The delegation representing 103 of Delaware’s finest student leaders in STEM attended the National TSA Conference that was hosted in Dallas, Texas from June 26 – 30, 2022. Students participated in events such as computer-aided design; dragster design; engineering, inventions & innovations; leadership strategies; manufacturing prototype; on-demand video; promotional graphics; structural engineering; system control technology; video game design; website design, and more.

Conference Highlights

• Samhitha Vallury of MOT Charter School (charter) elected to serve as the national secretary for Technology Student Association inc.
• Samra Iqbal of Caesar Rodney High School (Caesar Rodney School District) elected to serve as the national reporter for Technology Student Association inc.
• Chris Meanor of Newark Charter School (charter) recognized as High School Advisor of the Year.
• Gail Morris of Gauger-Cobbs Middle School (Christina School District) recognized as Middle School Advisor of the Year.

Top Ten Finalists

1st Place	Essays on Technology	Alexandra McWatters	Newark Charter School (charter)
3rd Place	CAD Engineering	Leana Griffin	Newark Charter School (charter)
4th Place	Forensic Technology	Sudipa Chowdhury	Newark Charter School (charter)
5th Place	Cybersecurity	Tyler Selden	H.B. duPont Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
7th Place	Biotechnology	Niranjana Kumar	Cab Calloway School of The Arts (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
8th Place	Prepared Speech	Sudipa Chowdhury	Newark Charter School (charter)
9th Place	Scientific Visualization	Ava Skye Barton	Cab Calloway School of The Arts (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
9th Place	STEM Animation	Borislav Hristov	Cab Calloway School of The Arts (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
10th Place	Foundations of Information Technology	Amogh Dattatri	H.B. duPont Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
10th Place	On Demand Video	Ava Skye Barton	Cab Calloway School of The Arts (Red Clay Consolidated School District)

 

The Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA) is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) dedicated to students interested in the future of invention, innovation, engineering, and technology. Through TSA, members gain the opportunity to participate in STEM focused competitive events, take part in community service work, and become leaders for the organization at the school, state and national level. TSA incorporates curricular and co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork.

To learn more about DETSA, please visit: www.detsa.org or contact Mike Fitzgerald by phone at (302) 735-4015 or by email at mike.fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us.

Find more photos here.

 

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

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized three Delaware schools;National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Seaford School District’s Frederick Douglass Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District’s Allen Frear Elementary School, and Christina School District’s Etta J. Wilson Elementary School are among the 317 public and 50 non-public schools that are receiving the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools award.

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” DeVos said. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.  Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

·  Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

· Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

While there will not be an opportunity to celebrate in person given the current situation regarding COVID-19, the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually November 12 and 13 for the school honorees, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.

Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

A listing of all National Blue Ribbon Schools in Delaware:

Frederick Douglass Elementary School (Seaford School District) 2020

Allen Frear Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2020

Etta J. Wilson Elementary School (Christina School District) 2020

Charter School of Wilmington (Charter, Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2019
Delaware Military Academy (Charter, Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2019
West Park Place Elementary School (Christina School District) 2019
Cedar Lane Elementary School (Appoquinimink School District) 2018
Lake Forest South Elementary School (Lake Forest School Distrist) 2018
Selbyville Middle School (Indian River School District) 2018
East Millsboro Elementary School (Indian River School District)  2017
Olive B. Loss Elementary School (Appoquinimink School District) 2017
Seaford Central Elementary School (Seaford School District) 2017
Christ the Teacher Catholic School (Private) 2016
Dover Air Force Base Middle School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2016
Newark Charter School (Charter) 2016
St John the Beloved School (Private) 2016
Sussex Academy (Charter) 2016
Cape Henlopen High School (Cape Henlopen School District) 2015
Lake Forest East Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) 2015
W. B. Simpson Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District)  2015
The Academy of Dover (Charter) 2014
John M. Clayton Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2014
Lake Forest North Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) 2014
The Charter School of Wilmington (Charter, Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2013
Richard A. Shields Elementary School (Cape Henlopen School District) 2013
Allen Frear Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2013
Linden Hill Elementary School (Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2012
Harry O. Eisenberg Elementary School (Colonial School District) 2012
Star Hill Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2012
West Park Place Elementary School (Christina School District) 2011
Long Neck Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2011
Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2011
Christ the Teacher Catholic School (Private) 2010
Newark Charter School (Charter) 2010
Robert S. Gallaher Elementary School (Christina School District) 2010
Woodbridge Elementary School (Woodbridge School District) 2010
Marbrook Elementary School (Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2009
East Millsboro Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2008
Sussex Technical High School (Sussex Technical School District) 2008
Lancashire Elementary School (Brandywine School District) 2007
Etta J. Wilson Elementary School (Christina School District) 2007
Joseph M. McVey Elementary School (Christina School District) 2007
North Georgetown Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2006
Lake Forest East Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) 2006
Fairview Elementary School (Capital School District) 2006
Long Neck Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2005
Booker T. Washington Elementary School (Capital School District) 2005
Lulu M. Ross Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2004
Frankford Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2004
Phillip C. Showell Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2003
Corpus Christi Elementary School (Private) 2001
Lord Baltimore Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2001
Padua Academy (Private) 1996
Seaford Middle School (Seaford School District) 1996
Sussex Technical High School (Sussex Technical School District) 1996
St. Matthew School (Private) 1992
Corpus Christi School (Private) 1990
Dover High School (Capital School District) 1987
Skyline Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District) 1985
Christiana High School (Christina School District) 1984
Caesar Rodney Senior High School (Caesar Rodney School District) 1984
Brandywine High School (Brandywine School District) 1983
Shue Middle School (Christina School District) 1983

 

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

Secretary of Education Susan Bunting recognized 17 schools from across the state for their students’ academic achievement today.

 

The students showed exceptional performance on state tests or made remarkable progress in closing the achievement gaps between student groups, including those from low-income families, racial minority groups and students with disabilities.

 

Each building named a 2019 Recognition School will receive an $8,000 award. Funding for the awards comes from the state’s school improvement funds. Two buildings were named a School of Continued Excellence because they earned Recognition School honors last year and had outstanding performance again this year. Those schools are not eligible for a financial award again until 2020. Two buildings also will be recognized as National ESEA Distinguished Schools.

 

The Recognition School awards were created by legislation passed by the Delaware General Assembly in 2009.

Representatives from all of the honored schools gathered at Capital School District’s North Dover Elementary School this afternoon for the award ceremony. A description of each principal’s reflections on his or her school’s success is attached. Find photos here.

 

2019 winners:

• Beacon Middle School, Cape Henlopen School District, Recognition School

o   Dave Frederick, principal

• Christiana High School and Middle School Honors Academy, Christina School District, National ESEA Distinguished and Recognition School

o   Eunique Lawrence, principal

• John M. Clayton Elementary School, Indian River School District, Recognition School

o   Allisa Booth, principal

• Frederick Douglass Elementary School, Seaford School District, Recognition School

o   Carol Leveillee, principal

• Forest Oak Elementary School, Red Clay School District, Recognition School

o   Erin NeCastro, principal and Shane Rifenburg, acting principal

• Allen Frear Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District, Recognition School

o   Julie Lavender, principal and Barbara Miklus, acting principal

• Georgetown Middle School, Indian River School District, Recognition School

o   David Hudson, principal

• Love Creek Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District, Recognition School

o   Lisa Morris, principal

• R. Elisabeth Maclary Elementary School, Christina School District, Recognition School

o   Bartley Dryden, principal

• Joseph M. McVey Elementary School, Christina School District, Recognition School

o   David Wilkie, principal

• Milton Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District, Recognition School

o   Beth Conaway, principal

• North Dover Elementary School, Capital School District, Recognition School

o   Shani Benson, principal

• Rehoboth Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District, National ESEA Distinguished and Recognition School

o   Amanda Archambault, principal

• Lulu M. Ross Elementary School, Milford School District, Recognition School

o   Cynthia McKenzie, principal

• Star Hill Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District, Recognition School

o   Katie Fitzgerald, principal

• West Park Place Elementary School, Christina School District, School of Continued Excellence

o   Tracy Novack, principal

• Etta J. Wilson Elementary School, Christina School District, School of Continued Excellence

o   Natalie Birch, principal

Four Delaware teachers have been named as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition that K-12 mathematics and science teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. The finalists were honored last week at the national awards ceremony in Washington, DC.

The 2017 national awardees are:

• Kathleen Olenderski (mathematics) of Alfred G. Waters Middle School in the Appoquinimink School District.
• Joshua Gates (science) of the private Tatnall School

The 2018 national awardees are:

• Jennah Truitt (mathematics) of Lord Baltimore Elementary School in the Indian River School District
• Danielle Rash (science) of Olive B. Loss Elementary School in the Appoquinimink School District

The Delaware Department of Education also has named six teachers as 2019 state PAEMST finalists:

• Katherine Hoffecker (mathematics) of Middletown High School in the Appoquinimink School District
• Eileen Voltz (mathematics) of the Charter School of Wilmington in the Red Clay Consolidated School District
• Kathleen Wilson (mathematics) of St. Georges Vocational Technical High School in the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District
• Jordan Estock (science) of Concord High School in the Brandywine School District
• Elizabeth Plant (science) of First State Montessori Academy Charter School
• Rachael Smith (science) of Hodgson Vo-Tech High School in the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District

The national finalists and state awardees will be recognized later this school year at the Delaware STEM Conference. Information will be forthcoming.

The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. The award alternates between teachers teaching 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 one awardee in each content area for every state. 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, awardees 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.

For more information about PAEMST and to see nomination forms and application instructions, visit www.paemst.org.

Three Delaware schools are among the 362 schools that U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized today as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Red Clay Consolidated School District’s The Charter School of Wilmington and Delaware Military Academy and Christina School District’s West Park Place Elementary School are among the 312 public and 50 non-public schools that will be honored at an awards ceremony November 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C.

School leaders will be invited to attend the national awards ceremony with a teacher representative from each of their schools.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 37th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 9,000 schools.

The department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

A listing of all National Blue Ribbon Schools in Delaware:

Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington 2019
Delaware Military Academy Wilmington 2019
West Park Place Elementary School Newark 2019
Cedar Lane Elementary School Middletown 2018
Lake Forest South Elementary School Harrington 2018
Selbyville Middle School Selbyville 2018
East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro 2017
Olive B. Loss Elementary School Bear 2017
Seaford Central Elementary School Seaford 2017
Christ the Teacher Catholic School Newark 2016
Dover Air Force Base Middle School Dover 2016
Newark Charter School Newark 2016
St John the Beloved School Wilmington 2016
Sussex Academy Georgetown 2016
Cape Henlopen High School Lewes 2015
Lake Forest East Elementary School Frederica 2015
W. B. Simpson Elementary School Wyoming 2015
The Academy of Dover Dover 2014
John M. Clayton Elementary School Frankford 2014
Lake Forest North Elementary School Felton 2014
The Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington 2013
Richard A. Shields Elementary School Lewes 2013
Allen Frear Elementary School Dover 2013
Linden Hill Elementary School Wilmington 2012
Harry O. Eisenberg Elementary School New Castle 2012
Star Hill Elementary School Dover 2012
West Park Place Elementary School Newark 2011
Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro 2011
Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School Dover 2011
Christ the Teacher Catholic School Newark 2010
Newark Charter School Newark 2010
Robert S. Gallaher Elementary School Newark 2010
Woodbridge Elementary School Greenwood 2010
Marbrook Elementary School Wilmington 2009
East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro 2008
Sussex Technical High School Georgetown 2008
Lancashire Elementary School Wilmington 2007
Etta J. Wilson Elementary School Newark 2007
Joseph M. McVey Elementary School Newark 2007
North Georgetown Elementary School Georgetown 2006
Lake Forest East Elementary School Frederica 2006
Fairview Elementary School Dover 2006
Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro 2005
Booker T. Washington Elementary School Dover 2005
Lulu M. Ross Elementary School Milford 2004
Frankford Elementary School Frankford 2004
Phillip C. Showell Elementary School Selbyville 2003
Corpus Christi Elementary School Wilmington 2001
Lord Baltimore Elementary School Ocean View 2001
Padua Academy Wilmington 1996
Seaford Middle School Seaford 1996
Sussex Technical High School Georgetown 1996
St. Matthew School Wilmington 1992
Corpus Christi School Wilmington 1990
Dover High School Dover 1987
Skyline Middle School Wilmington 1985
Christiana High School Newark 1984
Caesar Rodney Senior High School Camden 1984
Brandywine High School Wilmington 1983
Shue Middle School Newark 1983

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools

 

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