Harlan Happenings

Hey Harlan Families,

Where has October gone? Can you believe how quickly the month is flying by? We hope you’re settling into the cooler temperatures and getting ready for the spooky season ahead!

We’re excited to kick off one of our favorite traditions — our Hall-o-ween celebration — and we’re asking for nut-free candy donations to help make it a sweet success. Donations can be dropped off at the main office.

Here’s what’s coming up:
📚🎃 Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Storybook Night
👻 Friday, Oct. 31 – Hall-o-ween Celebration (Send in your nut-free candy donations!)

It’s going to be a fun and festive month—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Warmly,
The Harlan Team

A huge thank-you to the Wilmington Police Department for visiting Harlan Elementary on Monday, October 20, 2025, to read with our 3rd grade students in partnership with United Way of Delaware.

Their visit made a lasting impact—our students were excited to welcome community heroes into their classrooms and were inspired by their kindness, encouragement, and enthusiasm for reading.

This special moment supports our Reading Angels initiative, which highlights the power of reading with and to children to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of learning. When community partners like the Wilmington Police join in, it reinforces that reading is fun, important, and valued.

Thank you for being wonderful role models and showing our students how literacy, leadership, and community go hand in hand.

Did you know this is our 5th year of Bedtime Stories?! It’s such a hit—our students and families love it, and so do our cuddly friends! 🐻📚✨

Be sure to join us!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://bsd-k12-de-us.zoom.us/j/96798972794?pwd=m3boTFnYyEfIEy3h7nQE94uHfz475R.1

Meeting ID: 967 9897 2794

Passcode: 563486

The Harlan Cafeteria has received an exciting upgrade, and our students are loving it! One of the biggest hits? Our new VIP section—bright red booths reminiscent of The Max, the iconic restaurant from Saved by the Bell.

It’s a fun dose of nostalgia for parents who remember the show and a great way to create new memories for our students. Plus, students can earn a seat in the VIP area, making lunchtime even more special!

Encourage your students to SOAR—at home and at school—for their chance to enjoy this VIP lunchtime experience!

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Our Wicked-Themed Storybook Night is almost here—and you won’t want to miss it! Come meet Elphaba & Glinda and kick off your pre-Halloween celebration. Extra wear of costumes? Totally optional—but definitely encouraged! 🧙‍♀️✨

🍕 Schedule:

• 5:30–6:00 PM: Pizza served 🍕

• 6:00–7:00 PM: Photos, storytime, and crafts 📚🎨

It’s going to be a magical evening full of fun, laughter, and spooky storytelling—see you there!

We thank you for being our partners as we work together to educate your children.

As we enter our fourth year of participating in the Panorama Survey, we continue to address building social-emotional learning skills as an important goal for our school district. We will ask 4th - 5th-grade students to reflect on their mindsets and approaches to learning via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes to complete.

The survey topics include:

Pedagogical Effectiveness, School Rigorous Expectations, School Teacher-Student Relationships, School Belonging, and Valuing of School.

The survey will launch and be available for student access from November 4th - November 7th.

We are asking all of our 4th & 5th grade students to participate in the survey. Their responses will provide insight into their experiences and how we can improve as a district. Panorama safeguards your privacy, keeping your responses confidential. We thank you in advance for your participation.

Hello Harlan Families,

We hope your fall is off to a great start! Our neighborhood’s Harlan Park Civic Association (HPCA) is back in action after a busy summer of Summer Sparks in the Park events. Thank you to everyone who came out to support — your energy truly keeps our community strong!

🗓️ Next Civic Association Meeting

Wednesday, November 19
⏰ 6:30 – 8:00 PM
📍 North Wilmington Library

This month’s meeting will include:

• A visit from a Medicare representative to help seniors with open enrollment.

• Updates from local elected officials.

• A community working session to address neighborhood concerns.

All families are welcome to attend — your voice matters!

🥕 Northside Food & Culture Market at Haynes Park

There are just two more Thursdays left this season!
🕓 4:00 – 7:00 PM | 📍 Haynes Park

• October 23: Free Book Giveaway 📚

• October 30: Pumpkin Painting 🎃, Costumes 👻, and Trick-or-Treat Fun 🍬

This is a wonderful, family-friendly way to connect with neighbors and enjoy the fall season.

💧 Water Bill Assistance Programs

If your family or someone you know is behind on water or sewer payments, help is available. Wilmington’s Water Utility Assistance Program offers:

• Up to $1,500 in aid for delinquent bills.

• Up to $3,000 in assistance for eligible seniors.

• Additional discounts for disabled seniors.

Ways to Apply:

• Online: City Utility Payment Assistance Program

• By Mail or In Person at the City/County Building

• Call 311 (within city limits)

This program can help families avoid shut-offs and get back on track.

🏠 Property Tax Reassessment Information

Many community members have questions about the New Castle County property reassessment process.

• 📅 Taxes due: November 30, 2025

• 🧾 Refunds will be available online once new invoices are issued.

• 📅 Appeals open January 2026.

• 📨 Questions? Email assessments@newcastlede.gov or call (302) 395-5520.

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🏘️ Landlord Engagement Town Hall

Hosted by Council Member Shané Darby

📅 Wednesday, November 12
🕔 5:00 – 6:30 PM
📍 North Wilmington Library (3400 N Market St)

This event is a chance for residents to hear updates, ask questions, and share concerns directly with their council representative.

💌 Looking Ahead

HPCA will begin biweekly newsletters in November with more updates on neighborhood cleanups, beautification projects, and opportunities to get involved.

Our school is proud to be part of a vibrant, connected community — we encourage families to participate and stay informed.

Field trips are around the corner, and we can’t make the magic happen without our amazing parent volunteers! ✨ If you’d love to join the fun and be part of your student’s adventure, chaperone packets are ready for you in the main office. Don’t miss the chance to create memories right alongside your student! 🚌📚🎉