Special Presentation
James R. Hanby, Sr.
The BSD Board of Education presented longtime community member James R. Hanby, Sr., with a Certificate of Appreciation for his dedicated service to the Brandywine School District. Mr. Hanby, who recently stepped down after nearly a decade as Chair of the District Finance Committee, also established the Brandywine Education Foundation. This foundation has been instrumental in providing scholarships to graduating BSD seniors and mini-grants to BSD teachers, significantly enhancing educational opportunities within the district. Additionally, his critical efforts on past referendums have secured essential funding that supports various district initiatives, reflecting his profound commitment to the community's educational advancement. Mr. Hanby was also recognized with tributes from the Delaware Secretary of Education, State House of Representatives, and State Senate.
BSD Board Member John John Skrobott, III and James R. Hanby, Sr.
Superintendent’s Report
September 11th Rememberance
BSD marked the solemn anniversary of September 11th with a variety of heartfelt tributes districtwide.
Springer Middle School hosted the Talleyville Fire Company for their 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Firefighters joined Springer staff and family to climb and descend their front entrance stairs 110 times in honor of the brave FDNY firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. The climb symbolized the 110 floors of the World Trade Center Towers. Participants climbed in memory of the fallen heroes, ensuring that the legacy of these firefighters lives on in the hearts of future generations.
Mount Pleasant High School’s JROTC held a beautiful ceremony for their fellow students and staff alongside members of the Brandywine Hundred Fire Company, Delaware State Police, and the Delaware National Guard. JROTC Cadets remembered the lives lost and honored the courage and sacrifice of the brave servicemen and women who answered the call 23 years ago.
Thank you to all the community organizations and partners that made these events possible and more memorable with their presence and participation.
Superintendent’s Report
DIAA Award
Five BSD schools were among thirteen across the state recently honored for sportsmanship by the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA)! The Dale Farmer State Champions in Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to schools that have demonstrated a strong school community commitment to the educational nature of interscholastic athletics. Congratulations to BSD’s Springer Middle School, Talley Middle School, Brandywine High School, Concord High School, and Mount Pleasant High School.
Superintendent’s Report
BSD STAFF MEMBER BECOMES A PUBLISHED AUTHOR
Ms. Ciara Carter
Ciara Carter, Harlan Elementary School Counselor and 2024-2025 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year, has authored her debut book titled “Melanin Mel.” Written for children ages 5-12, the story centers on a young girl grappling with self-acceptance because of her skin color. Ms. Carter describes the creation of the book as a “true labor of love” and hopes to inspire self-love and resilience among young readers. Adding a special touch to the book, Ashley Graves, Ms. Carter's colleague and an Art Teacher at Harlan Elementary, provided the illustrations, enriching the narrative with her artistic contributions.
Superintendent’s Report
HIGH SCHOOL VISITATION DAY
BSD invites all interested families and community members to our annual District-Wide High School Visitation Day on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Each of our high schools will open their doors to provide students, parents, and community members an opportunity to explore their vibrant learning environments, meet our dedicated staff, and learn more about the unique programs and resources each school has to offer.
For more information, visit www.brandywineschools.org/VisitationDay
Superintendent’s Report
CHOICE INFORMATION NIGHT
1311 Brandywine Blvd
Wilmington, DE 19809
(302)793-5014
Our annual Choice Information Night will be held on Monday, October 21st at 5 p.m. prior to our monthly board meeting at the District Office. This event will provide a brief overview of all that our district has to offer Kindergarten through grade 12 but will also feature the opportunity for families to begin their online choice application alongside our team members who can assist with any questions.
For more information and key dates for the choice ‘window’ of opportunity visit www.brandywineschools.org/Choice
Superintendent’s Report
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
New this school year, we launched a campaign to improve our district’s overall attendance rates using the slogan, “Four or less equals success!” This is part of a larger initiative supported by Secretary of Education, Dr. Mark Holodick, to focus a keener lens on elementary school attendance where early literacy and mathematics foundations are built.
Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to succeed academically, graduate on time, and build habits that lead to success in college, career, and life. Even just a few absences can add up over time, creating gaps in learning that can be hard to overcome. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10% of days in a given school year; students who are chronically absent are more likely to read below grade level, have lower math and reading test scores, repeat a grade, and drop out of high school. Brandywine School District is committed to ensuring that every student has the best chance to thrive in all aspects of their education journey, and that starts with being in school every day.
Hispanic American Heritage Month Proclamation
BSD Administrator of Multilingual Learners, Dr. Sugely Solano
BSD Administrator of Multilingual Learners, Dr. Sugely Solano, read a proclamation by the Brandywine School District recognizing September 15th - October 15th as Hispanic American Heritage Month.
Hispanic American Heritage Month acknowledges the Latinos who are known for their diverse cultures that embrace family, food, music, and dance. There are 16 Spanish speaking countries in the world: Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Spain. Delaware hosts an 8.2% population of Hispanic descent. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Hispanic and Latino Americans for their invaluable contributions to our society, enriching our communities with their diverse cultures and perspectives.
The Brandywine School District is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and cultural awareness, aligning our educational efforts to enhance understanding and appreciation of all cultures among our students and staff.
September Sizzle Video
The next regularly scheduled Brandywine School District Board of Education Meeting will take place on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Elementary School.
