CSIU Program Highlight: 2024 Student Art Gallery Reception
Each year in May CSIU honors regional high school students for their contributions to the arts.
More than 100 visitors attended the CSIU Art Gallery Reception to celebrate the artistic achievements of students from across the 17-district CSIU region. Each teacher-nominated artist received $300 for their artwork that has been professionally framed and is now hanging in the CSIU gallery. We hope you enjoy this brief video displaying student art pieces.
CSC Updates Photo Caption: Migrant Education Program conference team photo
The 2024 Migrant Education Program (MEP) Conference was held April 9-11 in Drexel Hill. The more than 350 attendees included MEP staff, English Learner (EL) teachers, social workers, staff from community-based organizations, and presenters. Forty-five conference participants toured the South Mill Champs Mushroom facility to learn about “A Day in the Life of a Migrant Worker.” The conference offered 30 workshops on topics such as using social media as a migrant recruitment tool, engaging migrant communities in STEM, restorative circles, individualized student lesson plans, serving out-of-school youth, and equity as it relates to migrant students. Keynote speaker David Edward Garcia spoke about his experience as a multilingual learner in his address “Building Superheroes,” and closing keynote speaker Samantha Ramirez shared her first-generation American story in her address “Borderless Dreams.” Over 25 exhibitors participated in the event. The conference concluded with a special invitation lunch for Philadelphia consulate representatives. MEP project managers, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Center for Schools and Communities (CSC) staff joined representatives from Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica in an afternoon meeting about MEP partnership opportunities.
Photo Captions: (L to R) From ELECT Conference – Keynote presenter Armand King, “Streetwise to Workwise: Unlocking Transferable Skills for Success.”
ELECT Conference – Youth panel during “Elevating Voices of Young Parents with YUP!”
The 2024 Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) Conference was held April 24-26 in State College. One hundred fifty-five participants, including ELECT staff, educators, cyber and charter school staff, community-based organizations and presenters, attended the event. The conference offered 16 workshops, a keynote address and a closing grantees’ session with state updates. Session topics included building connections, elevating youth voice, trauma-informed care, and health and wellness. Author and co-founder of Paving Great Futures, Armand King, offered the keynote address titled “ Streetwise to Workwise: Unlocking Transferable Skills for Success,” while artist Jo Davis captured the message in art. The over 17 exhibitors at the event included 4-H, higher education, and health and wellness.
Special Education Activities
CSIU’s professional development department recently hosted World Autism Day at Camp Victory in Millville. The event was attended by 135 students and 92 staff members from 10 school districts. Attendees enjoyed diverse activities, including an interactive drone showcase, various crafts, sensory-based activities, nature walks, obstacle courses, fishing, and more. The event provided valuable experiences, fostering a sense of community among participants.
Ms. Carolyn Reitz's middle school, autistic support class, learned about Earth Week with their student teacher, Ms. Tayler Leonard.
Sixth grader Aiden posed as this month’s class reporter in the ongoing effort to elevate student voices in the classroom:
"In Ms. Reitz's class, we celebrated Earth Day this week starting on Monday. Sebastian said Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd to celebrate the Earth. Angel learned that the theme for Earth Day this year is "Planet vs. Plastics." She remembered that the law that helps protect the environment is the Endangered Species Act. The year Earth Day became a global celebration was 1990. Cullen said the person who had the idea for Earth Day was Gaylord Nelson. He remembered that people celebrate Earth Day by planting trees. In Ms. Reitz's class, we made dirt pudding to celebrate this month. We will also clean up trash around the school to celebrate and to help the Earth."
PAIU Day on the Hill
The CSIU participated in PAIU Day on the Hill at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on April 30, 2024. Six CSIU staff members engaged with local legislators to advocate for critical educational reforms, including new basic education funding, cyber charter funding reform, enhanced early childhood education funding and special education and school-based mental health services. The advocacy efforts were further strengthened by the participation of the Mifflinburg Area school district’s superintendent and two principals, emphasizing the united commitment to improving education in our communities. The legislators were receptive to the request, leaving the team optimistic about support for these initiatives.
Photo Caption: CSIU representatives at 2024 PAIU Day on the Hill.
