On October 23, 2025, educators, school leaders, and community partners from eastern Pennsylvania gathered at the BCIU Main Office for a professional learning session focused on supporting students returning to school after external placements. The event offered practical strategies to ease academic, social, and emotional transitions, while highlighting new school- and family friendly re-entry guidance developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in collaboration with state agencies and practitioners.
Dr. Dana Milakovic, PDE Assistant Director of School Climate and Well-Being, opened the morning by introducing the guidance documents and leading participants through four tabletop scenarios. In the afternoon, attendees took part in two rounds of participant-led roundtable discussions, sharing insights and collaborating on topics of their choice.
This professional learning opportunity was a collaborative effort between the Office of Early Childhood and Student Services (ECSS) and the Office of Professional Learning (OPL).