Delcastle Technical High School
50 Years Of Preparing Students To Be Career & College Ready
English & Spanish District & School Required Notifications
Winter Quarterly Newsletter
Principal Letter
Dear Delcastle Families,
Today is a great day to be a Cougar! Since the start of the New Year, we have begun celebrating 50 years of preparing students to be career and college ready. Over the course of the year, we have several celebratory events lined up starting with The Delcastle 50th Gala on March 29th at The Rail. Tickets are on sale now. All Delcastle Alumni and business partners are encouraged to attend. Tickets are first to come first served. So, please plan accordingly. Press the link to purchase your ticket: https://delcastlehighschool.ludus.com/
Since the start of the second semester our students have engaged in many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Activities not limited to, but including career and technical student organization competitions, prom, career area certification assessments, graduation, senior recognition, SAT testing and other state required testing. Due to the extent of the upcoming events, it is vital, especially for seniors, to stay on top of their grades. I strongly recommend that parents and students check their grades on HAC weekly and contact the staff if you have any questions or concerns.
As previously mentioned, students will engage in several assessments this spring. One of the major state assessments is the SAT. All 11th-grade students will take the SAT on March 27, 2019. In order to obtain an extra boost in SAT scores, a large number of our 11th-grade students have been participating in our Monday Free SAT Prep Program held each week from 3:00pm-6:00 pm.
The rest of this quarterly newsletter contains information about major activities that occurred during the Second and a portion of the Third marking period. It also highlights achievements made by students and staff. As we progress through the year, we will communicate with you through our Quarterly Newsletter and Alert Now System when issues and topics come up that I feel are important to share with you. However, please note that our Digital Media Program posts information each week on Delcastle’s Facebook and Twitter pages. In addition, weekly push notifications are sent through Delcastle’s School Info App that contains links to Delcastle’s athletic webpage, Facebook, Twitter, and school website.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Clifton Hayes
Principal
Dates to Remember
March:
6 - Interim Grades Delivered to Students
8 - PD Day Cancelled - Normal School for Students
10 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
15 - Winter Sports Banquet
25 - Board Meeting
27 - SAT Exam
29 - End of 3rd Marking Period
April:
1 - 4th Marking Period Begins
5 - Ignite the Night 5K
10 - Report Cards Delivered to Students
15 - Board Meeting
17 - 8:15am Mandatory Senior Class Meeting in Auditorium
18 - Blood Drive in Gym
19-22 - School/Offices CLOSED
19-28 - Spring Break Begin/No School
29 - School Re-Opens
The Girls Basketball Team Makes the Playoffs
Girls Who Code Opportunity
Hello NCC VoTech School Partners,
We are excited to announce that this summer JPMorgan Chase & Co. is hosting Wilmington's inaugural Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program and we would love to see your students apply!
Girls Who Code will be hosting an information session at the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Delaware Technology Center (DTC) to go over the program in detail, provide a Q&A session, and preview the application process for parents, school personnel, and students. This information session will take place Thursday, February 28th at 6:00pm at 880 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington DE. Light refreshments will be provided.
Girls Who Code’s FREE 7-week Summer Immersion Program teaches 10th–11th grade girls (rising juniors or seniors) the computer science skills they need to make an impact in their community while preparing for a career in tech. In the Summer Immersion Program, girls will learn about:
- CAREERS — They’ll meet inspiring female role models in the field and get an inside look at the tech world through guest speakers, workshops, fun field trips and more! Their summer will be spent in classrooms hosted at the world’s top companies, like JPMorgan Chase & Co., Twitter, Amazon, AT&T, Warner Brothers, and Microsoft.
- SKILLS AND IMPACT — They’ll learn to code through hands on real-world projects in art and storytelling, robotics, video games, websites, apps, and more. By the end of the summer, they’ll also create a final project that solves a real-world problem they care about -- combining their new coding skills with their passions to change the world!
- SISTERHOOD — As essential members of our Girls Who Code sisterhood, they’ll learn in a supportive, all-female environment and make lifelong friendships that encourage them to be brave, take risks, and stand up for what matters to them!
The program will take place at a downtown Wilmington office (300 N. King Street) and run Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm, from June 24th to August 9th.
Students do not need to be associated with a Girls Who Code Club, and in fact, no prior experience in computer science is necessary to apply. In addition to providing a free program, Girls Who Code provides students with free lunch every day. Summer stipends to cover transportation and living costs between $300 and $1400 are also available for students who qualify.
Applications for summer 2019 are now open!
The application closes on March 15.
If you’d like to discuss this further, you can contact our Girls Who Code representative, Amy Layman (amy.layman@girlswhocdoe.com) directly. We have also attached some helpful materials below.
We look forward to hosting your students this summer!
Please RSVP as soon as possible for the informational session by sending an email to Youth.Programs@jpmchase.com with the subject “DE Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program” and the names of all participants (students, parents, guardians, and school representatives). Also, please bring ID for the security desk check-in.
Senator Anthony Delcollo Visit
On Monday, January 7th, Senator Delcollo visited Delcastle. The purpose of his visit was to learn more about Delcastle and to see where he could provide additional support. Several times throughout the day, Senator Delcollo shared how pleased he was with the experiences that he saw our students receiving in the CTE areas. Delcastle students will be ready to work in the real world!
Bake The Night Away
Below is the Bake the Night Away Press Release that went out. We would like to thank all of those who assisted with and/or participated in the Bake the Night Away Event. This was a record-breaking year in regards to time and number of cookies made. Excellent job!!!!
Bake the Night Away Law Enforcement Cookie Bake
Joint effort will result in over 12,000 cookies in one night
Law enforcement support groups will “Bake the Night Away” with culinary students to provide cookies to every police department in Delaware
Dec 17, 2018 - Wilmington, De.
12,000 cookies baked, boxed, and delivered in 15 hours is quite a feat for the most seasoned baker, but for Delcastle Culinary students, this is old hat.
For the past 11 years students from Delcastle High School Culinary have joined forces with area businesses and organizations to "Bake the Night Away." This Christmas outreach was created as a way to show support and appreciation for first responders across the state. “Children from surrounding elementary schools are going to attend to decorate cookie boxes along with Alumni Culinary Arts and students from other career areas within our building. This will make a unique and exciting experience for everybody involved. We look forward to seeing you," said Gary James, Delcastle Culinary Arts Instructor.
Since 2012, The Ronnie Williams Foundation has sponsored the event by purchasing ingredients, providing volunteers, and delivering cookies to Delaware Police Agencies. "This even has become a Christmas tradition for the Foundation. We have families who volunteer and look at it as part of their own holiday traditions. It really is a special time to say thank you and celebrate the season!" said Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director of the Ronnie Williams Foundation.
New this year, will be the addition of three first responder support organizations. Each are members of the Facebook group, "Delaware Hero Network," a group of more than 8 organizations around the State. Providing delivery of the cookies to Kent County will be the Infidel Jeepers of Delaware, a military and first responder support organization.
Jeff Lenhert, head of the Delaware Chapter of Infidel Jeepers, said, "As a member of the law enforcement community for over 21 years, I love to see the Delaware citizens show their appreciation to my fellow men and women in blue." Lenhert added, "Infidel Jeepers has also started an annual event called "Jeepers Back the Blue Jamboree" that brings in jeepers from across the East Coast. This event is just yet another example of Delaware supporting its heroes."
For Sussex County, the Foundation is proud to bring on the Delaware Patriot Guard Riders, a group that escorts military and first responder families for funerals and support events. Joining the Patriot Guard in Sussex County is Blessings for Badges. Formed just this year, they fed every police agency and fire department in Sussex County for Thanksgiving. They plan to take that outreach statewide for 2019. "Blessings for Badges is excited to partner with The Ronnie Williams Foundation to help deliver cookies to the Law Enforcement Agencies in Sussex County, said Cindi Susi, Blessing for Badges founder. At Christmas time, it’s our way of recognizing these brave heroes who serve us every day."
Also new this year, Bake the Night Away will be adding corrections officers to the list of those receiving cookies. Hawkins said, "It only makes sense that Delaware corrections officers should be included. They serve our state and make sacrifices every day that deserve our recognition. We are excited to add them to our list." Deliveries will be made to the prison in each county.
Area businesses, police officers, and fire departments join in the festivities, which begin at 4:00pm Friday, December 21st with Chick-fil-A providing dinner for the students and Mill Creek Fire Department will be bringing Santa and his helpers at 7:30pm. Local police officers will also don the apron and pitch in to help bake cookies. Deliveries begin at 8:00am Saturday morning.
If you would like information on how to support Bake the Night Away or would like to join the volunteers, please email or call The Ronnie Williams Foundation at 302-893-0177 or jhawkins@thergwfoundation.org
You can also visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/RonnieWilliamsFoundation/
-----
Contact - Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director of The Ronnie Williams Foundation - 302-893-0177 jhawkins@thergwfoundation.org
Contact - Chef Gary James, Instructor Delcastle Culinary, 302-995-8079
Drama Club
Delcastle Cold Conference
Congratulations to the Delcastle Wrestling Team on their post-season accomplishments!
The Cougars earned their way into the DIAA Dual Team Tournament hosted at Smyrna High School and represented themselves well. During the Blue Hen Conference Individual Championships, Delcastle placed 12 out of 13 wrestlers in the top 8, including 5 Conference Champions. Eight wrestlers earned their way to the DIAA Individual State Championships. Two Cougars wrestled their way to the podium. Congratulations to Doug Markland, 4th place at 152 and State Champion, Liam O’Connor, 160. Liam is Delcastle’s seventh State Champion and the winningest wrestler is school history with a Varsity Career record of 149-37. Congratulations!
Fall Leadership Conference
Math League Club
The Students posted above, traveled to Meet 2 @ Sanford High School. Left to right: (Lilibeth Camacho, Thanh Nguyen, Luis Flores-Lara, Sabrina Ratliff, Christopher Laws, Kaitlyn Negron, Tamye Wilson-Allen, Travis Anderson, Colin Barry, Aaron Kent, Kaseem Simmons, Nia Mathis, Kevin Zhang, Jessica Vazquez-Be7rnal)
The 2018-2019 Delcastle Math League Club provides students the opportunity to challenge themselves, practice problem-solving, and meet other math-minded students. Math League was created to cultivate interest in mathematics through individual and team competition. So far this year, our students have competed in two regional meets! Tamye Wilson-Allen & Lilibeth Camacho have scored individual points for the upperclassmen team, and Colin Barry, Aaron Kent and Nia Mathis have scored individual points for the freshman team. All of the students are doing a wonderful job representing our Delcastle family. If you see any of our students, stop them to ask about their participation in math league and congratulate them on their success in their first two meets!
~ Bigelow & Boyett
Cosmetology Community Service
Delcastle's Student Recognition Program
The goal of the ROAR Program is to recognize and celebrate Delcastle students who achieve a high level of academic and social excellence. The award will celebrate students who:
- Display Respect for Self and school community
- Take ownership of their own improvement
- Know that the right Attitude will take them far
- Are Responsible with their future plans
At the end of every marking period, all students who meet the following criteria will receive a ROAR award certificate and a small prize:
- Earn a 3.00 or above GPA for the marking period
- No discipline write-ups for the marking period
- Only one excused absence for the marking period
Students will be encouraged to use social media to tell Delcastle’s story because we have outstanding students. We had 733 students whoreceived a ROAR Certificate and gift for the first marking period. Let's Go Cougars!!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Local Delaware Community Supports Empowered Employment for Young Adult with Disabilities #NDEAM
Written by Elisabeth Sweet
“We do the Book Fair so we can raise money and buy books for the library,” explains Glenn, who is interning as the Library Assistant, “The kids are enjoying it!” On October 16, 2018, Glenn is in his third week of his four-week paid internship. “My role here is to help the librarian to shelve books and basically to keep the kids in check and make sure they aren’t tearing each other apart,” he says with a smile, “I’ve always been good with kids. It just comes naturally to me.”
Glenn participates in ServiceSource Delaware’s FrameWORK for Success program, which supports young adults with disabilities as they explore job options and develop employment skills. The program facilitates volunteer opportunities and internships in the Delaware community to provide students with a variety of workforce experiences so they can make informed decisions about their career paths. These internships are valuable to the students and employers who come together to create integrated work environments.
Glenn’s paid internship was funded by generous supporters of the Small Donations, Big Impact campaign in July 2018; these supporters are primarily Delaware residents who seek to empower people with disabilities. Before his internship, Glenn was volunteering at the May B. Leasure School’s Library twice per week. “When I was volunteering I was only here for like two hours. And now with the internship, I’m here five days a week for four weeks. With volunteering you’re just helping out,” he explains, “But the internship is longer hours. There’s definitely more responsibility involved. It’s more tiring. On the other hand, it’s very satisfying to work with the kids and get paid for it in the process.”
Bonnie Gaws, the School Librarian, speaks highly of Glenn’s work ethic and his natural ability with children. “Glenn is an incredible asset. He does a great job, every day, no matter what the task is,” she says cheerfully. Ms. Gaws has been a longtime supporter of ServiceSource’s vision to empower people with disabilities. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and she has made the library a warm, bright, and comforting space.
The library is very active, with different classes filtering in and out, teachers requesting books and materials for their classrooms, and technology equipment issues that Ms. Gaws, who doubles as the Building Technologist, must address. Glenn helps with all these tasks and more. He’s developing a variety of skills that will help him throughout his career. “I want to work with kids in a school or library, maybe as a paraprofessional,” Glenn says. “I think you definitely need to pursue something with children,” Ms. Gaws chimes in, “You do a great job helping kids one-on-one, including those with special needs.” Ms. Gaws continues, “Glenn takes everything in stride when it comes to kids. He’s got the patience.”
“The kids are so sad to see him go at the end of the day!” exclaims Ms. Gaws when talking about the rapport Glenn has cultivated with the students. One of the most important impacts Glenn has on the children, Ms. Gaws has observed, is that “Glenn is a great male role model for the kids.” His kindness, diligence, and patience set a good example for all the children who pass through the library doors.
When asked what he would want people to know about his feelings on interning at the library and working five days a week in a field he loves, Glenn says, “I want people to know, never give up on your dreams. When I was a kid I had very low self-esteem, coupled with the fact that I wasn’t the most popular guy. I’ve learned that you should never say negative things to yourself. Back then, if I could’ve seen myself now, I would be super surprised at where I am today. I’m in a good place. I like myself.”
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month #NDEAM. ServiceSource is proud to tell Glenn’s story and others who are empowered by their work. Follow ServiceSource on Facebook @servicesource1 for more stories of inclusive and integrated workplaces.
About ServiceSource
ServiceSource is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to facilitate services and partnerships to support people with disabilities, their families, their caregivers and community members in order to build more inclusive communities. ServiceSource serves more than 25,000 people with disabilities annually.
Parent Notification - Release of Student Information
Requests for student directory information - which is limited to a student's name, home address, and telephone number - are routinely received by our school from colleges, military recruiters, financial aid programs, and similar organizations. On occasion, and at the expressed approval of the principal, we do make this information available. Parents who do not wish to have their son’s/daughter's name included on student directory listings can elect to do so by logging into the Home Access Center (HAC) at https://hac.doe.k12.de.us/homeaccess/ using your parent password or you may notify the school in writing. Please send your notification to the Guidance Office or email michael.kittel@nccvt.k12.de.us.
The New Castle County Vocational Technical School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or covered veteran status in employment, admission to, or participation in its programs, services, and activities, in accordance with state and federal laws. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs.
The District offers additional services to students with limited English language skills or with disabilities so that they may benefit from these programs.
This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the designated school district compliance coordinators:
School Admissions/Programs: Kathy Demarest, Supervisor - Admissions
Special Ed/Section 504/ESL: David Jezyk, Supervisor - Programs for Exceptional Children
Employment/Discrimination (Title IX): Gerald Allen, Director - School Operations
NCC Vo-Tech School District
1417 Newport Road
Wilmington, DE 19804
Tel: (302) 995-8000
Senior Year: Co-op Questions
If you have co-op questions and need to speak with Mr. Thomas, please call (302) 995-8187. There is no better experience than putting your learned skills to the test during your senior year. This is a rewarding and important step in preparing you for success after graduation. As a Vo-Tech student, this is the capstone of your education.
Title I Parent Involvement Policy
The Parent Involvement Policy is included in The New Castle County Vocational Technical School District Student/Parent Handbook pages 95-98.
Federal Programs
Schools that receive federal funds under Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) must disseminate adequate information about the Delaware Department of Education’s written complaint procedures for resolving issues of violation(s) of a Federal statute or regulation that applies to Title I, Part A programs. The complaint procedure is posted on the Delcastle website at delcastleths.com. Copies may be requested by contacting the Delcastle main office at (302) 995-8100.
Guidance Information
Secretaries: Ms. Wise-Bowen and Mrs. Wynn
Counselors:
Mrs. Kim Denhardt 995-8040
CL, SM, TD, WG, PC
Mr. Rick DiPietro 995-8086
AV, BT, CA, ET
Ms. Sandy Jenkins 995-8082
CO, DA, DM, GA
Ms. Kim Taylor 995-8169
BM, MA, NT, ST
Mr. Mark Wells 995-8087
AB, AC, AT, CY, IT, PL
Delcastle School App
Delcastle has a school app that enables parents, students, alumni, faculty, and staff to quickly access all of the who, what, when, and where for Delcastle Technical High School. The Delcastle Technical High School app by SchoolInfoApp is free and can be found in the Apple App Store℠ and Google Play by searching for “Delcastle Technical High School.” With it, you can:
• Opt-in to receive push notifications
• Keep up with the latest news and information
• View calendars for general events, athletics, clubs, and school organizations
• Add events & calendars to your device calendar or share calendars
• View a map of event locations & get directions to off-campus events
• Find faculty and staff contact info
• Get important documents & other media
• Access quick links to school menus, online
• Have a virtual assignment book for students and more
Please download the Delcastle Technical High School App today and stay in the loop!