Greetings Senator Nation!
Please remember to be on the lookout for our COVID weekly data update text. If you have provided your child’s school with an updated phone number, you will receive a text at 6PM to check our weekly COVID update on the designated area on our website.
It’s my privilege to share the weekly update for the Week of November 12th.
Yesterday, we celebrated Veterans Day. It is my hope that during your time off, you were able to reflect and show appreciation to those who have served. As Senators, we honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice. In the spirit of Veteran's Day, Fairview Elementary School put together a slideshow to demonstrate appreciation for those who have served our country. Please check out the Capital School District’s Facebook page to view the video at your leisure.
During this week’s school visits, I had the opportunity to participate in a swearing in ceremony for Safety Patrol Students at Towne Point Elementary. Towne Point Elementary’s Safety Patrol promotes the development of leadership skills and good citizenship qualities in our senators at a young age. What a proud moment for all the selected students and their families. Congratulations to our newest Safety Patrol Students you edify what it means to be a true Senator!
In addition to school visits, this week was full of opportunities to engage with our community partners. On Tuesday, I attended the “State of Our Union: Black Girls In Delaware” Research Study reveal. The study focused on the experience of Black girls and adolescents across the First State. The research was conducted by University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. The study provided great information that can be used to help inform the health, self-esteem, relationships, race relations, school experiences, resilience and social media use of Black girls and how it impacts their quality of life.
On Tuesday, I was also invited to lead a “greek leadership talk” for members of the Divine 9 at Delaware State University. I want to thank Stephen A. Smith and Chandra Owes for inviting me to engage with our college students and share my journey. I am hopeful that it will resonate with someone and serve as encouragement.
On Wednesday, I was back at Delaware State University to meet with the Executive Vice President, Mr. Antonio Boyle to discuss future partnership opportunities between the Capital School District and Delaware State University. You will hear more about this strategic partnership along with Delaware Technical Community College so keep on the lookout for more information this spring!
Wednesday, I ended my day at the Excellence in Education Awards Program. Special shout-out to the Green Beret Program of Dover. They were awarded a $7,500 grant to continue their work preparing local youth for a brighter future. I was also able to connect with Dr. Paul Morris, Vice President from Del Tech to reaffirm our timeline for launching a formal partnership for our new Senators Grow Program. Again, so many special Kent County leaders including our beloved Mayor and our first lady Cindy Christiansen,teacher at Towne Pointe Elementary who were in attendance to reaffirm the significance of advancing our collective efforts to increase awareness of the great things happening in Kent County public Schools.
As we closed out our week, it was my honor and privilege to meet with the school nurses. We discussed ways to continuously support the needs of our students and staff during the pandemic and beyond. The Capital School District board of education and leadership team recognizes the role nurses play in advancing safety.
Finally, I was delighted to speak with a reporter from Delaware State News regarding our former Governor Ruth Ann Minner. We want to send condolences to her family and uplift the legacy of her visionary leadership that create a college and career readiness pipeline in our state through her policy for full day kindergarten, reading specialist for elementary schools, math specialist for middle school students and SEED scholarship
Please check out the William Henry and Central Middle School production “All Together Now'' convened at the Central Middle School Auditorium Friday at 6:30 pm or Saturday at 2:00pm. In closing, I continue to request your consideration as we continue on our journey to “spur the audacity of hope to uncover the magic of new beginnings.”
Sincerely,
Dr. Vilicia Cade
Superintendent
Capital School District