Joshua Sheppard raised more than $9,000 for Saint Mark's Sean's Room.

8th grader raises $9k for Saint Mark’s mental health room 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Health

An eighth-grader from Holy Angels School donated more than $9,000 to Saint Mark’s High School to support a lounge dedicated to mental health support. Over the course of eight months, Joshua Sheppard raised the money to donate to Sean’s Room, an extension of Sean’s House, a mental health center in Newark that serves 14- to 22-year-olds.  The room was opened …

Delaware students are heading back to school.

Back to school: teacher raises, mental health help, funding

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

As First State public schools reopen next week, most students won’t see much difference in the day-to-day workings of the classroom. But there’s a lot going on in the background. Many districts will be adopting new science and math curriculums designed to help counter the state’s dismal test scores – and continue the battle against COVID-19 learning loss. More mental …

This year's General Assembly had about 60 pieces of legislation relating to education.

Ed leaders detail what they consider legislation highlights

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With the 2023 General Assembly session ending in June, educational advocates are cheering the legislature’s action on early education, mental health support and transparency relating to school boards. One leader, though, would like to see bills that focus on letting parents know clearly and precisely what’s happening in the classroom, starting with easy to find proficiency ratings. About 60 bills …

Dana Carey and a few of her students.

Meet counselor Dana Carey, Del. behavioral pro of the year

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Lake Forest School District’s Dana Carey, Delaware’s behavioral health professional of the year, almost turned down the job for which she won the state award.  “Once I started teaching, I loved it so much, I actually passed up on a couple opportunities to take a school counseling job,” Carey said. “Even though that was my passion and what I really …

Caesar Rodney's David E. Robinson Elementary School, located in Magnolia. (Caesar Rodney Facebook)

Caesar Rodney’s strategic plan focuses on mental health

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Caesar Rodney School District new five-year strategic plan will focus heavily on social and emotional learning. “Meeting the needs of the child, especially around social, emotional and behavioral health was the number one item that was brought up on our students surveys, parents surveys, community surveys, teacher surveys, our talks with the Department of Education, steering committee, really across the …