Below is the list of Colonial’s Building Teachers of the Year for the 2021 school year. All are outstanding educators who were nominated by their peers and chosen after a rigorous selection process. In the coming days, one of these teachers will be named Colonial’s District Teacher of the Year and will be honored along with other district Teachers of the Year at a banquet sponsored by the Department of Education. Best of luck to all of the building Teachers of the Year!

To view a photo gallery of the 2021 building Teachers of the Year visit http://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/about-us/teacher-of-the-year/. 

Carrie Downie: Beth Holt
Wilmington Manor: Jessica Hitchens 
Wilbur: Courtney Hopkins
Southern: Krystal Rembert-Wallace
Pleasantville: Riann Warman
New Castle: Mary Kay DeCampli
George Read:  Brianne Davis
Gunning Bedford: Erin Motley
McCullough: Khayree Bey
Leach: Mary Lonergan
Colonial Early Education Program: Ashley Bryson
Willam Penn: Christina Marsett
Eisenberg: Virginia Gatts
Wallin: Kasia Thomas
Castle Hills: Kim Barbato

Last week fifth-grade students at Southern got a big virtual surprise.  Will Parks, a Philadelphia Eagles defensive back, joined the students on a video call!  Teacher Emily Schussler reached out to him through social media, and she was thrilled when he jumped at the opportunity to interact with students and his young fans.

He greeted each student by their name and checked in with them to see how they were doing.  He made sure to ask them if they were doing their schoolwork and also told them he’s a phone call away if they need anything.  He even gave a personal shout out to one boy who has been completing all of his work.  

Students and families at Leach joined teachers and staff for a red, white, and blue patriotic prom. The virtual prom, complete with a DJ, got the kids moving and gave them an opportunity to spend some time just having fun. It was a special time for our very special students!

Take a look at the colorful way teachers and staff at Colonial’s Early Education Program said hello to their little Colonials. 

First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney stopped by McCullough Middle School to thank our nutrition and transportation staff for their hard work. She was impressed with Colonial’s Grab and Go program that has delivered more than 165,000 meals since the Governor called the State of Emergency last March due to the COVID-19 health threat. Action News was there to take video of Carney’s visit, and the video was also posted on the News Journal’s website. Click the link below to view:

https://www.delawareonline.com/videos/news/2020/04/29/first-lady-delaware-thanks-school-district-feeding-kids/3050326001/

For times and locations of Grab and Go sites visit our website at www.colonialschooldistrict.org

It was Gratitude Spirit Week at Castle Hills. Students and staff posted pictures of the things they are grateful for, and at a time like this, even the little things mean a lot.  

Friday, May 1st is School Lunch Hero Day.  On Monday, let our Lunch Heros know how much you appreciate them when you see them when you visit the Grab and Go sites.   

May 4- 8th is National Teacher Appreciation Week.  A simple email would go a long way to show our hardworking teachers and paraprofessionals how much they are appreciated.  

McCullough 7th- grade student, Aniya Goodridge, made and donated more than 80 cloth/fabric masks to help children in her community. This heartwarming project earns her way towards the Silver Award in Girl Scouts, Aniya reached out to Colonial administrators to make sure her efforts found a way to impact kids in her community. Thank you, Aniya for showing Who WE Are!