February 22, 2023

POLYTECH Pathways featured on national NBC program

The national spotlight on Delaware Pathways at POLYTECH from NBC News starts at the 7:21 mark.

Acquiring both academic and technical skills in combination with meaningful work experience gives students the freedom to choose their life’s path.

Delaware Pathways link education and workforce development efforts for youth and provide opportunities for youth to gain work experiences aligned with their career goals through a series of high-quality education programs that link to postsecondary education and careers. Programs and supports are available across Delaware’s districts, charters, and workforce organizations.

Check out this great national spotlight from NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt on how POLYTECH High School students are graduating high school with academic and technical skills that are preparing them for success in college, career and life (the POLYTECH feature starts at 7:21 mark).

Thanks to all the partners and supporters behind Delaware Pathways, including:

DelTech introduces Bachelor of Science in Education

Long known for its associate degrees and certification programs, Delaware Technical and Community College introduced a new Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSE) program earlier this year. The program is designed to create another pipeline for aspiring teachers who want to stay in Delaware and fill educator vacancies, which have increased due to a national teacher shortage.

DelTech’s first BSE cohort began classes in Fall 2022. Graduates are eligible for dual certification in elementary education and special education in Delaware. They will be qualified to work as K-6 teachers in Delaware public and private schools.

The program is also SEED-eligible, which means Delaware residents who graduate from a Delaware high school can pursue the degree tuition-free.

“This program opens the door for many students who may not have previously had the financial ability to pursue a bachelor’s degree,” said Secretary of Education Mark Holodick. “As a school that primarily serves Delaware students, DelTech is also in a unique position to develop teacher candidates who are likely to remain in Delaware once they complete their degrees. We believe this program has an opportunity to significantly increase the pool of teachers available for our local districts and charter schools.”

The BSE is DelTech’s second bachelor’s degree program. (The first is in nursing.) The program combines in-person and online coursework with immersive experiences designed for teacher candidates who have already acquired an Associate of Arts in teaching.

Caeser Rodney program celebrates student reading

In recognition of February as “I Love to Read Month” and February 1st as World Read Aloud Day, Caesar Rodney School District developed a new program this year to celebrate and encourage student reading. Throughout the month of February, students were encouraged to visit bookstands across the community as part of the #RidersAreReaders celebration. Each bookstand contained a QR code for students to listen to the books online as they read along in-person. Students could then enter a drawing to win the entire library at the end of the month.

To develop the program, Caesar Rodney School Board President Jessica Marelli, Superintendent Christine Alois, and Assistant Superintendent Jessilene Corbett visited local businesses to distribute the books and encourage community connections with local schools.    

An audio reading of each book is available at bit.ly/3Y2bLrA.

Delaware celebrates Love the Bus Month

Secretary Holodick thanks bus drivers and aides at Indian River School District's North Georgetown Elementary School as part of Delaware's celebration of #LoveTheBus (more pics).

Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has been thanking bus drivers and bus aides across the state this month as part of national Love the Bus Month. 

Earlier this month, Delaware Education Secretary Mark Holodick had the privilege of thanking bus drivers and aides dropping off students at North Georgetown Elementary School in the Indian River School District. This week he stopped by Newark Charter School (pics) and Christina School District (pics) to thank school bus drivers and aides.

February is the American School Bus Council's Love the Bus month. Each year students, schools and families are invited to highlight the important role of the yellow school bus in their communities and show appreciation for the school bus drivers and aides who safely transport more than 25 million children to and from school every day. 

Secretary Holodick visits school bus drivers and aides each year. Many have repeatedly expressed their commitment to the profession because of their love for the children they serve. Several have been serving children in these vital roles for many years.

As part of Delaware's celebration of #LoveTheBus, be sure to thank the school bus drivers and aides in your lives who help get our students safely to and from school each day!

Delaware celebrates school counselors, state finalists

Delaware celebrated the work of school counselors throughout the state this month as part of this year's National School Counseling Week (NSCW). School counselor spotlights were shared on DDOE's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages from Feb. 6-10.

The Delaware School Counselor Association's (DSCA) annual recognition event was held during NSCW as well. Delaware's School Counselor of the Year finalists were announced during the event. This year's finalists are (from left to right):

The American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) current Delaware School Counselor of the Year is Indian River School District's East Millsboro Elementary School Counselor Leslee Hazzard. As ASCA's Delaware representative, Ms. Hazzard recently traveled to Washington D.C. for a celebration that included a visit to the U.S. Department of Education to hear from guest speaker Secretary Miguel Cardona as well as a gala at Union Station.

Delaware's next School Counselor of the Year will be announced at the Delaware School Counselor Association conference this spring.

DSCA also announced at their annual event this month the creation of the Karen Keegan Friend of School Counseling Award. Karen Keegan was a DDOE staff member who worked relentlessly to make college accessible to all students. The award was created after her passing on January 3, 2023. Karen posthumously received the award as its first recipient. Her husband Bud accepted it on her behalf. 

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov