The Dragon Digest
Castle Hills Elementary School
July 8, 2026
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Summer Information
Castle Hills Main Office Summer Schedule
Open to Public: Monday & Tuesday (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Staff available via phone/email: Wednesday & Thursday (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Closed on Fridays from June 26th to August 7th
To reach office staff Mondays & Tuesdays, call (302) 323-2915
To reach office staff Wednesdays & Thursdays, call (302) 323-2915 or (302) 501-7964
Castle Hills Information
Welcome Mr. Bryson, Our New Assistant Principal!
A Message from Mr. Bryson
Dear Castle Hills Community,
I am excited and honored to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal at Castle Hills Elementary School. I am looking forward to joining the Castle Hills family, becoming part of this wonderful community, and working alongside students, families, and staff to support student success.
I am a proud product of the Colonial School District. I attended Carrie Downie Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, George Read Middle School, and William Penn High School. After graduating, I had the privilege of returning to Colonial and have spent the past 23 years serving the students and families of this district.
My journey in education began at the University of Delaware, where I earned my degree in Elementary Education. I later continued my education at Wilmington University, earning my degree in School Leadership. I believe in the importance of lifelong learning and continuing to grow as an educator and leader so I can best support students, families, and staff.
During my time in Colonial, I have had the opportunity to serve students in many different roles. I spent over 10 years as a classroom teacher, teaching grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 at Wilmington Manor Elementary, Pleasantville Elementary, and McCullough Middle School. For the past 13 years, I have served as an administrator at both New Castle Elementary and Southern Elementary. Each of these experiences has shaped my belief that strong relationships, collaboration, and a commitment to every child are at the heart of a successful school community.
Outside of school, my greatest joy is spending time with my family. I am married and have two children. My daughter, Kyleigh, is a senior in high school, and my son, Jack, is in 8th grade. Both of my children are competitive bowlers, so you can often find me spending my weekends at a bowling alley supporting them at tournaments. Jack is also a member of his school’s marching band. My wife has a special connection to Castle Hills, as she was a teacher here for 10 years before moving to another district. She currently teaches 2nd grade in the Appoquinimink School District.
When I am not at school or cheering on my kids, I enjoy fishing, lifting weights, and taking road trips with my family. I believe in finding time to enjoy life, build connections, and make memories with the people who matter most.
I am truly excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to become part of the Castle Hills community. I look forward to meeting students and families, building relationships with staff, and partnering together to create a positive and supportive learning environment where every student can grow and thrive.
Thank you for welcoming me into the Castle Hills family. I cannot wait to get started!
Sincerely,
Rich Bryson
Upcoming Events
Event Information
Event Information
To help our youngest learners adjust, Kindergarten students will have a special first day on Monday, August 31st. This will give them a chance to get comfortable with the school building and their new environment before the whole school starts. What to Expect:
Event Information
8:45 a.m.- School doors open 9:00 a.m.- Instructional day begins Students are considered tardy after 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.- Early dismissals & change in transportation ends 3:25 p.m.- Dismissal begins 3:40 p.m.- Buses depart 3:45 p.m.- All students must be picked up by this time
Event Information
Families will be invited to attend our Open House. We will host two sessions for families with multiple children. Session 1 will be held from 5:00 - 5:25PM. Session 2 will be held from 5:30 - 5:55PM.
School will be closed on the following dates:
- Friday, September 4th
- Monday, September 7th
- Tuesday, September 15th
Important Back-to-School Information
School Updates & Alerts
Castle Hills utilizes Infinite Campus as our parent alert and notification system. If you have changed numbers/emails, you are encouraged to call or email our secretary, Ms. Polite with your new contact information so you can stay up to date on event changes, school closures or emergency situations which might arise. Louann.Polite@colonial.k12.de.us
2026-2027 Calendars
The next Dragon Digest will be sent out in August.
The Colonial School District shall not discriminate in its employment practices or its educational programs and activities of students on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, domicile, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.