Spanish Ambassador renews Spain’s commitment to support the initiative

 Magnolia, DE – The second annual review of Governor Jack Markell’s world language immersion initiative, which seeks to give Delaware students an advantage in the global economy by ensuring their proficiency in a second language, reported continued growth, with about 1500 students expected to participate in 11 programs next school year. About 825 students currently participate, spending half of their school day learning subjects in either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. In surveys taken during this schools year, nearly all of the students’ parents said their child enjoys learning the language and agreed that the program has enriched their child’s education.

Today, the Governor addressed the results of the first two years of the effort at an event at McIlvaine Early Childhood Center, which has offered Chinese the past two years and will add Spanish beginning in the fall. The Governor announced that the Brandywine and Appoquinimink School Districts have also committed to establishing immersion programs starting the following year.

“We do our children a great disservice if we don’t recognize the advantages of speaking multiple languages in a global economy,” said Markell. “It’s exciting to see that language immersion has generated excitement among parents, teachers, and, most importantly, our students. Their response gives us even more motivation to continue to maximize language-learning opportunities in our state.”

Partnership with Spain

Underscoring the importance of attracting high quality teachers to make the initiative successful, he was joined by Spain’s Ambassador to the United States, Ramón Gil-Casares, as well as Spain’s Counselor of Education for the United States and Canada, Xavier Gisbert, who traveled to Delaware to sign a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Delaware Department of Education – an agreement that has allowed teachers from Spain to work in Delaware schools.

The immersion initiative has used visiting teachers from Spain and China to help foster authentic language-learning environments. Fourteen of these instructors will be teaching in Delaware immersion programs next school year. They are educators with extensive experience in language instruction, who learn from each other and their English-speaking counterparts.

Since the world language initiative started in 2012, dozens of educators from Spain have taught in Delaware schools, enhancing the immersion program as well as contributing in other roles in schools with high Spanish-speaking/English Language Learner populations.

The MOU allows Delaware to participate in a Visiting Teachers Program. When a school or district has difficulty finding highly qualified Spanish teachers, or when they would like to enrich their existing faculty with a native teacher from Spain, they can apply to have a teacher from Spain join their staff. The Spanish teachers go through several rounds of application and screening, as well as an interview by the Delaware Department of Education. Selected educators come to Delaware as part of a “cultural exchange” and can remain for up to three years. Through the MOU, Delaware schools also have the opportunity to send teachers to immersive training programs in Spain.

In addition to the official MOU signed by Gisbert and Delaware Education Secretary Mark Murphy, the Governor and Ambassador signed a tribute reaffirming the education partnership.

“Today’s visit by our friends from Spain demonstrates the strength of the relationship we have established,” said Markell. “I’m grateful to the Ambassador, the Counselor of Education, and the leadership in their country for recognizing the benefits of this partnership for everyone – including students, parents, and citizens in both of our countries.”

Details of Immersion Program Progress:

In 2012-13, 340 Delaware students in either kindergarten or first grade began the immersion process in four programs: two in Mandarin Chinese and two in Spanish. While almost every one of those students continued immersion in first grade, about 500 more students started in kindergarten this year.

Through this year, there have been three Chinese programs, with one at Downes Elementary School and others at Frear and Simpson Elementary Schools, both of which take children from McIlvaine.

Seven Spanish programs have been established at:

• South Dover Elementary (Capital School District)
• Pulaski Elementary (Christina)
• East Millsboro Elementary (Indian River)
• JM Clayton Elementary (Indian River)
• WC Lewis Elementary (Red Clay)
• Blades Elementary (Seaford)
• West Seaford Elementary (Seaford)

“There continues to be great and widespread satisfaction with this initiative and the opportunities it is offering to the families and children of Delaware,” wrote independent world language consultant Ann Tollefson in a report given to the Delaware Department of Education following observations during this school year.

“When one considers that many families move at the end of any school year, this high retention rate [almost 98%] is undeniable evidence that children are happy in the program and parents are highly satisfied with the educational progress their children are making.”

Beginning in kindergarten, students learn their elementary math, science, and social studies in the second language, with half-day immersion continuing through fifth grade. By 4th grade, students are expected to be proficient enough to travel with their families in China or a Spanish-speaking country. In middle school, they will take honors language classes and complete school projects with peers in other countries. By 9th grade, they’ll be able to take and pass the Advanced Placement language and culture class.

As a separate part of the initiative, middle school courses were delivered online by Middlebury Interactive Languages, with weekly visits from conversation teachers.  More than 325 middle school students participated in a Chinese, Spanish, or French course this year and an additional 450 students will have the chance to enroll in the fall.

Research shows that immersion students perform as well or better than their non-immersion peers on standardized tests of English and mathematics, even when these assessments are delivered in English. They develop greater cognitive flexibility, increased attention control, better memory and superior problem-solving skills, while acquiring an appreciation for different cultural perspectives and practices.

This fact sheet details the program’s growth from its inception in the 2012-2013 school year, as well as the feedback from parents and the third party observer regarding the classes’ impact on students.

One of my greatest honors as Governor has been to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Delaware National Guard. I don’t say that because of the official duties that entails, but because of the remarkable men and women I have the opportunity to meet – individuals of the highest integrity who epitomize the bravery, dignity, and selflessness that we recognize this Memorial Day weekend.

These Delawareans exhibit the same qualities and dedication to duty to which we recently paid homage at a new memorial for our state’s Medal of Honor recipients. One of those individuals was Sergeant James P. Connor, a World War II Veteran from Wilmington with an unremarkable upbringing. In 1944, he was part of a mission in southern France to destroy enemy defenses. Injured three times, and eventually unable to stand, Sergeant Connor carried on, leading his platoon to accomplish their goals. This weekend, we reflect on the courage demonstrated by James P. Connor and so many like him throughout our history. It’s a courage we’re reminded of regularly by our troops today – like the 120 members of the 153rd Military Policy Company who returned home after completing their mission months ahead of schedule.

Memorial Day reminds us of the sacrifices they make – sometimes the ultimate sacrifice – in service to others. It is thanks to their triumphs – and their tragedies – that we enjoy the freedoms we have. We have an obligation to keep alive the memories of those we have lost and remember the gratitude we owe to the service members who follow in their footsteps – whose incredible passion for service keeps Delaware and our country moving forward.

Free Service Has Been Helping Delaware Medicare
Recipients For More Than Twenty Years

Dover, DE–Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart is pleased to announce that the ELDERinfo program will now be known as the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau or DMAB. ELDERinfo has been providing free, local assistance to Delaware’s Medicare recipients for 21 years, and it will continue to offer the same great services just with a new name. Commissioner Stewart stated, “With this new name we hope to reach more of the nearly 28,000 Medicare recipients in the state who are under age 65 and on Medicare due to a disability. Many of the younger Medicare recipients think the service is only for people age 65 and older. Additionally, many of the people today who are 65 and older do not feel ‘elderly’ and they reject terms that make them feel old. The new name better reflects the services that the program provides to the public. We think the new name will be a win-win for the staff and the public.”

As of September 2013, Delaware was home to 167,538 Medicare recipients which includes almost 28,000 individuals who are under the age of 65 and on Medicare due to disability. The program assisted 5,864 individuals in 2013 and helped Medicare recipients save more than two million dollars in prescription drug costs and $492,000 on Medicare Part B premiums. Approximately 18% of Delaware’s population receives Medicare benefits and that number is only going to grow as the Baby-Boomer generation turns 65.

According to Lakia Turner, director of the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau, the new name will hopefully reduce some confusion among the public because ELDERinfo often received calls from people who thought the program was a resource for all senior-related programs in the state. “DMAB is a free resource for Medicare recipients who have questions about Medigap plans, prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, financial assistance programs and anything else related to Medicare,” said Ms. Turner. “Our phone number will remain the same: 1-800-336-9500. You can also send e-mails to DMAB@delaware.gov or find information on our updated website, www.delawareinsurance.gov/DMAB.”

The Delaware Department of Insurance and the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau are taking this time to remind disabled Medicare beneficiaries under the age of 65 that with the passage of Senate Bill 42, SB 42, in 2013 there are new Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance) options available to them but time to purchase the plans is limited. SB 42 became effective on January 1, 2014, and requires insurance companies that offer Medigap policies to people 65 and older to also offer the same policies to anyone under the age of 65 who qualifies for Medicare due to a disability.

Commissioner Stewart noted, “Existing Medicare beneficiaries under the age of 65 who had Medicare prior to January 1, 2014, only have until June 30, 2014 to purchase a Medigap plan under this law. Newly enrolled Medicare recipients under age 65 have six months to purchase one of these plans, from the time benefits begin. It’s very important that these individuals not wait until the last minute to compare plans or sign up, if they are interested. That’s why I encourage anyone with Medicare due to a disability under age 65 to call DMAB at 1-800-336-9500 today to get more information before their time to act expires.” The DMAB website, www.delawareinsurance.gov/DMAB, also has information about Medigap plans, including the 2014 Delaware Medicare Supplement Insurance Shopper’s Guide, which was just released yesterday.

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau also offers free info sessions for people who are turning 65 and want to learn about the basic concepts of their Medicare coverage. Other info sessions are offered during the annual open-enrollment period (October 15-December 7) to help recipients review their prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year. Sessions are held at various counseling sites throughout the state. See the website, www.delawareinsurance.gov/DMAB, for a list of sites or call 1-800-336-9500. Volunteers are a vital part of the DMAB program and any individuals who would like to volunteer with DMAB are encouraged to call for more information. There will be volunteer training sessions hosted in July 2014.

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation
and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

Memorial Day weekend DUI and seat belt enforcement

Dover – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is wishing everyone a safe start to summer with their celebrations this Memorial Day weekend.  Officers will be working overtime to keep everyone safe as they travel by reminding motorists to buckle up and removing impaired drivers from the roadways.

Impaired driving overtime enforcement will be conducted over the weekend by Dover PD, New Castle City PD, New Castle County PD, Newark PD, Rehoboth Beach PD, Wilmington PD, and Delaware State Police.  The Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign began May 12^th and continues through Memorial Day weekend with 35 police departments and Delaware State Police participating statewide.

To stay safe and arrive alive, OHS has some road safety tips for Memorial Day weekend.

1. Check your speed. Plan your route in advance and be prepared to spend more time reaching your destination rather than speeding to get there faster.
2. Obey intersection safety rules. Motorcyclists, pedestrian, and bicyclist traffic also increases during the weekend. Traffic signals and stop signs are in place to maintain safe roadways for drivers, passengers and pedestrians sharing the road.
3. Buckle up. All passengers in the vehicle should use seat belts to keep them safe in the event of a crash.
4. If you are drinking, do not drive. Designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternative transportation.

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

Deputy Secretary David Small To Be Nominated for Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

 (Wilmington, DE) Governor Jack Markell today announced he will nominate Deputy Secretary David Small to be Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).  He will succeed Collin O’Mara, who will become President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation in July.  The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Delaware State Senate.

“David’s depth of knowledge and leadership on environmental issues has helped improve the quality of life for residents and visitors of our state for nearly three decades,” said Governor Markell. “His work at DNREC to make our state safer, cleaner and healthier has earned the respect of many, both in and out of State government, and his wealth of experience makes him an ideal fit to build on our efforts to address Delaware’s energy and environmental challenges.”

Small has spent the last 13 years as Deputy Secretary. He has served six cabinet secretaries during his DNREC career, which spans 27 years. Small also worked as Executive Assistant to the Secretary from 1998 until 2001, having joined the department in 1987 as Chief of the Office of Information and Education. During his tenure at DNREC, Small has led, coordinated and supported the development and implementation of many initiatives, including: establishment of the state’s aboveground storage tank program; enhancements of public reporting of environmental releases; development of the state’s Dam Safety program, assuring the safe operation and maintenance of regulated dams; coordination with agriculture and business communities on a wide range of state and federal regulatory updates; creation of the Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy to reduce nutrients and improve water quality; and passage and implementation of universal recycling.

“I am incredibly honored to be nominated by Governor Markell to serve as Secretary,” said Small. “If confirmed, I look forward to working with our many partners and the DNREC team to build on the successful foundation of this administration by making Delaware more resilient to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, protecting our air, land and water quality, providing diverse and quality recreational opportunities for our citizens and visitors and preserving our open spaces and biodiversity.”

Small is a former State of Delaware Employee of the Year.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of Wilmington’s Riverfront Development Corporation, on the Board of Directors of the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club, and has represented Delaware on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.  He is a past president of the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Information and Education Association. Small, 57, is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and resides with his family in Dover.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control employs 900 full-time professionals in 74 locations around the state and is comprised of seven Divisions:  Air Quality, Energy and Climate, Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, Waste and Hazardous Substances, Water and Watershed Stewardship. It is responsible for protecting and managing the state’s  natural resources, protecting public health and safety and providing quality outdoor recreation.