Holly Wiedenmann, a paraprofessional at Southern Elementary School, got a special visit from Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Menzer recently. Weidenmann was surprised with flowers and a plaque after being named Colonial’s ESPY Winner of the Year. ESPY, that’s  Educational Support Professionals of the Year, is a program sponsored by the Department of Education. Much like the Teacher of the Year, each district in the state chooses a candidate from each school, with one being named the District winner for the school year. All district winners have an opportunity to compete to be named the State ESPY Winner of the Year. “Even though I’m Colonial’s representative, I work with tons of people at Southern alone who are also as deserving. I know, my co-workers know, nobody can do their jobs without each of the pieces. Whether it be secretaries, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, aides, and custodians, it really takes every single one of us to make the students successful.” 

Kayla Wilson, a senior at William Penn, recently won Widener University’s High School Leadership Award. The awards program recognized 160 students from high schools throughout the region for their abilities to stand up for what is right, address a wrong, and make a difference in their communities or schools. Honorees gathered for a virtual award event Friday, Nov. 6 where they heard remarks from NBC10's Tracy Davidson, Widener University President Julie E. Wollman, and others. Wilson was recognized for making a difference by serving as president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and being one of the first students in the school's history to participate in the music program for five consecutive years.

"College Knowledge" will air Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Viewers can watch on Comcast Channel 28 or online, through Facebook Live at TeenSHARP's Facebook page. The show will cover everything from what it really takes to get into college to selecting schools, writing a winning personal statement, paying for college, and more. 

The television program will debut amid College Application Month, an ongoing campaign to help students navigate an already-complex process made all the more interesting due to Covid-19.

The Power of WE includes community partnerships, with one of Colonial’s biggest cheerleaders being Discover. The company sponsored what started out to be a Teacher’s Appreciation Day program for the District, but morphed into a Staff Appreciation Day. Every full-time employee has or will receive a gift bag containing a hot/cold tumbler, hand sanitizer, a gift card to Starbucks, a Discover mask, and a note to each employee that reads, “Discover believes “Real Heroes don’t wear capes, they help Educate.”  “Throughout this Spring and now in the Fall, you have continuously educated our students.  Each Colonial employee has stood up and figured out new ways to reach our students, help to feed our community, provide safe transportation, keep our buildings clean and sanitized, keep our technology running, taught our students, supported our leaders, and simply have just been here for our community.  Discover recognizes you, our Colonial Educators, and thanks each of you.” Colonial Nation thanks Discover for its consistent support of our staff and students!

Take time to end your week by checking out a great segment on WHYY featuring Nutrition Services Supervisor Paula Angelucci (about 7 minutes into the video). Kudos to all of our nutrition services and transportation workers who made this happen!

https://whyy.org/episodes/the-meals-on-the-bus-organizations-battle-food-insecurity/

Colonial’s Nutrition Services Division has served more than 895,974 meals since March thanks to partnering with the dedicated drivers in the Transportation Division which initially had 40 buses a day on the road distributing meals. Now bus drivers have even more responsibility as they transport our most precious cargo, our students, to schools while also helping with the Mobile Feeding Program.  As with all things new and different, there have been bumps along the way, but thanks to the Power of WE, district employees are working hard to make sure students have everything they need to get a quality education.  Families are urged to check the District’s website daily at www.colonialschooldistrict.org because bus routes and schedules are subject to change. For example, due to the upcoming Thanksgiving break, meal distribution schedules have been altered so bags will be heavier--please plan accordingly. The next meal distribution dates are  Wednesday, November 18th (holiday meal!), and Friday, November 20th.  Remember, wearing a face mask at all times is required at bus stops and our drive-up sites at Wilbur, William Penn, and McCullough (11 AM-12:30 PM). We also ask families to practice social distancing at all drop off locations.

William Penn’s Bistro may be closed but Chef Robert LoFurno has gone virtual to share a recipe with everyone! Click the video below and enjoy the fruits of your labor as you learn how to prepare Banana Flambe'.

Tiana Sirman’s, a fifth-grade student at Pleasantville has done it again...this time she’s joining other children on a Nickelodeon special with talk show host and comedian Trevor Noah!  “The Kids of the Year” special will air December 5th at 8 pm on Nickelodeon. Tiana has been a regular on ABC’s Good Morning America segments featuring children, a Kids Time reporter for Time magazine, and has interviewed or met countless celebrities.  She was also a Vote 4 Me Ambassador for the NAACP’s Youth and College Division during the election season. Tiana spent time canvassing neighborhoods in Philadelphia encouraging people to vote. Tiana dreams of being a red carpet celebrity reporter or a big player in the entertainment industry. Colonial Nation is proud of this enterprising young lady!

Talyah Horsey, a first-grade immersion student at Wilbur, is featured in a national TV commercial. The Wilbur Wildcats are so proud of Talyah! Take a look at this cutie pie by clicking the link below.

When students aren’t learning on Zoom, teachers are making certain they’re also having a little fun.  Southern had a special day when students and staff could show off their decorated pumpkins, Carrie Downie had a Costume Day, and Gunning Bedford did all kinds of things during Spirit Week. At Eisenberg, Principal Dave Distler hand-delivered “Be Awesome” T-shirts to students who were nominated by their teachers for completing their assignments, having great attendance, and just, well...being awesome!