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F r o m t h e E x e c u t i v e D i r e c to r Dear Colleagues and Friends, During the second week of November, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) celebrated its first annual Employee Appreciation Week. During this five-day stretch, every staff member received, among other things, a branded shirt inscribed with the phrase “A kind word can make someone’s day.” Sometimes the small things, like a friendly smile or a warm handshake, can make a big difference in the lives of others. Within the pages of our award-winning AIU Connections Magazine, not only do we highlight our community partnerships but also the impact our employees make on learners of all ages. With 1,200 AIU employees serving more than 300 unique locations across the state, there are so many stories to tell. In this edition, you can read about how our family centers recently received a Blue R ibbon Certification from the Parents as Teachers National Center. The m agazine also features articles on the AIU’s involvement in the Eradicate Hate Student Summit as well as the organization’s upcoming D iversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference. While there will always be challenges in our world, I believe that by exercising kindness, empathy and compassion, we can make a difference. I hope you enjoy learning how the AIU’s employees make an impact by serving every learner every day. Happy reading!

Spark engaging, relevant, and equitable learning in our region

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert J. Scherrer Executive Director Allegheny Intermediate Unit

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AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

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AIU Connections

Table of Contents

W i n t e r / S p r i n g 2024

AIU Connections is published biannually by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Marketing & Strategic Communication Department under the direction of Sarah McCluan. Publisher

Dr. Robert Scherrer

Editorial Director Amanda Ritchie

F e at u r e s 16 Empowering Students to Eradicate Hate High school students take the lead in combating hate and fostering inclusivity, creating innovative programs across the region and echoing a powerful call for change.

24 Training Youth to Lead Harnessing the transformative potential of student-led initiatives, educators prepare students to steer impactful peer discussions.

Creative Director Michael Tarquinio

Copy Editors

Andrew Chiappazzi Will DeShong

C o n t r i b u to r s E ditorial Andrew Chiappazzi Will DeShong Junior Gonzalez Sarah McCluan Dan Rinkus Amanda Ritchie

P hotography Matt Brosey Will DeShong Junior Gonzalez Dan Rinkus Michael Tarquinio

Advertising Manager Amanda Ritchie

Production Assistant Sarah Campbell

About the cover Our cover features a bold image of the Pittsburgh skyline with students in the forefront. The photo illustration is based on a photo by Lance Anderson and student photos by Matt Brosey and Andrew Chiappazzi.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is located at 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120. Please direct letters to the editor and advertising inquiries to Amanda Ritchie at amanda.ritchie@aiu3.net. © 2024 Allegheny Intermediate Unit 2

Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

4 6

10 13

8 12

D e pa r t m e n t s 4

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) PNC Park Set to Host the AIU’s Third Annual DEI Conference on March 16

AIU Spotlight on Lillian ‘Lil’ Jones

Professional Growth

Dedicated family development specialist weaves love, family and community into a 26-year journey of unwavering service, leaving a legacy of resilience and heartfelt connections at the AIU’s Sto-Rox Family Center.

n Role-Alike Group Fosters Professional Collaboration Among Principals n Streamlined Processing for CPE Credits & Act 48 Hours n Addressing Inequities in Gifted Education n Professional Development Offerings (page 10)

12 Special Education Services Empowering Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students n Embracing Inclusivity: AIU-Operated Schools Adopt New Holistic, Hybrid Curriculum n

14 Family & Community Engagement n AIU Family Centers Earn Blue Ribbon Status n How an AIU Program Helps Students Experiencing Homelessness Through Challenging Times

AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

PNC Park Set to Host

By Will DeShong

the AIU’s Third Annual DEI Conference O rganizers of the third annual Pittsburgh Regional DEI Educators Conference are aiming to make the event a game-changer for fostering diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools.

Set to take place March 16 at Pittsburgh’s iconic PNC Park, the conference will welcome more than 100 educators from across Allegheny County and beyond for a day of inspiration, collaboration and enlightenment. for the conference

“ Fostering and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our schools has become a cornerstone of educational progress.” 4

“Fostering and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our schools has become a cornerstone of educational progress,” said Michael Jones, the AIU’s DEI director. “This event can be considered its own form of spring training — but instead of baseball, we’re training to be more inclusive l eaders. Our conversations at the conference will lead to real change in our classrooms.” One of the highlights of this year’s conference will be a panel of DEI leaders from across the state. Their expertise and experience will serve as a guiding light for educators, offering practical advice and innovative strategies for building more inclusive classrooms and communities. Attendees also can expect a plethora of resources aimed at helping schools implement new DEI strategies effectively, as well as sessions led by professionals devoted to promoting DEI initiatives. There will be different sessions available for attendees, but each is designed to inspire educators to think critically about the challenges they face and how they can overcome them through an inclusive lens. Last year, more than 100 educators attended the conference, which is a testament to the growing focus on DEI efforts in education. “We hope to see the momentum continue to build,” Jones said. “As educators, we should all want to ensure every student is embraced and celebrated.” The conference is free to AIU employees and educators in our 42 member school districts in Allegheny County. Others are invited to attend for a fee to help offset the cost of the conference. More information will be sent to school districts and other educational organizations leading up to the conference. Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

PRINCIPAL PREP2PRACTICE GRANT Using Leaders’ Voices to Support Best Practices in Effectively Supporting all Classroom Learners

Our School of Education was awarded the Principal Prep2Practice Grant through the PA Dept. of Education. This grant aims to develop leadership skills and strategies to effectively and ethically implement special education and student services and to improve leadership for inclusive, supportive, and differentiated learning.

STUDY INVESTIGATORS:

REVA MATHIEU-SHER, ED.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

STUDY OVERVIEW: Our study is being implemented as part of a Principal Prep2Practice Grant and is designed to understand and inform the practices of current and prospective principals in the areas of Special Education and Student Services.

FRAN SERENKA, ED.D.

CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND PROGRAM DIRECTOR

CERTIFIED PRINCIPALS We invite you to take a survey on your knowledge and perception of special education law.

duq.edu/PrincipalSurvey

AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

QUESTIONS:

LEARN MORE:

412.396.5274 schooladminandsuper@duq.edu duq.edu/EducationGradInquiry

duq.edu/Education

AIU Spotlight

By Dan Rinkus

“I love doing what I do .” When Lillian Jones speaks those words, you know instantly that she means them. A family development specialist at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Sto-Rox Family Center in McKees Rocks, ‘Lil’ has worked there for 26 years. It’s not just a job for her — it is part of the fabric of her life.

Lillian Jones, ‘Aunt Lil’ stands proudly between LeQuay Willis (Tanika’s daughter) and Tanika Willis. Photo: Michael Tarquinio

“I come from a large family. I was born and raised in McKees Rocks. I’m proud to say I am a Roxian,” said Jones, who is a mother of three, a grandmother of 11 and a great-grandmother of six. However, Jones’ family isn’t limited to those who share her blood. “I wouldn’t give up the co-workers that I have for anything in the world,” Jones said. “They’re more like family than they are co-workers.” Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

Jones works alongside Family Development Specialist Tanika Willis in a relationship that started when Willis was pregnant with her first child. As Willis’ family was growing, Jones had started working at the Sto-Rox Family Center. “LeQuay, my daughter, was in the AIU Head Start program, which was in the same building as the family center,” said Willis. “When I went over there, I met Lil. She’s the one who greeted me and invited me to enroll in the family center when I was pregnant with my second child.” Starting in early 2003, Jones helped Willis with parenting skills, kindergarten preparedness and basic needs ranging from food to diapers. “We formed a bond when she would come to my home for visits with my girls,” said Willis. “Then I became involved with the center and eventually became president of the parent council.” The bond with Jones quickly cemented itself for the Willis family. “I remember the family center,” said LeQuay, “and then one day she was my ‘Aunt Lil.’ It wasn’t long before Willis was offered a job at the family center and came to work for the AIU, landing at a desk right next to Jones in 2007. In a twist that shows the bonds of their professions and families, Willis helped Jones’ daughter the same way Jones helped Willis. “We each have that same perspective of what it’s all about,” said Jones. “It’s providing the services to help our families.” For a family development specialist such as Jones, that means doing anything and everything. Whether it’s confirming orders of diapers, taking people to doctor’s appointments or performing home visits to check up on families, Jones is an indispensable part of the Sto-Rox Family Center. “I just enjoy doing what I’m doing because it’s helping the families, teaching the parents how to teach their children to get ready for Head Start and kindergarten,” said Jones, “providing them with whatever needs that they have, giving them the support that we need to give them.” Willis, however, said Jones’ touch goes beyond her professional responsibilities. “There have been times—like when I had a major accident —and my kids were like, ‘call dad,’ and I was like, ‘no, no— call Aunt Lil!’”

Whether Jones is making a critical delivery or helping a parent to learn a skill they didn’t have before, she always comes back to feelings of pride and gratitude. “It makes you feel good on the inside that you have provided some knowledge, and you hope that when their kids get older, they will carry on that knowledge and help somebody else along the way.” While families in the McKees Rocks may struggle with societal issues of poverty and community violence, Jones is not deterred from her mission of service. “I’ve been here all my life,” she said, pausing for a thoughtful moment. “This is home.”

“It makes you feel good on the inside that you have provided some knowledge, and you hope that when their kids get older, they will carry on that knowledge and help somebody else along the way.”

“My nephews invited her to their weddings,” Willis continued. “They met Lil through us and now they’re like, ‘We miss Aunt Lil!’ You’ve got so many people who she’s met through my own biological family, who now consider her family.” “She’s like a daughter to me, and that’s how I love her,” said Jones as tears welled in her eyes. “It’s just love. It’s family. She’ll always be a part of my life.” Jones’ genuine nature speaks to her goal of building a better community for everyone in the McKees Rocks area. “When you present yourself professionally and show the families the type of work we do, they understand that you can become a teacher for your children,” she said. “Plus, you are someone else in the community giving back to where you came from.” AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

Professional Growth

Role-Alike Group Fosters Professional Collaboration Among Principals B y A m a n d a R i tc h i e

C oming together with peers

in similar roles can be an invaluable part of professional development, which is why the AIU hosts a variety of role-alike groups for professionals to connect and share their experiences with their counterparts in schools across the county. Jill Jacoby, Ed.D., assistant executive director for the AIU’s Teaching & Learning Division, saw an unfulfilled need for such a group for principals as a former principal and super intendent. “Principals are typically isolated and don’t get to see what others in their role do,” she said. 8

The AIU kicked off the principal role-alike group early in the 2022-23 school year with an in-person professional development and networking event. The group meets virtually each month with separate sessions for elementary and secondary principals to come together, discuss shared concerns and explore best practices with their colleagues across districts. The AIU leverages the meetings to keep principals informed about critical information and professional development opportunities. Carol Sprinker, Ed.D., principal of Edgeworth Elementary in Quaker Valley School District, is an active participant in the meetings. She said the networking aspect has been especially helpful for her. “At each of the role-alike meetings, we had an opportunity to break into some smaller groups and talk about pressing issues that are important to us. Sometimes just hearing that someone else might be dealing with the same concern or issue that you are can help you navigate that problem a little bit better,” she said. Dr. Sprinker is an advocate for principal needs at the state and federal level — serving as the federal relations coordinator for Pennsylvania Principals Association with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and on the Pennsylvania Principal Association Board. “I’ve been able to take feedback from the group and share first-hand information with our legislators about what it’s like to be at the grassroots level,” she said. Through her work with the Principals Association, Dr. Sprinker said she sees “the intense need for strong communities of practice for leaders to not only stay current with information but also to build our leadership capacity.” Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

Streamlined Processing for CPE Credits & Act 48 Hours You probably already know that the AIU offers hundreds of professional development opportunities throughout the year. But you might not realize the work done behind the scenes to make sure those earned credits are properly recorded and reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Continuing Professional Education Course instructors document successful completion of AIU continuing professional education (CPE) courses via a roster data sheet that they submit to the AIU’s pro fessional education coordinator within a week of the course’s completion. The coordinator then uses the course registration system to mark the educator’s final status, at which time three CPE credits and 90 Act 48 hours are automatically transferred to the educator’s PERMS record. Educators can request their official transcripts, which contain a complete record of all CPE courses completed through Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Official transcripts can be electronically submitted to PDE upon request and payment of a $10 processing fee. Learn more at aiu3.net/transcripts.

Act 48 Credits

Photo: Michael Tarquinio

Educators who attend Act 48-approved workshops hosted by the AIU must sign in and out to document the total number of hours earned. The workshop provider or facilitator submits documentation to the AIU for confirmation and submission to PERMS, at which time Act 48 hours are distributed to the educator’s official record. The AIU can also report Act 48 hours for the completion of professional development workshops facilitated by external organizations. Learn more at aiu3.net/act48. AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

Addressing Inequities in Gifted Education The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced last September that a $3.5 million federal grant from the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program will help expand access to gifted education programming in schools and serve more students through the Pennsylvania Gifted Equity Initiative. Research shows a growing gap at the top of the achievement scale between white students and students of color and between students from low-income backgrounds and those from more advantaged circumstances, according to the National Association for Gifted Children. The AIU will work in partnership with PDE and the Montgomery County IU to lead the initiative, providing school districts with tools, training and resources to close the achievement gap currently found in Pennsylvania school districts through improved identification of gifted students among those who are not traditionally identified. Amy Davis McShane, AIU coordinator of Career Education and Academic Events, serves as the project co-coordinator statewide lead. ““There are many masking factors that cause us to miss students that may need gifted services,” she said. “This grant will allow us to take a look at the gifted regulations in the state and how we can better identify our students who need specially designed instruction.” 9

Professional Development

Enrollment is subject to registration deadlines and capacity. Dates are subject to change.

Math & Science Collaborative

MSC workshops are held in-person at the AIU Central Office

Mathematics: Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, 3-day series, starts 1/16/24, $450 Building Fact Fluency, 2-day series, starts 1/29/24, free to member districts (tool kit sold separately)

Science: Secondary Sciences Institute: Year 2*, 3-day series, starts 1/18/24, free to member districts Elementary Sciences Institute: Year 2*, 3-day series, starts 1/30/24, free to member districts

Photo: Amanda Ritchie

Technology & Engineering: But What about the ‘T’ & ‘E’ in PA STEELS? 1/24/24, free to member districts

Training & Consultation (TaC) Training

Planning for Professional Learning Around Science Standards: Strategically Building Capacity for Sustained Practice*, 2-day series, starts 4/16/24, $1,200 per district team

Virtual: MTSS Administrative Overview, 1/16/24

*Prerequisites apply Learn more at aiu3.net/msc.

• • • • • • • • •

Unless otherwise noted, all TaC sessions are free, offer Act 48 credits and are held in person at the AIU Central Office. Some free training opportunities are only open to educators in AIU member districts. Asterisk (*) denotes participants must attend all sessions to receive credit.

Virtual: Monthly PLC for Special Education Teachers Support Students in Specialized Classrooms, 2024 dates: 1/16, 2/20, 3/19, 4/16, 5/21 Virtual: Monthly MTSS Networking PLC: Structured literacy and mathematics intervention, 2024 dates: 1/22, 2/26, 3/18, 5/20 Hybrid: 2023-2024 Transition Coordinating Council of Allegheny County Meetings, 2024 dates: 1/23, 4/30

transformED workshops are added throughout the year. Visit aiu3.net/transformED for latest offerings.

• • • • • • • • •

Did you know? The AIU’s upcoming professional develop ment offerings can be viewed on our online calendar, which can be accessed from the AIU homepage. 10

Using the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Programs (VB-MAPP),* 3-day series, starts 1/23/24 Supporting Students Struggling in Math, 4-day series, 2024 dates: 1/30, 3/26 Writing Meaningful & Compliant IEPs,* 2-day series, starts 1/31/24 Classroom Management: Improve Your Learning Environment,* 3-day series, starts 2/12/24 EBR Simulation: Understanding the Impact of Educational Benefit, 2/13/24 IES Practice Guide: Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics – Intervention in the Elementary Grades, 2/14/24 Hybrid: Utilizing Trauma Responsive Practices in the Classroom, 1.5-day series, starts 2/15/24 IES Practice Guide: Effective Literacy and English Language Instruction for EL Learners in Elementary Grades, 2/27/24 IES Practice Guide: Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in K-3, 4/4/24 Dyscalculia: Understanding How to Support Students to Access Mathematics, 4/9/24 Managing Unexpected Behavior: When Classroom Management Isn’t Enough, 4/17 Learn more at aiu3.net/tac. Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

Winter/Spring 2024 Continuing Professional Education Courses All CPE courses are virtual and asynchronous. Fees and registration deadlines apply. CPE courses fulfill 90 Act 48 hours and requirements for Level II Certification and Master’s Equivalency. Anxiety and Stress: Teacher and Student Wellness, starts 2/5

Apps and iPads for the K-12 Classroom, starts 2/26

Best Practices in Teaching K-12 Online, starts 2/5

Being Mindful: Teacher and Student Wellness, starts 2/26

The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher, starts 2/5

Project-Based Learning; Challenge-Based Learning, starts 2/28

Infusing STEAM Into K-12 Classroom, starts 2/5

Any Device Technology Tools, starts 3/4

Beat the Bullying: A Look Into Prevention and Intervention, starts 2/7 Creating and Supporting a Positive, Bully-Free School Climate; starts 2/7 How to Design a Digital Classroom for the 21st Century Learner, starts 2/7 Supporting Students With Autism in Education, starts 2/9

Building Bridges: Working With (Difficult) Parents, starts 3/4 Digital Literacy, starts 3/4 When It’s Not Just Kids Being Kids: Bullying and Beyond, starts 3/6 Integrating the iPad into the Classroom: There are Apps for That, starts 3/6 Addressing Learning Disabilities in Education, starts 3/8

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER IN EDUCATION WITH A GRADUATE DEGREE

STARTING FALL 2024:

Working With Fractions and the Four Operations: Instructional Practices for the Middle Grades, starts 2/12

Writing Alive: Strategies, Techniques and Materials; starts 3/8

Are Your Students Tuned In? starts 2/12

Coping Skills: Teacher and Student Wellness, starts 3/11

Fully online and asynchronous

4 Free Technology Essentials for Educators in the 21st Century, starts 3/11

M.S.Ed. Special Education

Culturally Responsive Teaching, starts 2/14 Group Work Dynamics: Collaboration and Assessment, starts 2/14 Motivating and Inspiring Today’s Students: Strategies, Methods and Materials to Awaken the Learner, starts 2/16 Autism in Pop Culture, starts 2/16 Backwards: The Flipped Classroom Concept, starts 2/19 Introduction to Text Comprehension, starts 2/19 Uncovering the Truth About Fake News, starts 2/19 Connecting With Kids, starts 2/21 How to Develop Good Digital Citizens, starts 2/21 Making an Impact: Building Positive Relationships With Students, starts 2/21 Cultivating a Growth Mindset, starts 2/23 AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

Tech Tools for the 21st Century, starts 3/11

M.S.Ed. Applied Behavior Analysis

Offered on campus

21st Century Skills, starts 3/13 ADHD in Education, starts 3/15 Empathy: Teacher and Student Wellness, starts 3/18

LEARN MORE:

Teaching K-12 Problem Solving With Computational Thinking in All Subjects, starts 3/18 Moving From Problems to Solutions: Building Resiliency Skills, starts 3/20 A New Look at Working With Students With Autism, starts 3/22

duq.edu/EducationGradInquiry

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom: Strategies, Techniques and Materials; starts 3/22 Explore open CPE courses by subject at aiu3.net/aiu_cpe. 11

Special Education Services

By Junior Gonzalez

AI is here to stay and will forever change the landscape of everything it touches. Our students are no exception.

As generative artificial intelligence continues to reimagine the world’s collective understanding of technology, educators in the AIU’s Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) program are working to find ways their students can benefit from AI. The program held a training session last August to explore use cases and implications of using chatbots and other AI technology to address access needs of students who are deaf/hard of hearing. Educators Samantha Estremera, Mindy Robbins and Lenette Sostmann spearheaded the project, which they conceptualized as part of the DHH program’s student performance measures. Enabling students to become critical and responsible consumers of digital information is a major focus of the program. Robbins said AI programs like ChatGPT can serve as language models, adjust reading complexity based on each student’s level, and other accommodations in real time to “become an on-demand ADA advisor” of sorts. Photos: Junior Gonzalez “AI is here to stay and will forever change the landscape of everything it touches. Our students are no exception,” Robbins said. Educators are utilizing AI accessibility tools during their sessions with transition-age students and exploring how to leverage the technology for their postsecondary life, from employment to further learning and even independent living. The findings will be shared with the wider DHH community in Allegheny County to cultivate a culture of inclusivity and independence.

Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

Embracing Inclusivity

AIU-Operated Schools Adopt New Holistic, Hybrid Curriculum T his year , the three AIU- operated special education schools —

By Junior Gonzalez

Mon Valley, Pathfinder and Sunrise — are implementing a new innovative curriculum that will redefine the learning landscape for students and teachers alike. Designed for learners with disabilities, TeachTown’s enCORE embraces inclusivity in education and streamlines the process for teachers to do more of what they do best — teach! TeachTown takes a whole-child approach that benefits the diverse age range of students who attend our schools (5 to 21). It weaves English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, science and social studies curricula with intervention programs central to many individualized education plans, such as life skills and social skills programs. Emily Ippolito, a solutions engineer with TeachTown who trains teachers on using the program, said age-appropriate content is a big focus for them. Depending on age and comprehension level, special education students may read classic literature such as Greek mythology, essays or poetry while keeping peers with lower comprehension on the same subject using age-appropriate materials. It literally keeps students on the same page, with one student reading a story through paragraphs of text while a nearby peer explores the same story through pictures. “We have the physical worksheets, lesson plans and prompts — and we also have technology,” Ippolito said. The technology provides data-driven lessons for individualized learning. The grade-aligned tiered comprehension approach acknowledges the diverse needs of each student and creates tailored learning materials, freeing up precious administrative time. According to Ippolito, this approach allows teachers more time to focus on life and transition skills, self-regulation and peer-to-peer interactions during instruction. The AIU is using TeachTown for ELA in the 2023-24 school year to ease students and teachers into the enCORE curriculum style. Additional subjects will be i ncorporated over time. AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

TeachTown takes a whole-child approach that benefits the diverse age range of students who attend our schools. 13

AIU Family Centers Earn Blue Ribbon Status By Dan Rinkus

The following AIU Family Centers are now Blue Ribbon-certified through September 2028:

Clairton

Duquesne

East Allegheny

Family and Immigrant Connections

Highlands

Lincoln Park

McKeesport

Steel Valley

Sto-Rox

Wilkinsburg

The AIU’s Family Centers are dedicated to the development and success of families across Allegheny County. What better endorsement of that mission than an award from one of the family centers’ key partners: Parents as Teachers. Nine AIU Family Centers and the AIU’s Family and Immigrant Connections Program achieved Blue Ribbon status through Parents as Teachers in October 2023. It is an honor that demonstrates just how critical these centers and their staff members are to their communities. “I’m delighted that the Parents as Teachers National Center has recognized the AIU’s Family Centers and their exemplary commitment to our communities,” said Lori Vollman, program director of the AIU’s Family and Community Education Services, which oversees the family centers. “I am extremely proud of our family center staff and the work they do every day to support families.” Parents as Teachers is a renowned childhood development organization that gives parents the tools and training to help children grow. To earn Blue Ribbon status, the AIU’s Family Centers met all of the essential requirements through the Parents as Teachers curriculum and scored at least 80% in the quality s tandards set by the curriculum. “This Blue Ribbon endorsement from Parents as Teachers benefits us in so many ways,” said Wendy Smith, director of the AIU’s Early Childhood, Family and Community Services. “It provides assurance to our current and potential funders and partners that our family centers are a wise investment. Plus, we are being recognized — nationally and internationally — as a high achievement member in the field of early childhood learning and parent engagement.” The AIU’s Family Centers will be recognized for their Blue Ribbon status at the 2024 Parents as Teachers International Conference in San Diego, California, from October 14-17.

Photos: Dan Rinkus 14

Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

How an AIU Program Helps Students Experiencing Homelessness Through Challenging Times By Dan Rinkus

I t is the key that unlocks the door to resources and stability for families e xperiencing homelessness: student identification. To help reduce egative impacts on those families, it is critical to identify as many children n experiencing homelessness as possible. That’s where the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program comes in.

Signs of Students Experiencing Homelessness Lack of Educational Continuity n Attendance at different schools, missing records, inability to pay fees Poor Health/Nutrition n Missing medical records, chronic hunger, fatigue Transportation & Attendance Problems n Erratic attendance/tardiness, lack of participation in extracurricular activities Poor Hygiene n Inconsistent grooming, wearing same clothes day after day Lack of Personal Space After School n Incomplete/missing homework, lacking basic school supplies, elevated concern for safety of belongings Social and Behavioral Concerns n Short attention span, poor selfesteem, considered “old” beyond years, anxiety late in the school day Reactions by Parents or Guardians n Anger, embarrassment or avoidance when asked about current address, statements about staying with other family members, friends or in hotels and campgrounds Source: National Center for Homeless Education AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

“Our ultimate goal is to make sure that when students are experiencing homelessness, they stay connected to school during that period of time,” said Nicole Anderson, Region 4 Coordinator for ECYEH. ECYEH works with school districts and agencies assisting people experiencing homelessness across a sweeping nine-county region, including Allegheny County. This includes families who are living in their cars, homeless shelters, abandoned buildings or even families who are doubling up with other people due to various hardships. One of the keys to better outcomes for students is education, making them and their families aware of their rights through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This federal legislation defines the rights and services available to children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. “A lot of families don’t know that their child has the right to remain in their school of origin,” Anderson said. “When a family is transient, there is a greater risk of disconnection from school, and children who are permanently housed tend to perform better academically.” The COVID-19 pandemic was a dagger to the heart of families who depend on assistance from ECYEH and its partners. “Student identification went way down during COVID. I mean, way down,” A nderson said. “Since then, our numbers have rebounded. Part of that is just due to the fact that life is very unaffordable right now,” referencing a triple threat of inflation, slow wage growth and pandemic relief ending. Through the education of homelessness liaisons in school districts and their fellow educators, Anderson and her ECYEH team hope to identify more students in need. Anderson said it feels good to know that what they are doing is working. “This year (2023) in our first quarter we saw an increase of a little over 400 children identified, and that wasn’t counting some of our larger school districts.” The work can be difficult, but for Anderson and her colleagues, success is its own reward. “When we find out a family has been able to move into housing, or one of our students who we’re working with is suddenly connecting and they’re doing well in school, it’s an amazing feeling,” Anderson said. 15

Empowering Students to

Eradicate Hate

B y A n d r e w C h i a pp a z z i

E xperts and leaders from around the world gathered in late

September for the third Eradicate Hate Global Summit. Throughout the threeday event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, participants explored recent trends and incidents involving racism, antisemitism and homophobia. They also shared innovations in technology, detailed developments with cases proceeding through the justice system, memorialized victims and celebrated heroes. While nearly 1,000 leaders, activists and advocates spoke on stage and in conference rooms, a group of approximately 150 high school students was busy tackling the same topics on a more local level. For the first time in the three-year history of the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, the program featured an opportunity for young people to be part of the solution.

While the nearly 1,000 leaders, activists and advocates spoke on stage and in conference rooms, a group of approximately 150 high school students was busy tackling the same topics on a more local level. 16

The idea to include students from 14 high schools in Western P ennsylvania came from the summit’s education working group, which included AIU Executive Director Robert Scherrer, Ed.D. The AIU served as the primary organizer for the Eradicate Hate Student Summit. “If we’re trying to affect change, and that is what the global summit is all about, it doesn’t start with adults. It starts with young people,” Dr. Scherrer said. “I think that lasting change occurs when students have ownership of the process.” Students from Cornell, Fox Chapel Area, Hampton Township, Keystone Oaks, McKeesport, Mt. Lebanon, Northgate, Penn Hills, Shaler Area, South A llegheny, South Fayette Township, West Allegheny and Pittsburgh Public’s CAPA and Allderdice high schools met to devise ways that they can bring positive changes to their districts and communities. The global summit formed in response to the 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill. In the wake of the tragedy, filmmaker Patrice O’Neill produced the documentary “Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life,” which highlighted stories from survivors of the attack as well as the community response. Students watched the documentary and At left: Students from every school district at the Eradicate Hate Student Summit, including this student from Penn Hills, shared their ideas for their districts to embrace positivity and inclusion. Photos: Matt Brosey Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

At left: Mt. Lebanon High School students discuss ideas for programs and activities they can create in their district to help spread positivity.

brainstormed ideas of how they can affect change in their schools. Unprompted, they began comparing notes and sharing experiences with their peers from other schools. “Not even halfway through the design sprint, the students just started to get up and go to other tables to share ideas with one another,” Dr. Scherrer said. “You give a little bit of direction to young people, and they can do amazing things.” The ideas ranged from broad concepts like incorporating the arts into social justice advocacy or educating their fellow students on the power of influence, to specific events like Shaler Area’s Enlightenment Day — focused on broadening cultural horizons — and Allderdice’s Dragon Day, a student-led day of bonding that plays off the school’s mascot.

“You give a little

bit of direction to young people and they can do amazing things.”

Northgate High School students discuss the possibility of setting up a screening of the documentary “Repairing the World” for their entire district.

Thanks to the generosity of the Grable Foundation, schools represented at the Eradicate Hate Student Summit will receive funding from the AIU for the programs and activities that grew out of the summit. Summit participants will meet again in the spring to share updates on their progress. The challenge that lies ahead is determining what future summits might look like, how organizations like the AIU can serve as consistent incubators and support systems for these efforts, and how students will continue to carry the banner of eradicating hate. In other words, what happens next? “Repairing the World” might play a significant role in answering that question. Just one month after experiencing the summit, several schools expressed an interest in setting up a screening of the film, including Northgate. AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

The Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in 2018 was the catalyst for creating the Eradicate Hate Global Summit and this year’s Eradicate Hate Student Summit. It was imperative to include Pittsburgh Public Schools in the conversation, including students from Pittsburgh CAPA and Taylor Allderdice. 17

South Allegheny High School students discuss plans for new events and activities to spread positivity, including a meet your neighbor day.

“It’s such a moving film that we thought it would show the other students how we felt and hopefully have the same impact,” junior Carrie Wynn said.

Erin Wall, founder of the Woodland Hills Student Summit, works with student leaders during a visit to the Saturday Light Brigade Youth Radio studios at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum as part of the fourth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit on April 20, 2023. Photo: Andrew Chiappazzi

“When you give

the power and the voice to the students it changes the dynamic.”

Emotional connections are often the catalyst for high school students to a dvocate for change. Just four months prior to the Tree of Life tragedy, the shooting of Woodland Hills High School senior Antwon Rose II by an East Pittsburgh police officer led to the formation of its own student summit. Founded by Woodland Hills High School t eacher Erin Wall, the district’s student summit has expanded from an internal platform for students to grieve to one that will feature 15 d istricts at the fifth gathering in March. Students pick the topics, plan the structure for their discussion groups, and then serve as m oderators in an exchange of ideas and perspectives. “I think that is what makes our program so unique. It is centered completely around the students as not only participants but leaders. When you give the power and the voice to the students it changes the dynamic,” Wall said. Empowering the students as leaders removes some of the barriers that prevent students from opening up, and places control of the discussion in their hands rather than teachers or outside experts, said Woodland Hills sophomore Aubrie Moon. Avonworth senior Cassandra Heinauer said that the inclusion of rural, suburban and urban districts leads to a wide range of viewpoints and g reater student growth. “By sitting down with kids your own age, you can learn empathy and understand others in ways that I don’t think are possible unless you’re sitting down and having that discussion,” Heinauer said. Participants in the Woodland Hills Student Summit are on a similar path as those who took part in the Eradicate Hate Global Summit. Students bring

Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

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C ontact Beverly Mannion Assistant Program Director 412-789-3321 beverly.mannion@aiu3.net Use the camera on your phone to access the AIU Early Head Start Pre-Interest Application

Head Start/ Pre-K Counts

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Help Us Create a B r i g h t e r Fu t u r e W e A re H iring Teachers Teacher Assistants n Family Advocates n n

A pply T oday aiu3.net/careers We are seeking qualified and engaged educators to join the Early Childhood Education team at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Your contributions can help preschool children in Allegheny County prepare for school and the rest of their lives. Make a difference in your community today!

AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

Penn Hills students present ideas on how best to change their world.

Video:

Watch highlights from the first Eradicate Hate Student Summit.

Cornell High School students work on their ideas for ways they can increase positivity and inclusion.

South Fayette High School students brainstorm ways they can expand upon the programs they’ve established to help eradicate hate.

Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

Engaging, interactive FIELD TRIP experiences!

Author and activist Leon Ford speaks to students during the fourth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit on February 10, 2023. Ford was invited to speak to the students about trauma, adversity and resiliency between their student-led group discussions. Photo: Andrew Chiappazzi

Outside-the-text-book learning with SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS!

back ideas and action plans to implement programs and activities in their home districts, placing those students in important leadership roles. “Getting involved in these conversations early on is really important, because we can learn from other people, but it’s not the same as taking action and learning how to lead,” said South Fayette junior Pranamya Rangaraju. South Fayette is one of several schools in either the Eradicate Hate Global Summit or the Woodland Hills Student Summit to have formed a club or program dedicated to eradicating hate and spreading positivity. Through SHOUT, or Social Handprints Overcoming Unjust Treatment, South Fayette students work to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment in the district through service projects and special events. Rangaraju said she and her classmates have been inspired by what they’ve seen at other districts, and that SHOUT is continuing to enhance its own Uncommon Conference, which is an annual celebration of traditions in various cultures. South Allegheny is extending its outreach into the community with its first Meet Your Neighbor Day, a festival featuring music, games and food. AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

Create, innovate, and

BECOME A MAKER at Fab Lab classes.

To learn more, visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org/ FieldTrips.

Students from multiple school districts sign a mural celebrating the fourth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit on February 10, 2023. Photo: Andrew Chiappazzi

Get Involved

Fifth Annual Woodland Hills Multi-District Student Summit hosted by Penn State Greater Allegheny and welcoming students from 15 school districts

Friday March 8, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

“It’s much easier to love your neighbor whenever your neighbor is a familiar face,” South Allegheny junior Adriana Rodriguez added. “It’s much easier to help your neighbor when you know their struggles.” South Allegheny, South Fayette and Northgate are among the districts that are exploring ways for high school students to share positive behavior and cultural appreciation with their middle schools and elementary schools. Rodriguez and fellow South Allegheny junior Aaron Marts both noted how challenging middle school can be and stressed the need to include that age group in any activity that can help bring positive change. As educators and students sort out the immediate and distant future of eradicating hate, family members of survivors are encouraging them to continue. Tree of Life shooting survivor Andrea Wedner, who lost her m other Rose Mallinger in the attack, visited South Fayette High School with her family to learn what students were doing to address hate and discrimination and to share their support. South Fayette senior Sarah Kornacki said it was a reaffirmation of the students’ mission. “With everything that’s happening in the world, there is a light — and it’s the next generation,” Kornacki said. “Everyone comes from a different background, but at the end of the day, they want the same thing.”

Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

Alternative Education Program Celebrating over 60 yea rs of success

The Alternative Education Program (AEP) at Allegheny Intermediate Unit serves students in grades seven through 12 who are temporarily excluded from their classrooms.

Restorative Practices How We Help n

Behavioral & Therapeutic Supports Individual & Group Counseling

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Restorative Practices

Our Schools Community School West 19 May Avenue McKees Rocks, PA 15136 412-464-4051

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AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

The AEP uses restorative practices as an alternative to traditional discipline. The goals are to increase the use of restorative practices to help cultivate a climate of community and acceptance and to aid in the decrease of classroom disciplinary referrals and suspensions. Emphasis will be placed on establishing transition plans for returning students to ensure the repair of harm and the inclusion of students into the regular population.

Transition Programming We give our students opportunities to work their way back into their school community. Our statecertified instructors take students into the real world, providing them with venues for self-improvement. The work fosters deeper community relationships with students and staff through communitybuilding circles, healing circles, and welcoming circles with students returning from suspensions, expulsion or any out-of-school situation.

Learn more at aiu3.net/aep 23

Training Youth to Lead B y A n d r e w C h i a pp a z z i

Woodland Hills student Aubrie Moon, now a sophomore, talks with students in the mental health group during the fourth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit on February 10, 2023.

A ubrie M oon is passionate about mental health . The Woodland Hills High School sophomore wants to reduce the stigma around the topic and believes strongly that more advocacy is necessary. Her desire to be part of that conversation led her to join the Woodland Hills Student Summit, an annual event where high school students hand-pick topics and then lead discussions with students from other districts.

“ In order to be listened to, you have to also

listen to the other person. Communication is a very two-way thing.”

It’s one thing to speak passionately about a topic. It’s another to lead effectively, and that is something Moon and other student leaders have been working on the past two years through dedicated training prior to the summit. “We talked a lot about being very open to new ideas. I think that’s something I struggled with in the past,” Moon said. “In order to be listened to, you have to also listen to the other person. Communication is a very two-way thing.” Student leaders attended a training session at Chatham University this past fall in preparation for the fifth Woodland Hills Student Summit taking place in March. The training was led by Matthew Crutchman, a 4-H educator with Penn State Extension, who has a background in mental health, social work and first aid. Woodland Hills student Bree Boyd speaks to students gathered for the fourth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit on February 10, 2023. Photos: Andrew Chiappazzi 24

Crutchman has been a fixture since the second summit, when organizer and Woodland Hills High School English teacher Erin Wall invited him to serve as an expert in mental health. “Matthew recognized the need for student leadership training for a more holistic development and the recognition that young individuals have the potential to Allegheny Intermediate Unit • aiu3.net

lead, innovate and effect change,” Wall said. Crutchman and other experts from Penn State Extension educate student leaders on conflict resolution, public speaking, group communication skills and even how to effectively give directions. Avonworth senior Cassandra Heinauer said the training is crucial to maximize the impact of the discussion groups. “You are not presenting. You are moderating a conversation,” said Heinauer. “It’s good to ask rhetorical questions, because that makes people think about what they’re saying more.” The annual leadership training includes experts in various fields who provide access to reliable outside sources and help the students take broad umbrella topics such as mental health or gun violence and narrow them to more specific issues. “The experts help them discover what elements they want to focus on and how they plan to tackle these important topics,” Wall said. The LIGHT Education Initiative, or Leadership Through Innovation in Genocide and Human Rights Teaching, is a nonprofit that works with school districts to develop educational programming dedicated to Holocaust, genocide and human rights. It has provided support for both the Eradicate Hate Global Summit and the Woodland Hills Student Summit. LIGHT founder Nick Haberman said those programs are serving as platforms for students to take the lead on creating a positive impact in their districts and their communities. “Young people across Southwestern Pennsylvania are clearly hungry for these opportunities,” Haberman said. “I think this is a beautiful model of citizenship education. It was always a call to action for school districts to create active, engaged citizens. We are seeing young people grow up into the citizens that we need them to be so that our society moves in the right direction.”

Matthew Crutchman of Penn State 4-H Extension conducts student leadership training for the fourth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit. Crutchman has spearheaded the student leadership training for the past two summits.

Student leaders gather at Chatham University to undergo leadership training for the fifth annual Woodland Hills Student Summit, which will take place on March 8, 2024.

AIU Connections • Winter/Spring 2024

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O u r M i ss i o n We are an educational c ommunity that advocates and advances equitable opportunities for every learner.

Our Vision Through equitable access, all learners achieve their full potential.

For more than 50 years, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit has served suburban school districts across Allegheny County as a liaison to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

A l l e g h e n y I n t e r m e d i at e U n i t aiu3.net | 412-394-5700 23-170-4C