State of Delaware Announces Guidance for Reopening of Schools for 2020-21 Academic Year

Guidance to help Districts and Charters plan for three different learning scenarios based on COVID-19 spread

WILMINGTON, Del. – Secretary of Education Susan Bunting today released the state’s guidance for the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 academic year. Districts and charter schools will use this guidance to formulate plans for the upcoming school year.

In August, Governor John Carney, in consultation with the Delaware Division of Public Health, will announce his decision on whether or not schools will start the year in person. Districts and charters will then implement their plans based on the scenario that aligns with current health conditions, understanding there may be some regional variability.

Click here to read the full guidance.

“Since the day we closed school buildings, our goal has been to return students and educators to their classrooms as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Governor Carney. “When we do return to our school buildings, we know our daily routines will look different than they did in March. Important safety measures, such as wearing face coverings and socially distancing, will help protect our children and educators and help us reduce the spread of COVID-19 so we can stay in our classrooms, where our students learn best.”

Developed in collaboration with the three school reopening workgroups and DPH, today’s document outlines what schools need to do prior to re-opening and after instruction resumes under three scenarios: if minimal community spread exists in Delaware (and school buildings re-open), if minimal-to-moderate community spread exists in Delaware (situation dependent) and if significant community spread exists in Delaware (and school buildings remain closed).

While today’s guidance applies to districts and charter schools, private schools are encouraged to follow it as well. Minimum requirements for social distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing and other basic precautions will apply to all schools.

The State of Delaware will also work with districts and schools to make testing available and convenient for all educators and staff before the school year begins.

“This guidance document is meant to be used as support for district and charter leaders as they continue planning for the opening of the 2020-2021 school year,” said Secretary Bunting. “Essential safety protocols must be implemented by all Delaware schools, preK-12.  Additionally, actionable planning steps have been included for districts and charter schools to consider as they develop their own site-based plans.”

“It is so important to get children back into a physical school setting, but we are obligated to do it in a way that keeps students and staff safe, by using key prevention strategies for mitigating the potential spread of COVID-19,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We appreciate the opportunity to work closely with the Department of Education and school reopening workgroups to support them in determining how best to implement the use of face coverings for staff and students, implement social distancing in classrooms, hallways and lunch periods, and ensure frequent opportunities for good hand hygiene.”

Dr. Rattay said DPH has also worked with schools to establish procedures for managing COVID-19 positive cases that occur among students or staff in the school setting, and in reviewing strategies that can be revised and adapted depending on the level of viral transmission in the school and throughout the community.

“Schools provide more than just academics to children and adolescents. In addition, children learn social and emotional skills, get exercise and healthy meals, and access to mental health support, the internet, and other vital services. We want to support schools in re-engaging children in a safe and healthy way,” said Dr. Rattay.

In May, three school reopening working groups began meeting to advise the department, Delaware school districts and charter schools on ways to safely and effectively reopen Delaware school buildings. The three groups each had a specific focus: health and wellness, academics and equity, and operations and services. With diverse representation on each 17-member group, the groups met over five weeks.

The working groups presented their recommendations, and the following guidance was developed taking into consideration the recommendations, public comments, a state survey of more than 20,000 families, students, educators, and school/district leaders, department research, and health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics and Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH).

“I am grateful to the committee members for their time and dedication. I also appreciate the widespread interest and feedback from the public. The livestream meetings have been viewed more than 7,000 times, and we have received hundreds of comments from Delawareans,” said Dr. Bunting.

Caesar Rodney School District Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald, the longest-serving superintendent in the state, is the president of the Delaware Chief School Officers Association.

“I want to thank Secretary Bunting and the members of the three working groups for their time and expertise,” said Fitzgerald. “These have been challenging times for all of us. So as school districts begin the monumental task of preparing for the re-opening of schools under the three different scenarios, the guidance provided in this document will be essential in helping to develop plans that will not only promote the health and safety of our students and staff but also meet the educational needs of our students.”

“The Delaware State Education Association has followed three guiding principles as we moved into remote learning and now contemplate the reopening of our schools – protecting the health and safety of our students, educators, and the communities they serve; keeping students learning; and minimizing the financial impact on our state, districts, and educators,” said Delaware State Education Association President Stephanie Ingram. “We thank the Governor and Secretary of Education for making sure that DSEA had representatives on each of the three reopening work groups.  By doing so, they ensured that our members’ voices would be heard during the process.”

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Health or medically-related COVID-19 questions can also be submitted by email to DPHCall@delaware.gov.

Report a business for COVID-19 non-compliance using this form.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response to COVID-19, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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Delaware Schools Closed through Academic Year

A statement from Governor Carney on Delaware Schools:

“We made the difficult decision today – in consultation with superintendents across our state – to close schools through the rest of the academic year. I know this will be difficult for a lot of Delawareans, and Delaware students. Nothing replaces in-person instruction, and the services that are delivered in our schools every day, but the health and safety of Delawareans is our first priority.

“I am confident that school leaders and educators across our state will continue to lean into remote instruction for the rest of this academic year. Our schools also have done a tremendous job delivering meals to students in their communities. That work will also continue. I want to thank all of our educators, students, school leaders and families for their work during this difficult time.”


Governor Carney Directs Two-Week Closure of Delaware Public Schools

State to close schools March 16 through 27 to prepare for potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday directed all Delaware public schools close from March 16-27, to allow schools to prepare for potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The following is an excerpt from a letter Governor Carney sent to superintendents and charter school leaders on Friday:

Over the next two weeks, the State of Delaware will work with school leaders and public health experts to create a plan for Delaware students and educators as this coronavirus outbreak continues. We will specifically prepare for the potential impact of extended school closures on Delaware children and their families. Public school leaders should also undertake a deep cleaning of their facilities during the two-week closure. 

Delaware children deserve a world-class education, and ongoing access to services that are delivered in our schools each day. Many students – especially those from disadvantaged communities – also rely on school meals for nutrition, and other important social services. We will be working with districts to plan for providing learning opportunities and other meal and social services for our students in the event of an extended closure.

Read the full letter here.

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17 schools honored for students’ academic achievement

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


Students invited to participate in 26th annual Junior Solar Sprint model car competition

(Rob Underwood of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, left, watches as students prepare to race their solar cars at the 2018 Delaware Junior Solar Sprint. DNREC photo by Joanna Wilson.)

Registration for schools due by Jan. 10, 2020 deadline

DOVER – Delaware 5th-8th grade students are invited to build and race solar-powered model cars in a statewide challenge of creativity, engineering, and speed in the 2020 Junior Solar Sprint state competition, co-sponsored by DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy and the Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA).

The event will take place on April 2, 2020 at the Delaware Technical Community College campus in Dover as part of the National Junior Solar Sprint Competition, sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program.

Public, private, and parochial schools, and homeschooled children in grades 5-8 across the state may register up to two teams of two to four students each. Registration is free, and the Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy will provide each participating school with two starter kits, each including a solar panel, motor, and wheels.

Interested educators should submit a completed registration form by Jan. 10, 2020 by email to JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov or by mail to DNREC State Street Commons, 100 West Water Street, Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy Suite 5A, Dover, DE 19904.

The registration form and rules and guidelines can be found on the Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy‘s Junior Solar Sprint webpage, or the Delaware TSA State Conference webpage. Schools are not required to have a TSA chapter in order to participate. Additional questions can be directed via email to JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-735-3480.

For those not familiar with the event, a video of last year’s Junior Solar Sprint is posted on DNREC’s YouTube channel at 2018 Solar Sprint.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902