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Delaware's 2020 Teacher of the Year!
Rebecca Vitelli, a preschool teacher for Colonial's Early Education Program, took the top honor for educators in the state. Vitelli was one of 20 teachers who vied for the spot; one from each school district and another from a charter school. Vitelli will receive a $5,000 grant to benefit students in her classroom, and another $5,000 for her personal use. She is now Delaware's nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Colonial Nation is proud of this great accomplishment, especially since this is believed to be the first time a preschool educator has ever won. Good luck in the national competition Ms. Vitelli!
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Elks Host Pleasantville Community NightThe Newark Elks had their 2nd Annual Newark Elks Community Night at Pleasantville Elementary School. More than 250 Pleasantville staff, students, parents, and guardians were in attendance to this free community event. It was a fun event filled with bounce houses and carnival games. In addition, the Elks provided free hotdogs and ice cream/water ice from a local ice cream shop, Scoops. Big thanks to the Newark Elks for providing a fun night for our Pleasantville community to come together. Thanks to the Elks for a fun evening that everyone is already looking forward to next year!
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Leach Led the Pack!Leach Lions let it roar by participating in Fusion Racing's 13th annual Main Street Mile. Students, staff, and families took 2nd place in the Delaware School Team Challenge, winning $400. The prizes went to the teams with the most number of people registered for the race and Leach had 93 people show up to join the team! The students were able to participate in adaptive running chairs provided by the organization MOVE 2 Include. Nine of the students attend the school now, and a former student even participated. It was a great day for all!
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Be Awesome Was Awesome at the Berg!
The Be Awesome ceremony that celebrates students doing great things in their classroom at Eisenberg was extra awesome thanks to the William Penn Drumline. The players came early to give Eisenberg's drumline players a few tips, and even let them play with them during the program. The little ones thought the big ones were "professional" drummers, and as far as Colonial Nation is concerned they are!
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McCullough Lends a Hand
Thanks to Lead Secretary Kelly Grayson, students and staff raised a total of $286 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Grayson, herself a survivor, made the fabic pink ribbons by hand that sold for a dollar. She also got assistance from art teacher Chad Everett who made a tree that was placed in the lobby so students and people like Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Menzer could purchase a paper ribbon with the name(s) of their loved ones who battled breast cancer written on them. Thank you Ms. Grayson for taking the lead, and showing students how to make a difference in the lives of others...all proceeds went to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
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Make the Right Choice!
The Choice Bus made stops at Gunning Bedford and George Read. Students listened to a presentation about the importance of staying in school and making good choices. Midway through the presentation, a full scale replica of a prison cell was revealed. The eye-opening experience showed students the possible consequences of poor choices and encouraged them to stay in school. The students signed pledge cards and vowed to think about choices that could change the course of their lives forever.
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I Can See Clearly Now!
The Vision to Learn van stopped by New Castle Elementary School. Students got free eye exams and if needed, picked out their own frames for a brand new pair of free glasses. The Eagles and other major donors foot the bill because students who can see better, do better in school. Thanks, Vision to Learn!
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More Access and Opportunity!
The 5th annual Transition to Adult Life Fair was held for the first-time ever at the 76'ers Field House in Wilmington. The Wallin School moved the event for struggling students and those with disabilities to a larger venue so students from surrounding schools could also attend. More than 50 employers and school representatives showed up so students could apply for jobs or post graduate training.
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National School Lunch Week
Thanks to Colonial's award-winning Nutrition Services Division every school in the district did something special to celebrate National School Lunch Week. William Penn football players, cheerleaders and mascot, Billy Penn, visited Carrie Downie. At McCullough, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Menzer helped serve lunch while Delaware's STEM Queen was a special guest. At Southern, Governor and First Lady Carney teamed up with Dr. Menzer and Superintendent Dr. Dusty Blakey who took a real liking to his hair net...good food, and good fun!
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Pleasantville Student Interviews the Stars!
Tiana Sirmans, a fourth-grade student at Pleasantville, got to live out her dreams by interviewing the stars featured in the animated movie "The Addams Family." Access Hollywood gave Tiana a shot after she appeared as a guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show for being a self-motivated reporter at such a young age. Clarkson also set Tiana up with a one-day internship with syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington who also appeared on the show. Wow, what a resume-builder for an elementary student!
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NAACP Freedom Fund Honorees
As if going to Hollywood weren't enough, Tiana Sirmans was also honored by the Newark Chapter of the NAACP for all of her outstanding work. The Pleasantville fourth-grader was joined by William Penn's Shaniya Lewis. Lewis,a junior, was recognized for her community service and her work as the NAACP's Youth Leader. Tiana and Shaniya, Colonial Nation is proud of you!
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Storybook Character Day at Wilmington Manor
Reading is more fun when you get to dress up as your favorite character. The kids and staff always have a blast!
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The Leach Tradition Continues
Once again teachers and students at Leach held a pumpkin decorating contest that continued the next day with a pumpkin chunkin' contest. Everyone has a great time, and the event always ends with Principal Kristina Lamia getting a pie shell filled with shaving cream to her face...that's the price you pay to winning classrooms!
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William Penn College and Career Fair
Representatives from colleges, trade schools, and area businesses talked to students about life after graduation. Access and opportunity is what kids get in Colonial Nation!
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Wilbur Students Give From the Heart
Once again students and staff at Wilbur collected personal items like soap, shampoo, wash clothes, towels, paper products and the like for the Northern Star Children's Foundation.The foundation sees to it that all of the donations go to children living in adverse situations either at home or in shelters. Teacher Angel Cassetta organizes the donation drive each year as a way to teach Wilbur Wildcats how important it is to be compassionate and to help others. The grand total of items collected for donation was 1,483!
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Wallin's Got Talent!
Students and teachers participated in the second annual Wallin Talent Show. From dancing, to singing and playing instruments, the performances were all crowd-pleasers!
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