Berks County IU 14, PA -

Did you know that April is School Library Month? School libraries are more than just books—they are gateways to knowledge, creativity, and lifelong learning! This #SchoolLibraryMonth, we celebrate the incredible librarians and library staff who inspire curiosity, support student success, and foster a love of reading.

Students in a Head Start classroom wrapped up the Week of the Young Child with lots of fun and learning! Each week a letter is assigned to Show and Tell, this week’s letter was Z, and families helped pick out some zany Show and Tell items. The class also got their hands dirty planting flowers and had a blast enjoying the sunshine outside. Learning and growing—inside and out! #WOYC25

Please join the Berks County Intermediate Unit in congratulating Dr. Michelle Reichard-Huff, Director of Early Childhood and Student Services, on receiving the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators (PAPSA)! Dr. Reichard-Huff was honored today at the PAPSA Annual Conference for her exceptional leadership and lasting impact on pupil services across the Commonwealth. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in advancing pupil services— and Dr. Reichard-Huff is a true example of that dedication. Congratulations, Dr. Reichard-Huff! To learn more, visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2141886

This morning, the BCIU Learning Center at Pine Forge had the privilege of hosting Senator Tracy Pennycuick, providing an opportunity for her to witness firsthand the remarkable achievements of our students in the Early Intervention program and the outstanding work of our dedicated Pine Forge staff. We were also pleased to welcome Boyertown Area School District (BASD) representatives, including Mr. James Brophy, BASD & BCIU Board Member; Dr. Scott Davidheiser, BASD Superintendent; Mrs. Stephanie Delong, BASD Early Childhood Teacher; and Ms. Ruth Dierolf, BASD Board Member. The BCIU extends its gratitude to Senator Pennycuick and BASD officials for their time, support, and continued commitment to early childhood education and student success in Berks County. Thank you to Mr. Brophy for his efforts in organizing this event.

"There is no doubt that we are living in extraordinary times. As Americans, we recognize that education plays a vital role in shaping the future of our children and young adults. Strong role models and mentors are essential in guiding the next generation toward hope and prosperity." In this Superintendents' Forum, Dr. Joseph Macharola, Superintendent of Muhlenberg School District, calls for strengthening and improving education rather than abolishing a key U.S. agency. To read the full article, visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2141152

Today at the Berks County Courthouse, President Judge M. Theresa Johnson presided over the commissioning ceremony of Dr. Jill Daloisio, serving in her new role as Assistant Superintendent of the Twin Valley Area School District. Please join the Berks County Intermediate Unit in congratulating Dr. Daloisio and wishing her great success!

Today we are celebrating the incredible things that happen when children work and play together! From building towers to solving problems or creating art, these shared moments help kids develop communication, cooperation, and kindness. When young children engage in teamwork, it helps build essential life skills like empathy, confidence, and problem-solving. These early experiences lay the foundation for strong relationships and future success in school and beyond. Big things happen when little hands work together—at home, in the classroom, and throughout our community. Together, we are building strong foundations for bright futures. #WOYC2025 #WorkTogetherWednesday

Today, students in one of our Head Start classrooms participated in Tasty Tuesday for #WOYC25. The children concluded their gardening unit by making homemade granola bars, combining healthy ingredients with valuable learning moments and a delicious hands-on experience. Cooking experiences in early childhood education support the development of cognitive and fine motor skills, promote healthy habits, and build self-confidence. Activities like these offer engaging, real-world connections that enrich the learning environment and celebrate the curiosity of young minds. #TastyTuesday #EarlyLearning #HealthyChoices #LearningThroughCooking

Thank you to Mrs. Hannah Barrick, J.D., Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), for joining this morning’s Committee on Legislative Action (COLA) meeting. Mrs. Barrick shared timely updates on PASBO’s legislative priorities, the state budget, and other key issues impacting public education. Her insights equipped leaders from Berks County school districts, career and technology centers, and the BCIU with valuable knowledge to strengthen their advocacy efforts. We are grateful for her time and expertise in supporting our shared mission to advance public education in Berks County and beyond!

The Berks County Intermediate Unit is hiring a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)! Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of students? Join our team and provide expert support in behavior analysis, intervention planning, and adaptive skill development. Position: BCBA Schedule: Full-time, 10-month position Salary: $49,919–$95,005 (based on education & experience) Benefits: Health, vision, dental, PSERS retirement, and more! Make an impact—one behavior plan at a time. Apply now and help students thrive: https://www.applitrack.com/berksiu/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Certified+Special+Education EOE. Job ID: 2027.

During Week of the Young Child (WOYC), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrates families as each child's first and most important teacher. Families play a crucial role in supporting early learning through love, encouragement, and engagement. Research shows children with engaged families are more likely to earn higher grades and have better attendance. Strong family connections help build a nurturing foundation for lifelong learning and success. #WOYC25 #EarlyLearning #FamilyFirst

The BCIU is hiring a School Psychologist starting August 11, 2025! Support students ages 3–21 and collaborate with school teams to provide essential psycho-educational services. Full-time, 8 am - 3:30 pm | 35 hours/week, 10 months/year Starting salary: $49,919–$65,377 Benefits included (PSERS eligible!) PA certification required Apply now to make a meaningful impact: https://www.applitrack.com/berksiu/onlineapp/_application.aspx?posJobCodes=2184&posFirstChoice=Certified%20Special%20Education&posSpecialty=Psychologist EOE.

Yesterday evening, 21 exceptional educators in Berks County were nominated for the prestigious BCIU Annie Sullivan Award, recognizing their outstanding service and unwavering dedication to advocating for the well-being of students with disabilities. We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Tracey Miller, High School Life Skills Support Teacher, Governor Mifflin School District, has been honored as the recipient of the 2025 Annie Sullivan Award. Congratulations, Mrs. Miller! The BCIU extends a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Tracey Miller and the other 20 nominees for their meaningful work and contributions that positively impact lives throughout Berks County. To discover more about Mrs. Tracey Miller's commendable work within the Governor Mifflin School District, please visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2126099

Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible paraprofessionals who make a difference every day—supporting students, assisting teachers, and creating positive learning environments. Your dedication, patience, and hard work do not go unnoticed. The BCIU is proud to recognize and celebrate the dedication of our incredible paraprofessionals! We also extend our appreciation to paraprofessionals across Berks County and the Commonwealth for their invaluable contributions to education. Thank you for all that you do!

Here is a sneak peek at the incredible artwork that is currently on display at our 43rd Annual Secondary Art Exhibit! Visit the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to see creative pieces from schools across Berks County. This year’s show features nearly 1,700 works of art from more than 1,200 student artists! The show runs through April 30, 2025, and admission is free. The Secondary Art Exhibit is a collaboration between the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, Berks Arts, Fast Lane Art, and the Berks County Intermediate Unit. #FeatureFriday

The 12th annual “STEM Design Challenge” continued today at the BCIU Main Office! Today, 16 teams of sixth through eighth grade students from across Berks County joined forces to tackle an innovative project. Their mission? Focus on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN Sustainable Development Goal 9) by designing a prototype that addresses a real-world problem related to infrastructure, transportation, or urban development. Using K’Nex or Engino pieces, these young minds are constructing prototypes to bring their ideas to life. The winning teams are: 1st Place – Team Name: Team WAVE - Wind-Assisted Vehicle Engineering, from Twin Valley Middle School 2nd Place – Team Name: Infrastructure Initiators, from Oley Valley Middle School 3rd Place – Team Name: Flood Fighters, from St. Catharine's School Fan Favorite – Team Name: Adventure Bay Inventors, from Wilson Southern Middle School Congratulations to the winning teams and thank you to all those who contributed to this event!

"Under the leadership of Jared Sparks, principal of Boyertown Area High School, along with the support and assistance of his administrative team, faculty, and staff, many areas of continuous improvement have been implemented since the start of the 2024-2025 school year." In this Superintendents' Forum, Dr. Scott Davidheiser, Superintendent of Boyertown Area School District, discusses a change in technology procedures at Boyertown Area Senior High. To read the full article, visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2111359

Students at Wyomissing Hills Elementary School had the opportunity to experience the magic of music through the Music in the Schools program! This engaging assembly, led by professional musicians and educators from the Reading Musical Foundation (RMF), introduced students to the woodwinds instrument family as part of this year’s focus. Coordinated by the BCIU Office of Professional Learning, in partnership with RMF, Music in the Schools brings interactive concerts to elementary schools across Berks County—helping students explore and select musical instruments.

Today at the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) Day on the Hill in Harrisburg, Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) leaders engaged with state legislators and policy experts to advocate for the more than 70,000 students in our region. Officials from the Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit joined BCIU officials for legislative meetings with those State Senators representing our intermediate unit regions. We had the opportunity to jointly highlight important education priorities, including early childhood education, special education, and behavioral health services impacting our students and educators. We sincerely appreciate the continued dedication of our Berks County state legislators who met with us or received advocacy packets during our time at the State Capitol. Berks County state legislators include: • Sen. Chris Gebhard • Sen. Scott Martin • Sen. Katie Muth • Sen. Tracy Pennycuick • Sen. Judy Schwank • Rep. Jamie Barton • Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz • Rep. Eric J. Weaknecht • Rep. David M. Maloney Sr. • Rep. Mark M. Gillen • Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. • Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock • Rep. David H. Zimmerman We thank our state officials for their ongoing collaboration and support of high-quality education in Berks County and across the Commonwealth! Want to learn more or get involved? Visit https://www.berksiu.org/page/advocacy.

Excitement was in the air as we kicked off the 12th annual STEM Design Challenge at the BCIU Main Office today! 40 teams of fourth-grade and fifth-grade students from across Berks County joined forces to tackle an innovative project. Their mission? Focus on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN Sustainable Development Goal 9) by designing a prototype that addresses a real-world problem related to infrastructure, transportation, or urban development. Using K’Nex or Engino pieces, these young minds are constructing prototypes to bring their ideas to life. The winning teams are: 1st Place – Team Name: Sweet Read City Transportation Authority, from Brecknock Elementary School 2nd Place – Team Name: K’Nex Creators of Cumru, from Cumru Elementary School Tied for 3rd Place – Team Name: STEM Gems, from Oley Valley Elementary School Tied for 3rd Place – Team Name: Artistic Architects, from Oley Valley Elementary School Fan Favorite – Team Name: Beauty & Brains, from Whitfield Elementary School Congratulations to the winning teams and thank you to all those who contributed to this event!