CSD Staff Update: November 2024

• Professional Development Day; No School for Students - November 1st
• Election Day; Schools and Offices Closed - November 5th
• Citizens Finance Oversight Committee - November 5th at 5:30 pm
• Veterans Day; Schools and Offices Closed - November 11th
• Board of Education Meeting - November 12th at 7:00 pm
• Equity Summit - November 20th
• Prek-12 Conferences; No School for Students - November 25th-26th
• Thanksgiving Break; Schools and Offices Closed - November 27th-29th
• Salary Verification window for Teachers and Paras- November 7th-December 20th.
• Math Family Game Night: Wednesday, December 4th at WPHS, 6:00-7:30pm

• Use the following Delaware Department of Education Translation Services to connect with our Multilingual Learner families during Parent Conferences this month.DOE Language Line Services SY24-25

• WEcount Math Family Game Night is almost here! Join us Wednesday, December 4th at William Penn HS, 6:00-7:30pm for fun and engaging activities for all ages! We will foster positive and joyful experiences in mathematics!

• Click Here to Volunteer to help out

• Click here to RSVP to Attend

• Second event: December 5th - An Evening with Graham Fletcher and “Finding the Through Lines” for PreK-12+
  

• Here is a link to the flier for the event!

• Date: December 5th

• Location: Wilmington University, Dover, DE

• Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

• Click Here to register and join us.

• The cost is $25 and is covered by Title 2 (put Crystal Lancour’s email address as the person receiving the invoice).

Based upon your feedback, the WE Connect Conference is returning in March!! Save the date: March21st.

• We're excited to announce an invigorating opportunity for all employees in Colonial Nation: the 15-Minute Movement/Walking Challenge! From November 1st to December 13th, we invite you to get moving, lace up your shoes and join us in a fun and healthy initiative that promotes health, wellness and camaraderie.

  Who Can Participate?

  This challenge is open to all employees from participating schools and locations within the district. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just looking to get moving, everyone is welcome!

  Challenge Rules:

  1. Movement for 15 Minutes Daily: Engage in walking or any movement activity for at least 15 minutes each day during the challenge period.

  2. Track Your Movements: Use a timer to keep track of your time and maintain a daily log of your walking/movement.

  3. Form Teams: Gather your colleagues and form teams! Team spirit is essential, so let’s cheer each other on!

  4. Weekly Check-Ins: Submit your total walking/movement time each week to your school/location Employee Wellness Champion(s). The check-in dates are as follows: November 8, 15, 22 & December 2, 6, 13.

  5. Encourage Each Other: Share your progress and motivate your teammates through group chats or social media! We are setting up a Schoology Group. Look for more information coming soon!

  6. Stay Safe: Always walk in safe areas, wear comfortable shoes, and remember to stay hydrated!

  7. Have Fun! Enjoy the fresh air, explore new routes, and make walking/movement a delightful part of your day!

  🏆 Prize Alert!

  Participants will compete for bragging rights and a trophy for the location with the highest percentage of movement for the challenge time period ! Let’s see which team can move/walk their way to victory!

  Together, we can move/walk our way to a healthier future! 🌍💚

  Let’s make this challenge a memorable experience filled with fun, fitness, and friendship.

  Get ready to move!

• The Delaware School Counselor Association (DSCA) is accepting nominations for its Delaware School Counselor of the Year award. Submit nominations for school counselors who have gone above and beyond the regular duties of their jobs to plan and implement programs and activities that make a difference for Delaware students, families, and communities. Nominate school counselors online by Monday, Nov. 4.

Note: This award is not the same as DDOE’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year award.

• We want to encourage all staff, students, and families to download and use the SafeDE application. This application is a one-stop shop for finding resources, connecting with a crisis counselor, or anonymously connecting with your school about resources or concerning situations. We encourage you to take a few minutes to view this video to learn more about the app. Also, please help spread the word to your colleagues, students, and families!

For more information, including instructions on how to download the application, please visit the Colonial School District website.

• Last month, we shared a message about Colonial’s Wellness Plan. Beginning this month, we want to start diving into the areas of the plan.

The Health and Wellness; Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction; and Nutrition Services divisions work closely to support the four goals of Health Education.

• Plans are developed to ensure students have access to the required health education hours that include topics such as nutrition education, drug and alcohol education, personal body safety, consent education, and mental health literacy.

• These divisions work together to ensure materials provided to students are age and developmentally appropriate.

• Additionally, staff engage in ongoing professional development to ensure students have access to the information and resources they need.

Health Education is just one area where Colonial is coordinating policy, process, and practice to support students to improve their learning and their health.

• District Equity Summit & Food Drive - November 20th
  

• Our first Equity Summit is Wed, November 20th, 5:30-7:30 at the Route 9 Library

• Flier with RSVP Link for participants

• It will be paired with a food distribution for our families in need.

• Each school/building will be asked to contribute food baskets as part of a food drive for this event.

• Here is information that details what each food basket should include. We are also looking for a point person from each school/building to help coordinate this effort.

November is Native American History Month (Source: Harvard Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging)

• In November, Native American Heritage Month celebrates the long history of Indigenous people and communities. During this month we acknowledge the rich culture, unique traditions, and ongoing contributions of Native Americans.

• Learn more about Native American Heritage Month and find resources for the Native American and indigenous community at Harvard.

• National School Lunch Week 2024, “School Lunch Pirates, Find Your Treasure”, was a success! We thank our cafeteria staff for all that they do to ensure our students are provided with healthy meals everyday. Thank you to all the staff and administrators who participated and made this a memorable week for our students!

• Nutrition Service's annual Turkey Dinner celebration is right around the corner! School cafeterias will be offering roasted turkey and mashed potatoes with homemade gravy, green beans, fresh homemade dinner rolls from the Wilbur Bake Shop, applesauce and a tasty treat! Please contact your school’s cafeteria manager if you are interested in serving lunch!

• Celebration Dates:

• John G. Leach - Wednesday, November 20th

• Elementary/Middle/High Schools - Thursday, November 21st

• Colwyck - Friday, November 22nd

• Staff may create a lunch account on schoolcafe.com or use cash to purchase meals or snacks.

• After school supper programs are up and running at many of our Colonial Schools! If you have an after school club or organization that’s interested in receiving after school meals, reach out to your school’s cafeteria manager for more information.