Academically advanced students in grades 5-8 will soon have opportunities to be engaged in Debate programs and competitions, thanks to support by Delaware legislators. Christina School District was one of two districts statewide to receive funds through the Accelerated Academic Grant Program, a new state program targeting academically advanced students. The District received $18,963 for teaching identified fifth to eighth grade students the fundamentals of debate in preparation for future intra-district debates. Debate programs will enhance the ability of students to read and understand complex material and then present, defend, and refute the opposition. Debate also promotes a high level of teamwork and planning.  Research has shown that participation in debates increases students' academic performance and increases their chances of earning a college degree. By focusing on the middle school grades, Christina students will have opportunities before high school to benefit from the research, preparation, writing, and public speaking skills debating competitions encourage.

Local school districts and schools applied for start-up grants for programs targeted at students who are at least a half year ahead of grade level based upon state standards. The program is expected to begin in the 2014-2015 school year. The grant program was created through legislation proposed last year by Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and the chairs of the General Assembly's education committees to help school districts design programs targeted at students who are ahead of grade level in reading, writing, math, or science.

To celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month at Gallaher Elementary School, Mrs. Maria Weeks, school nurse, and Ms. Kelly Walzl, art teacher, collaborated to teach 3rd grade students the importance of good oral care.  "Happy Tooth," aka Nancy Brohawn of Newark Dental, visited the 3rd grade students on January 31.  Students learned how to brush and floss properly to prevent plaque and cavities, and talked about the importance of eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly for good oral health. The students then took the information they learned back to art class to create posters that will be submitted to the Delaware State Dental Society's annual poster contest. At the end of the lesson, each student was awarded a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and packet of information to share with their family! 

Gallaher Elementary School fifth grade students participated in the Tar Wars presentation on February 7 given by Dr. Matt Lunser from Christiana Health Care. Tar Wars is a tobacco-free education program from the American Academy of Family Physicians that is designed for fourth and fifth grade students. The goal is to prevent students from trying tobacco. Students learned about the physical and health effects of tobacco and second hand smoke. They also discussed peer pressure, and how advertisers don't exactly tell the truth in order to get people to try tobacco. Students are using the information from this presentation to create posters with a positive tobacco-free message during art class. The top posters will be entered in the State of Delaware competition. 

Gallaher Elementary School first grade students are diving deeper into the Common Core State Standards reading a wide range of informational nonfiction texts to improve reading literacy. Students are creating  writing projects using visual and written formats to explain the topics they have been learning.

Marshall Elementary School had a special visit from The Cat in the Hat on January 31 for "I Love to Read Month."  The Cat in the Hat visited kindergarten students during their Sing-Along, read a story to first grade students, popped into many classrooms, and even waved good-bye to the Marshall students as they were getting on the bus.    

Marshall Elementary School held its Annual Guest Reader Day to kick-off "I Love to Read Month" on January 31.  Many guests arrived to read to the students - Secretary of Education Mark Murphy, Miss Delaware, State Senator Brian Townsend and some 4-legged friends, as well.  Each classroom had a special guest reader read to the class. 

Students are also participating in an Olympic Reading Challenge - read 5 books (the number of Olympic rings) to receive a Reading Medal.

The University of Delaware Men's and Women's Basketball teams, as well as their Dance Team, visited Oberle Elementary School to help kick-off "I Love to Read Month."  The pep rallies began with an introduction of the visitors followed by the coaches emphasizing the connection and importance of the students learning to read well in elementary school which will help them to reach their ultimate life goals. Students in kindergarten through grade 5 were dazzled with some fancy hand and foot work as the men and women demonstrated their athletic abilities. 

Smith Elementary School teachers Miss Esquierdo, Mrs. Halfen, and Miss Miozzi, and the rest of the Smith Elementary community, would like to thank the Delaware Community Foundation and the Fund for Children's Literacy for awarding a $1,500 grant to support the school's English Language Arts (ELA) Common Core!  The grant will be used to purchase materials that support the ELA Common Core across many science and social studies units in 2nd grade.

Please mark your calendar for events taking place at Stubbs this month!

• Every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m., Zumba Aerobics (Sessions are FREE) 
• Every Wednesday Parents/Community Members are invited to volunteer to receive a $20 voucher to Northeast Laundromat. (Must complete a min of 8 hours a month) 

In conjunction with the NCAA and its Play4Kay week, Kirk Middle School students wore pink for their home basketball games against Gauger-Cobbs Middle School and Prestige Academy during the week of February 3. 

Play4Kay is a week where the coaches, players and fans wear pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. In addition, various events are held during the games such as silent auctions, raffles, breast cancer survivor talks, etc. The event is named after longtime North Carolina State head women's basketball coach Kay Yow, who succumbed to the disease on January 24, 2009 after her third bout with the disease after being diagnosed in 1987. During this week, Kirk Middle School raffled off two "Pink" inspired baskets filled with items such as mouse pads, stylus pens, shoelaces, cotton candy, hand sanitizer, pens, etc. that were all pink. Through the raffle, the school was able to raise $130 which will be donated to the Play4Kay Foundation for breast cancer research.

George V. Kirk Middle School thanks all who supported our cause during this week and we look forward to many more successful events such as this.  View additional photos

During each sports season, Dragons coaches are asked to nominate one participant per month that most exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity.  These student athletes are expected to display respect for their fellow competitors and teammates, officials, and the game, especially in the face of adversity.  The following Glasgow High School students received this award for the month of January.

• Maysha Foster (Girls Indoor Track) 
• Camryn Hazzard (Cheerleading)
• Jacob Hoke (Wrestling)
• Simeon Dailey (Boys Indoor Track)
• Dorian Thompson (Boys basketball) not pictured
• Mamako Johnson (Girls Basketball) not pictured
• William Smith (Swimming) not pictured