Parents should begin starting to get their children into back-to-school routines.

Tips for parents to get children ready to return to school 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Most of the 19 school districts in the First State kick off their academic year the week of August 28, and there’s several ways families can ensure their children have a smooth transition back to the classroom. “Parents should slowly start to wean their kids back to go to bed earlier so they wake up early,” said Bridget Amory, superintendent …

Teacher absenteeism is affecting different districts in unique ways.

Teacher absenteeism calls for staff flexibility, strategies

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A human resources director for the largest school district in Sussex County shocked a House Education Committee hearing in April when she told them about 300 of its 1,000 educators are off on any given school day. About 800 of those educators are teachers, and their absenteeism rains down problems for the district, said Celeste Bunting, director of human resources …

Ashley Lockwood and her students, joined by Sen. Tom Carper.

Meet Ashley Lockwood, Delaware’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware’s teacher of the year didn’t set out to be an educator. Ashley Lockwood chose to earn a bachelor of arts in sociology from the University of Delaware in 2010. She planned to focus on how children interact with each other and develop. After graduation, she returned home to Seaford without a job and was trying to decide what her …

The state's equalization formula has been frozen since 2009.

State grapples over freeze on equalization formula

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware’s Equalization Committee has agreed to not make any decisions on whether to freeze or change the state’s equalization formula, which affects school funding, until next year. The purpose of the equalization formula is to allocate state resources to districts inversely based on their ability to raise revenues through their local property tax base.  “It’s to try to help those …

Milford’s Ashley Lockwood has been named Delaware's 2023 teacher of year.

Milford’s Ashley Lockwood named 2023 teacher of year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Ashley Lockwood, a fifth-grade teacher at Lulu Ross Elementary in Milford School District, has been named the 2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year.   “Teaching children has been one of the greatest blessings and gifts that God has ever given me, and for that, I will be forever grateful,” Lockwood said during the award ceremony Tuesday night. “Thank you to my …

element5 digital OyCl7Y4y0Bk unsplash 1 3

Meet school board candidates in 6 upcoming virtual forums

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Upcoming school board forums will allow community members to meet, question school board candidates. Photo by Element5 Digital.   Meet the candidates in 6 upcoming school board forums Delaware school board election forums kick off tomorrow, with six being held during the next two weeks so community members can meet their district’s candidates and hear their thoughts. With only 10% …

map

Monday snow expected to hit downstate harder than up

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

In what might be 2022’s first understatement, the National Weather Service announced Sunday morning there had been “a large change” in the forecast overnight. According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm on Monday is expected to drop 1 to 2 inches of snow in upper New Castle County, 3 to 4 inches from Bear to Smyrna, 4 to …

The UK variant of COVID-19 found in three people this month is one of many variants being tracked in the U.S.

State to mandate masks in all schools, state facilities; more rules to come

Charles MegginsonEducation, Headlines, Health

Delaware will require all school teachers, students and staff to wear masks indoors, even for sports.     Gov. John Carney said Tuesday that masks must be worn in all public, private and parochial schools, as well as childcare homes and centers for those over the age of 2.. Carney also said state employees and visitors to state facilities must …