Charter School of Wilmington Team A won the school’s 21st straight Delaware Envirothon championship today at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center on the Delaware Bayshore near Smyrna. Left to right are team members Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Zavior Brown, Dhriti Tattari and Amber Wong. DNREC photo

Charter’s Team A Claims School’s 21st Straight Victory
in Statewide High School Environmental Competition

Charter School of Wilmington Team A is the winner of the 2023 Delaware Envirothon competition held today at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Aquatic Resources Education Center on the Delaware Bayshore near Smyrna. The latest state Envirothon championship marks Charter School of Wilmington’s school’s 21st win in the event’s 28-year history, highlighted by an unbroken winning streak in the Envirothon competition since 2002. Newark Charter High School The Thneed for Speed came in second place, while Odessa High School FFA placed third in the Envirothon competition.

A program of the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts and sponsored by DNREC, the annual environmental education competition is open to high school students statewide.

“Our high school students are today’s environmental leaders. This is helping to show their knowledge and continue to learn,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Congratulations to all the competing team members who applied their environmental knowledge to planning and presenting their inventive solutions to present-day environmental situations.”

The 16 competing Envirothon teams representing nine high schools and one 4-H club statewide – Calvary Christian Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Middletown High School FFA, Newark Charter School, Odessa High School FFA, Polytech High School, Smyrna High School FFA, Sussex Central High School FFA, Sussex Tech High School FFA and Peach Blossom 4-H Club/Lake Forest FFA – worked hard all school year to prepare for the 2023 event held at the Aquatic Resources Education Center managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Each team answered questions, reviewed specimens, and took measurements in topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land use, wildlife, forestry, air quality and the current environmental issue of “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Teams also had to give a 7-to-10-minute oral presentation of a scenario based on the current issue. After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2023 state champion. The first-place team will represent Delaware at the 2023 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon to be held at Mount Allison University in Tantramar (Sacksville), New Brunswick, Canada from July 23 to 29.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon and other prizes. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school. The second through seventh place teams received more than $1,300 in special team awards and cash prizes.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official results are as follows:

• First place – The Charter School of Wilmington Team A: Mukta Kantak, Tiffany Situ, Zavior Brown, Dhriti Tattari and Amber Wong
• Second place – Newark Charter High School Thneed for Speed: Noah Ali, Samita Bomasamudram, Andre Gill, Anna Gliwa and Sidrisha Sarbajna
• Third place – Odessa High School FFA: Zach Binnie, Joseph Delaney, Kalena Diaz, Marco Lucia, and Nate Sutton
• Fourth place – Peach Blossom 4-H/Lake Forest FFA: Ava Gallo, Aidan Garey, Brenna Geidel, Mason Hay, and Justus Moritz
• Fifth place – Polytech High School Dirt Diggers: Zoe Goodbred, Julianna Korup, Eve-Alexa Mobely, Chloe Smith, and Sadie Vaughn
• Sixth place – Odessa High School The Under Ducks: Kaelin Desrosiers, Natalie Holdren, Bruce Macolley, Taylor Mahoney, and Ella Vandervort
• Seventh place – Calvary Christian Academy Climate Heroes: Carolyn Laskey, Tiara Nichols, Dawson Shahan, John Thomas, and Michelle Thomas

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $64,000 in scholarships to 135 students. The event is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local districts.

In addition to DNREC, the Delaware Envirothon is also sponsored by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Delaware Department of Agriculture – Pesticide Management Section, FMC Corporation, and the New Castle Conservation District.

More information about the annual event can be found at delawareenvirothon.org.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

###

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has honored 92 public school students from the Class of 2023 as Secretary of Education Scholars.

The students, joined by their families and school leaders, were honored last night during a dinner in Dover.  See 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.

“This is such an impressive group of young leaders,” Holodick said. “The honorees have succeeded academically while also serving as leaders in their schools and communities. As the students themselves shared, their success is due not just to their own hard work but also thanks to the support of their families and educators. As they prepare for college, the workforce and military service, I hope that wherever their next steps take them, their paths lead them to careers in Delaware.  We need them as the future leaders of our state.”

The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984.

The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals select the students based on both their academic records and community service. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools.

2023 Secretary Scholars

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

The students at Caesar Rodney School District’s Allen Frear and Stokes elementary schools are seeing amazing reading gains this year thanks to their use of high quality instructional materials (HQIM). Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and Deputy Secretary Cora Scott visited the schools to hear firsthand about the district’s implementation journey as well as see students present their work.

The district has been using American Reading Company (ARC) to promote reading in kindergarten through grade 5. Initially, the district piloted ARC in their upper elementary grades. At the same time, they focused on supporting teachers with professional learning to ensure HQIM was implemented with fidelity. After observing the excitement and culture of reading growth in the schools as well as the gains students made in reading, the district decided to adopt ARC for their primary grades as well.

Caesar Rodney is currently exploring adding some of these elements to pre-k instruction to further support early literacy and continuity in services.

In Caesar Rodney’s words:

High Quality Instructional Materials matter, but how teachers use these materials matters more. Caesar Rodney invested in professional learning from the very start. With the support of DDOE’s Reimagining Professional Learning grant, we were able to implement monthly elbow-to-elbow coaching that was differentiated to meet the individual needs of our teachers – and in real time with students. Additionally, our leadership teams meet monthly to review data, collaborate, and develop differentiated school plans that further support the district’s vision.

Coaching, feedback and building capacity to provide support across schools are crucial elements of our plan. During the HQIM showcase, Stokes Elementary Principal Freeman Williams shared that their coach-the-coach model, “works so well with the culture and climate of Team Stokes.” Stokes also uses the School Success Block (SSB) model to plan sessions for reviewing student data, developing teacher action plans, and sharing powerful moves made throughout the school.

Allen Frear Principal Julie Lavender believes the opportunity to grow instructional leaders in her building has allowed Allen Frear to develop a professional learning plan that supports teachers in between ARC coaching sessions. Teacher leaders are ensuring there is ongoing support and capacity to further strengthen teacher practices and student achievement.

New to Allen Frear, third-grade teacher Courtney Freebairn says she believes ARC has made her think about English language arts (ELA) instruction differently, which benefits her students.

“With all the professional learning and support from the school, I am confident my students will perform well,” said Freebairn.

Nicole Pennypacker, a fifth grade teacher at Stokes Elementary, credits the ARC Units of Study in grounding students in the reading and writing process as well.

“Through this work, we are building student stamina,” said Pennypacker. “The students are feeling confident in their ability to apply their learning, regardless of the task.”

Learn more about the great things happening in Delaware schools in this month’s Take Note: Education in the First State eNewsletter. Sign up to receive Take Note at Take Note Newsletter – Delaware Department of Education. Take Note is published the final Wednesday of each month.

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

More than 500 Delaware FFA members from 36 schools convened at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in March to attend the 93^rd Delaware FFA State Convention, sponsored by Mountaire. During the convention, both high school and middle school members competed in career and leadership development events, participated in two Day of Service activities, attended leadership workshops and a career fair, and were recognized for their efforts throughout the past year. High school members competed in 12 events and middle school members competed in seven events.  See the top 10 individual results and top five team results.

Members also were recognized for earning American and State FFA degrees, which are a culmination of the efforts in their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs.  See a complete list of the American and State degree recipients.

During the first general session at convention 84 Delaware FFA members received their very own blue jacket (FFA Jacket) from the Delaware Farm Bureau as part of their Blue Jacket Bonanza program. After session more than 100 members participated in two Day of Service activities. At the Day of Service, FFA members assembled 1,000 blessing bags for Delaware veterans. These blessing bags were done in partnership with the VFWs in Delaware. Additionally, members constructed cat and dog toys that were distributed to Delaware SPCA locations.

Members also had the opportunity to participate in the Ag-stravaganza. This event was a career fair that allowed members to learn about and explore new career options for their future. Thank you to the following Ag-stravaganza participants: Artesian Water, Bayer Crop Science, Brittingham Lavender, Carpenters Union, Coastal Equine & Livestock Supply, Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) – Forest Services, Delaware Farm Bureau, Delaware State Grange, DHSS – Office of Drinking Water, Delaware National Guard, Delaware Technical Community College Ag/Hort, Delaware Sea Grant, Delaware State University – MANNRS, Delaware DNREC Division of Water Shed Stewardship, Delaware DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, Food Bank of Delaware, Frozen Farmer, GROWMARK FS, LLC, Harvest Ridge Winery, Horizon Farm Credit, Kent Conservation District, Kent Nutrition Group, Merck, NR Hudson Consulting, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Pioneer/Trap Woods Consulting, Polytech Adult Education, Sussex Conservation District, University of Delaware, and Universal Technical Institute.

The following members were elected to serve as the 2023-2024 Delaware FFA State Officer Team to lead the Delaware FFA Association in the upcoming year:

Sentinel, Joey Nowotny – Laurel

Reporter, Keeley McCormick – Appoquinimink

Treasurer, Kyle Gares – Appoquinimink

Secretary, Anya Phillips – Milford

Vice President, Hannah Haigh – Milford

President, Noah Dixon – Lake Forest

Delaware FFA is a leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and other related career fields. For more information, please visit the FFA Web site at www.ffa.org or contact Dr. Bart Gill, Delaware FFA state advisor, at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us.

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

More than 700 middle and high school students participated last week in the 12^th annual HOSA State Leadership Conference. HOSA members earning a medallion qualify for the International Leadership Conference, which will be held June 21-24, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.

Delaware HOSA is a career and technical student organization 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 and the video of the virtual awards ceremony 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