DOVER, Del. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn announced the two schools honored with the 5th annual “Lt. Governor’s Excellence in Parental Involvement Award” during a press conference in Kent County.

The 2014 winners of the award are Postlethwait Middle and Dover High School. The two winners were picked by a committee of parents, teachers, administrators, and representatives from the business community.

“I created the award in 2010 with the State Chamber of Commerce as a way to enhance parental engagement in our schools,” said Lt. Governor Denn. “Each year, I am encouraged by the ideas that schools continue to create to help get parents more involved. As a parent, it is hard to always know everything that is happening at school, but it is our responsibility to take more active roles in supporting our children and their schools. When we do, everyone succeeds, and I applaud Postlethwait and Dover HS for creating these programs to get more parents in the doors.”

Postlethwait Middle School is doing a variety of things to get parents more involved. Throughout the year, Postlethwait hosts a variety of themed parent nights during which parents and students participate in various content-based activities. Postlethwait hosted a Fifer Fall Fest for the 2013-14 school year had over 800 participants representing 205 Postlethwait families (25% of their total student population).

“Postlethwait Middle School is very honored and proud to have been selected for this prestigious award,” said Principal Derek Prillaman. “This recognition is a true reflection of our entire learning community – many committed groups and individuals worked together to provide special programs and opportunities for our students and families throughout the school year and during the summer months. We’re committed to continuing these efforts and expanding upon our positive relationships with our parents, students and the Postlethwait community.”

Dover High School began the Parent Academy in 2012, which hosts workshops and events offered based on parent feedback. Now district-wide, more than 50 parent workshops and events have been offered district wide since August 2012. Dover High also has PACEParent and Community Engagement Center, the mission of which is to mobilize parents, schools and communities in the Capital School District towards positive change relating to parent involvement, school improvement and community engagement. From January 2013 through today, the parent center has provided services to more than 700 families.

Dover High School Principal Evelyn Edny said, “There is nothing more powerful than families being involved in the education of a student! In high school, parental involvement takes on many forms: It’s a single mom being able to provide a quiet place to study while also providing food and shelter; it’s the grandparent who can make it to a game or awards ceremony; it’s the parent who knows the first and last names of their teen’s friends; it’s the parent who works hand-and- hand communicating and partnering with the school to produce good citizens.”

DOVER – The acting executive director of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission has been named to the post permanently.

Mark Davis, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s deputy principal assistant and policy advisor, had been acting director since September 2013 after previously serving as a liaison to the harness racing industry.

“Mark Davis has done an admirable job supporting the industry and leading the Commission’s regulatory efforts over the last eight months,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “This is an important part of our agricultural sector, and Mark will continue to work ensuring that the integrity and security of racing is paramount.”

Davis’ appointment was supported by the six-member Delaware Harness Racing Commission after a nationwide search. The Commission licenses owners, trainers, drivers and grooms at Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs; conducts hearings of rules violations; and oversees pre- and post-race equine testing.

“Mark is the right person for this job,” said Beth Steele, commission president. “His extensive experience in solving complex regulatory and policy issues and his track record working with the harness racing industry made him the perfect person to lead the day-to-day operations. We are delighted that he has accepted the position.”

“Harness racing is a complex business, involving many disciplines working together for the best experiences we can offer to the horsemen, betting public, and the two racing venues,” said Patt Wagner, commission vice-president. “Mark has the ability to see the bigger picture and the leadership skills to empower his staff to do the best job they can do. We are fortunate to have him.”

“I am honored by the Commission’s confidence, and look forward to continuing working with the industry to ensure fair and equitable races,” Davis said.

Davis has served as DDA’s deputy principal assistant to the secretary since 2005, where he specialized in policy development and legislative initiatives, coordinated the Department’s role in the Chesapeake Bay Program, and managed constituent relations and Freedom of Information Act issues.

Davis began his career at DDA as a land-use planner, from 1995 to 2005, and previously worked at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as an environmental scientist, from 1991 to 1995. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Livingston University. Harrington is home for Davis, his wife, Wende, and four children.

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Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520
daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

Wilmington, DE – Below is a statement from the Governor’s office on the passage of Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act of 2014 (H.R. 4414) by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill clarifies the Affordable Care Act does not apply to expatriate health insurance plans, such as those plans offered by Cigna, which employs hundreds of Delawareans working on these plans.

“The Governor has been working with Cigna for several years on making sure that expatriate insurance plans are treated fairly under the ACA and that Cigna’s business stays and can grow in Delaware. This situation is about jobs, and the Governor commends the tireless efforts by Representative Carney, Senator Carper, and Senator Coons, who have all worked incredibly hard to find a solution that fairly supports the workers who manage these plans. As the Governor has emphasized to the Obama administration on numerous occasions, it does not make sense to treat expatriate insurance plans managed from Delaware the same as domestic insurance plans. The bill that passed today particularly reflects Representative Carney’s commitment to resolving this issue and it represents another important step toward preventing our insurers from being put at a competitive disadvantage overseas, while protecting jobs.”

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Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell applauded today’s Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate cross-state air pollution from coal-fired power plants. The Governor has helped lead an effort by Eastern states to petition the EPA to require that Midwestern states reduce emissions that are blown across state lines.

 “Today’s Supreme Court decision represents another important step to combat the dirty air pollution that enters Delaware from other states, which unfairly harms the health of our people and our economy,” said Markell.

“Through efforts to clean up power plants and work with every industrial facility in Delaware, we have seen huge reductions in air pollution produced by our state, especially over the past five years. However, more than 90% of our dirty pollution comes from out-of-state sources, and the impact often results in air that does not meet healthy standards. Despite this, new facilities in our state are required to meet much more stringent regulatory requirements than facilities in the very states that are causing our air quality violations.

“We continue to be committed to doing everything we can to reduce harmful emissions in our state, but we also demand a level playing field and today’s ruling brings us closer to that goal.”

The Delaware Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition titled Continuum from May 2- 30, 2014. The Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. A reception will be held for the exhibition where the public can meet the artist on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

This solo exhibition of Olga Nielsen’s work will showcase a selection of figurative sculpture and works on paper. Though her interest in the natural world extends beyond the human form, the majority of her work is focused on portraiture and representations of the feminine figure. It is through figurative subjects that Nielsen has found an avenue to express and examine her own personal experiences as well as themes which are universal and common to all.

Originally from Russia, Nielsen received her primary classical education at the Moscow School of Fine Arts in the late 1970s. More recently she has pursued additional training in sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Nielsen is an instructor in figurative work at numerous area institutions. She serves as a faculty member at DCAD and also the Center for Creative Arts in Yorklyn, Delaware. Her work has been widely exhibited, commissioned, and collected throughout the region. Nielsen lives and works in Wilmington, Delaware.

20% of each sale of work from this exhibition will be donated to the Friendship House Women’s Day Center. This program, located in Wilmington, provides resources and support to women who are encountering difficult times.