In celebration of Veterans Day and in honor of our country’s and CSIU’s veterans, we held the CSIU Annual Veterans Day Drive and Program. This year, CSIU partnered with Our Orangeville Manor in Orangeville, Pa. This woman-owned company primarily provides healthcare services and temporary housing with medical requirements for homeless veterans. As a key partner in the VA's efforts to address veteran homelessness, Our Orangeville Manor operates residential facilities offering therapeutic care, case management, short-term shelters, and transitional housing for veterans in need. As Our Orangeville Manor relies on community contributions to help meet the needs of its residents, the regional CSIU locations and the Center for Schools and Communities participated in a drive for supplies and gift cards. CSIU also donated $600 in $25 gift cards for the Our Orangeville Manor community.
On November 11th at 11 a.m., CSIU held its virtual program. During this zoom call, CSIU School Police Officer, William Jones was honored as an Army Veteran. Please take a moment to learn about his dedication to our country in the video above. Kennedi Seabridge, Co-Administrator of Our Orangeville Manor, also joined the call to receive our contributions and share the mission of the manor.
CSIU Veterans were released early from work following the program in recognition of their service.
Computer Services Photo Caption: Jared Lehman, Chief Innovation Officer, Brenda Sterner, Software Development Manager, Lyndi Hertzler, Client Solutions Manager, Ken Duke, Financial Application Support Manager, Todd Roney, Director of Computer Services
Todd Roney and Lyndi Hertzler presented an overview of products and services offered by the CSIU Computer Services department. With over 50 years of experience in software development and support services, CSIU offers browser-based administrative software solutions for local education agencies (LEAs), including financial information, student information and document management systems. The CSIU Financial Information System (FIS) is used by 316 LEAs in Pennsylvania, making it the leading FIS provider in the state.
The CSIU FIS provides a user-friendly interface for comprehensive financial record-keeping and reporting, with seamless integration between applications and robust security controls. It is responsive to Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) reporting requirements and includes features like staff and vendor portals, and a hosted service to reduce technical support costs. The student information systems are web-based platforms accessible 24/7, featuring teacher grade books, parent and student portals, and family-based data management, all compliant with PDE reporting and PA Common Core Standards. They also support mobile access and data sharing with other schools. The document management system integrates with the FIS to streamline staff workflows, offering electronic forms, signatures, and approval routing, along with modules for purchasing management, applicant tracking, staff onboarding and expense reimbursement.
Aevidum
The AWARE IMPACT team hosted an Aevidum event at The Well in Milton, on October 31, welcoming over 120 students and staff from 12 school districts, including Schuylkill County and various private schools. This collaborative workshop was an initial step in empowering students with leadership skills to champion mental health awareness and peer support within their school communities. The event introduced Aevidum’s guiding principle that every school should be a place where students feel accepted, appreciated, acknowledged, and genuinely cared for—not just one day, but every day. Through engaging workshops and interactive discussions, students learned how to create “I’ve got your back” cultures of care, kindness, and advocacy, setting the stage for Aevidum clubs to take root in their districts.
AWARE IMPACT’s youth mental health interns will continue supporting these student leaders by planning monthly themes, coordinating regular meetings, and offering resources to sustain momentum. This initiative will culminate on March 11 at the Miller Center in Lewisburg with a Youth Mental Health Summit bringing together young leaders from across the region to share progress, collaborate, and continue their work in fostering healthy, inclusive school communities. By facilitating these structured efforts, AWARE IMPACT equips students with the tools they need to inspire a youth-led movement for positive mental health and well-being in schools across the region.
Superintendent Leadership Retreat Thirty-two school district and IU leaders from the IU16 and IU29 regions convened in Philadelphia from November 6-8, 2024, for the annual leadership conference. This event focuses on high-quality professional learning and networking. The conference kicked off with a legal briefing from Mark Fitzgerald of Fox Rothschild, followed by an update on the Pennsylvania Department of Education's latest initiatives by Amy Lena, Assistant to the Deputy Secretary.
The second day was centered at the Franklin Institute, where participants delved into the science of learning with the Institute’s experts. This session included a brain exhibit tour that enriched participants’ understanding of how the “brain works/learns,” the complexity of educational neuroscience, and the connections to emotional well-being. Interactive team activities were a reminder that individuals approach learning in different ways, and as educators, student differences should be honored and teachers should be equipped to respond accordingly.
The highlight of the conference for many was the final day's visit to the Science Leadership Academy (SLA). This progressive public high school, known for its rigorous, project-based learning approach, offered invaluable insights into innovative educational practices. The visit to SLA gave superintendents a firsthand look at effective strategies for fostering inquiry and creativity in a dynamic learning environment focused on building strong relationships and a sense of belonging for ALL students.
Youth in Philanthropy The Youth in Philanthropy program, facilitated by the Community Giving Foundation, educates high school students across the Central Susquehanna region about philanthropy and community giving. It actively involves students in the grantmaking process, allowing them to assess the needs of their community, develop funding priorities, and ultimately award grants to local nonprofits.
A team of Five Star, WF+, and non-traditional students participated in Community Giving Foundations’ Youth in Philanthropy Kickoff Meeting at Bucknell University. It was the first year the CSIU had a team participating. We are pleased to expose students to the world of philanthropy alongside their peers from other school districts. Students proudly represented their programs and actively participated in the event. Throughout the year, the team of students and advisors will come together to conduct a needs assessment and develop a grant application for $5,000 to help community organizations/programs based on the needs assessment.
This hands-on approach helps foster an understanding of civic responsibility among students, encouraging them to continue participating in philanthropic activities beyond their high school years while also building community within their own CSIU programs during the process.
Upcoming Board Meetings: December 18, January 15, February 19 and March 19
