Three Delaware schools have earned the Purple Star School designation, recognizing them for their commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

The 2024 recipients are Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School and Dover Air Force Base Middle School and First State Military Academy charter school. The three schools were honored today as Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The Month of the Military Child is a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“We owe military families a debt of gratitude we can never repay,” said Governor Carney. “I was proud to join Delaware’s three Purple Star schools to recognize their outstanding support of their military-connected students.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said, “Military members’ children often face unique challenges because of their family members’ service. Their parents or caregivers may deploy overseas and/or they may transition schools frequently as their families’ military stations change. I commend our schools for recognizing these unique needs and providing the extra supports these students need.”

For example, the designation requires schools to have an active peer transition program. Both Dover Air Force Base Middle School and Caesar Rodney High School meet this requirement by implementing the Anchored4Life program. While this program looks slightly different at the varying grade levels, its primary focus remains the same. The peer-to-peer club helps youth cope with transitions and changes, such as moving to a new school, dealing with family challenges, or overcoming academic barriers. The club aims to teach and reinforce life skills, provide growing opportunities, and build confident leaders who inspire others.

At First State Military Academy, a peer transition team reaches out to new military-connected youth when they arrive at the school. A student connects with the new cadet and matches the cadet with buddies who give the new student a tour of the campus and make sure the cadet has a connection in each class. One student who transferred mid-year said the student buddies helped him feel more comfortable: “It is easier to talk to kids your age or around your age.”

To be designated as a Purple Star School, the school must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or other support programs.

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has recognized 93 public school students from the Class of 2024 as Secretary of Education Scholars.

Governor John Carney and other state leaders joined Holodick last night to celebrate the students during a dinner in Dover.

“This represents one of the highest academic achievements a student can earn in a Delaware public school,” Holodick told the students, who were joined by their families and school and district leaders. “Every scholar here has achieved incredible success in and out of the classroom – ranging from extraordinary accomplishments on school athletic teams to community service and school leadership positions. These students balance all of these demands of their time and still are able to study and excel academically.”

Check out this video showcasing the students and their self-reflections on what inspired their success.

The scholars also are being recognized on a website to showcase their outstanding achievements. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools.

The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984. The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals nominate the students based on their academic records, school leadership and community service.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is offering supports to students applying for financial aid for college who have been affected by delayed federal financial aid determinations.

“We will continue to look for ways to remove hurdles and provide direct support to help students interested in pursuing their education after high school find the resources and assistance they need to succeed,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said.

The U.S. Department of Education recently transformed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The newer FAFSA reflects changes to processes that had not been updated in 40 years, including changes to the length of the FAFSA form and eligibility calculations. While these changes ultimately will benefit more than 7 million students who will be eligible to receive a Pell Grant, the new FAFSA roll out has had challenges, including a three-month delay in the opening of the 2024-25 FAFSA application and delayed responses.

As of March 1, 2024, 32 percent fewer Delaware high school seniors have filed a 2024-2025 FAFSA than last year, reflective of the national trend. Regionally, 35.7 percent fewer students have filed a FAFSA. Both the state’s SEED and Inspire scholarships require FAFSA completion so it is imperative that students complete the FAFSA before the fall 2024-25 semester begins. To date, the federal processor has transmitted significantly fewer FAFSA results to states and colleges, which will delay financial aid and scholarship awarding.

DDOE’s Higher Education Office is working to support Delaware students and increase FAFSA completion.

• State scholarship application deadlines were extended to allow more time for students to complete their FAFSA and for the federal processor to send results to the state.
• The state FAFSA completion deadline of May 15, 2024, will be extended through June 15, 2024, or longer if needed to account for further federal delays or issues.
• DDOE has contracted with Stand By Me to provide direct FAFSA completion supports to every high school senior, at no cost to the school or the student. Stand By Me provides in school FAFSA support and virtual appointments including evenings and weekends.
• DDOE also will launch community-based FAFSA completion supports to students and families from May 2024 through September 2024 to reach students outside of high school settings.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Aspiring Delaware health care workers will represent the First State at a national leadership conference this summer after winning state awards last week.

More than 1,000 middle and high school students participated last week in the 13th annual HOSA State Leadership Conference at Wilmington University. HOSA members earning a medallion qualify for the International Leadership Conference June 26-29, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Delaware HOSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) dedicated to students who are interested in pursuing their future in a career in healthcare. Through HOSA-Future Health Professionals, more than 1,300 Delaware members have the opportunity to participate in career focused competitive events, take part in community service, and become leaders for the organization in their school, state, and at the international level. HOSA-Future Health Professionals incorporates curricular and co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork.

A list of all state award winners and events is located at delawarehosa.org. To learn more about Delaware HOSA, please contact Peg Enslen by email at: peggy.enslen@doe.k12.de.us.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

The Delaware Department of Education has named four Delaware teachers as state finalists for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Finalists’ applications will now move forward to the national level for final selection of the 2024 PAEMST National Awardees.

The 2024 Delaware state finalists are:

• Brittney Campbell, mathematics, Lake Forest South Elementary School, Lake Forest School District
• Karen Eller, science, The Bancroft School, Christina School District
• Kerry Haley, mathematics, Forwood Elementary School, Brandywine School District 
• Carlos Pesquera, mathematics, H. O. Brittingham Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District

The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education.  The award alternates each year between teachers of kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades.

Every year each state selects up to three mathematics teachers and three science teachers as state finalists. A national selection committee reviews state finalist applications and selects up to one awardee in each content area for every state. These teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. As part of the recognition process, the selected national awardees will take part in a weeklong series of networking and professional development activities in Washington, D.C., and receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Find photos of the honorees online here.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006