Delaware's Race to the Top Application is Supported by All Districts, Unions, Charter Schools, and School Boards in the State

On Tuesday, the State of Delaware submitted an application for federal Race to the Top funds. The full application can be accessed on the State website at the following link: Full Application Posted on State Website

“On behalf of every district superintendent, charter director, teachers’ union leader, and school board president in our state, let me assure you that we intend to lead this race,” said Markell.  “Each one of us has signed on to the reform plan.  Each one of us is personally committed to driving the kind of transformative change that will be necessary to deliver on our most important promise – that every Delaware student will graduate career- and college-ready.”

The application emphasized Delaware’s achievements, plans and potential in the following areas:

• Strong fundamentals:  Delaware has two components that are critical to comprehensive education reform already in place:  state-of-the-art data systems and rigorous evaluation.  The State's data system makes it possible to know how every school, every teacher, and every student is performing.

• Opportunities for highly effective teachers:  The State is providing new opportunities for highly effective teachers to advance and to contribute.  It is creating a "teacher leader" role that engages highly effective teachers as instructional leaders, and it will offer bonuses to highly effective teachers in high-need schools.

• Rapid, comprehensive adoption of reform:  Delaware expects all reforms to be operational by the 2011-2012 school year, making our State's progress far more rapid than that of other states.

• Collaborative school turnaround:  In the schools that are persistently lowest-achieving, the State now has the authority to ensure that reform is collaborative, yet credible, with a two-year timeframe for results following any necessary renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements.

• Building core capabilities:  The State will invest in building the skills of teachers and leaders so they can use the strong foundation of data and evaluation to improve student outcomes.  With Race to the Top funding, the State would provide data coaches to assist educators in interpreting students' data and developing strategies for addressing areas in need of additional focus.  In addition, funding would be used to provide development, coaches to assist school leaders in performing teacher evaluations and working with teachers to develop improvement plans.

The administration has focused on education reform in 2010, launching key pieces of Governor Markell’s comprehensive Plan to Strengthen Delaware’s Schools earlier this month:

• Last week, the Delaware State Board of Education approved Regulation 103, which focuses on targeting schools that need assistance and providing appropriate- and effective-support.

• Regulations 106A and 108A were also approved, reforming the evaluation system for educators by redefining the component of performance that focuses on student improvement and making it a required element for an educator to be rated as "Effective."

• On Monday, Governor Market signed an executive order creating a statewide council to improve student preparedness in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

“I believe that all this work, and the unanimous commitment of our education community, make Delaware not just capable of achieving world-class results, but capable of achieving those results faster than any other state,” added Markell.

District Seeks Suggested Changes to the Student Code of Conduct

The Christina School District is seeking proposed changes to the current Student Code of Conduct.  The deadline to submit changes is January 27.  Please submit your recommended changes in writing (email or email attachment is acceptable) to Dr. Sharon Denney, Supervisor of School Climate and Discipline, by Wednesday, January 27.  Please cite the page number
in the current Code of Conduct, and provide a detailed description of suggested changes.  The Code of Conduct
is available online at the following link: www.christina.k12.de.us/CodeOfConduct/0910/pdf/EN.pdf.
If you cannot access the document online, please call 552-2670 and request a printed copy. Suggested changes may be sent to denneys@christina.k12.de.us or by regular mail: Christina School District, 600 North Lombard Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, Attention Dr. Sharon Denney.  By fax:  302-429-5857.

The Code of Conduct Review Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 3 to review suggested revisions to the current Student Code of Conduct.  Click here for more information about the Code of Conduct Review Committee.

Next Meeting:
Code of Conduct Review Committee
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sarah Pyle Academy, 5:30-7:30 pm

Strategic Planning Update

The Strategic Planning process has gotten off to a very positive start.  Four meetings have been held so far on the topics of Excellence and Equity and Learning Environment.  Parents, community members and staff have engaged in thoughtful discussions on how to increase student achievement and create more positive school environments for all students.  For more information about the Strategic Planning process, and to access a meeting schedule, resources, and group feedback, please visit:  http://www.christina.k12.de.us/StrategicPlan

Next Meeting:
Sum it Up Saturday for Excellence and Equity and Learning Environment Topics
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sarah Pyle Academy, 10:00 a.m.
 

Delaware Community Foundation Awards Grants to Nine District Schools

Nine schools in the Christina School District will receive monetary grants from the Delaware Community Foundation to support a wide range of projects.  The total amount received by the District was more than $77,000, and in several cases individual schools were awarded as many as five different grants.  The District extends its thanks to the Delaware Community Foundation for its generous support of CSD students and schools.
 

A Feast for All - Contemporary Connections at Bancroft Elementary

News from Newark High School

Students in Ms. Buzgon’s Marketing Communications II classes were able to experience Junior Achievement’s program on Success Skills during the second marking period.  Volunteers from Sallie Mae came in to the classroom to teach students about interviewing skills, presentation skills, resumes, employment responsibilities, and preparing for college.  The students and volunteers learned from each other during the time that they participated in this program.

DECA students are busy preparing for another Halo 3 gaming tournament to help raise money for Newark’s chapter.  The event will take place on January 28, 2009 in the library right after school.

DECA students will be attending the state competition on February 11, 2009 at the Sheraton in Dover.  Students will compete against other high schools in Delaware.  The students that do well in their competitions will qualify to attend the national competition.  Nationals will take place at the end of April in Louisville, Kentucky.  Good luck to Newark’s chapter!

NHS Parent Resource Center Hosts "Breakfast with the Principal" - On Tuesday, January 12, the Newark High Parent Resource Center hosted their second "Breakfast with the Principal" session from 7:30-9:00 a.m.  Parents spoke openly with Assistant Principals Mrs. Savage and Mr. Scott asking questions, making suggestions and offering comments on such topics as MAP testing, school climate, academics and instruction, technology, staffing, class sizes and more.  The Parent Resource Center is staffed Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  To learn more or request additional information, please email:  nhsparentresourcecenter@christina.k12.de.us

Christina Celebrates Its Tradition of Outstanding Math Teaching

Marshall Elementary School’s Karen Fredricks was recently awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Teaching in Elementary Mathematics. The Christina School District has a long history of teachers receiving this award in mathematics, going back more than 20 years to 1988. The impressive list of former recipients of the Presidential Award for Mathematics is provided below. In our next newsletter, we will list the Christina teachers who have received the Presidential Award for Teaching in Science.
 

• Georgia E. Cressman, Gauger Middle School, Newark, DE
  1988 Award | 7-12 Mathematics
• Patricia L. Gysling, Glasgow High School, Newark, DE
  1989 Award | 7-12 Mathematics
• Lillian Deal-Kopan, Drew/Pyle Intermediate School, Wilmington, DE
  1990 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Janet Baldwin, West Park Place Elementary School, Newark, DE
  1991 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Patrice Buchanan, Ramon C. Cobbs Elementary School, Newark, DE
  1993 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• David Scott, Glasgow High School, Newark, DE
  1993 Award | 7-12 Mathematics
• Sharon Meyer, Maclary Elementary School, Newark, DE
  1996 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Joy Davies, Joseph McVey Elementary School, Newark, DE
  1997 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Susan Timpson, Henry M. Brader Elementary School, Newark, DE
  2001 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Carol Antes, Downes Elementary School, Newark, DE
  2002 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Crystal Lancour, Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark, DE
  2005 Award | 7-12 Mathematics
• Beverly Jordan, Etta J. Wilson Elementary School, Newark, DE
  2006 Award | K-6 Mathematics
• Karen Fredricks, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, Newark, DE
  2008 Award | K-6 Mathematics

News from Marshall Elementary School

Marshall Students have shown great compassion for the people of Haiti who are going through such a terrible time.  They raised $500 to send to the Clinton Foundation to help the people of Haiti.  The Marshall Student Council felt something needed to be done and they wanted to help.  They decided to sponsor  “Wear Your Favorite Team Jersey Day.”  Every teacher and student who wore a team jersey on January 15 donated $1 to the cause.  We are hoping our contribution will help.

To motivate our students to read more, in October, Thurgood Marshall kicked off the Be a Phanatic about Reading program sponsored by Verizon.  Students agreed to read or be read to for a minimum of 15 minutes a day.  Some of the top performing schools were to receive a visit from the Phillie Phanatic.  Well, guess what?  Marshall School met the reading challenge and the Phillie Phanatic is coming to Marshall on Wednesday, January 27!!  We ARE Phanatic about reading!!

Marshall School 5th grade boys will give the Girls on the Run a run for their money.  Fifth teacher, Rick Bransfield and Interventionist, John Williams have started a Fifth Grade After School Boys Basketball Clinic. Sessions began January 20 for 18 students. We are working on school wellness and are all about being more active!!

Saad Ali, a second grader in Mrs. Claudia Martin’s class, won First Place for his art entry relating to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration Education Contest.  The theme was One Dream, One World, One Community.  Saad was honored at the Christina Cultural Arts Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  We are so very proud of Saad.

News from Downes Elementary School

Several Downes Elementary School third graders earned the title of "Geo-Sharks" last month by naming all of the fifty states on the giant map located on the recess area in back of the school.  Several of the children are now on a mission to name all fifty state capitals.  Way to go, Downes' Geo-Sharks! 

Students from the Networks Program are volunteering at Downes every Wednesday, beginning in January.  Thanks to Mrs. Kelly Kent and Mrs. Patrice Park for making this partnership a reality between the schools.  Students from Networks  mentor the younger children in grades Pre K through first grade.  This is a win-win situation for all involved and the Downes community is excited to host this worthwhile program. 

Downes' fifth graders attended the BIE Career Day at Downes on January 15th.  Several presenters shared their profession/job training with the students.  Thank you to the teachers for organizing this yearly event.

Bancroft Elementary Helps Kick Off Regional Census Event

Bancroft Elementary School was the host on January 15 to an impressive group of state and federal officials.  The event was
held to kick off an awareness campaign for the U.S. Census, which will begin in three months.  Special guests included Governor Jack Markell, Lt. Governor Matt Denn, Senator Tom Carper, Secretary
of Education Dr. Lillian Lowery, U.S. Census Bureau Director Dr. Robert Groves, U.S. Dept. of Education Deputy Secretary Tony Miller, and Philadelphia Regional Census Director Fernando Armstrong.  Attendees were treated to a visit by Sesame Street's Count von Count and Rosita and joined Bancroft teachers Brandie Stasney and Lauren Hamilton in a classroom lesson on the census with two fifth grade classes. 

Elbert-Palmer Elementary to Host "What in the World?"
Career Awareness Program

Elbert-Palmer Elementary School will host the Business, Industry, Education (BIE) Alliance’s “What in the World?” career awareness program for their Grade 5th grade students on  Wednesday, February 03, 2010.  “What in the World?” is an interactive program designed to introduce students in grades 3 through 12 to a wide variety of careers in the math, science and technology fields.

For more than a decade, “What in the World?” program volunteers from the local business community have gone into area schools, bringing with them job-related “mystery objects” designed to spark the students’ curiosity and inspire them to learn more about the skills and education necessary for success in these jobs.  Participation in “What in the World?” broadens students’ horizons by exposing them to unfamiliar occupations and motivates them to explore career options in a whole new way.

Representatives from the following business partners are among those who will be sharing their time and expertise with the students at Elbert-Palmer Elementary School:

• Christina School District

• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

• Howard High School of Technology.

The Delaware BIE Alliance has served Delaware schools for more than three decades, creating and coordinating free educational programs utilizing volunteers from the business community. BIE is funded through the Delaware Department of Education, serving more than 28,000 Delaware students annually. BIE brings business people into the schools and educators into the business community, tapping into their common interests, investments and needs to build practical working relationships between the partners.  

Click here to learn more about BIE.

Christiana High School
The students and staff of Christiana High School will be holding a "Hats 4 Haiti" fundraiser beginning Monday, January 25.  A number of student organizations will be collecting $1 donations from students and staff during lunch periods January 25-29.  For their $1 donation, participates can wear the hat of their choice in school all day on Friday, January 29.  The total amount collected will be matched by the United Way of Delaware. 

Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
The 509 teachers at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School organized a school-wide effort, Operation Haiti...Gauger Cares!  Under the leadership of Ms. Turner and several of her students, money was collected for 5 days during each of the three lunches.  It was evident that the students and staff at Gauger-Cobbs truly do care.  Through their generous donations, a grand total of $707.24 was raised.  This money will be donated to the Red Cross to help the victims of the earth quake.  What an outstanding school-wide effort. 

Newark High School
NHS Men's Tennis Team was awarded the Team Sportsmanship Award at the annual USTA Award Celebration on Sunday, January 3.  Coach John Taylor accepted the Bunny Vosters Team Sportsmanship Award at the ceremony.  Newark's first singles player, junior Vijay Sarathi, received the Ken Isaacs Sportsmanship Award which is given to the male athlete who exhibits the most sportsmanlike behavior in the state.  Way to go Vijay!

NHS received a Better Newark Award from the Newark Conservation Advisory Commission.  The award is in recognition of the efforts of the NHS Nature Society to improve the environmental integrity and appearance of the school.  Such efforts include water and soil conservation as well as environmental stewardship of the wildlife area within the school.  The award specifically mentions the school yard habitat that has been established in the school's courtyard and the educational opportunities as a result of its existence.

Katie McLaughlin recently won the Poetry Out Loud contest held in Newark.  Poetry professors from the University of Delaware were on hand to judge the competition.  Katie now travels to Smyrna to compete in the state finals competition.  More information is available at www.poetryoutloud.org.  Good luck Katie!

Calendar Reminders...