Activity bans over unpaid school meals targeted
Bill guards student rights amid winter disruptions
Inches of snow and sheets of ice later, many Delaware educators are coming off of winter weather delays and closings.
Several schools across the state closed Tuesday and Friday as the first significant snows this year blanketed Delaware, and New Castle County in particular. This week is looking less dire so far.
Legislative Hall is warming up, too, with lawmakers set to consider bills barring schools from denying students school-sponsored extracurricular activity based on meal debts, as well as continued focus on the teacher pipeline through residency credits.
In this weekly roundup, we’ll catch you up on some education updates that you may have missed.
[ Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com]
Lawmakers to consider barring schools from denying student activities due to lunch debt
One bill leaving committee last week connects to reporting out of Delaware schools last fall.
House Bill 263 would prohibit public and charter schools from blocking a student from “participating in schoolsponsored extracurricular activity, on the basis the student has an outstanding debt for unpaid school meals.” It would not mention safeguarding participation in graduation ceremonies, however.
Such debt caught headlines last October, as Smyrna School District denied students at Smyrna High School the chance to buy homecoming tickets. Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, told the joint education committee he saw coverage from Delaware Online/The News Journal and was so “outraged” that he set to bring something like this to the table in session.
Primary sponsor Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker would beat him to it. Now, the draft legislation comes out of committee, headed for the floor.
Simply put last Wednesday, the Wilmington Democrat said: “House Bill 263 deals with ensuring that we aren’t publicly shaming our children.”
Committee members also showed support toward providing yearlong teacher residency programs with credit for the residency toward starting salaries, as well as full-time athletic trainers in schools.
Who do you know here? Indian River hopes to nominate Hall of Famers
“Did you know someone who has done extraordinary things for the community and the world? Did that person graduate from Indian River High School?”
Indian River High School Alumni Association is looking to honor more alumni making the school community proud, in the IRHS Hall of Fame.
Step one: Nominations.
The nomination deadline is March 1. A selection committee is looking for graduates who “show great character, citizenship and leadership” and who have made “significant contributions,” according to a press release from Indian River School District. Nominees must have graduated from Indian River High School at least 10 years prior to the nomination.
“Today’s students are following in great footsteps,” the district writes. “Previous inductees include educators, legislators, artists, civic leaders, athletes, first responders and more. ... The ideal candidate would be considered a role model whose life and work will inspire IRHS students in the pursuit of excellence.”
Delaware Tech’s ‘premier’ fundraiser marks 20 years of Fat Tuesdays
Delaware Technical Community College’s Mardi Gras celebration hopes to be bountiful in more ways than food and music. The institution’s premier fundraising event has raised some $2 million over the past 19 years.
March 2024 marks year 20, according to Delaware Tech.
Proceeds are pledged to support student success at the Stanton and Wilmington campuses, looking to help students pay for tuition, books and essentials through scholarships.
The gala – or “An Evening of Mardi Gras” on March 2 – will have music reminiscent of New Orleans, per a college press release, alongside entertainment, raffles, silent auction, cocktails and dining. Chip Rossi, president of Bank of America Delaware, and his wife, Tracy, will be honorary chairs.
Base tickets are $125.
“Each year,” Rossi said in a statement, “this event provides much needed financial support to students who are looking to enhance their skills and capabilities, to create better economic mobility for themselves and their families.”
Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/ The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01,