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First State Educate launches free training program for school board members

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A new statewide initiative is aiming to bolster school board leadership across Delaware by equipping newly elected members with free, practical training and support from day one. First State Educate (FSE), a nonprofit education advocacy organization, officially launched Board First 2025, a no-cost, comprehensive training program tailored for Delaware’s school board members. The initiative is designed to strengthen governance in …

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TOMORROW: Be sure to vote in 2025 school board elections

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

It’s that time of year again, and with voter turnout historically bad – sub 10% – education experts urge the public to participate in Tuesday’s school board elections. “Tomorrow’s school board elections are a powerful opportunity for Delawareans to shape the future of public education,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “The leaders we choose will guide …

Siara Husain is the 2025 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee champion. (Photo courtesy of First State Educate)

Siara Husain wins 2025 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee, heads to national competition

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

C-O-D-S-W-A-L-L-O-P. Siara Husain from Newark’s Islamic Academy won the 2025 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee over the weekend, securing her victory with the word “codswallop,” which essentially means nonsense of foolishness. More than 50 talented spellers from across Delaware for the event, hosted by First State Educate. With more than 200 attendees, the event was a vibrant celebration of education and …

This year's Do More 24 broke the record for most funds raised ever during the 24-hour annual event.

Do More 24 raises over $2.5M for nonprofits, breaks record

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Culture

Do More 24 Delaware, the state’s largest day of giving, has set a new record with the most successful fundraising day ever. The 24-hours of donations, from 6 p.m. this past Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday, raised $2,542,719 for the First State’s nonprofit community, more than last year’s sum of $2,320,770 More than 22,000 donors participated, also the highest number …

There's a little more than three weeks left to file to run in the 2025 school board elections.

REMINDER: 4:30 p.m. deadline Friday to file to run in 2025 school board elections

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

First Staters hoping to get involved and make an impact in their community schools have until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, to file candidacy in the May 13 school board elections. Criteria for running for a school board seat includes: Be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Delaware and the school district they seek to represent. Be at …

The First State ranks near last in the nation in its recovery from pandemic-caused learning loss. (Photo by bestyy38105321/Vecteezy)

Del. bottom 4 state in recovery from pandemic learning loss

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware recovered from learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic at one of the worst rates in the entire country. A new report from the Education Recovery Scorecard, compiled by researchers from Harvard and Stanford universities, sheds light on how students in Delaware and across the nation are faring in their recovery from the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic. …

Cindy Marten has been selected to be the next Delaware Secretary of Education.

Cindy Marten named new Delaware Secretary of Education

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The state of Delaware has a new secretary of education, and she’s been plucked from her role as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Cindy Marten will replace current secretary Mark Holodick, leaving an agency that President-Elect Donald Trump has sworn to close. “I am honored to join Governor-elect Meyer’s team and help lead Delaware’s public schools into a …

TSD Review Oct 24

TownSquareLIVE Weekly Review – October 24, 2024

Sonja FreyTown Square Live, Weekly Review

This Week’s Top Stories Include Saint Francis Hospital’s Healthy Village creates nationwide social-services healthcare model Brandywine Museum of Art unveils major courtyard renovation Barclays lays off two dozen Wilmington employees DSU strengthens mentoring relationship with Disney Salesianum overwhelms Caravel in 6-1 soccer victory Tower Hill finally overcomes Concord defense in 3-0 victory Click on the image below to view the …

Julia Kelleher First State Educate

First State Educate embraces broader Del. schools mission

Betsy PriceEducation, Headlines

During the first three years that nonprofit First State Educate has been at work in Delaware, it focused on finding school board candidates and supporting them in campaigns as a means to improve state education. While it remains the only state nonprofit to focus on building the capacity of school boards, the agency has begun to branch out. Now it: …