September 27, 2023

2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be named in October

Twenty of the state’s top teachers will be honored at a celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 18, when one of them also will be named Delaware’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

The candidates were nominated by their districts or the Delaware Charter Network during the 2023 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.

Each nominee submitted a detailed application exemplifying his or her teaching philosophy. Five Delaware Department of Education staff members independently evaluate each application. A former Delaware Teacher of the Year and department staff member observe each candidate in the classroom. Taking into consideration the ratings from the application review and observations as well as a recorded presentation by the nominees, another independent panel of non-department judges then selects the one teacher who will serve as the 2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year.

The teacher chosen to become the State Teacher of the Year will become Delaware’s nominee in the national program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.

Three schools named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023, including three schools in Delaware. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments.

The Delaware schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

“This prestigious award recognizes the hard work of these school communities’ students, families, staff and leadership to support the success of all students,” Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Congratulations. May we learn best practices from these exemplars that can support other schools across our state.”

See U.S. Department of Education release for more information.

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.

Launch Month supports student college, career plans

Delaware high school seniors receive a launch announcement postcard, encouraging them to outline their steps for post-secondary success.

Delaware high schools will celebrate Launch into Your Future Month this year from October 9 through November 3. During Launch Month, high schools select one week where seniors are given time during the school day to plan their postsecondary career steps.

Formerly College Application Month, this Delaware Student Success (DSS) initiative recognizes the many postsecondary paths to recession-resistant, wealth-generating careers and in-demand jobs – not just college. Volunteers across the state work with students as they explore apprenticeship opportunities, learn about certification programs, work on their college applications, take steps to enlist in the military, and develop skills to enter the workforce.

Launch Month is sponsored by the Delaware Higher Education Office and the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration as a way to boost students' post-graduation success. 

Check out all the help available to students as they launch into their future. 

A proactive approach to a healthy school year

This guest column was written by Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Josette D. Manning.

As summer comes to an end and a new school year begins, now is the time to remind local communities that continuing to protect ourselves against influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and other infectious diseases is a powerful way to also support Delaware students and school staff. The flu, COVID, and RSV are dangerous but preventable respiratory illnesses that can spread quickly, especially in close-knit settings. A single infected person has the potential to set off a chain reaction that can disrupt schools and communities, impacting everyone from students to educators, nutrition staff, school bus drivers, security personnel, their families and more.

Simple, safe, and effective prevention helps keep pathogens out of classrooms. Healthy lifestyle choices boost public immunity. To help reduce school disruptions this year, we encourage everyone to:

For flu: Experts predict this year’s flu season will start as early as September or October. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine provided “substantial” protection for all age groups last year. School-age children are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu, so consider vaccines early in the fall. Everyone 6 months of age and older is eligible for vaccines, unless they have a specific contraindication.

For COVID-19: The public health emergency due to COVID-19 has ended, but the virus still requires attention. Cases may increase among different locations and populations at various times. As needed, consider wearing masks in crowded places, if cases rise, or if you are at higher risk for illness.  Take a COVID-19 test immediately if you have symptoms or test five days after exposure to someone with COVID-19. Those who test positive for COVID-19 should follow CDC isolation guidance. The CDC is now recommending everyone ages 6 months and older get the newly updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine to help lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization or death from the coronavirus. These updated vaccines are expected to provide protection against currently circulating variants and will be available soon. Increased protection is especially important for those who are high risk, elderly, those in nursing homes, and those who are pregnant, immunocompromised or have lung and heart conditions.

For RSV: Cases of RSV tend to rise from fall to spring. RSV typically causes cold-like symptoms but can sometimes be severe, especially in infants and older adults. In May, the first RSV vaccine was approved for those 60 and older. Those most at-risk for RSV complications are children under age 2, adults over 60, and those who are immunocompromised or with a lung or heart condition.

Deciding to get vaccinated in the early start of the K-12 school year is a proactive choice that demonstrates a commitment to the health of the entire school community. For individuals and families who may have concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, it is important to speak with health care professionals and rely on reputable sources for information.

Classroom environments must remain places where students and school staff can work, learn, and thrive without illness. We encourage all members of school communities to make informed decisions that prioritize their well-being as well as the well-being of their local schools. Together, we can all help lay the groundwork for a strong, successful academic year ahead.

Learn more:

Governor, First Lady recognize literacy efforts this month

Governor John Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney this month recognized September as Literacy Month with a proclamation signing at the Wilmington Library. Literacy Month is intended to recognize the extensive efforts of literacy partners to promote reading as an essential skill and a lifelong pleasure.

“Children learn to read by grade three and then read to learn for the rest of their lives. Literacy is the foundation that each of our students and neighbors need for success.” said Governor Carney. “Recent statewide assessment results show that our students continue to need extra supports, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. I encourage all Delawareans to take advantage of the many resources available in our state through Delaware’s libraries and literacy organizations this month and every month.”

“Our children spend their earliest school years learning to read for good reason: Strong literacy is the key to success in so many areas,” said Secretary of Education Mark Holodick. “They need strong literacy skills to absorb information in math and science, social studies, the arts, and every other subject.”

There are many resources related to literacy available in the State of Delaware:

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov