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Greetings, Senator Nation!
It’s my privilege to share my bi-weekly update for the weeks of March 25th and April 1st.
Today marks the start of a new month. The month of April has been proclaimed as Mathematics Awareness Month which is a time to increase the understanding and appreciation of mathematics. Innovation in our technological world relies on mathematics in fields such as medicine, manufacturing, energy, biotechnology and business. Please check out our social media platforms for updates honoring the vital subject of mathematics.
Since my previous update, I had the pleasure of visiting North Dover Elementary, Central Middle, South Dover Elementary, Towne Point Elementary and Dover High for Listening and Learning Sessions. In addition to my school visits, I met with our secretaries, facilities staff, custodians, child nutrition staff, and transportation staff for Listening and Learning Sessions. I am excited to hear from all of my employees how we can begin to reimagine how to make their work more efficient and effective with technology as we prepare for creating a Portrait of a Senator of 2033.
Throughout the last two weeks, I attended respective meetings with the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) Social Action Committee, Senator Stephanie Hansen, the Central Delaware Career Expo Planning Team and the School Chiefs. I had the exciting opportunity to participate in the Regional Superintendent Roundtable which included superintendents from Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This experience was awesome and the Capital School District received an invitation from Deputy Secretary Marten for the U.S. Department of Education to be a part of a larger social media campaign regarding innovative ways to address challenges in schools using American Recovery Act funds.
In preparation for our April board meeting, I met individually with board members Joan Engel, Sean Christiansen, Dr. Tony DePrima and Dr. Chanda Jackson Short. There are many innovative initiatives taking place within the Capital School District. Over the past two weeks, I have convened with my executive team, teaching and learning team, the Capital School District CEA Team and other district leaders.
The highlight of my week was the time I spent with the students of the Superintendent Ladies Network and Superintendent Student Advisory Council. In both respective meetings, we continue our efforts to amplify the student voice. I am continuously inspired and fascinated by the insightful conversations our students have regarding educational, social and environmental concerns. The high school students will be planning a town hall meeting for students for this upcoming spring. I encourage you to look out for this information. This week, the Trauma and School Connectedness Task Force convened with speakers from Project Delaware, Children and Families First and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).
I would like to give a special “shout out” to Fairview Elementary School. Their students are the 2022 Delaware State Champions in the Fifth Annual READBowl Global Reading Championship. To take home the championship, Fairview students out-read all other schools in Delaware for a combined 57,000 minutes during the four-week team competition. To date, more than 325,000 students in all 50 states (including Delaware) and five countries have competed in Read with Malcolm's Free Virtual Reading Challenge. However, Fairview Elementary School prevailed. We honor FV as our State Champions! Congratulations to the students, staff and parents for this great achievement!
As we prepare for spring break, the Capital School District will be offering free take-home COVID testing kits to students and staff. We want everyone to have access to home kits to ensure that when we return we return from Spring break healthy so look out for more information. Lastly, I would like to encourage everyone to attend the widely anticipated celebration we affectionately refer to as “Super Senator Day!” This year is special as we "spur the audacity of hope to uncover the magic of new beginnings." Please join us as our students showcase their talents and we share information about the unique programs offered by the Capital School District. Super Senator Day involves sharing and learning as we promote health, wellness and ways to increase the quality of life for district residents and students. We hope to see you there!
I want to thank Transformation Church and Black Girlz Rock for honoring me during Women’s History Month. Additionally, I want to thank my sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Theta Theta Zeta and Epsilon Rho Zeta Chapters for including me in your fundraising prayer breakfast and high tea scholarship fundraiser. Both chapters convened successful scholarship fundraisers in which I was honored to serve as keynote or mistress of ceremony.
Finally, I had an opportunity on Thursday, March 31st to attend the retirement party of my dear colleague. Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald was celebrated for his 31 years of service to Caesar Rodney School District. It was a wonderful display of appreciation for a great servant leader. Dr. Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Capital School District Board of Education and leadership team, we wish you the very best in the next chapter of your service to our state.
May your weekend be filled with care, health, kindness and most of all love. See you at Super Senator Day on April 9th from 10am to 2pm!
Sincerely,
Dr. Vilicia Cade
Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent
Capital School District