Greetings, Senator Nation!
It’s my privilege to share the weekly update for the Week of January 28th.
My week included a full agenda of activities that encouraged me to exhibit service, leadership and compassion in the various meetings convened with the Capital School District staff members, parents and community partners. On Tuesday, I met with my executive team and staff to update our plan for inclement weather days. My team and I are working to ensure that a proactive plan is in place. However; want to continue to sound the alarm that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and need to hold steadfast to being nimble and flexible.This means parents should continue to keep a child care back up plan in the event that your child’s classroom or school is impacted. Instructional staff should explore ways to ensure that lesson plans can adapt to the virtual learning environment with as much ease as possible. We all agree that operating in the uncertainty of these times is not easy for students, parents, teachers, and anyone who plays a role in enabling Senators to learn in-person. Thank you to all the staff, parents, community members and students who remain resilient as we continue on our journey.
This Wednesday our Principals, Associate Principals and District Leadership met under the direction of Dr. Small, Assistant Superintendent. As I shared in the meeting, I can not thank our leaders enough for their tireless efforts demonstrated daily! You are the sparkle of the magic of this year! Thursday, I started my morning in a meeting with Chiefs from across our state. However; the highlight of my day was spent at Dover High School visiting with students and staff. I want to thank Officer Stevenson and Constable Vincent Green for the great insight they shared. Please know that I appreciate all our SROs and constables. You all play a vitally important role in keeping us safe but more importantly you all help foster positive relationships with our youth by demonstrating care and compassion in your regular encounters with them in school. That evening I attended the DHS Varsity Boys Basketball Game. Senators were victorious in our efforts to edify Senator Pride with victory over Delaware Military Academy! Kudos to Coach Robinson and the entire team for a job well done.
I concluded my week by meeting with Kent County Chiefs and preparing for a joint meeting with the Capital Educators Association Executive Board and Capital’s Administrators' Executive Board. We are elated to take time together to explore how we can use healing and love as a focal point for rebuilding morale and addressing the efficiency of our system. We are proud of our joint efforts to demonstrate how to operationalize three cornerstones of the core values the Board of Education and I have embraced. We are excited to enact how excellence through equity, unity through love and leadership through inclusiveness can be a catalyst for transforming our district to strive for a trajectory to perfection!
Senators, we want to hear from you! The Capital School District is seeking feedback on our proposed calendar for the 2022-23 school year. By now, you have most likely received a call and email requesting that you complete a survey and select your preferred calendar option. When you visit the online survey, please view both calendar options and then make a selection. Survey responses must be received by Monday, February 14, 2022.
Lastly, I am requesting your presence as we convene the Capital School District’s Trauma and School Connectedness Task Force meeting on Tuesday, February 1, from 5:30-6:30 pm. The meeting will take place at the Dover High School Auditorium. During our meeting, you will hear from Take Care Delaware, a program that promotes safe and supportive homes, schools and communities that protect children. Their mission is to help traumatized children heal and thrive and to promote school and community partnerships. Our program will also include a presentation from the Delaware Fatherhood and Family Coalition, an organization that champions father involvement and supports healthy adult relationships, specifically effective co-parenting which in turn provides positive outcomes for Delaware children and communities.
Special shout out to our nurses and the staff at the wellness center at Dover High School. I humbly ask for your continuous consideration as we continue keeping our five priorities in the forefront of our actions and “spur the audacity of hope to uncover the magic of new beginnings.”
May your weekend be filled with care, health, kindness and most of all love!
Sincerely,
Dr. Vilicia Cade
Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent
Capital School District