To view our first feature for the school year, click the arrow above!

 Click the link below to read about William Penn's Work-Based Learning Program:

Click this link to read National News with School Nutrition Association "Tray Talk"!  https://traytalk.org/2023/09/26/historic-farm-in-delaware-maintained-by-school-district/
     

Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Menzer was among the top educators in the country to receive a national honor. Menzer received the "All In For Students Award" sponsored by Communities in School that works inside schools (CIS). CIS is a national organization that works to empower all students to acheive and succeed in life. Thanks, Dr. Menzer for putting the Colonial School District on the national radar!

Say congrats to the juniors and seniors who attended the HBCU College Fair during Wilmington's HBCU Week. Above are just some of the students who received letters of acceptance and/or scholarships to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Top left to right- Ciarra Quinones, Dasiah Evans, Elijah Bartcher. Bottom left to right-, Malachi Harper, Aaron Smoot, Emmanuel Shomide. WE are preparing our Colonials for college and beyond!

Chef LoFurno and WPHS student junior Michael Paoli traveled to Delaware State University to participate in the 5th annual Council on Farm and Food Policy Annual Meeting.
The seminar highlighted the work that the DE Dept Of Agriculture does with local farms -farmers -chicken companies and locally sourced foods that "Grow Delaware" works with throughout the state. This year they featured three high school culinary students who were paired with three local Farm-to-table chefs. The partnership highlighted the sources and the schools, food pantries, and community assistance programs that can be used and accessed for the state. 

Make sure you check out Eisenberg-Maria Ocampo, a para-educator at Eisenberg. She will have her picture and story on display at the Delaware Historical Society from September 15th through October 15th as they Celebrate Hispanic Educators in Delaware. WE are so proud of our outstanding educators!

 WE thank the Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids Adopt-a-Garden Program funded by a partnership with Nemours! WMES now has a beautiful garden shed, garden beds, and all the tools necessary for planting, harvesting, and educating students! Thanks also goes out to the families, staff, and volunteers from Nemours who spent their morning making the build possible!!

“Level Up with School Lunch!” National School Lunch Week is a week-long celebration held October 9th – October 12th.  Students can enjoy new and delicious entrée items in our decorated school cafes to celebrate National School Lunch Week!  This week promises to be a great opportunity to highlight the positive impact providing nutritious school lunches has on our students. 

October is also Farm to School Month! Celebrate with us in the Colonial Cafes by tasting fresh, local produce from Penn Farm and Fifer Orchards on Tasting Tuesdays! Menu items include roasted summer squash & zucchini, fresh apples, roasted winter squash, and apple cider. WE are so grateful to be able to incorporate fresh and local produce into school meals because it supports our local community while allowing us to provide our students with nutritious meals and education!

Colonial School District aims to support the social-emotional and behavioral well-being (including mental health) of students so that students can be academically successful. Throughout the 23-24 school year, we will be sharing tips with families on how they can collaborate with their child’s school to support mental health concerns.  Please contact your child’s school counselor to discuss any concerns and potential resources.

What is Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, social, and psychological well-being. It affects how we think and act and how we interact with others.

Why is Mental Health Important

A student's mental health affects their academic performance. Students with good mental health are prepared to learn. They tend to have higher self-esteem and be motivated to achieve educational goals.

A student struggling with their mental health or diagnosed with a mental health disorder may have trouble paying attention, remembering, and problem-solving. They may also have trouble meeting classroom expectations.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, "fifty percent of mental illness begins by age 14, and three-quarters begins by age 24."

For most people who develop a mental health disorder, symptoms start while they are still in school. The sooner a mental health concern is found and treated, the better. Left untreated, mental health disorders will get worse. They can last throughout a student's school years and into adulthood.

Parents, teachers, and school administration can change a student's life trajectory by recognizing when someone needs help and connecting them with support.

Warning Signs of Mental Health Disorders in Students

If a student is struggling with their mental health, there will be warning signs. Sometimes these are signs that the student needs help caring for their mental health. The warning signs could also be symptoms of a diagnosable mental health disorder.

The following are signs and symptoms of a student struggling with their mental health:
Inattention
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Defiant behavior
Mood swings
Losing interest

Fear or panic
Worry
Changes in eating patterns
Changes in sleep
Physical symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, nausea, headaches, and rapid heart rate

When these signs and symptoms disrupt how we function at home, school, work, or in our relationships, it is time to get help.  Please contact your child’s primary care provider for medical guidance.  Your child’s school counselor should be consulted for guidance on how a school can support your child’s needs and potential resources.

When families, schools, and community providers work together WE can stop the negative stigma associated with mental health.


School-Based Health Centers 

Colonial School District has multiple School-Based Health Centers to support the needs of students.  Please consider enrolling your student in these services now so they are available to you when needed.

Nemours Elementary Wellness Centers

Serving: Carrie Downie, Castle Hills, Eisenberg, New Castle, Pleasantville, Southern, Wilbur and Wilmington Manor

Services Available:
Physicals
Counseling (individual, family, and group)
Health screenings
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
Immunizations
Health education/risk reduction
Diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries

Registration available online at https://app.nemours.org/sbhc