They might be the hardest working Board members in Delaware!  Giving new meaning to “Labor Day Weekend,” members of the Christina Board of Education will give up part of their holiday weekend on Saturday, September 5 to meet with new superintendent Dr. Marcia Lyles as part of a planned Board Retreat. 

Superintendent Lyles has been working intently since she started on July 1, meeting with parents, elected officials, community and business leaders, union leaders, administrators, and principals during the first 120 days of her leadership.  Her Superintendent’s Entry Plan states that, “It will be necessary for District staff and the Board of Education to chart an aggressive, accelerated agenda for excellence.” 

Board members had to plan the retreat with Dr. Lyles on Labor Day weekend because of scheduling challenges.  However, all felt it was necessary to hold their retreat near the opening of school, despite the fact that it is the last long weekend of the summer. 

“We have a lot of work to do this year, and I appreciate the Board’s willingness to make this retreat a priority, even if it means scheduling it during a traditional holiday weekend,” Lyles said. 

The retreat will be held at a District facility and will be a 3-hour workshop meeting.  For more information about Superintendent Lyles’ entry plan, please visit the Christina website at www.christina.k12.de.us/superintendent. 

Marshall Elementary fourth and fifth-grade students were winners of a Certificate of Excellence from the Space Telescope Science Institute, a division of the U.S. Government’s National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA). Marshall students took an imaginative flight of fancy and built a Hubble "Bottle-and-Bubble-Wrap" Telescope out of recycled soda bottles, egg cartons, and bubble-wrap.  They decorated it with their favorite Hubble images, including the galaxy system, Arp 274, on the telescope's door.

Images from the Hubble Space Telescope inspired K-12 classes in the U.S. to create unique collages of their favorite Hubble photos. They entered their creative Hubble Classroom Collage projects on Amazing Space and voted in the “Hubble’s Next Discovery: You Decide” contest, in which the public cast votes for the next target Hubble would observe. The winning target, a system of galaxies called Arp 274, was included in each of the collage entries.

Marshall Elementary was one of only two schools in the U.S. chosen to receive the Certificate of Excellence Award. Congratulations to all the students involved in this project.  Special thanks to Enrichment Services teacher Nancy Ventresca, and 5^th grade teacher Rick Bransfield for their leadership and assistance.

Porter Road Elementary School bilingual teacher Margaret Sites participated in the Fulbright-Hayes Seminars Abroad Program this summer. Sites recently returned from a trip to Mexico, where she stayed in 11 different cities, beginning in Cancun and ending in Mexico City, learning about and exploring about 30 different towns and cities.  Sixteen Elementary educators from across the US participated in the program. 

The program offered a fascinating journey through the labyrinths of Mexican culture by taking participants off the beaten paths to gain a deeper knowledge on the origins and the impact of current issues such as migration and globalization.  By visiting both rural and urban settings, as well as remote places usually left aside, participants had a unique opportunity to mingle and share new experiences with local teachers, artisans, specialists and common people that construct contemporary Mexican society.  By the end of the seminar, participants gained a first-hand approach to local problems and expectations, allowing them a whole different perspective on Mexico to share with their students and fellow teachers all over the country through their final projects. 

“This program was an amazing opportunity for me to experience Mexico in an educational and authentic way.  I know that my adventures in Mexico will help me better understand and support many of my students and their families in their lives in Delaware,” Sites said of her experience.  

On June 17-21, hundreds of middle school students from all over the country converged on Dallas, Texas to Blaze New Trails at the Business Professionals of America National Conference. Students competed in various Workplace Skills Assessment Contests.  Students from Kirk Middle School performed exceedingly well.  Tashrefa Zunaid came in second in Business Communications and she also placed in the top ten in Business Math, Business Fundamentals, Computer Literacy and Keyboarding.  Cassie Lukasawicz also placed in the top ten in Business Fundamentals and Graphic Design.  Kirk’s website team, made up of Zunaid and Lukasawicz, came in second place.  Congratulations to Cassie and Tash. They represented Kirk Middle School and Delaware very well.

Last school year, students at McVey Elementary School filled 20-ounce bottles with dimes and purchased $.25 tickets to vote for who on McVey’s staff should Kiss A Pig.   Principal Heather Bordas, along with 8 other staff members, all ran a tight race.  Each grade level and 2 specialists were represented:  Kindergarten-Kim Blevins, First grade-Phronzie Fleck, Second Grade-Karen Lasky, Third Grade-Tom Pitlusky, Fourth Grade-Karen Evans, Fifth Grade-Cynthia McGhee, Physical Education-Michael James, and Music-Jeff Thornley.

The winner was Physical Education teacher Michael James, who had over 400 tickets/votes. Because of concerns about swine flu, the sweet little piggy that was to be kissed was switched with Jungle John’s 12-foot long, banana yellow python, named Julius Squeezer.  Although many of the contestants chose to jump off the stage, the braver ones kept a comfortable distance and were thankful to be losers!  After asking for a breath mint, Mr. James gave Julius two very nice smooches with a smile.  What a good sport!

We are proud of how our students at McVey have given back to our community.  All of the money earned was contributed to the American Cancer Society-Relay For Life for research and education.

The Brader Elementary School playground received some improvements over the summer, thanks to members of the Brader community.  New swings were ordered by the Brader PTA and installed by facilities staff.  Special thanks to Sharon and Nick Trimble and teacher Karen Rahmer and her husband Tom for painting the blacktop, and to Val and John Richmond for painting the swings.  Future improvements include the addition of the Brader tiger logo on the blacktop, to be painted by Brader’s art teacher, Mrs. Szumowski, as well as new mulch and edging.

Nemours Offers Free Parenting Seminar
Being a parent is hard work!  Don't you sometimes wish kids came with instructions?  Growing Together - Love & Limits is a free seminar for parents of young children taking place Wednesday, October 7, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Are your morning or bedtime routines chaotic?  Do your child’s meltdowns leave you frustrated? Are mealtimes a test of wills?  Get advice on these common behavior problems and more.  A panel of experts in child psychology and development from the duPont Hospital for Children and Nemours Health & Prevention Services will offer practical guidance and answer your questions. Learn more about focusing on positive methods to improve children’s behavior.  Panelists include mental health counselor Erin Carroll, MS; psychologists Roger Harrison, PhD, Meredith Lutz Stehl, PhD, and Doug Tynan, PhD; and social worker Lynn Chaiken, MSW.

Growing Together – Love & Limits is presented free of charge.  Seating is limited!  Reserve your space now - register online at www.makingkidshealthy.org/parents.  Questions? call 302-444-9100.