DigiGirlz Returns to Wilmington University’s Dover Campus, May 8, 2018
Hands on Tech Day for 8th and 9th Grade Girls

DOVER, Del. — Girls in the 8th and 9th grades are invited to spend a fun-filled day learning about careers in technology and getting an inside glimpse of what it might be like to work in the technical fields. DigiGirlz Day is designed to encourage young women to explore the possibilities available in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

“More than ever, Delaware’s ability to compete economically is based on our ability to innovate and ensure our workforce has the technology-based skills demanded by today’s employers,” said Governor John Carney. “DigiGirlz provides a great opportunity for young women to explore a variety of STEM careers paths. I am excited that Delaware again is partnering with Microsoft, Dell, JP Morgan Chase and others to engage Delaware’s young women to explore technical careers.”

“Part of my job as CIO is to work to ensure the cyber workforce of tomorrow is available to develop and protect our information systems. That is why I get so fired up about programs like DigiGirlz that offer a free and fun way for young women to explore different STEM fields in an enjoyable and encouraging environment,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins. “It is imperative to plant the seed early and provide students a variety of opportunities to discover and grow into their potential. We appreciate all of our partners who have come together in support of this initiative to inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM.”

DigiGirlz is May 8, 2018 at Wilmington University’s Dover Campus starting at 8:30 am. It is free and open to 8th and 9th grade girls (ages 13-15) in Delaware public, private, charter and home schools. New this year are special sessions for teachers and other adult chaperones interested in tech education. Individual students are also encouraged to participate. Pre-registration is mandatory and lunch will be provided.

This year’s DigiGirlz Day features several different career track explorations including: Game Creation, Cyber Defense, CyberStart, NSA Day of Cyber and more. Girls will participate in hands-on activities including writing code for a simple video game, exploring the science behind creating beauty products, or learning about the tools professionals use to fight computer hackers. New this year will be roundtable discussions with female professionals in the STEM-related careers.

Recognizing that young women historically shy away from STEM education, especially as they enter their high school years, DigiGirlz is created to address some of the myths and misconceptions about careers in more technical industries. Through lively discussion and interactive activities, the event is aimed at encouraging young women to put aside concerns about their ability to pursue education and careers in technical fields.

DigiGirlz is sponsored by Delaware’s Department of Technology and Information, Microsoft, the Delaware Center for Educational Technology, Wilmington University, Delaware Department of Education, JP Morgan Chase, and Dell.

Registration information can be found at https://digiknow.dti.delaware.gov/pages/DigiGirlz/2018/default.shtml

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About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information
The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.
www.dti.delaware.gov

DigiGirlz Program Contacts:
Claudette Martin-Wus, DTI
(302) 739-9636, claudette.martin-wus@state.de.us
Elayne Starkey, DTI
(302) 739-9631, elayne.starkey@delaware.gov

About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, non-profit institution committed to providing career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. The Wilmington University difference starts with our flexible, year-round class schedules, full online learning capabilities, and one of the lowest tuitions in the tri-state region. Combined with our intense focus on academic excellence and individualized attention to our students in our degree and certificate programs, the WilmU difference is reflected in our students’ achievements and our alumni’s successes. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit www.wilmu.edu.

Operation Warm is donating up to 10,000 coats statewide; Delawareans can visit de.gov/schoolclosets to help

SEAFORD, Del. – More than 470 West Seaford Elementary School students went home for winter break a little warmer on Thursday, because of the gift of a new winter coat.

The coats are among thousands being provided to Delaware students thanks to a partnership between Governor John Carney’s office, the Delaware Department of Education and nonprofit Operation Warm.

Secretary of Education Susan Bunting joined Governor Carney at West Seaford Elementary Thursday afternoon to distribute the coats.

 

“Preparing our students for success in school and life often means we need to meet more than their academic needs,” said Governor Carney. “This is another way to support our children and their families so they can arrive in our classrooms ready to learn. I am thankful for partners such as Operation Warm that help us meet these important needs.”

Operation Warm officials said they were eager to support Delaware’s need, and donated the coats at no cost to Delaware taxpayers.

“When the Governor approached us with the need to support 10,000 Delaware students, we knew we had to fulfill the challenge,” said Dick Sanford, Founder and CEO of Operation Warm. “Operation Warm has provided new coats to millions of children across the country, but the children of Delaware hold a special place in our hearts. This is where we served our first group of students nearly 20 years ago. Thanks to our generous partners, we are thrilled to be able to provide up to 10,000 brand new coats to help improve the lives of young children across the state.”

HOW TO HELP: Delawareans can visit de.gov/schoolclosets to learn how to help students in high-needs schools.

Operation Warm delivered other coats this week to Brandywine School District’s Harlan Elementary, Cape Henlopen School District’s Milton Elementary, Capital School District’s Towne Point Elementary, Christina School District’s Stubbs Elementary, Colonial School District’s Castle Hills Elementary and McCullough Middle, Indian River School District’s Georgetown and North Georgetown elementary schools, and Lake Forest School District’s Lake Forest South Elementary. Additional schools will receive coats in January.

In August, Governor Carney announced an initiative to stock basic-needs closets in 45 high-need Delaware schools.

Delaware’s basic needs closets provide elementary and middle school students across the state with increased access to free products designed to meet students’ needs so they can effectively participate in class. Each school’s basic needs closet has been stocked with products identified by districts and charter schools as essential to the wellbeing of their students, including hygiene products, school supplies, clothes, and more.

Delaware healthcare institutions and businesses statewide helped fund the closets, including Christiana Care, Bayhealth, Nemours, Incyte, Nanticoke, and Beebe Health Systems, as well as Cover Rossiter, EDiS, and Drinker Biddle. Delaware partnered with the nonprofit First Book to purchase the basic needs products at a reduced rate, as a part of the First Book First State partnership. Operation Warm was able to provide new winter coats thanks in part to funding from partners Good Samaritan Inc. and Welfare Foundation Inc.

For students such as those at West Seaford Elementary, Operation Warm’s efforts mean they now have a brand new, well-fitted coat that will keep them warm as they wait for the school bus or play outside.

“Our students come to us with many needs that affect their ability to learn,” said David Perrington, Superintendent of the Seaford School District. “Our schools need community partnerships such as this so we can support them in and out of the classroom.”

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Click here for photos from Thursday’s event.

 

Related news:
Governor Carney Coordinates Support for Basic Needs Closets for Students in High-Needs Schools

New Anti-Bullying Video Directed To Students Also Released for New School Year

Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn reiterated Friday the Delaware Department of Justice’s position that “Threats and intimidation against our neighbors based on who they are will not be accepted here in Delaware,” and reissued enforcement guidelines from last November to schools and law enforcement on responses to hate speech. Attorney General Denn also released a new video aimed at returning school students about bullying and mutual respect.

Attorney General Denn’s legal guidance to Delaware law enforcement agencies focuses on criminal statutes that may relate to charges involving “threats and epithets directed at minority groups.” The memo includes discussion of terroristic threatening, disorderly conduct and application of Delaware’s hate crime statute.

The law enforcement memo can be found at https://news.delaware.gov/files/2016/11/Law-Enforcement-Guidelines.pdf.

In the short video directed to students, which will be distributed to schools through the state Department of Education, Attorney General Denn tells students, “Delaware has a law against school bullying, and it prohibits saying or writing things that a reasonable person would know could create a hostile, or threatening or humiliating educational environment for another student. And it’s not just limited to the school building. Things that you post on social media that you know are likely to be seen by other students in your school can also be considered bullying in Delaware if they have an impact in school.”

The video is available at http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/anti-bullying-efforts/ and the Attorney General urges anyone to share it in ways that will help it be seen by Delaware school students.

Attorney General Denn will also be reissuing guidance to schools that he first sent in November 2016, during an uptick in hate speech incidents around the country. The letter echoes the video in reminding that “Delaware public schools have the authority to prevent and punish hateful speech directed at students if that speech is potentially disruptive of school activities, even if that speech originates off campus” and that “every school district and charter school in Delaware is required to have a policy that prohibits school bullying.”

The previous guidance issued to schools late last year can be found at https://news.delaware.gov/files/2016/11/School-Guidelines.pdf.

“It is critical that our children understand the importance of treating each other with respect and kindness, and that our school officials and law enforcement agencies are aware of all the tools at their disposal to deal with hate speech when it occurs. We hope that the materials we are sending to schools and law enforcement agencies advance these goals,” Attorney General Denn said Friday.

Denn said that any Delawareans who believed that they were victims of threats or intimidation based on their personal characteristics and were not receiving an appropriate response from law enforcement or school authorities could contact the Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust at 302-577-5400.