Update for 4/23/2021

Update for 4/23/21

Dear Senator Nation,Senator Update

We hope you have heard the exciting news that Senator Update
Dr. Vilicia Cade has been named as the new Superintendent of Capital School District beginning on July 1st of this year. Dr. Cade and I have met several times and are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition this summer.

Nominations are currently open for the Educational Support Professional of the year.  We have many dedicated paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodial staff, child nutrition workers, school bus aides and school bus drivers, so please visit our website or Facebook page to nominate someone who has made a positive difference in your or your child’s life.

Please enjoy this Senator Update as we continue to highlight the wonderful work happening within our School District, and don’t forget to nominate an Educational Support Professional of the year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sylvia M. Henderson

Dr. Sylvia M. Henderson
Interim Superintendent

Updates 

  • Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids - Take a peek at South Dover Elementary School’s garden which was created in partnership with the non-profit organization Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids
  • WherestheBus App - Use this app and learn when the bus is due at your child’s bus stop
  • Get Vaccinated for COVID 19 - Learn why it’s important to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the Governor’s guidance after the uptick in cases

Educational Support Professional of the Year 

Capital School District is excited to announce that we are seekingNominate an Educational Support Professional nominations from you for Educational Support Professional of the Year!  Parents, students, staff and the community can nominate a paraprofessional, secretary, custodial/maintenance staff, child nutrition worker, district-employed bus driver or bus aide!  You can nominate anyone in our 13 buildings including the District Office. We encourage nominations for employees who are active in our district and community, work directly or indirectly with students and other teachers and who are dedicated, knowledgeable and promote positive, supportive and professional images in our school environment and community. The deadline is Sunday, May 2! You can nominate someone at https://www.capital.k12.de.us/esp2021



Update on William Henry Middle School

Work is in progress to the storm-damaged William Henry Middle School!  Dr. Sylvia M. Henderson, our Interim Superintendent, and Mr. Ade Kuforiji, our Interim Assistant Superintendent, met this morning with Mr. Elliott Hardin, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, and RYJ, the general contractor and construction management company tasked with restoring William Henry Middle School.  The group toured the building to review the current status and to briefly discuss next steps. The work includes replacing walls, ceiling tiles, lighting, technology and other items that were damaged from the storm.  “Our main focus currently is ensuring that the school is operational by fall”, said Dr. Sylvia M. Henderson. “We will keep you updated as the work continues to move forward and will be certain to share photos along the way!”
WHMS update
(Left to right)  Interim Assistant Superintendent Mr. Kuforiji, Building and Grounds Supervisor Mr. Hardin, RYJ’s Mr. Dean Johnson and Interim Superintendent Dr. Henderson. Mr. Johnson points to items that will be worked on to make the school operational again.


WHMS Update
The meeting included a visit to the WHMS library to view the work that needs to be done there.


WHMS Update
Mr. Mark Johnson, Dr. Henderson, Mr. Hardin, Mr. Dean Johnson and Mr. Hardin stand near the RYJ sign at William Henry Middle School.


Dr. Sylvia M. Henderson at WHMS
The work in progress gets a “thumbs up” from Dr. Henderson!

 

RYJ, Dr. Henderson, Mr. Kuforiji and Mr. Hardin
Mr. Mark Johnson and Mr. Dean Johnson with Mr. Elliot Harding, Dr. Henderson and Mr. Kuforiji 

 

Dwayne Henry is honored as National Afterschool Association’s Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders for 2021

Mr. Dwayne Henry, Honoree

Mr. Dwayne Henry is the 21st Century Site Coordinator at East Dover. “I grew up in Capital School District graduating from Dover High School in 2013. While at Dover High School, I was a 2nd Team All-State soccer player my senior year. I pursued my Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration at Methodist University graduating in 2017 and was also on the soccer team all 4 years.” After college, Mr. Henry was a substitute teacher before finding a role in the 21st Century Program. “Since starting this role at East, I have helped the program grow and flourish while providing as many opportunities and life lessons as possible to the students who have attended. In my spare time you can find me coaching on a soccer field in Dover and in Middletown giving back to the youth and providing opportunities for them to grow as soccer players and as leaders.” 


Mr. Henry’s Impact Statement - “I am most proud of making the 21st Century an appreciated program at the school.  My first year, there weren’t a lot of students staying after school in the program.  By the start of my second year, we had over half the school (130 students) staying after school each day, participating in the program. Last year, we were able to arrange transportation for our special needs students. The immediate impact I’ve seen is the program growing from serving 110 students my first year to over 200 in last year’s summer and school program. The long-term goal of these efforts would be for the majority of the students and staff at East Dover to participate in the 21st century program during the year.  I would also like for students to participate in a STEM, arts, sports or leadership pathway during their time in 21st Century. A lot of social injustice was going on when our summer program was about to begin. We called our summer program “Slamming Towards Success” to motivate our students to be the driving force to influence the future. Our students were able to learn more about their community and current events that were happening. They were also able to look at careers, leadership, decision-making, financial literacy and college.”



Get to Know Principal Shani Benson, North Dover Elementary

Principal Shani BensonPrincipal Shani Benson decided to become a principal to scale her impact. “I started out on the teacher track and took a turn into the corporate world,” she said. “I realized that being in education was where my passion was and went back to school to complete my teaching degree.” Getting to combine those two skill sets has been helpful, she told us, as she strives to be the best leader she can be for North Dover Elementary.

“Work ethic is important,” she said. “I set goals and chip away at them slowly.” She admits that she has a hard time sitting still, so she is constantly working to improve. She strives to set an example for her children, who
Shani Benson, Principal of North Dover
are the driving force for her. “I am currently working towards a doctorate, which has been a lifelong goal. I truly believe having a growth mindset has pushed me to achieve the goals I set.”

When asked what motivates her during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Ms. Benson said, “Keeping students and staff safe is of the utmost importance. It is imperative that we create a haven for students here that allow them to feel supported, welcomed, valued and cared for. They have many needs, especially during this uncertain time. This  motivates me to ensure those needs are met with the dynamic team we have at North.”

Shani Benson, Principal of North DoverPrincipal Benson wants every student to know how special he or she is. “Every single one of them has a gift and it is our job to help them discover some of their talents. I also want them to know they are loved and welcome. Helping them become engaged, productive citizens of this wonderful community is extremely important to North.” 







Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids and South Dover Elementary School’s Garden

Spring is here and with it the wonderful opportunity for SouthCreating garden boxes Dover Elementary School to have a vegetable garden! Founder and CEO of Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids, Dr. Thianda Manzara, with the help of Executive Director Lydia Sarson “veggie-cated” South Dover students by giving lessons about gardening and teaching them how to plant vegetables in the garden boxes created by adult volunteers in March . The children planted cold weather vegetables including spinach and lettuce, arugula, cilantro and radishes. Late April after the vegetable harvest, the students will have the chance to eat what they have grown! What a terrific and enjoyable experience for all!  The lessons our students learned provided valuable skills for the children to take with them for future use. For more information about Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids, visit https://healthyfoodsforhealthykids.org/


Ms Rouse's Class at South Dover
Students in Ms. Rouse’s Class at South Dover Elementary School listen to Dr. Manzara as she explains how to plant vegetables.

 

Adult-made Garden Boxes at South Dover

Garden boxes created by adult volunteers earlier in March.

 

Students playing spinach and lettuc
Students in Ms. Rouse’s class planted spinach and lettuce.

 

HFHK Lydia Sarson and Dr. Thianda Manzara
(Left to right) Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids’ Executive Director Lydia Sarson and Founder/CEO Dr. Thianda Manzara  

 

3rd graders watering garden

 South Dover 3rd Graders water the garden.
Watering the garden


Garden GrowthGarden growth
They saw some growth after only a few days!



East Dover Elementary School hosts Literacy and Math Event

On Monday, March 29, East Dover teachers hosted a drive-thru literacy and math event. Each student received a goodie bag which included a grade-level appropriate book that had reading and math activities to go along with it. All students received the Gail Gibbons book 'From Seed to Plant', a pack of flower seeds for planting, and the recipe to make dirt dessert along with all the ingredients to make it! The weather was perfect, and the teachers showed spirit by wearing the same pink shirt; "Readers, Leaders, and Mathematicians Bloom at East Dover”!
East Dover Team
Teachers and staff at East Dover Elementary School at the Drive-Thru Literacy and Math Event

 

 Mrs. Erica Richards hands a goodie bag to a student

Math instructional coach Erica Richard gives a student a specially prepared bag for the event.

 

Ms. Murray gives supplies to a student
Ms. Murray, Instructional Coach, give a goodie bag to a student during the drive-thru event.

 

East Dover Admin

East Dover Elementary Principals - from L to R: Associate Principal Jennifer Christman and Principal Julie Giangiulio in their pink shirts!

 

Math and literacy event at East Dover

Mr. Brian McCrae and Mr. Dwayne Henry at the Literacy and Math event!

 

Student with her "dirt" dessert

This student made and enjoyed her dirt dessert of which the ingredients were in her bag from the Literacy and Math event!

 

WherestheBus App 


Download the WheresTheBus™ app to see how close the bus is to your child’s bus stop and know the answer to the timeless question…“Where’s the Bus?”  This a user-friendly app reduces morning and afternoon stress for parents and guardians rushing to bus stops wondering when the school bus will arrive at their child’s stop. The app uses technology devices that you are familiar with (Apple or Android or any internet capable device). Download the app today and save yourself the stress of worrying about where the bus is!

Here's how: 
1. Go to https://www.wheresthebus.com
2. In the Parents’ section on the left of the screen, click on the set-up account button 3. When prompted, select Capital School District 4. Enter student information (birth date and student ID) 5. Once the information is validated, you will receive an email with instructions and app download informationYou can view a printable pdf version:  http://bit.ly/csdwheresthebus
WheresTheBus image

WheresTheBus image


Get Vaccinated for COVID 19 

This week the Governor informed the public of an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases within Delaware, and he wants each of us to take action to protect each other. We should all continue to get tested for COVID and be aware that all Delawareans ages 16 and up are now eligible to be vaccinated. 

State COVID Vaccine image
Governor Carney reminds everyone to wear masks, maintain social distance, and limit our exposure to people outside of our homes. By taking these precautions, each of us can do our part to protect each other.  Additional recommendations are provided to you below:

Delaware's Recommendations to fight COVID-19



A Reminder for Visitors to a Capital School District building or facility

All visitors are required to wear a mask or face covering that fully covers the nose and mouth at all times. Neck gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable face coverings as they are too thin and testing shows that they do not provide sufficient protection.  Visitors who arrive without a mask may request one at the front desk.
 

Neck GaiterNo Neck Gaiters


Guests are required to stand behind the plexiglass shield installed at reception desks.

All visitors will be subject to the following COVID-19 screening questions. Guests who answer “Yes” to one or more of these questions will be prohibited from entering the school and be advised to contact their healthcare provider.

  • In the past 14 days, have you been near (within 6 feet for atGet Vaccinated poster least 15 minutes) a person who has a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, or have you had direct contact with their mucus or saliva?
  • In the last 48 hours, have you had any of the following symptoms?
    • New cough
    • New trouble breathing, shortness of breath or severe wheezing
    • New chills or shaking with chills
    •  New muscle aches 
    • Sore throat
    • Nausea, Vomiting or diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • New loss of smell or taste, or a change in taste
  • In the past 48 hours, have you had a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher?

Approved visitors, including parents and guardians, will only be granted access to identified meeting rooms and offices. No visitors will be allowed in classrooms or at lunches. In all cases, a building administrator will make the final decision as to whether a visitor will be provided access to any part of the facility. Volunteers are not permitted to visit our schools at this time. When possible, we will provide virtual access to mentors, college representatives, guest speakers, etc.

Links:

District Calendar
Student Success Guide
School Based Mental Health Teams
Meal Delivery Information
Delaware Department of Education FAQ
What Delawareans Can Do to Stop the Spread
Social and Emotional Wellness Consideration Reopening Plan
Information from the State of Delaware about testing
Information on COVID-19 Vaccine

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