View Calendar
Submit new Event
Meet The Team
Advertise with Us!
Subscribe
Subscribe
Image
  • Government
  • Culture
  • Business
  • Education
  • Health
  • Police & Fire
  • Sports
  • Weekly Review
ImageImage
DIAA Football Reclassification

Delaware Live high school football realignment podcast

Nick Halliday February 18, 2021 Headlines, Sports

RELATED STORIES:

Wilm. Charter senior 1 of 10 in U.S. picked for leader program 09/28/2023
Recruiting season here as private schools hold open houses09/27/2023
Smyrna Eagles stun Delmar 3-2, ending Wildcats' 120-win game streak09/27/2023
Nick Halliday
Nick Halliday

Share this Post

302sportsapproveddelawareDIAAdiscussesfootballhighlivepodcastrealignmentschoolsportsTeam

You may have missed

  • A school centered around service: Wilmington Friends feeds the hungry
    a group of people preparing food in a restaurant

    Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Dining Room. Each month, staff, students and faculty at Wilmington Friends School work together to provide hundreds of meals for Wilmington’s Emmanual Dining Room.  Emmanuel Dining Room, a Ministry of Caring program which operates three locations in New Castle County, provides daily meals to the poor, homeless and unemployed. The nonprofit Ministry of Caring relies on volunteers to fulfill its mission — most of whom come from church groups.  Wilmington Friends School’s Home & School Association has been actively engaged in feeding and serving those in need for 14 years.  Anne Martelli, whose children were students at Wilmington Friends, began the school’s relationship with Emmanuel Dining Room after her mother volunteered through her church every month for years.  “I didn’t belong to a church or synagogue or anything and yet I still felt like I wanted to help give,” Martelli said. “We started, once a month, contributing food to Emmanuel Dining Room and sending servers. That was 14 years ago and we’ve been going ever since.” Former Wilmington Friends student Teddy Devoll and friend prepare food for the Emmanuel Dining Room. Throughout that time, due to its convenient location, Martelli’s house has become a distribution center of sorts.  Each month, volunteers from the school’s Home & School Association, which is similar to a parent-teacher organization, prepare between 140 and 160 meals and drop them off at Martelli’s house where they are then sent off to Emmanuel Dining Room.  She said that although her children are no longer students at Wilmington Friends, she still feels like a part of the school’s community — one she says she’s happy to help. David Tuttleman, a Wilmington Friends parent and businessman, is the current project coordinator for the Home & School Association’s volunteer work with the Emmanuel Dining Room.  Tuttleman, who previously owned the renowned nightclub and bar Kahunaville on the Riverfront in Wilmington, says his experience in the restaurant and hospitality business inspires his passion to help the nonprofit.  “I always felt that selling food was great,” he said. “But giving food away is much better for the soul.”  When he and his wife, Kristine, were presented with the opportunity to coordinate the school’s volunteer efforts, they “knew in a second” that it was something they wanted to do.  The husband and wife duo — known to volunteers as “Team Tuttleman,” recruits helpers through an online service called SignUpGenius. Team Tuttleman simply inputs the date of the meal and the courses that need to be prepared. Then, parents sign up for the item they want to donate.  One week before the meal, parents pick up the serving trays at a convenient location. Then the countdown begins.  One week later, they return the serving trays — this time full of food — to Martelli’s house where Team Tuttleman picks them up and delivers them to Emmanuel Dining Room. It’s that clearly defined process that allowed the Home & School Association to continue serving despite the challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced Emmanuel Dining Room to change the way it operates. Instead of serving those in need in a restaurant format, the nonprofit had to begin individually packaging to-go lunches.  “In 2020, the impact of COVID-19 was devastating, forcing the dining room to quickly adapt and adjust to a new norm,” wrote Emmanual Dining Room program director ReeNee LaFate to Team Tuttleman in a May 2021 letter. “Because of your caring, time, willingness and amazing support, Emmanuel Dining Room continued to serve and feed — without interruption—the many men, women, and children who came to our doors hungry.” Despite the challenges of the pandemic and with the help of volunteers from Wilmington Friends and elsewhere, the Emmanuel Dining Room served over 151,000 meals in 2020.  Former Wilmington Friends student Teddy Devoll and friend prepare food for the Emmanuel Dining Room. Tuttleman believes the school’s volunteer efforts can still be taken to the next level.  “We can do even more for the Emmanuel Dining Room,” he said. “We serve one meal, one day a month. It doesn’t sound like a lot but it’s a great effort and they’re really happy that we’re consistent on our work.” Tuttleman said one way they could step up their efforts is by providing a second meal every month — perhaps at another one of Emmanuel Dining Room’s locations.  Another move Tuttleman is interested in exploring is leveraging his relationships in the restaurant industry to secure corporate sponsors for Emmanuel Dining Room.  “I’m not talking about a can drive,” he said. “I’m talking about, you know, truckloads of green beans.” And although the mission of the Emmanuel Dining Room is to serve others, Tuttleman has something in store to give the staff and volunteers.  “Let’s bring some of the some of the people from Emmanuel Dining Room and treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve and bring them to a party, sponsored privately by myself and let’s just celebrate the fact that we’ve come together as a community.” The party would draw folks with the skills and resources necessary to address the needs of the Emmanuel Dining Room, all while celebrating the selfless work that the staff and volunteers do on a daily basis.  Margaretta Kroeger, constituent resources coordinator at Wilmington Friends, said that service is a core component of the Wilmington Friends mission. “It’s really at the heart of our community,” she said. “And so that’s something that we try to instill from our youngest students to our seniors, to parents and alumni.”

    ...
    Read More
  • Carney leery of reopening as COVID cases rise slightly; lots more J&J vaccine on way
    Dr. Karyl Rattay talks about opening vaccine registration For those over the age of 50

    The state opens vaccine registry to those 50-plus and official says it’s most efficient way to get vaccine

    ...
    Read More
  • State to change way nonprofits seek community redevelopment cash
    a man standing in front of a building

    Among those receiving money from the state’s Community Redevelopment Fund this year are the Delaware Agricultural Museum, Brandywine Valley SPCA, Nanticoke Indian Museum and FAME Inc.’s STEM training lab.   The Delaware Office of the Controller General is developing a standardized application for non-profits to request state grants from the 2023 Bond Bill’s Community Redevelopment Fund. It will change the customary way those requests have been made. Now, those seeking one-time money for construction or renovation send requests to state senators and representatives. Lawmakers then send endorsements of requests to the Bond Bill Committee and the Controller General’s office. A standardized process handled through the Controller General’s office could be a win for those who favor more transparency in government.  The move could make the applications findable through a Freedom of Information Act request. They aren’t now because they often come through legislator emails, which are exempt from FOIA. The plan for an application was included in the 2022 Bond Bill, now in effect. In epilogue section 32, it said any awards for fiscal year 2023 will include an application process approved by the co-chairs of the Bond Bill Committee. Over the next few months, the Controller General’s staff will be working with the Bond Bill committee co-chairs Sen. Nicole Poore, D-Bear, and vice chair Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Bellefonte, to develop the process. Tens of millions of dollars are involved. The FY 2022 redevelopment fund broke a record with more than $70 million in non-profit allocations, in part propped up by federal COVID relief and a budget surplus of more than $1 billion. Despite allocating more money than ever before, lawmakers approved the 2022 allocations without seeing the list of organizations that would receive funding. It eventually was released, although line items included scant details about how the money would be used.  Tower Hill’s Abessinio Stadium in Wilmington, for example, received $2 million in taxpayer dollars. The description read, “Construction costs.” Harrington Senior Center received $1.5 million. The description read, “Capital improvements/equipment.” The Delaware Zoological Society received $310,000. The description read, “Brandywine Zoo.” First State BMX received $250,000. The description read, “Capital improvements.”  The majority of allocations on the list included one-line descriptions of projects worth tens of thousands to multiple millions of taxpayer dollars. Many descriptions were in the two to three word range. “It’s long past the time when the public is kept in the dark,” said John Flaherty, a member of the board of directors of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government. “Here you have $70 million of taxpayer dollars and taxpayers deserve to know specifically where their money is going.” Flaherty believes that the state government should reveal all information relating to community redevelopment fund allocations. “Why not release all the information?” Flaherty asked. “What is the big deal about knowing that the Boys and Girls Club, for example, is getting some money to fix up their building? I think a lot of people, particularly those who go to the Boys and Girls Club, would be appreciative of that. But to hide it makes no sense at all.” The Community Redevelopment Fund was signed into law by Gov. Tom Carper in 1995. Throughout the history of the fund, the application process has varied from formal applications to requests emailed to legislators. Brenda Wise, director of policy and communications for the Office of Management and Budget, said it has worked with the Office of the Controller General to update the application process for the Community Redevelopment Fund.  “The CGO will be responsible for dispersing the funds to individual organizations,” Wise said in an email. “OMB will be copied on award notices which will allow us to track.” A standardized application form has been used as recently as 2014, but at some point individual legislators began facilitating the request process. That has allowed them to garner credit when funding is approved for organizations in their districts, according to Flaherty. “They take credit for anything that’s going to benefit them and they run for the hills if there’s some kind of negative thing going on,” Flaherty said.  The application process has “been a mixed bag,” said Controller General Ruth Ann Jones. “The Community Redevelopment Fund that was established in the late 90s was only for nonprofits or municipal organizations and they submitted an application or they submitted a funding request to their legislators, so I think it was, sort of both.” Now, Jones plans to introduce some more structure to the application process. “There will be a more formal application that anyone who wants to request funding will need to fill in and that will be under the purview of the Controller General’s office,” Jones said. “We are in the process right now of developing that formal application, but it’s definitely not a new thing. This fund used to exist in the late 90s and in the early 2000s with a very similar process.” Grants from the Community Redevelopment Fund are designed to match funds provided by other non-state sources, according to an instructional packet on the Office of Management and Budget’s website. Community-based nonprofit organizations and county and local governments can receive state grants to cover up to 40 percent match of project costs. The applicant must supply 60 percent of the total project costs from non-state sources. State agencies, institutions of higher education, public libraries, churches, for-profit organizations and private schools are not eligible for funds from the Community Redevelopment Fund. Bond bill funds are only permitted to be used for capital improvements. Examples include acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of community buildings; acquisition or installation of apparatus or equipment permanently attached to a building, such as security cameras; acquisition of land; construction of sidewalks; and construction of sewers or water mains needed to connect buildings to publicly owned sewer systems or water systems. Organizations requesting funds are required to have been operating for at least two years prior to applying and proof of non-profit status must be provided.  During debate on this year’s bond bill, […]

    ...
    Read More
  • Christina delays Collaborative vote; DSU wants in 
    Christina School District Wilmington Learning Collaborative DSU

    Christina School District board on Tuesday night once more voted to delay a decision on whether or not to join the Wilmington Learning Collaborative.  There was little discussion, but a Delaware State University official did ask the board to include DSU as part of the collaborative. Rouser, who is DSU’s chair of education, gave a presentation to the board that explained why the institution should have a seat at the table.  “We would foster support for the high quality materials that you’ve adopted, and help teachers use them well,” Rouser said. “We would help them then make those resources custom and individualized for the children that they are serving.” Up to now, including universities in draft agreements or management plans has not been mentioned, partly because the collaborative has wanted to make the program a grounds-up, local-control force. However, according to Holodick, the University of Delaware has also expressed interest in joining the collaborative in some fashion.  On top of the higher-ed institutions looking to involve themselves, Holodick said a number of community-based, faith-based organizations and state business community partners have expressed a real desire to be part of the Wilmington Learning Collaborative. “I can’t help but think that whether it is through the direct support utilizing personnel, whether it’s through leadership coaching, whether it is through additional wraparound services, or after-school and extended day programming that a number of these organizations can bring to the table,” he said, “they are excited and so am I.” Rouser said DSU would invest in professional development to help teachers be able to effectively instruct their students to improve test scores and achievement.  “When you foster teacher leadership and help build that up, you’re again addressing those systems and creating some longevity for years to come,” she said. She cited that DSU is a global institute and they have plenty of assets to help Wilmington students.  “You are contemplating whether or not the Wilmington Learning Collaborative is the best thing for you, but know that when I come to you right now talking about DSU involvement, and working alongside you, we think about this as being a convener and collaborating with other entities,” she said.  Related: Ed. officials field community’s Learning Collaborative questions She said DSU could help them partner with other institutions of higher education to create a synergy in Delaware that would help improve outcomes for inner-city students.  A lot of the college’s students come from inner-city schools in Washington D.C, Philadelphia and New York, Rouser said, and many of them would love to contribute in the effort to improve Wilmington education.  “Delaware State University recently was awarded a $31 million grant for an early childhood Innovation Center,” she said, “and there’s opportunities there for collaboration so that we can pay attention, not just to K-12, but supporting the surrounding centers in the area that are feeding into Christina’s schools.” Rouser said there should be variety in curricula within the collaborative’s schools in order to meet the specific needs of each school’s students.  Board President Keeley Powell thanked her for her presentation, and said that the main challenge in education, especially at an elementary and middle school level, is thinking differently and having families embrace change that’s necessary to help their children succeed.  Board member Donald Patton was also on board for the DSU partnership.  “We all have that same lens and expectation and I  thank you for the work that you do,” he said.”I hope we can partner up through the Wilmington Learning Collaborative.” Christina’s next board meeting is Sept. 13, and Collaborative officials hope to have a vote from Christina, Red Clay, and Brandywine by the end of that month.     

    ...
    Read More
  • Mask change doesn’t pass during Monday’s emergency DIAA meeting

    The motion’s failure means high school sports teams will continue to mask up for spring season.

    ...
    Read More
  • Government |
  • Culture |
  • Business |
  • Education |
  • Health |
  • Police & Fire |
  • Sports |
  • Weekly Review |
Image

Follow Town Square Live

Copyright © 2023 Townsquare Live
Founded in 2011

Copyright © 2022 Town Square Live
  • Government |
  • Culture |
  • Business |
  • Education |
  • Health |
  • Police & Fire |
  • Sports |
  • Weekly Review |
Image

    • Government
    • Culture
    • Business
    • Education
    • Health
    • Police & Fire
    • Sports
    • Weekly Review

    • FEEDBACK