Greetings Senator Nation,
Welcome back to the 2023-2024 school year. This year will undoubtedly be historical as we start the journey toward an updated strategic direction beginning with opening our new middle school campus, launching Delaware’s first Verizon Innovative Learning Schools in three of our schools, and continuing the reconfiguring of our grade levels. More than ever, we are poised to accelerate our new strategic vision through our unified efforts.
It will be my third year of service, and many would say that the honeymoon is over. I declare it’s just beginning as we build on trusting that many senators will feel safer to open their hearts and join the momentum already underway with many community organizations and leaders. We will continue to build bridges that aid in our academic recovery from the COVID pandemic, which will be characterized by compassionate actions.
My heart is set on evolving as a leader who unleashes unity through love and leadership through inclusiveness; recognizing that we can achieve excellence in each student, each staff and each parent by differentiating supports. We acknowledge that people need different things to realize the unbridled potential of their natural talents and gifts.
Our opening day ceremony will be held on August 29th at Dover High School. On opening day, you will receive a copy of our new vision, mission statement and the core values that collectively were created during our six months of “Senator Pride Conversations”. We are so proud and grateful to share that approximately a thousand stakeholders' voices were captured and incorporated into our updated strategic plan.
This year will be illuminated through compassionate actions. With this, I invite any staff member to bring any size royal blue, black, navy blue, white, gray, or light blue t-shirts, sweatshirts, or shirts to opening day for our students attending our new middle schools.
Finally, I want to close with a quote that you will repeatedly hear from me during the 2023-2024 school year.
I hope it resonates with you as it continues to underscore my leadership. It is from Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. She said— “It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.”
Thank you for your unwavering efforts to meet the diverse needs of our students and families. I value each of your constant contributions to the success of every student, every parent, and every co-worker. Our schools, our children and our future must be a collective moral imperative that will only be achieved through our shared vision. As we continue our journey together, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with you.
Dr. Vilicia Cade
Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent
Capital School District