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Welcome to the 21News page!
Here's where you can stay updated on all the events, opportunities and student/staff achievements here at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21. From our own team creating videos and social media content, to CLIU 21 being featured in local news, it's all right here!
Join the IU21 Transportation Team with Walk-in Interviews!
Start Your Career in Speech and Language!
Tune in to the October episode of the HCL Podcast!
Happy Birthday to our Facility Dog LLASie!!!
For Deaf Awareness Month, We Ask Our Students What They Love About Their Teachers and Interpreters!
Meet Our Annie Sullivan Award Winners!
Good Luck Cathy! CLIU21 Asst. Director Participates in Ironman Triathlon
For Deaf Awareness Month, Check Out a Ling 6 Speech Test!
Join CLIU21 as an Instructional Assistant in the Classroom!
The Newest Season of the HCL Podcast is Launched!
Here are Some Tips For Your Child as They Get on the Bus!
Dos and Don'ts on First Day of School Announcements!
CLIU21 Theme of the Year: Beyond All Limits!
As we get ready for the first day of school lift off, see how we are going to the moon for our students and their families!
We're Getting Ready to Go Back to School!
The Lehighton Area School District is Looking For Their Next Superintendent!
Congratulations on Retirement, Diane! 34 Years of Occupational Therapy Greatness!!!!
Our G-Club Girls Love Camping!
Annual CLSNCF Golf Tournament Raises over $15,000
Year End Remarks from Exec. Director Dr. Gregory Koons
Congratulations Project SEARCH Graduates!
VACANCY: Superintendent of Palmerton Area School District
Congratulations to Our School-Based Graduates!
First Graduation Ceremony of the Year!
Happy Retirement, Linda!
Paintings and More by our Budding Artists!
Fly, Butterfly! Fly!
A Golfing Tradition More Helpful Than Any Other
Helping Children Learn Podcast S2E8 No Place For Hate: Fighting Bullying and Promoting Inclusivity
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!
Happy National Administrative Professionals Day!
Happy National School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day!
April CLIU Board Video: Inclusion is a Staple in Parkland SD Schools
At Veterans Elementary, their students worked with our students to help them enjoy a cardboard games carnival! At Orefield Middle School, 8th grade students are part of a buddy program where they read to our students to help them prepare for a presentation!
Celebrating Autism Awareness Month with a Friendly Reminder
CLIU21 Hosts the 2024 Academic Competition
Check out the April Episode of the Helping Children Learn Podcast!
Gabe the Weatherman Giving Out April Fools Day Jokes!
It wasn't the Easter Bunny, but a REAL Bunny Visiting Panther Valley!
The Easter Bunny Paid a Visit!
Kids Get a New Set of Wheels During Adaptive Stroller and Bicycle Day
CLIU21 works with Variety - the Children's Charity of Pittsburgh and BLACKBURN'S Home Medical Equipment & Supplies to get these kids into adaptive strollers and bicycles. Watch how these amazing pieces of equipment, at no cost to the receiving families, makes their lives a little easier!
Watch and Listen to the March Episode of the HCL Podcast!
On the March episode of the HCL Podcast, we speak with the supervisor of CLIU's Behavioral Health program Jason Savenelli as well as outpatient case worker Colleen Schenkenberger. We go over the state of student mental health and what's being done to combat the issue.
This podcast can be streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Music, and more! Just type in the search bar “Helping Children Learn” and you will find it. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, we have a video podcast with closed captioning here on YouTube and on our Facebook page.
Guest Teacher Applications are Open!
IU21 Exec. Director Dr. Koons Reads to Early Intervention Students!
Adaptive Stroller and Bicycle Receives Plenty of Media Attention!
We're Celeberating National SRO/SPO Appreciation Day!
Salisbury High School Starts Special Needs Bocce Ball Team
Watch what this sport means to our players and coaches as they experience athletic competition! Even the uniform itself gives the students a sense of pride and belonging.
Look How Our Panther Valley Students Are Celebrating Groundhog Day!
Check Out the February Edition of the HCL Podcast!
Work Based Learning Got Some Visitors!
Superintendents and Legislators Meet to Discuss Key Issues
Helping Children Learn While Keeping Children Safe
Moravian University Students Visit IU21!
CLAS Students, Staff Come Together to Help Clothing Drive for the Homeless
But this year she received some help for the first time in four years. And it was from her students at the Carbon Learning Achievement School. Watch how her students come together and help their educator!
Another Ugly Sweater Party at Northwestern High School!
2023 Holiday Basket Raffle LIVE Drawing
Turning Our Buses Into Sleighs!
Santa and his Elf Came Early This Year!
Our Guest Teacher Program Continues to Grow!
Transportation Has a Special Visitor!
We're Putting on Our Best Ugly Sweater!
Listen to December's HCL Podcast!
Our kiddos are giving back for Thanksgiving!
WORDS HAVE POWER: See the Benefits of Visualizing and Journaling Student Progress
Margie Rivera, an early intervention teacher in Carbon County, decided to pin her students' good behavior and functional use of language on a board. She's calling it "Words Have Power." This is such a powerful use of journaling and visualization so teachers can see the impact they're making in the classroom.
Thank You to Our Legislators For Visiting!
Look at the MDSB Thanksgiving Lunch!
Listen to the November Episode of CLIU's HCL Podcast!
CLIU Hosts Employee Family Trunk-or-Treat!
Happy Halloween From Everyone at CLIU21!
October is ADHD Awareness Month!
Thank you Miers Insurance for the Donation!
Catasauqua Fire Department Visits Our MDSB Classroom!
Breakfast With Grace! How Our Youngest Life Skills Students Learn Their Morning Routine
It's also their time to feel like part of the LB Morris community. Our IU teachers and staff are so grateful for everyone at LB Morris for making our students feel welcome, accepted and included!
TEAMING UP: Emmaus Football Players Connect with Special Needs Students
This is an opportunity for everyone to learn. It's a wonderful moment of inclusion for our life skills kids, but it also shows our football players how much they have in common with our IU students. We appreciate all the football players who spend time to make genuine connections with our students.
Celebrating Unity Day at CLAS for National Bullying Prevention Month!
Check Out Our STEM Saturday Opportunities!
Our Ironman Competitor Finished the Race!
Girl Power at the 5K!
Our MDSF Classroom at Salisbury High School Made the News!
Happy 1st Birthday to our Furry Friend!!!
CLIU's '22-'23 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: School Psychologist Emily Zappulla
As a school psychologist in special education, Emily Zappulla helps students become better learners. She also helps teachers become better teachers. She specializes in things like student assessments and behavior plans, but her outstanding ability to improvise and support teachers in moments of need is what really makes her deserving of an Annie Sullivan Award. Everyone she works with says her flexibility and willingness to help other educators is second-to-none when a good plan falls apart.
It is clear Emily Zappulla understands and fulfills the CLIU21 mission statement of Helping Children Learn!
Check Out the New CLIU Podcast!
We're Growing Together at CLIU's Opening Day! Highlights of the Big Day!
We welcome Dr. Koons to IU21 and we're so excited to see what's in store for the 2023-2024 school year!
...And That's a Wrap for Opening Day 2024!
Our Teachers Are Going In to the New School Year Tech-Ready!
It's all a part of getting ready for the 2023-2024 school year. Are you ready for Opening Day?!?!
We're Getting Ready for the New School Year!
CLIU Summer Cornhole Tournament was a Hit!
Dancing, Playing, and Movements with Maia!
Her classes are called Movements with Maia, and this one is extra special because it's the largest dance party she's ever held!!! Watch how these Ms. Mara's students from Veterans Memorial Elementary come together to celebrate movement and IU inclusion!
One of Our Students Made the News Again!
G Club Enjoys Camp Mosey Wood!
30th Annual CLSNCF Golf Tournament Photo Gallery
Special Needs Golf Tournament Raises Over $20k for Foundation
We are so thankful and grateful to everyone who came out yesterday, and for those who have been part of this at any part in the last three decades!
Special Needs Teacher Starts Soap Business With Her Students!
It's a great way to exercise their motor, social and emotional skills. And the kids love it! With the help of some assistive technology, Ashley and her team makes a bunch of scented bars that have meaning beyond the label!
Time to Work! ProjectSEARCH and VIP Students Graduate From Work-Based Learning Programs
Traven was there for every step of the way! From mixing the cement to delivering the finished product! Check out how Traven worked alongside his carpentry teacher and classmates!
Two Students Graduate From CLAS!
Ride Your Bike to Support Inclusion!
There's still time to golf in our incredible tournament!
Congratulations to our CCEA graduate Sierra!
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Therapy COWS Come to Salisbury High
You've heard of therapy dogs roaming the halls of schools and hospitals bringing comfort and joy to everyone. But have you ever seen a therapy cow?!
Horns & Hooves Mobile Mini Moos brought two of their micro cows, Hank and Waylen, to hang out with our special needs students at Salisbury High School! Thank you Patrick and Shea for such an awesome experience!
We Need Parent Support for our Early Intervention Survey
We are urging parents to help us help them by completing the 2023 Early Intervention Family Survey. The survey can be done online, it only takes 5-10 minutes, all of your responses are completely anonymous and it's offered in both English and Spanish!
English EI Survey: https://eita.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a4ZV0lVwtTdd3CK
Spanish EI Survey: https://eita.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2isQIfDiJBvTQvc
DEAF CAN! There's Nothing our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kids Can't Do!
Our Schnecksville Sharks want everyone to know there are no limitations when you are are deaf! Do not measure them by what they can't do... See everything our DEAF students CAN do!
CLIU21 Board Appoints New Executive Director!
Special Beauty Pageant Showcases Talent and Confidence!
Congratulation to all the girls who came out and shined their light!
DHH Student Signs National Anthem (With Some Help) at Baseball Game!
CLIU Welcomes Our Local Legislators for LLAS Tour
We really appreciate our lawmakers for lending us their time and their attention. They were truly interested in learning more so they can make better informed policy at the capitol.
Thank you to Representatives Doyle Heffley, Jeanne McNeil, Ryan Mackenzie and Peter Schweyer as well as members from the office of Representative Zach Mako and Senator Nick Miller.
BRINGING JOURNALISM BACK: IU21, School Teachers Start Coalition to Reinvigorate Student Journalism
We cannot thank our participating news outlets enough for sending their esteemed journalists to educate our students: The Morning Call The Washington Post, 69News WFMZ, NBC10 Philadelphia, WNEP, LehighValleyNews.com, and The Student Press Council.
And a huge thank you to our wonderful partners Kutztown University and Jostens for being our sponsors!
Here's Your Chance to Join the World of Education. Apply for the Guest Teacher Program Today!
In this video, we introduce you to three different Guest Teachers. They all joined the program for different reasons, but they all have the same love for teaching and the opportunity to do it at their convenience.
Click this link to apply for the CLIU Guest Teacher Program: https://www.cliu.org/Page/125
Esports Are Growing! Students Realize the Potential at DeSales University
High school students toured the campus and realized the possibilites in and around e-sports. In college, e-sports teams provide personal growth like traditional scholar-athletes enjoy. And even if you don't go pro, there are job opportunities in multiple career paths as the gaming industry continues to grow.
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Therapy Dog Visits MDS-F Room!
Maka (therapy dog) and Ana (Maka's mommy) made a visit to our MDS-F room at Parkland High School! Certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Maka and Ana usually visit Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest Hospital to bring comfort to patients. But today was Maka's first ever classroom visit!
Everyone had a great time, and we're grateful to Ana for bringing Maka to our IU21 classroom!
E-Sports Are Growing! Students Realize the Potential at DeSales University
High school students toured the campus and realized the possibilites in and around e-sports. In college, e-sports teams provide personal growth like traditional scholar-athletes enjoy. And even if you don't go pro, there are job opportunities in multiple career paths as the gaming industry continues to grow.
Working Pooch is Welcomed to the CLIU21 Family!
LLASie is not a service dog for one particular student. She is a facility dog who will roam the halls and classrooms at LLAS to help calm and sooth each and every student! This canine's effect on our children is already incredibly evident.
We are incredibly grateful for the Carbon Lehigh Special Needs Children's Foundation for funding LLASie and her care! The foundation really is staying true to their mission.
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STEM Saturdays: Electrician for a Day
Our students for this STEM Saturday were experimenting with electricity! Students were learning what conducts electric and what insulates it. We tested snap circuits, used copper taping with coin batteries, and much more!
LB Morris Students Go on Virtual Field Trip at LV Zoo!
Happy National SRO Day!
Kutztown Business Owners Donate Free Haircuts to LLAS Students
A simple haircut went a long way for our students and their confidence. Not only was it a good day for the kids, but the business owners say giving back to the community made for quite the heart-warming and soul-fulfilling day. We cannot thank you enough for your time and positive energy!
MDS-F Student's Journey is highlighted on PBS39
Carbon County Environmental Center Brings Animals Into the Classroom
CLIU Staff Tours CCTI
Check Out Our New Transition Services Newsletter
Congratulations to E-Sports Champions Parkland High School Varsity and JV
Amid Dr. Eib's Retirement, CLIU21 Seeking Executive Director Applicants
Check Out the New CLIU21 Podcast "Understanding the IU"
Moravian University Students Visit CLIU21 Central Office
Mother and Daughter Continue to Grow Holiday Clothing/Food Drive
This is their third year collecting clothing and supporting groups in Carbon and Monroe County who help the homeless and less fortunate. And this is their biggest year yet. It started small in 2019, and has grown into quite the operation. See how Stacey and Iliana are making our community a better place!
CLIU Appreciation Letter Reading 2: Keeping Consistency in the DHH Room
Christine recently took a job with CLIU21 after many years with IU20. Moya has been working with Mrs. Bloch for a couple years now,. When she switched jobs, he and his family decided to follow her for his final year in high school. Nathan says he owes a lot of his success to her because of the consistency in which she has helped him grow.
CLIU Classroom Caroling
Featured is our Project SEARCH students at Lehigh Valley-Muhlenberg Hospital, our emotional support students at Towamensing Elementary, and our MDS-Functional students from Lehighton Elementary!
We all wish you happy holidays and a happy new year!
Santa's CLIU Elves Make Accessible Toys for Children
For Toy Adaptation Day 2022, we replaced hard to use switches with larger external switches easily tapped or bopped to make a battery-powered toy work! Students from Lehigh Carbon Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe Area High School, Carbon Learning and Achievement School and the CLIU work-based learning program came together. 3D printed switches were wired and soldered into these toys so anyone can use them regardless of their physical disability!
A truly wonderful display of teamwork, altruism and technical skill among a wide array of students. 50 special needs children are receiving a gift they can play with.
For Toy Adaptation Day 2022, we replaced hard to use switches with larger external switches easily tapped or bopped to make a battery-powered toy work! Students from Lehigh Career Technical Institute, Jim Thorpe Area High School, Carbon Learning and Achievement School and the CLIU work-based learning program came together. 3D printed switches were wired and soldered into these toys so anyone can use them regardless of their physical disability!
A truly wonderful display of teamwork, altruism and technical skill among a wide array of students. 50 special needs children are receiving a gift they can play with.
CLIU Appreciation Letter Reading 1: The Making of Gabe the Weatherman
Our inaugural letter reading goes to Russell Watkins' MDSB team at Panther Valley High School. It comes from a mother and father of a student we've showcased many times before: Gabe "The Weatherman" Watterson.
Support Professional Valerie Borman Retires After 25 Year IU21 Career
American Education Week 2022 - Substitute Appreciation Day
American Education Week 2022 - Educator for a Day: The First and Last People a Student Sees
Nadine (driver) and Cheryl (aide) are educators in their own way every single day. They teach children how to respect one another, work with others, and how to regulate their emotions.
American Education Week 2022 - Support Professionals Day: The Heart of a Special Needs Classroom
We take you to Caitlin Helen's emotional support classroom at Towamensing Elementary in Carbon County. In her class, she lets her IAs and ESIs be themselves while trusting in them to do their job without constant oversight. In turn, she feels like she's getting the best version of them as they help her manage the classroom.
American Education Week 2022: Family Day - How Work-Based Learning Can Make a Family Stronger
But the effect of these programs in their home lives might be the most important. Through confidence building and a culture of independence, mothers and fathers are telling us their child has become a better family member and person which in turn makes things a little bit easier around the house.
The 2022 Holiday Basket Raffle for the CLSNCF is Underway!!!
1 Ticket for $1 or 6 tickets for $5! The drawing will take place on December 19th. All money goes toward families in need during the holiday season for things like coats, hats, gloves, presents and dinner preparations.
Bring Back Your District-Wide Teacher Camaraderie with Camp Fowler/CLIU21 Team Building Exercises
That's why Camp Fowler and CLIU21 are coming together to help re-establish camaraderie and cohesiveness with Catalyst Adventure Learning team building exercises. Listen to testimony from teachers at the Northern Lehigh school district about learning how to work together better with fellow colleagues!
Celebrating Deaf Awareness Month, Orefield Middle School is Congratulated For Hallway DHH Murals
These works of art are so creative! Watch the video to see some really excellent student art work with a whole lot of meaning. Thank you to OMS and every other school creating a culture of inclusion.
Adaptive Bikes and Stroller Gifted to Lehigh and Carbon County Families
CLIU staff, on behalf of the special needs children's foundation, partnered up with Variety - the Children’s Charity to gift six families with adaptive bikes and strollers. Parents were given a full rundown on how the bikes and strollers work, how to make adjustments, and how to pack them in a car. A wonderful day for everyone as these kids are able to ride around in style!
Help us celebrate our long standing CLIU employees!
CLIU Teams Get on the Same Page with Opening Day Breakout Rooms
Each team gets into what is called a "breakout room." It's where they do over new policies, goals for the year and any pertinent information. But not all breakout rooms are the same! Watch how our supervisors carry the Opening Day energy into an otherwise mundane breakout room.
CLIU Celebrates Opening Day In-Person For the First Time in Two Years!
We were able to hear inspiring messages from our leaders at the IU and recognize the fabulous work our professionals do including those who have been with us for decades!
This year's Opening Day theme was "Feel the Rhythm." With the pandemic starting to appear in our rear-view mirror, it's time to get back in the groove of how we used to do things while becoming better educators through the lessons we learned along the way.
Get Ready to "Feel The Rhythm" at CLIU's 2022 Opening Day!
This year's theme is "Feel The Rhythm." It's an encouragement to get in sync with your colleagues and get into your groove again! We can't wait to see you all on Tuesday, August 16th at Parkland High School!
Another Successful Extended School Year is Over!
Some schools even shake it up with themes! Check out how our students are enjoying ESY.
Sign Your Junior Driver Up for the CLIU Drivers Ed Program
CLIU Students Enjoy Week-Long Girl Scout Camping Experience!
Six girls were granted a trip to Camp Mosey Wood in Carbon County where they had a true camping experience: archery, swimming, zip-lining, cooking over a fire, sleeping in a tent and more!
The goal for this trip (other than fun, obviously!) is to provide an inclusive environment for these girls while they try things they've never done before. Thank you to the CLIU staff who stay by the children's sides, and thank you to the Carbon Lehigh Special Needs Children Foundation for financially supporting our six students during this trip!
June CLIU Board Presentation - Early Intervention
The sooner we can get special needs students into our programs, he better our plan is to see them through.
29th Annual CLSNCF Golf Tournament is the Best Yet!
More golfers signed up for the CLSNCF Golf Tournament this year than ever before! Which means more money is being raised for the foundation . Thank you to all the CLIU employees, members of the public, and our sponsors for supporting the cause!
Congratulations to Rose Varano for Graduating!
Gabe the PV Weatherman Gets to Visit a News Station!
WBRE Eyewitness News heard Gabe's story and invited his teachers and family to their studio in Wilkes-Barre! He was able to tour the whole place - including the weather center where got coaching from their meteorologist on the green screen!
Such an inclusive experience for Gabe. He was glowing the whole time! We cannot thank WBRE for stepping up and showing our weatherman an unforgettable time!
CLIU21 Celebrates the LAS Graduating Class of 2022!
Their potential and success is exactly why the IU21 provides an alternate form of education for these types of student!
Special Needs Students Dedicate Park Bench They Helped Build
But this is no ordinary bench. It was dedicated to Lisa Cooper, a Carbon County Special Olympics powerlifting coach who passed away this past January. Our students did a great job honoring her memory!
Jim Thorpe Fire Chief Teaches Fire Safety at CCTI
This included how to check your smoke alarms, what to do when it goes off, and how to safely exit a burning building. And the day ended with students getting to wear some gear!
Acknowledging Teacher Appreciation Week with CLIU's Dr. Elaine Eib
In honor of teacher appreciation week, Dr. Eib would like to thank everyone at CLIU for their tireless work during one of the worst eras in modern history. We look forward to continuing the mission of helping children learn.
Gabe the PV Weatherman Makes the News.....Again!
In June, Gabe is taking a tour of a WBRE Eyewitness News in Wilkes-Barre! We are so proud of Gabe for showing everyone how students with autism can run through barriers!
CLIU Celebrates Autism Awareness Month of April
We go to the Northwestern School District where some students are dancing and others are cooking!
Support Staff Shown Appreciation with Bingo Luncheon
We appreciate them all every day of the year. Not just today!
April CLIU Board Presentation - DHH/Interpreting/Audiology/Vision
We are so proud of these students for smashing through barriers and refusing to be anything less than great!
Take the Early Intervention Survey for CLIU!
But the program is not nearly as effective without the input of the families we serve. We want to know what we're doing well, and more importantly where families think we should improve. Use the links below to take part in our survey!
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngFamSurvey2022
Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SpanFamSurvey2022
DHH Student Signs the National Anthem at a Baseball Game!
This is special moment for Athen as he continues to serve as a role model to younger people with similar disabilities.
CLIU's Dr. Eib and Dr. Schumacher Give Tips to Project SEARCH Interns
Dr. Elaine Eib and Dr. Lisa Schumacher came in to speak with the interns to answer questions about going through a job interview, how to handle stress on the job, and how to climb the ladder in their field.
Become a Guest Teacher with CLIU!
The Guest Teacher Program is your chance to get in the classroom teaching children without going back to college for a another degree. All you need is any bachelors degree and the desire to be an educator.
Guest Teacher Application: https://www.cliu.org/Page/125
Get Ready for the 2022 Special Needs Golf Tournament!
All money raised through this four man scramble goes toward giving special needs children awesome experiences.
Sign up today by visiting www.CLSNCF.org! Or contact Valerie Borman for more information 610-769-4111 ext 1159 | bormanv@cliu.org