A monthly summary of
the Delaware County
Intermediate Unit’s Meeting of the Board of Directors / CONNECTION

Board of Directors

John C. McMeekin, II
President
Edward J. Cardow
Vice President
Maureen Carey
Aaron Cubbage
Nancy Galbraith
Donald Heller
Philip R. Hopkins
John Liberati
Wanda Mann
Harry J. McElwee
William Montgomery
Dorothy Reed
Kimberly Robinson
Richard Sonntag
William Wilkinson
Lawrence O’Shea, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Thomas C. Brown
Treasurer, Nonmember
Theresa Hammond
Secretary, Nonmember
Michael V. Puppio, Jr.
Solicitor
Adriene M. Irving
Editor
200 Yale Ave.
Morton, PA 19070
610-938-9000
www.dciu.org / The Delaware County Intermediate Unit Board of Directors met on
April 1, 2009. The following are highlights from the meeting:
·  Approved the continuation of a contract with Glen Mills School, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012 to provide alternative and regular special education services for male students designated as disruptive.
·  Approved a lease renewal with Newtown Towers for OPTIONS Community Living and Learning apartment effective June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010.
·  Approved the purchase of materials and furniture from Community Playthings, to replace items damaged in the flood at Pennington School.
·  Celebrated April as Autism Awareness Month. Joe Pardini, Supervisor, Francis Harvey Green School, gave a brief presentation and showed a video highlighting the students and staff in DCIU’s Autistic Support Program.
·  Approved a contract with Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 to work on the Statewide School Improvement Project, effective March 1 through June 30, 2009, in an amount not to exceed $15,000. Funds are being provided through the PDE Statewide School Improvement Grant.
·  Approved a contract with Resource Dynamics Green Building Education to provide a Green Technology Symposium June 15-17, 2009, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia.
·  Approved an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles for DCTS Folcroft to be an approved Safety Inspection and Mechanic Training Facility and an approved Emissions Inspector Certification (EIC) and Emissions Inspector Recertification (EIR) Training Facility.
·  Approved purchase of security systems for the Aston and Folcroft campuses from Security Data Technologies.
·  Recognized the STARS recipients for the month of April 2009, listed on the following page.
·  The next meeting is May 6, 2009 at Delaware County Technical Schools-Aston.

Sharing Talent and Recognizing Service

S T A R S

Congratulations to the following STARS for April 2009:

Special Programs Administrative Team (nominated by Dr. Kitty Ann Lugar)

The Special Programs Team of Administrative Professionals -- Susan Handschuh, Barbara Jost, Andrea Lee, Pat Rumaker and Sue Schenck -- truly exemplifies collaboration and cooperation. Each of them performs specific duties critical to the efficient operation of Special Programs. In addition, they share ideas, time and energies to accomplish large and time-sensitive projects, sometimes coming to work early or staying late to assure that each component is completed thoroughly and professionally. As team members, they offer creative solutions and suggestions for the smooth operation of the Special Programs administrative office. Whether it is preparing for conferences or District Directors meetings, assuring staff is in place for each program, processing district referrals, ordering Extended School Year supplies, or assisting with the DCIU Special Education Plan, just to name a few, they anticipate needs and enable the department to be well prepared. They are each exemplary members of the team and are counted on with confidence each day. Their efforts enable administrators to work efficiently, and in turn, to support students, staff and the mission of DCIU.

Linda Graf (nominated by Toyin Olayinka)

Linda is receiving this recognition for several reasons. She has exhibited what DCIU strives to promote: TEAMWORK. She has shown exemplary character and has demonstrated how a fellow co-worker can make a difference in the lives of others by respectfully interacting with other staff members and assisting with the workload. She has also shown through leadership and a willingness to share with others, how things are accomplished when we work together. Furthermore, she is quick to offer her assistance when she notices the need. She has gone beyond the call of duty and has made others want to come to work every day.

Nicole Gartside (nominated by Julianne Mayo and Kathy Atkinson)

Mrs. Gartside is receiving this recognition for several reasons. She is always willing to pitch in and help with special activities at the Francis Harvey Green School. She has donated books, a DVD player, snacks and paper products to the classroom. She has also donated food, decorations and her valuable time to special events for the children. Furthermore, she is the first to respond to the call for help when it goes out. We are very appreciative of her many contributions and consider ourselves very fortunate to have such an energetic, generous and responsive parent in our school community.

Christine Signora (nominated by Sheila Blake Butler)

Ms. Signora is the front office secretary at The County Alternative High School. She has actually changed the atmosphere of the front office so much so that it feels like a warm welcome center. She is engaging and eager to assist staff in a variety of ways. She helps to coordinate field trips, works with the lead teacher to generate quarterly progress reports and report cards, keeps tracks of students’ missing class work and encourages our students to do the right thing in school, at home and in the community. Ms. Signora has established a positive rapport with district and outside agency representatives. She also communicates very well with some of our most difficult students. Ms. Signora keeps our front office bright, fresh and clean. She has developed systems to organize the front office so that it operates in an efficient and effective manner. Ms. Signora demonstrates initiative and is willing to assist TCAHS students and staff in any way possible. We are appreciative of her efforts to make our program run smoothly and her willingness to go the extra mile to make our front office feel like a welcome center to all who enter our program. We thank Ms. Signora for all that she does and we are glad to have such a bright and shining star in our front office/welcome center.