The Panther Pride Newsletter
Hello P.S. duPont Parents and Families.
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable three-day weekend and had an opportunity to spend some time with family and friends. Happy Snow Day !
Please remember to check the BSD Website for updates to school closings and delays due to the current weather conditions.
Arrival and Dismissal Schedule in the Event of Inclement Weather
- One-Hour Delay - One-hour Delay Hours - 8:55 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
- Two-Hour Delay - Two-hour Delay Hours - 9:55 a.m.– 2:50 p.m.
This Week at a glance:
Monday, 1/6 – No School - Weather Cancellation
Tuesday, 1/7 - 5 Day (Periods 7-3)
Wednesday, 1/8 – 4 Day - NWEA Math Testing – Periods 1-2-3-4
Thursday, 1/9 – 3 Day - NWEA Math Testing – Periods 5-6-7-3
Friday, 1/10 – 2 Day - NWEA ELA Testing – Periods 1-2-3-4
- Monday, 1/13 – 1 Day - NWEA ELA Testing – Periods 5-6-7-2
Cell Phone Policy Update 2025
We can agree cell phones have become part of the fabric of our society and culture. It wasn’t that many years ago that cell phones were limited to only making calls and texting. However, today the cell phone is a device that allows for instant access to nearly unlimited applications and information.
The administrative team has heard from many parents, teachers, and students about their concerns regarding how cell phones have become a distraction during the school day and have become increasingly interruptive to the educational process. Cell phone policies are in place at PS and interventions/consequences are being enforced if a student does not follow the cell phone policy that is addressed in the BSD Code of Conduct.
Cell Phone Policy – It is expected that all personal devices be turned off and away during the instructional day. This includes cell phones, Wi-Fi ear buds, as well as watches that can act as a communication device.
Beginning in January 2025, we will be implementing a new policy for cell phones to improve teaching and learning, using a program called Yondr.
Yondr has been implemented in thousands of schools across 27 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment. We believe that phones have great utility. We have also found that learning and student mental health improve drastically when students are fully present with their teachers and classmates.
The Yondr Program utilizes a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone. Students who are distracted by their cell phone and/or are in violation of the code of conduct policy will be assigned a Yondr pouch.
- Students will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school.
- Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day.
Ms. Corbin's 8th-grade Exploring Business students recently embarked on a field trip to Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park in Wilmington. This immersive experience provided students with a unique opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world financial situations.
During the simulation, students created a family budget, made purchasing decisions, and learned the impact of credit history on their financial well-being. Following the simulation, students will be reflecting on their career goals, considering how the JA Finance Park experience might influence their future plans.
This field trip helped students:
- Develop essential financial literacy skills
- Enhance their communication and critical-thinking abilities
- Build confidence and teamwork skills
A special thank you to Mr. Michael Stephenson, Mrs. Adrienne Stansbury, Mrs. Nashawn Davis, Mr. Terrance Mixon, Mrs. Danielle Jones, and Mrs. Shannon McKenna for volunteering their time to chaperone the trip. Their support made this valuable learning experience possible!
In lieu of our PTA meeting, we are inviting ALL parents to join our Admin team for an open dialogue about what is going well, what needs improved, and helping us make plans moving forward. We value your partnership and hope to see many parents and guardians in attendance!
Students at P.S. duPont Middle School have been working on various art projects during the month of December. Just recently, Mr. Scira has created two displays on the 3rd floor, which has illuminated the floor and brought attention to our aspiring P.S. duPont Middle School students. Mr. Scira motivates and inspires his students in a multitude of ways, which makes the Art Program at P.S. duPont Middle School one of the best! Thank you Mr. Scira for all that you do for our P.S. students and P.S. duPont Middle School community.
In December, Ms. Corbin's Business class and Mrs. Watson's AVID class had the distinct honor of hosting a guest speaker: Former DE State Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker.
Representative Dorsey Walker, a trailblazer in Delaware politics, shared her inspiring journey with students. From her roots at St. Elizabeth School to her successful career in film and public service, Representative Dorsey Walker captivated the audience with her stories of resilience, leadership, and community engagement.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Dorsey Walker is the first person of color elected to the Delaware House of Representatives from the 3rd District in 2018 and served until 2024. As well, she is the first woman and the first person of color elected in the 6th District to the Wilmington City Council in 2012. She earned a Masters Degree in Film from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Delaware in English/Journalism. She is a proud product of St. Elizabeth School, and in 2022, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at St. Elizabeth School. She is the former Vice Chair of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus, which she helped found in 2019.
In 2001, Dorsey Walker established SWAP Productions LLC, an independent film production company. SWAP is an acronym for Sisters With A Purpose. She humbly believes that her purpose in life is to educate, entertain and enlighten through her films and her public service. For this reason, she conceptualized “Justice For All: The Documentary,” a film focusing on the perils of the juvenile justice system in America and overseas. It was this project that helped change the laws at the federal level regarding juvenile justice after it was screened before the Congressional Black Caucus.
Students gained valuable insights into the importance of civic engagement, the power of pursuing one's passions, and the importance of giving back to the community.
Representative Dorsey Walker's visit was a truly enriching experience for our students, providing them with valuable life lessons and a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to making a difference.
We recognize that students may be at home with limited resources. We want to remind you that the Safe DE application is available to provide essential support and access to helpful community resources, the Crisis Text Line, and a secure way to report concerns to the school.
- Connect to submit an anonymous report or incident at https://appweb.stopitsolutions.com/login and search for the school.
- Access the resources at https://web.helpmeresources.com/ by searching for the school.
DIAA forms - Reminder that a DIAA form is required to be on file, in the nurses office before sports try outs each school year.
Medications - Reminder that, district wide, the only medications that students can bring to school are epinephrine and albuterol. All other medications must be brought in by a parent.
Any questions please reach out:
Laura.DeMare@bsd.k12.de.us
Lauren.Foraker@bsd.k12.de.us
January 7 - 2-Hour Delay
January 8/9/10/13 - NWEA Map Math & ELA Testing
January 13- Fire Drill @ 1:30 p.m. (will be rescheduled)
January 14 - 2nd Marking Period Penn Cinemas Trip - 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
January 16 - Annual Title One meeting 6:30PM-8:00PM
January 20 - MLK Jr. Day - All schools and offices will be closed
January 23 - 2nd Marking Period ends
February 4 - Report cards distributed