CSD Staff Update: November 2023

We are thankful for what the members of Colonial Nation are doing every day to make our community a better place! Have a safe and happy holiday season!!

- The CSD Communications Department

Cheritta Marvel - Southern Elementary School

Cheritta Marvel can’t walk to the halls of Southern Elementary School, or the streets in New Castle County for that matter, without someone approaching her to give a warm hug. Why? Because at age 73 Marvel is a beloved kindergarten teacher who has taught countless children during her career. She’s starting her 45th year in the Colonial School District, but this school year marks her 52nd as an educator. “I work this long because of my dedication to the profession. I like what I’m doing, and when I feel it’s time to go I will, but right now I still love it!”

Marvel comes from a long line of dedicated educators. Her sister, Barbara Wright, retired last school year after teaching for 50 years in Smryna. Her great uncle, Alfred G. Waters has a school named after him in the Appoquinimink School District, and her father taught as well. While Marvel is proud of her family’s history as educators, she takes special joy in knowing her daughter ended a 16-year career in the medical profession to become a 9th-grade math teacher in Dover this year. “I always told her that’s where she belonged, but she didn’t listen to me and now she’s there,” Marvel says as she chuckles. The family legacy won’t stop with Marvel’s daughter being a novice teacher. Her granddaughter is a freshman at Delaware State University majoring in Early Childhood Education. “It takes dedication, it takes commitment, but it also takes selfless time- that’s the biggest thing,” Marvel says about being an educator. After teaching generations of students in Colonial, Marvel is one of the most requested teachers at Southern. She hopes her students leave her with the same memories their parents have. “I hope they remember how I always said just do your best. I hope they remember how I always said everybody tries. I hope they remember I told them to say I can, I can, I can.” As for when she plans to retire, “It’s the magic question on everybody’s minds and I just tell them I take it year by year.”

• CERTIFICATION - Teachers/Administrators:

  Delaware certification regulations are being reviewed, updated, and changed on a regular basis. For that reason, it is important for you to apply in DEEDs as soon as you have the necessary qualifications for additional certifications. Unfortunately, if the regulation has changed before you apply, DOE may not grandfather your certification; therefore, timing is important!

  
  

  Teaching License: Please keep track of when your current teaching certification will expire. The Department of Education no longer sends email reminders.

  
  

  Continuing License you will be required to submit 90 clock hours of professional development to renew your license.

  
  

  Graduate Salary Increment questions - please contact Jeanne Campbell in the Human Resources Division if you have any questions.

  
  

  MEDICAL LEAVES:

  Notify the Colonial Leave Request Mailbox - ColonialLeaveRequest@colonial.k12.de.us if you will be going out on a leave due to expecting, having an upcoming medical procedure or any other reason.
  

Have your beneficiaries changed? Have you updated your beneficiaries lately? Please review the Updating Beneficiaries newsletter to stay abreast of this subject. https://www.smore.com/ctwka-updating-beneficiaries

• MATH PreK-12: Save the date for our district wide Math Family Game Night - Nov 29th, 6:00-7:30pm at WPHS!

• Math - Elementary Math Mingles

Our math coaching team is offering PD sessions for your staff - “Elementary Math Mingles” to better support new hires and really everyone! (Note: New hires can use these sessions as part of their mentoring requirements).




They will generally be the first Wednesday of each month and offered at a northern and southern location from 4:30-6:00pm.

• Northern location is New Castle Elementary DSC# 113582

• Southern location is Southern Elementary DSC# 113583




Dates: Nov 1st, Dec 6th, Jan 10th, Feb 7th, March 6th, April 10th, May 1st. (participants do not have to attend them all)




Description: Come and join us for a monthly opportunity to engage with the elementary math community! These evenings will include doing some math together, sharing of management tips and strategies, reflecting and checking in on teacher wellness. We will also have grade band breakouts that will use a math workshop model to do math routines, play fluency games and time to deepen our content understanding.




• ELA: Want to earn extra money while taking PD?

DOE is excited to announce that the full complement of 29 Delaware Early Literacy Micro-credentials is open for registration! The Micro-credentials are part of the Delaware Literacy Plan and are aligned to the science of reading.




Micro-credentials are professional learning opportunities that are personalized, job-embedded, learner-driven, competency-based, and on-demand. Educators earn micro-credentials by submitting evidence of implementation that are reviewed by trained evaluators.




Educators who participate in the Delaware Early Literacy Micro-credentials will earn 10 re-licensure hours and a $175 stipend per successfully completed micro-credential.




For more information and to engage in this professional learning opportunity please see this flyer and visit Digital DE.




• In Colonial, we are all a PART of a PLC-Professional Learning Community. The group that problem solves together.

This month, how many of you asked the question: “how will we know if they learned it?” Let’s break it down.

• Who’s they? Were you talking about a whole class, small group, individual?

• What was the learning you were looking for?

• Is there a rubric to clarify the outcome expected?

• What are the different ways students can express learning?

• Can students transfer the learning in a new situation?

• Nutrition Services annual Turkey Dinner celebration is right around the corner! School cafeterias will be offering roasted turkey, green beans, homemade gravy, applesauce, dinner rolls from the Wilbur bakeshop and more! Reach out to your school’s cafeteria manager if you’re interested in serving lunch!
  

Celebration Dates:

• John G. Leach- Wednesday November 15th

• Elementary/Middle/High Schools- Thursday, November 16th

• Colwyck- Friday November 17th

• 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.

• All enrolled K-12 and full day PK students are eligible to receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost.

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

• For more information about school meals and programs offered by the Nutrition Services Department, please visit: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=2703121500268035