight school districts received certificates of completion during the annual graduation ceremony at Work Foundations+ on Thursday, May 25.
Five Star Sunbury had its annual talent show and awards ceremony at the Degenstein library on May 26. It was a great show and a large turnout of families!
Through a partnership with the Perry County Council of the Arts, students in the Five Star Elementary program at Watsontown Children’s Center (WCC) participated in a 10-day visual art residency in May. Students created clay and mosaic projects under the direction of artist, Gail Jones. They learned different ways to create and decorate pottery projects and worked together to make a classroom mosaic mobile.
The CSIU Paraeducator Virtual Training Series was offered throughout the 2022/2023 school year. This series consisted of nine, 1-hr sessions addressing topics such as trauma-informed strategies, assistive technology, behavior strategies, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), among other relevant topics. The CSIU Professional
Development team has been able to reach more than 525 paraeducators through this opportunity.
Central Susquehanna EcosySTEM Joins Global Collective
At its quarterly meeting, the Central Susquehanna EcosySTEM celebrated being chosen for inclusion in a global community of practice. Founded in 2019 and funded through PA Smart Grants, the ecosystem continues to expand its reach and initiatives throughout our five-county region. See the article below for more information!
