CSD Staff Update: October 2023
Welcome to October Colonials!
Happy Fall Y'all!
- The CSD Communications Department
Dates to know
- October 10th - School Board Meeting
- October 11th - School Choice Information Night
- October 12th - Penn Farm Day for 8th graders
- October 13th- Professional Development Day w/ STATE options
- October 16th - Staff Appreciation Day - Administrators/Principals/Assistant Principals - BOSS Day
- October 18th - Staff Appreciation Day - Transportation Staff
- October 25th - WP Showcase, College Night
WE got Jokes
- Q: Who helps the little pumpkins cross the road to school?
A: The Crossing Gourd.
WEekly Words of Wisdom
“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
―Abraham Lincoln
Calling ALL Colonial Teachers and Paraprofessionals!
- Mark your calendars and save the date for our first Affinity Space/Group* sessions taking place on October 17, 2023! The initial meetings will be in person at McCullough (3:15pm) and Pleasantville (4:15pm) with subsequent meetings held via zoom at the same times. Be sure to register in advance through DSC. Click here to view the workshop numbers. Light refreshments will be provided! Don’t delay, sign up today 😊! *Affinity Spaces/Groups are groups of people sharing a common race to gather with the intention of finding connection, support, and inspiration.
Staff Appreciation Days
- Technology - September 19
- Custodial/Maintenance - October 2
- Administrators/Principals/ Assistant Principals, 12 month specialists, Constables, Supervisors - October 16
- Transportation Staff - October 18
- Administrative Assistants - April 24
- Educators: Teachers (ALL those on a Teacher Contract) and Paraeducators - May 7
- Nutrition Services - May 2
UPDATED HR HANDBOOK
The Human Resources Department has updated the handbook containing information for all employees to refer to when questions arise around the following topics:
Applying to Postings
Criminal Background Checks
Employee Termination
Substance Abuse by Employees
Employee Conduct
Employee Attendance
Leaves of Absence
Donated Leave
Paid Parental Leave
Teacher Tenure
Civility in the Workplace
Smoking on District Property
Alternate Work Location
EPER
Should you still have questions after reading through the specific material, please reach out to your building administration, supervisor, or the human resources division.
Curriculum and Instruction
MATH PreK-12: Save the date for our district wide Math Family Game Night - Nov 29th, 6:00-7:30pm at WPHS!
Math - Elementary Math Mingles
Northern location is New Castle Elementary DSC# 113582
Southern location is Southern Elementary DSC# 113583
ELA: Want to earn extra money while taking PD?
In Colonial, we are all a PART of a PLC-Professional Learning Community. The group that problem solves together.
Who’s they? Were you talking about a whole class, small group, individual?
What was the learning you were looking for?
Is there a rubric to clarify the outcome expected?
What are the different ways students can express learning?
Can students transfer the learning in a new situation?
Our math coaching team is offering PD sessions for your staff - “Elementary Math Mingles” to better support new hires and really everyone! (Note: New hires can use these sessions as part of their mentoring requirements).
They will generally be the first Wednesday of each month and offered at a northern and southern location from 4:30-6:00pm.
Dates: Nov 1st, Dec 6th, Jan 10th, Feb 7th, March 6th, April 10th, May 1st. (participants do not have to attend them all)
Description: Come and join us for a monthly opportunity to engage with the elementary math community! These evenings will include doing some math together, sharing of management tips and strategies, reflecting and checking in on teacher wellness. We will also have grade band breakouts that will use a math workshop model to do math routines, play fluency games and time to deepen our content understanding.
DOE is excited to announce that the full complement of 29 Delaware Early Literacy Micro-credentials is open for registration! The Micro-credentials are part of the Delaware Literacy Plan and are aligned to the science of reading.
Micro-credentials are professional learning opportunities that are personalized, job-embedded, learner-driven, competency-based, and on-demand. Educators earn micro-credentials by submitting evidence of implementation that are reviewed by trained evaluators.
Educators who participate in the Delaware Early Literacy Micro-credentials will earn 10 re-licensure hours and a $175 stipend per successfully completed micro-credential.
For more information and to engage in this professional learning opportunity please see this flyer and visit Digital DE.
This month, how many of you asked the question: “how will we know if they learned it?” Let’s break it down.
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Do you know an amazing Gr K-6 Math or Science teacher? Nominate him/her for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. It is a wonderful award that provides great experiences for the finalists and state winners. It opens doors to future opportunities.
Colonial just recently had science winners (Corey Butterfield from GR and Mike Doody from WP)!
Here are the eligibility requirements:
teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science as part of their contracted teaching responsibilities at the K-6 grade level in a public (including charter) or private school;
hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;
be full-time employees of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, with responsibilities for teaching students no less than 50% of the school's allotted instructional time;
have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12 teacher prior to the 2023-2024 academic school year during which science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science has been a part of the applicant's teaching duties ;
teach in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands);
be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; and
not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.
Nominate someone today!!! Let’s make sure Colonial has the next PAEMST Awardee!
Retirement
If you are planning to retire within the next 2 years, please attend the Pre-Retirement Planning Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 4 pm. Employees can register for this workshop on DSC on 107732. Be sure to have your Annual Pension Statement available for this meeting. If you need assistance accessing this information, please contact Darcel Porter, HR Secretary at Darcel.Porter@colonial.k12.de.us. Register for this workshop prior to October 9, 2023, the HR team will conduct preliminary research for each participant prior to the workshop.
Deldra Gregory-Colvin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Pre-Retirement Meeting scheduled for 4 pm
Time: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 4 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://colonial-k12-de-us.zoom.us/j/93580601253?pwd=ZVliL0lPOHNCNy9MT0x5d0ptVndKQT09
Meeting ID: 935 8060 1253
Passcode: 239138
Please remember that employees should provide at least 4 months’ notice. Due to changes in Federal Guidelines, employees/spouses who are 65 or older, are strongly encouraged to provide 6 months’ notice.
Equity ERA: Engage-Reflect-Act
Engage: Check out this resource: Learning for Justice Digital Magazine
Reflect: Which article resonated most with you and why?
- Act: What small change to your instruction will impact your students the most?
Transportation Update
CSD is now offering the “Where’s the Bus” app to provide parents and students with timely information about the location of your child’s bus. Using GPS technology, this app will show you and your child how many more miles your bus is from the bus stop.
Learn more at https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/parents-students/wheres-the-bus/
Technology Update - From the TechCSD team
We are excited to announce a significant change in our technology support procedures that will streamline and enhance the experience for all staff members.
In the past, users had to navigate between two different locations when requesting technology support – a process that sometimes led to confusion and delays. This year, we are pleased to inform you that our IT and Educational Technology teams have collaborated to create a more efficient and unified system.
Starting this school year, all technology support requests will be channeled through a single, centralized location – our IT Staff Ticket. This approach aims to simplify the process and ensure that your staff receives the assistance they need promptly and effectively.
To initiate a technology support request, staff members should follow the steps detailed in this support document. This resource has been designed to guide them through the new procedure step by step, making the transition as smooth as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation and support. We look forward to a successful year of collaboration and supporting your work with Colonial students and families.
Thank you for your cooperation and support. We look forward to a successful year of collaboration and supporting your work with Colonial students and families.
Nutrition Updates
“Level Up with School Lunch!” National School Lunch Week is a week-long celebration held October 9th – October 12th. Students can enjoy new and delicious entrée items in our decorated school cafes to celebrate National School Lunch Week! This week is a great opportunity to highlight the positive impact providing nutritious school lunches has on our students.
October is Farm to School Month! Celebrate with us in the Colonial Cafes by tasting fresh, local produce from Penn Farm and Fifer Orchards on Tasting Tuesday’s! Menu items include roasted summer squash & zucchini, fresh apples, roasted winter squash, and apple cider. WE are so grateful to be able to incorporate fresh and local produce into school meals because it supports our local community while allowing us to provide our students with nutritious meals and education!
All enrolled K-12 and full day PK students are eligible to receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost.
Families of William Penn students only are asked to complete a meal benefit form online at www.schoolcafe.com. Paper copies are also available in the school and district office. This form is being used for data collection to continue providing meals at no cost to William Penn students. The results of these applications will not prevent any student from receiving breakfast and lunch meals at no cost.
Staff may create a lunch account on schoolcafe.com or use cash to purchase meals or snacks.
For more information about school meals and programs offered by the Nutrition Services Department, please visit: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=2703121500268035