Due to Saturday’s weather forecast, this event is rescheduled for the 2 p.m. game on Saturday, November 12.  

Prospective educators will have the opportunity to meet with 14 districts and charter schools during a recruitment fair at Saturday’s Delaware State University football game.

The Delaware Department of Education is sponsoring the event as an opportunity to connect those interested in working in Delaware public schools with potential employers and help diversify the educator workforce in the state. The halftime show also will feature an internship partnership between Caesar Rodney High School and DSU; two former interns are working in Delaware public schools this fall.

The DSU Hornets play Robert Morris University Saturday. The game starts at 6 p.m. The recruitment fair, which will be captured by a 360-degree camera, will be located near the concession stand at Alumni Stadium. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, contact Ann.Hlabangana-Clay@doe.k12.de.us.

The following employers will be represented Saturday:

Appoquinimink School District

Brandywine School District

Caesar Rodney School District

Capital School District

Christina School District

Colonial School District

Freire Charter School

Indian River School District

Las Americas ASPIRA Academy

Laurel School District

MOT Charter School

NCCVT  School District

Providence Creek Academy

Sussex Tech School District

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

By Delaware Education Secretary Mark A. Holodick, Ed.D.

As we begin the start of another school year, I would like to thank each of you for your hard work and resilience, especially these past few years. During my time as principal and superintendent in Delaware schools, I would start each school year with colleagues by saying, “It’s go time.” This meant that all the summer preparation, planning and work was about to pay off, and we were ready for staff and students to return. An air of excitement and wonder would fill the halls, the buildings were prepared, and goals had been developed. Seeing students enter their first day filled with curiosity and excitement always reminded us why we worked so hard, and why we all do our best every day to help ensure successful school days are filled with effective learning and good memories.

As schools re-open this fall for the 2022-23 school year – and for the first time since Fall 2019 – our schools will look and feel more “normal” to our students, families, and educators. For many of us, that comes with great relief. We are no longer stressing about the number of feet between desks, helping students with proper mask-wearing etiquette, or balancing remote and in-person learning schedules. Exposures no longer mandate quarantines, and our school nurses are not tasked with extensive contact tracing.

Yet, as we begin to distance ourselves from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue to take care of each other and prioritize community need over personal convenience.  This school year, students, schools, families, and local communities will have greater autonomy and flexibility in decision-making around their health and safety. The most recent COVID-19 guidance issued by the Delaware Department of Education and Delaware Division of Public Health, which is in line with that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, relies on all of us to self-monitor. That’s why it is imperative that we embrace the “greater good” philosophy.

Being more mindful of our community includes getting vaccinated. All Delawareans ages six months and older are eligible. Getting boosted. Staying home and getting tested if you feel sick. Quarantining yourself if you are positive and notifying your close contacts so they can test, too. Finally, if you are exposed to COVID-19, please continue to wear a mask.

Students, educators, families, and policy-makers agree that we need to keep our schools open for in-person learning. We need our students and educators to be able to focus on learning. We have ground to gain following the pandemic, and recovery cannot happen overnight. Our children and school staff need this time together to focus on unfinished learning as well as accelerate learning.

The bottom line: We must continue to protect one another. We must continue to care for one another. We must continue to prioritize the protection of our school communities, as you have so wonderfully done these past few years. Our communities, especially our most medically vulnerable members, need to remain safe.

We can do this. It just takes us continuing to work together for the greater good. Have a great start to a wonderful school year and please know how much I appreciate you.

It’s go time.

The Delaware Department of Education announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Snack Program (ASSP). Each participating school and its administrative office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

In School Year 2022-2023, schools will be returning to normal NSLP, SBP and ASSP operations and will be collecting free or reduced-price meal eligibility applications, unless the school elects to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Meal Benefit Forms (MBFs) will be sent home with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the MBF for their household and return it to the school.  The information provided on the MBF will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by program officials. Information on the MBF may not be used for any other purpose unless consent is granted by parent/guardian.

For program officials to determine eligibility, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and/or Delaware Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (DE-TANF) must list the child’s name, their SNAP and/or DE-TANF case number, and provide a signature and name of an adult household member.  Households not receiving SNAP and/or DE-TANF must list: names of all household members; the amount of the gross income for each household member received last month; the income source and how often received; the signature of an adult household member; and that adult’s last four digits of social security number, or the word “none” or “No Social Security Number” box marked if the adult does not have a social security number.  MBFs may be submitted at any time during the school year.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the school nutrition services supervisor will review MBFs and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents or guardians wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing to the administrative office for a hearing on the decision.

Children who are enrolled in Head Start, or are homeless, migrant, runaway or in foster care are eligible for free school meal benefits. In certain instances, children receiving WIC may also be eligible. Parents or guardians wishing to apply should follow the instructions on the MBF or contact their school for more information.

Households may report changes or reapply for meal benefits anytime during the school year. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Effective Date:  July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

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

School employees who support the mental health of Delaware students are being recognized for their work.

The state will name its first Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year later this month. Seventeen* school districts and the Delaware Charter School Network named local Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year for 2022. Following an application and interview process, one of those 18 will be named the state honoree.

“I am grateful that through this new recognition program we now have a way to spotlight the critical support these employees provide to our students and families,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Due to the nature of their work, these professionals build close, trust-dependent relationships. They help students and families navigate challenges and find the supports they need so they can be healthy and successful in school and life. The trauma and challenges our students and families experienced through COVID-19 has only grown our state’s already great need for this work. Behavioral health professionals are critical to the success of our schools and communities.”

The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

• School counselors
• School social workers
• Licensed clinical social workers
• School psychologists
• School nurses

From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.

The 2022 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year are:

• Brandywine School District: Sheila Pickering, school nurse, Forwood Elementary School
• Caesar Rodney School District: Maria Romanko, school psychologist, Caesar Rodney High School
• Cape Henlopen School District: Felicia Kaas, school psychologist, Shields Elementary School
• Capital School District: Andrew Royer, school psychologist, Capital Early Childhood Program
• Charter School Network: Debbie Holstein, school nurse, ASPIRA Academy
• Christina School District: Michelle Cain, school psychologist, Christiana High School
• Colonial School District: Devon D. Stockton, school therapist, George Read Middle School
• Delmar School District: Ilah Preston, school counselor, Delmar Middle School
• Indian River School District: Amy Goodhue, clinical counselor, Long Neck Elementary School
• Lake Forest School District: Jana Jarrell, school nurse, North Elementary School
• Laurel School District: Catina Goff, school counselor, Laurel High School
• Milford School District: Rosa DiPiazza, school psychologist, Mispillion Elementary School
• New Castle County Vo-Tech School District: Tenika Jean-Paul, school psychologist, St. Georges Technical High School
• POLYTECH School District: Peggy McKibbin, school nurse, POLYTECH High School
• Red Clay Consolidated School District: Eric Pizzini, school psychologist, Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• Seaford School District: Jordan Forston, school counselor, West Seaford Elementary School
• Sussex Technical School District: Michael Firch, school counselor, Sussex Technical High School
• Woodbridge School District: Dawn Ellis, school nurse, Woodbridge High School

Find photos of the nominees here.

*Appoquinimink did not participate in the 2022 program. Smyrna has recognized school counselor Toni Hendricks of John Bassett Moore Intermediate School as its 2022 District Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. The district selection was made after the state application and interview process so Smyrna was not included in the state program this year.

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

Major George S. Welch Elementary School in the Caesar Rodney School District is Delaware’s first Purple Star School, recognized for its commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

“Military-connected children often face challenges, from parent and caregiver deployment to frequent school transitions as their families’ military stations change,” Governor John Carney said. “The Welch school community has prioritized providing the extra supports these students need and should be proud to be named Delaware’s first Purple Star School.”

April is Month of the Military Child, a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“Taking care of military children is integral to caring for the Dover family,” said Col. Matt Husemann, 436^th Airlift Wing commander. “Welch Elementary and the Caesar Rodney School District are awesome, and we are thankful for all they do for the Dover AFB family. Being named a Purple Star School further demonstrates the dedication of the amazing faculty and staff as they provide an outstanding education in harmony with supporting military families’ unique situations.”

Last year the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Bill 117 to create the Purple Star School recognition, joining the National Purple Star Schools Program.  To be designated a Purple Star School, a district or charter school must designate a staff member 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 support programs.

“Military-connected children often move every two to three years, which can cause disruptions to their education as well as their social and emotional well-being. Our goal is to make Delaware as supportive a home as possible for these children and their families while they are in the First State,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Welch is our first Purple Star School, but I hope every school in our state will follow its example and provide such strong supports to their own military-connected families.”

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

“The Caesar Rodney School District is proud to have so many military-connected children in our community,” Superintendent Christine Alois said. “These students and their families sacrifice much for our nation, and we are honored to serve them.”

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