Dover –  Eight individuals were arrested for DUI last weekend; five at the checkpoint in Elsmere conducted by the New Castle County DUI Task Force and three at the checkpoint in Millsboro conducted by the Delaware State Police.  Since January 1^st of this year there have been over 3,700 individuals arrested for DUI in Delaware statewide.

Two DUI checkpoints are scheduled to take place this weekend as follows:

• Friday November 22nd               Camden –– DSP- checkpoint

• Saturday November 23rd            Bear-  DSP &  New Castle County DUI Task Force   – checkpoint

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a regional sobriety checkpoint campaign aimed at arresting DUI offenders, by using high visibility enforcement to deter those who would otherwise choose to drink and drive.  The campaign, a six month long effort running through New Year’s Eve, involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints statewide.

For more information on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe  and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

Grants will allow public schools to offer advanced coursework to students

The Delaware Department of Education is pleased to announce the award recipients of its Accelerated Academic Grants, the new state program that made funds available for programs targeted at academically advanced students.

The program — created through legislation proposed last year by Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and the chairs of the General Assembly’s education committees, Sen. Dave Sokola and Rep. Darryl Scott — allows school districts to design programs targeted at students who are ahead of grade level in reading, writing, math or science.

Local school districts and schools applied for start-up grants for programs targeted at students who are at least a half year ahead of grade level based upon current state standards.  Most of the programs are expected to be offered beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

The reviewing committee selected eight awardees, with awards totaling $246,535.70.  The awardees represent each county (three in New Castle, three in Kent and two in Sussex), different grade levels and both traditional and charter schools.

The winners are:

• Caesar Rodney School District       $65,422.50
• Cape Henlopen School District      $57,623.20
• Brandywine School District             $30,000.00
• POLYTECH School District            $23,800.00
• Indian River School District            $21,100.00
• Las Americas ASPIRA Academy   $17,576.00
• Capital School District                     $16,740.00
• Newark Charter High School         $14,274.00

TOTAL                                        $246,535.70  

An additional $53,464.30 will be available under a second round of applications early next year.

“I am pleased to see the widespread interest in these grants and very impressed with proposals that will allow more of our advanced public school children to be challenged in the classroom,” Lt. Governor Matt Denn said. “There is a real demand among our public school parents for programs like these, and I hope to see even more of them in the future.”

Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said educators working closest to our students know best how to meet their needs: “That is why we are pleased to be able to support these local program ideas that, thanks to these grants, will allow accelerated learning for students who are eager for these types of new challenges.”

More detail on the winners follow:

• Caesar Rodney School District:  The district will use a STEM project approach pullout program in its middle schools with a blended learning opportunity to enhance the learning as well as providing accelerated opportunities using computer programs and tablets for accelerated students in the related arts.
• Cape Henlopen School District: The district will implement a progressive, rigorous approach in accelerated education through STEAM enriched instruction.  The program will include 60 identified 5^th grade students from four elementary schools and will inspire creativity, innovation and integrative problem solving above and beyond the curriculum.
• Brandywine School District: This vertically-designed program expands opportunities for high school students, offered as a STEM cluster of critical courses, but matched with arts and humanities.
• POLYTECH School District: This funding will allow POLYTECH to expand its AP services for students including online courses and more topics of study.
• Indian River School District: The BRITE (Bringing Intellectual Talents Everyday) Project’s purpose is to provide professional development for teachers and administrators’ implementation of the SpringBoard program with honors level students.  SpringBoard curriculua are designed to build a pathway in grades 6-10 towards AP competency in later grades.
• Las Americas ASPIRA Academy: ASPIRA will implement the QUEST (Quality Utilization and Enrichment of Student Talents) Program that will be focused on developing students’ critical, creative and logical thinking skills as well as problem-solving abilities.
• Capital School District : This funding will permit William Henry Middle School to implement Making Math Matter to identify 5^th and 6^th grade students from underrepresented groups with the potential for success in advanced math classes and prepare them to qualify for and pass Algebra I in seventh grade.
• Newark Charter High School: NCHS just opened for 9^th grade and is planning for grades 10 to 12.  This grant will allow the school to offer a wide variety of AP coursework for students capable of accelerated learning.         

Dover – A 48-year-old New York man, accused of smuggling more than 530 cartons of cigarettes through Delaware, was charged following a traffic stop in New Castle.

Ahmed M. Ubuzeid of Bronx, NY was traveling on I-295 in New Castle when his vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation by Delaware State Police (DSP). During the stop, it was discovered that the vehicle contained 530 cartons of untaxed cigarettes with an approximate street value of $63,000.

Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) Agents assisted DSP with the arrest charging Ubuzeid with Possession of Untaxed Cigarettes and Attempting to Evade Delaware Excise Tax. Ubuzeid was subsequently incarcerated in Harold Young Correctional Institution on $53,100 cash bail.

The night before Thanksgiving is often one for celebrating.  Whether you are hosting a gathering of family and friends before the big meal or after, it is the responsibility of the host to make sure that each car leaving the party has a designated, sober driver.  Here are some helpful suggestions for your celebration:

• De-emphasize alcohol by creating alternative activities.  If your guests are busy having fun, they are not busy drinking.  Fun activities aren’t just for kids… pull the box games out of the closet!
• Always serve food.  Is the centerpiece of your party the food?  Encourage guests to eat a variety of foods that are high in protein.  Meats and cheeses are great choices that slow the absorption of alcohol into the blood stream.  Add shrimp cocktail, smoked fish, and crab dip to the line-up and your party is sure to be a hit.
• Don’t make the bar the main attraction. Place the bar in an out of the way spot and consider appointing someone responsible to measure and pour alcohol.
• Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.  It’s never been easier to offer a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, ranging from alcohol-free beer and wine, to punch and sparking waters, to fruit smoothies.
• Party’s end.  Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before guests leave.  Only time can reduce the amount of alcohol in one’s system.

Remind friends and family that you can’t hide from a DUI – but – you can avoid getting one in the first place. Don’t ever let someone you know get behind the wheel after they have been drinking.  Always remember this simple tip: if you are going out and plan to drink, then plan for a sober driver too.

Drive Sober.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message was sent to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov. 

During the month of January 2014, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be offering 10 special programs at the state of Delaware’s six museums. A full schedule of events is listed below. All programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Highlights of the month include “Civil Rights: A Dream Deferred: The Past to the Present” on Saturday, Jan 18, 2014 at 1 p.m. at The Old State House located at 25 The Green, in Dover, Del. Presented by Dr. James Newton, University of Delaware professor emeritus of Black American Studies, the program will include a screening of the 2007 documentary film “A Dream Deferred: Remembering the 1968 Occupation” which depicts the rioting that took place in Wilmington, Del. after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent nine-month occupation of the city by the National Guard. Issues to be discussed include economic equality, poverty, discrimination, housing, education and urban development.

On Sunday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m., The Old State House will present “In Order to Prevent a Continuance of Slavery,” a program by Gloria Henry, site supervisor of Dover’s John Dickinson Plantation, who will utilize primary-source materials including manumission documents, bills of sales and family information to illustrate the lives of slaves who lived and worked on the estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.”

Finally, on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 2 p.m., the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will offer “Delaware’s Decades—the 1940s: ‘Ft. Miles’,” a lecture on the World-War-II-era military installation on Cape Henlopen presented by Dr. Gary Wray, president of the Fort Miles Historical Association.

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the six museums of the state of Delaware—the New Castle Court House Museum, the John Dickinson Plantation, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, The Old State House, the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum—tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through displays, exhibits and special programs, the museums explore how the state’s distinctive physical environment, in combination with the people who came to live there, gave Delaware an identity that is different from any other place.

Special events at the museums of the state of Delaware, January 2014

Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014
“In Order to Prevent a Continuance of Slavery.” Program by Gloria Henry, site supervisor of the John Dickinson Plantation, who will utilize primary-source materials including manumission documents, bills of sales and family information to illustrate the lives of slaves who lived and worked on the estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.” The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Wednesdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2014
“Weaving Wednesdays.” Indoor, staff-led program in which visitors will learn how to weave a blanket or rag rug. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“Protest Music.” Guided tours examine the roots of protest music through original recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055. (Note: Program rescheduled from Jan. 4, 2014.)

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“An Illegal Activity.” Utilizing the exhibit “An Illegal Activity: The Underground Railroad in Delaware” as a backdrop, guided tours will explore Delaware’s crucial role in the Underground Railroad and on two Delaware leaders who aided in this “freedom enterprise.” First Saturday in the First State program. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover. Tours at 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055. (Note: Program rescheduled from Jan. 4, 2014.)

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“Civil Rights: A Dream Deferred: The Past to the Present.” Presentation by Dr. James Newton, University of Delaware professor emeritus of Black American Studies. Program will include a screening of the 2007 documentary film “A Dream Deferred: Remembering the 1968 Occupation” which depicts the rioting that took place in Wilmington, Del. after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent nine-month occupation of the city by the National Guard. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055. (Note: Program rescheduled from Jan. 4, 2014.)

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1940s: ‘Ft. Miles.’ ” Lecture by Dr. Gary Wray on the World War II-era military installation on Cape Henlopen. Part two of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Exhibits at the museums of the state of Delaware, January 2014

In addition to special programming, the museums of the state of Delaware are presenting the following exhibits:

Thru Summer 2014
“An Illegal Activity: The Underground Railroad in Delaware.” Exhibit explores the First State’s role in the Underground Railroad by showcasing Thomas Garrett and Samuel D. Burris and the actions they took in following their consciences rather than the law. Presented in partnership with the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Ongoing
“Archaeology of the New Castle Court House.” The exhibit highlights the many phases of archaeological investigations at the New Castle Court House including artifacts representing over 300 years of continuous use of the building. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“Delaware and the War of 1812.” Exhibit examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shaped the development of the United   States. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1–March 31. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. from April 1–Oct. 31. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey From Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad.” Exhibit chronicles the compelling story of Emeline Hawkins and her family and their 1845 odyssey on the Underground Railroad from slavery in Maryland, through Delaware to freedom in Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” Exhibit utilizes artifacts recovered from His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798 to tell the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1–March 31. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. from April 1–Oct. 31. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Simple Machines.” Exhibit demonstrating the six “simple machines”—incline ramp, screw, wedge, pulley, lever and wheel —that constitute the elementary building blocks of which all complicated machines are composed. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

 -End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov