Superintendent’s January 29 UpdateRe-imagining the Bookmobile during COVID-19 A New First Wednesday’s EventSchool librarians are a resourceful group. They’ve re-imagined the process of free book distribution to safely serve children and families during the pandemic.

The first Wednesday of each month, the Bookmobile will now visit eight different school locations, providing opportunities on or near every campus for schoolchildren and their siblings to choose free book bundles specially curated to delight and engage children ages preschool through young adult.

Wednesdays were chosen as the distribution day since all ages and grades are engaged in pre-recorded (asynchronous) lessons. We hope this provides more flexibility to visit the nearest Bookmobile stop. Click here for a printer-friendly flier.

Book bundles will be pre-packaged (PK-Gr 1, Gr 2-3, Gr 4-6, Gr 6-8, Young Adult) by our librarians who follow strict COVID-19 safety protocols for cleaning and disinfecting both reading materials and our vehicle prior to their arrival at your school. Once on site, masks must be worn by all and social distancing protocols will be in place. Please be sure to respect these guidelines or the service will be discontinued.

“We want children to have access to a variety of books so they can find something they love. We know that reading for pleasure brings numerous benefits (including language development, confidence and communications skills). During the pandemic, keeping the tradition alive is also hugely reassuring for children who are stressed, and a beneficial way to reduce screen time.”

Now-February 2: Help us decide on our next Teacher of the Year

f Nomination Form

If you know a great teacher, we hope you’ll nominate him/her for Teacher of the Year honors. We’ll be accepting online submissions from now through Feb. 2, at 4:00 pm. During that time, you can nominate as many educators as you’d like. Younger students can have a parent help them with the form. Every teacher nominated will receive a congratulatory letter, public acknowledgment, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing their talent and commitment have been recognized by a parent, student, colleague or community member. One teacher will be selected to represent each school. We’ll make a public announcement in April about our building and district-level TOY ambassadors so you can help us celebrate them.

Bookmobile Dates:Feb 3, Mar 3, Apr 14, May 5, Jun 2

School Nurses help vaccinate the community y Pictures of ASD nurses at vaccination events

Appoquinimink nurses continue to work on the front lines of the pandemic. Since March, they’ve been instrumental in educating schools about how to recognize and prevent the spread of COVID-19; establishing safety protocols and oversight for our buildings; coordinating with the Department of Public Health to contact trace and track data on a daily basis; and communicating with parents and staff when cases impact schools. Now that the pandemic is in the vaccination phase, our nurses are putting in a full day with children before rolling up their sleeves to administer vaccines to the community during state-supported events at night and on weekends.

I can’t say enough about the leadership of these healthcare professionals: Yvonne Camac-Lead/Coordinating Nurse, Kelly Apps-BME, Stephanie Balascio-CLECC, Nicole Benderoth-AGW, Wendy Borsari-MMS, Cheri Eleazar- OSE, Laurie Garrison-AHS, Laurie Hackett-MHS, Aimee Hastings-APC, Katie Healy-CLE, Susan Kane-BHE, Maribeth Miller-OBL, Gail Moyer-MHS, Kathy Myers-TES, Kellie Ramer-SLE, Mary Reed-SMECC, Dana Reznick-LGE, Kim Sammak-TECC, Danielle Sigvardson-RMS, Darlene Smith-AHS, and Amy Stubblebine-OHS. They’ve put in countless hours to safeguard students, parents, staff and the entire community - even recruiting former School Nurse Betsy Cycyk-retired SLE to join them at a recent community vaccination event. We’ll be recognizing them at an upcoming School Board Meeting. For now, I hope you’ll join me in expressing your thanks by leaving a message on our Facebook page or sending an email directly to your school nurse.

February 3: Last day to submit calendar commentsThe Calendar Committee will report back to the School Board at the February 9 Board Meeting. At that time, they’ll share any input received during the public comment period (which has been underway for the last 30 days), and discuss any changes or revisions stemming from this process. After discussion, the Board will vote to finalize the 2021-22 calendar. The final document will be posted to school and district websites. A notice will be placed on our Facebook page and copies will be shared with ASD families and staff via automated messaging.

y Click here to view the calendar proposal y Email comments to: Raymond.Gravuer@appo.k12.de.us

Snow Day protocol for 2021 We’re about to enter one of the coldest months of the year. I want to share what will happen if we experience a significant snow event.

Decision-making. Storm tracking involves a combination of state & federal agencies (weather, emergency response, education). In the days and hours leading up to a storm, these groups keep school leaders informed about the potential impact of weather events in Delaware’s three counties. NCC superintendents and transportation directors confer with these agencies and with one another to provide the most consistent response possible.

Since local conditions can vary greatly above and below the Canal, on lonely back roads, and in neighborhoods; ASD staff will be out driving - a process that typically begins around 4:30 am the morning of an event - to assess local conditions in every corner of the District. If we determine that a snow day is needed, automated calls will be launched, typically in the 6:00- 6:30 am window.

The first event of the year. With the virus already depriving students of many treasured traditions, we’ve decided that if there’s a need to declare a Snow Day, the first event of the year will result in the cancellation of classes.

Subsequent snow days. Classes can be held online no matter how bad storms are this year, and it’s vital to avoid further disruptions and learning loss. Therefore, any additional snow days will trigger a remote learning day for all our students. Your child’s school will communicate the schedule that will be in effect when a snow day is called.

Update your information. Please be sure your email address, home, and emergency phone numbers are up to date so that you do not miss out on these notifications. Reach out to the front desk secretary at your child’s school today!

ASD’s COVID-19 case rateAs of January 28, 2021

Active Cases<1% of Hybrid students (18/6,483)<1% of Staff providing Hybrid instruction (7/1,496)

Quarantined1% of Hybrid students (62/6,483)1% of Staff providing hybrid instruction (19/1,496)

Drive-thru Testing Events at Middletown High February 3, 10, 17 and 24Middletown High (120 Silver Lake Road, Middletown) continues to host a drive-thru testing event in its parking lot from 10:00-3:00 on Wednesdays. Appointments are suggested, not required, to save time in line. You can register 48 hours in advance at https://curative.com/.

Beyond Measure: Spring Leadership ConferenceIn Appoquinimink, high school students who are part of a career pathway dedicated to culinary arts & hospitality, early childhood education, or fashion and textiles participate in a student-run, career and technical organization called FCCLA. This year, FCCLA members, teachers, advisers and industry professionals will gather virtually for a Spring Conference where they’ll explore leadership skills and career options; attend fun, informative workshops; network with like-minded students and industry professionals; and have an opportunity to participate in 20+ competitive events with chapters from across the state. Top placement at the state level acts as a qualifier for the national conference. We’re proud that a contingent of 30+ students will be attending the March 25-26 event. For more information about the conference, click here. If you’d like to learn more about our school-based FCCLA program contact MHS Adviser Michelle.Semonelle@appo.k12.de.us (past FCCLA Teacher of the Year), AHS Adviser Ronda.Thomas@appo.k12.de.us, AHS Adviser Deborah.Polizzi-Gullo@appo.k12.de.us, or OHS Adviser Emily.Miller@appo.k12.de.us.

Lorewood Grove celebrates Black History MonthInspired by the children’s book, 28 Days: Moments In Black History That Changed The World, our newest elementary school will be introducing a month-long focus on lesser-known Black Americans whose powerful ideas and actions played a key role in the development of our nation.

The book, which presents one-page biographies of 28 pivotal individuals including Crispus Attucks, Dred Scott, Robert Smalls, Daniel Hale Williams, and Madame C.J. Walker will be the subject of daily classroom discussions.

In addition, students will discover a host of nationally-recognized inventors and scientists, courageous civil rights leaders, political trailblazers, authors, performers, and influencers. In order to make this an intergenerational experience, LGE has created activities adults can explore with their children. Click here for a copy.

Guest readers, at least one a day, will visit the school to read and record favorite stories that celebrate both I Love To Read Month and Black History Month — celebrations that occur simultaneously in February. Their presentations will be uploaded to LGE’s YouTube Channel where families can enjoy them together.

28 Days of Black History: Moments In Black History That Changed The WorldWritten by Charles R. Smith Jr.Illustrations by Shane W. Evans

Why is this focus so important? Lonnie Bunch, Founding Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture said it best when he observed, “there is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history,” and there is “no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.”

By teaching children to respect the history, culture, and accomplishments of African Americans, they will be more aware and ultimately more tolerant of everyone within our highly diverse nation.

Grades 3-8 will participate in the MAP Growth assessment in FebruaryOne of the tools the Appoquinimink School District uses to help educators track student achievement and growth is the Northwest Evaluation Association’s Measures of Academic Progress (also known as NWEA MAP). Students in grades 3-5 will take the assessment during in-person learning days. Students in grades 6-8 will take the assessment remotely on February 3 and 10. Schools will issue scheduling information. For more about MAP, visit their website.

A note about curbside meal pickup at Middletown HighAs you know, the parking lot of MHS hosts drive-thru testing events on Wednesdays from 10:00 am—3:00 pm. To prevent traffic tie ups, meal distribution will now be happening at the side door near the entrance to the administrative offices. Families will still enter from Route 299. Signage will help direct families.

That concludes this week’s newsletter. Yours in learning and with gratitude,

Matt BurrowsSuperintendent

REMINDERS

fWe need Substitute Teachers! Substitute teachers are vital if we are to keep classes-grades-schools open for hybrid instruction when educators are forced to quarantine. ASD offers flexible scheduling and a supportive staff family. For more information and to apply, go to the job portal on our website.

fCOVID-19 Reporting. If you or a member of your household tests positive, or is quarantined for observation, please reach out to your school nurse asap so we can begin contact tracing.

f The School Board election is May 11. Candidates wishing to run must register with the New Castle County Board of Elections by March 5 to appear on the ballot. This is a 5-year, unpaid position. An estimated time commitment of 20+ hours/month is required. To run, you must be at least 18-years old, a citi-zen of the USA and Delaware, and a resident of our district. For more information, click here.