Appo will buy metal/weapon detectors for all 3 of its high schools. (Photo from Evolv)

Appo to lease weapon detectors amid schools’ focus on safety

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

Appoquinimink School District’s vote this week to install weapon detectors is the latest move by Delaware schools to combat violence and the presence of guns. It’s an issue that’s plagued schools since fall, with the latest incident occurring Wednesday when a Sussex Central High School student was found with a firearm on school property.  The student was taken into custody …

The Wilmington Learning Collaborative hopes to get more candidates for its executive director position. (Unsplash)

Learning Collab extends director application indefinitely

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

With only seven applicants for executive director, the Wilmington Learning Collaborative council voted Thursday to extend the application deadline indefinitely. It was to have ended by March 23, with the post being filled by June 1.  The council also discussed whether to alert the current applicants that the deadline was being extended, whether to post the job ad in Ed …

newark police school threat.

Delaware State Police investigating anonymous threats to schools

Betsy Price Government, Headlines

  Delaware police and schools apparently are among the targets of nationwide calls of false active shooters at the schools. Delaware State Police issued a statement later in the afternoon that said the calls have been determined to be a hoax and a form of “swatting.” Swatting occurs when a prank call is made to emergency services in an attempt …

Wilmington Learning Collaborative officials voted on a salary range for the executive director. (Unsplash)

Learning Collab talks budget, executor director salary

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

Wilmington Learning Collaborative officials grappled over budget plans and filled two vacant council positions Thursday night in their second meeting since forming. Shanika Perry, a Brandywine school board member on the governing council, was appointed by Gov. John Carney to serve as the chair of the collaborative, which is dedicated to helping the city’s elementary and middle school children learn …

Mark Holodick said he anticipates the second round of testing for lead in school water will be completed near the end of April. (Unsplash)

DOE owns lead testing blunder, expects new results by May

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

A Senate committee hearing Tuesday heard the state Secretary of Education apologize about the way lead testing in schools was handled and that trained pros will handle testing instead of school staff. Through a federal grant, the Department of Education began a sampling initiative in October, 2020 to identify the levels of lead within drinking water at schools. “While well-intentioned, …

The three women appointed as parent representatives to the Wilmington Learning Collaborative Council bring definite ideas to the table.

Meet the Learning Collab’s 3 parent representatives

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

The Wilmington Learning Collaborative’s three parent representatives share a passion and background for social work and educational advocacy. They have similar goals they want to address as  members of the council that will guide the new organization. Those areas include mental health services, teacher support and transparency. Appointed by their school district boards, Red Clay’s Jennie Yeow, Christina’s Shanette Graham …

The Learning Collab will have its first public meeting since its creation Friday, and will fill out it's board by Feb. (Unsplash)

Learning Collab to hold first public meeting Friday

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

The Wilmington Learning Collaborative will hold its first public meeting Friday, and the board is expected to be filled with its final three positions – all student representatives – by February. The final parent representative to the collab’s governing council was named Tuesday night by the Christina School District. Shanette Graham, a parent of a student at Stubbs Early Education …

School choice applications for Delaware's public schools close next Wednesday, Jan. 11.

School choice applications close Jan. 11

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

Delaware’s school choice application period is closing Wednesday, Jan. 11. That means families who want to send their children to a school outside of their regular feeder pattern for the 2023-24 school year only have a few days left to submit their paperwork. The good news: It’s mostly online.  The First State is one of 13 in the country in …

A.I. DU PONT HIGH SCHOOL.

2022 Rewind: As A.I. du Pont High enrollment dropped, so did test scores

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

This story was originally published Dec. 1, 2022. As enrollment declined at A.I. du Pont High School starting in 2008, the percentage of minority students and English Language Learners rose dramatically while test scores dropped steadily. That year, the school enrolled 1,492 students. Today, just 680 students are enrolled at A.I. In 2008, the student body was 24.1% Black, 11.8% …

Wilmington's William C. Lewis Elementary School. (Red Clay district website)

Red Clay picks parent rep for Learning Collab

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Education

A Red Clay mom known for community advocacy has been appointed to the Wilmington Learning Collaborative’s governing council as the school district’s parent representative. Jennie Yeow, who has a child at Red Clay Consolidated School District’s William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary School was chosen for the role, Red Clay Superintendent Dorrell Green said during Wednesday’s monthly board meeting. “She’s …