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EastSide students met with crowd of cheers for 1st day

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

One of the songs blasting on the speakers to bring the energy to EastSide Charter Schoolā€™s students as they embark on their first day of school Tuesday was ā€œI Canā€ by musical legend Nas. Widely-considered one of the best lyricists of all time, Nas wrote the chorus: ā€œI know I can (I know I can), Be what I wanna be …

Among other topics, the task force talked about the importance of engagement in Monday's meeting. (Photo by Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

School climate group stresses engagement, funding

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

As Delaware students head back to school, a state task force dedicated to keeping their environment positive had a major focus on family engagement and funding. The 24-member Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force, made of government and educational officials as well as school behavioral specialists and resource officers, first heard a presentation from Kendall Massett, executive director of …

The Bryan Allen Stevenson School Of Excellence celebrated its opening Thursday. (Photo from Denise Snyder/Facebook)

Bryan Allen Stevenson School, third charter in Sussex, opens

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The stateā€™s 24th charter school celebrated the upcoming Sept. 3 with a ceremony Thursday morning. The Bryan Allen Stevenson School Of Excellence (BASSE) is located in Sussex Countyā€™s Georgetown, and after delaying its opening for a year due to low enrollment, the school is all set to operate for the 2024-2025 school year. RELATED: Bryan Allen Stevenson charter wins state …

The board chair of Newark Charter joined a few other charter leaders to voice their support for Senate Bill 311.

Charter leaders happy with flexibility new legislation could giveĀ 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Several leaders from charter schools spoke at the stateā€™s legislative hall in support of a bill that allows them flexibility in hiring. Senate Bill 311, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark, provides the ability for charter schools to hire the administrators that they deem beneficial to the success of the schoolā€™s education program and the needs of …

The state's graduation rate is more than double the proficiency rates.

How is state grad. rate 88% with 31% math proficiency, 41% ELA?

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Although just 31% of students in Delaware are proficient in math and 41% are proficient in English language arts, the graduation rate in First State high schools is 88%.Ā  ā€œWhile Delaware’s graduation rate is encouraging, understanding achievement requires a deeper look at student growth throughout their K-12 experience,ā€ said Julia Keleher, chief strategy and operating officer for First State Educate, …

Shannon Gronau and her students. (All photos courtesy of the Delaware Department of Education)

Get to know Milfordā€™s Shannon Gronau, Behavioral Pro of the Year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Shannon Gronau from the Milford School District believes the movement behind mental health after the pandemic has shifted the paradigm of society and of public education. The counselor at Mispillion Elementary School was recently named 2024 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year, an award honoring outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers …

The Bryan Allen Stevenson School Of Excellence will open this fall for the 2024-2025 school year.

New Sussex charter school boosts enrollment, set to open this fall

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

From delaying opening for a year to having to create a waitlist, itā€™s fair to say that thereā€™s a lot of excitement for the stateā€™s newest and 24th charter school: the Bryan Allen Stevenson School Of Excellence (BASSE). The charter, originally scheduled to open its doors in fall 2023, will be opening fall of this year, school officials confirm. RELATED: …

Stephanie Sherman, 2025 Delaware Charter Schools Teacher of the Year, and her family.

Meet Stephanie Sherman, ā€˜25 charter teacher of year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The 2025 Teacher of the Year for Delaware charter schools says the love she has for the subject she teaches sparks the energy she brings to the classroom every day.Ā  ā€œIf it wasn’t fun for me, I would find a different job,ā€ said Stephanie Sherman, a science teacher at Sussex Academy. ā€œI always tell them, it’s not always going to …

While most think the financial responsibility training is a good requirement, some believe it doesn't go far enough.

Many happy with mandatory school board finance training bill

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

School board members, who are in large part responsible for the spending decisions of millions of dollars from school districts, could soon be required to undergo financial training. House Bill 312, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and chair of the House Education Committee, which requires school board members to undergo training in financial responsibility.Ā  Legislators in the Senate Education …

Delaware families are in the process of hearing back if they were accepted into their school of choice or if they were put on a waitlist.

What happens if youā€™re waitlisted from school of choice?

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

After wading through the process of school choice, Erin Exelby found herself woken up in the middle of the night worrying what would happen if her children were waitlisted from their top selections. School districts sent parents and children emails about a month ago saying whether they were accepted, denied or waitlisted for their preferred schools. Waitlisting essentially means that …