Harlan Happenings
October 27, 2025
Harlan Families: Upcoming Fall Fun & Events ππ
Hey Harlan Families,
Where has October gone? Can you believe how quickly the month has flown by?
Weβre excited to kick off one of our favorite traditions this Friday β our Hall-o-ween Celebration β and weβre asking for nut-free candy donations to help make it a sweet success. Donations can be dropped off at the main office anytime this week.
Hereβs whatβs coming up:
ππ Story Book Night β Postponed β New Date: Wednesday, November 5
π» Friday, October 31 β Hall-o-ween Celebration (Send in your nut-free candy donations!)
π₯¦ Produce Giveaway β Tuesday, November 4, 5:00β6:00 PM
π³ Grand Breakfast β Monday, November 17, 8:30β9:45 AM
π¬ Movie Night β Wednesday, November 19, 6:00β8:00 PM
Itβs going to be a fun and festive season β we canβt wait to celebrate with you!
Warmly,
The Harlan Team
Storybook Night Postponed
β¨ Unfortunately, Galinda and Elphaba have been held up in Oz and will need a little more time before flying our way! Theyβll now be visiting us next Wednesday, November 5th, from 6:00β7:30 p.m. at Harlan Elementary School.
So mark your calendars and come ready to be in a wicked good mood when you meet our magical guests! ππͺ
π§ Community Input Needed: Water Infrastructure Event
The community organizers are seeking residents to share their thoughts on local water infrastructure and identify areas where water is a concern. Your feedback will help guide future improvements in our community.
Bedtime Stories Every Thursday, 7:30 PM on Zoom! π
Did you know this is our 5th year of Bedtime Stories?! Itβs such a hitβour students and families love it, and so do our cuddly friends! π»πβ¨
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
GoGuardian Portal
To Guardians:
Please install the GoGuardian Parent app to directly monitor your student's online activity. This valuable tool allows guardians to block additional websites and pause internet access on school-issued chromebooks after school hours. Access to the portal is through the guardian email address registered in Infinite Campus. This gives guardians internet control at home but also provides schools with a stronger basis for discussing digital citizenship both during and after school.
Panorama Survey
Dear Families,
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 shouldnβt 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 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.
The survey questions are available for you to preview on our website, https://www.brandywineschools.org/panorama .
Please notify us if you would like your child to opt out of taking the surveys by emailing Adrienne.Stansbury@bsd.k12.de.us no later than Friday, October 31st.
Mark your Calendar and Save the Date!
November Family Engagement at Harlan
πΆ Celebrate 100 Years of Music!
Join the Music School of Delaware for their Centennial Celebration β a fun-filled event for the whole family! Enjoy live classical and jazz performances by students, faculty, and community musicians, explore the instrument petting zoo, and have fun with food trucks, a photo booth, and raffles.
π
Sunday, November 9, 2025
π 4:00β7:00 p.m.
π 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington, DE
Admission is free with RSVP or $5 at the door.
π A flyer with more details is attached!
π‘ Harlan Park Civic Association Community Updates
Hello Harlan Families,
We hope your fall is off to a great start! Our neighborhoodβs 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 β your energy truly keeps our community strong!
ποΈ Next Civic Association Meeting
Wednesday, November 19
β° 6:30 β 8:00 PM
π North Wilmington Library
This monthβs meeting will include:
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A visit from a Medicare representative to help seniors with open enrollment.
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Updates from local elected officials.
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A community working session to address neighborhood concerns.
All families are welcome to attend β your voice matters!
π₯ Northside Food & Culture Market at Haynes Park
There are just two more Thursdays left this season!
π 4:00 β 7:00 PM | π Haynes Park
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October 23: Free Book Giveaway π
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October 30: Pumpkin Painting π, Costumes π», and Trick-or-Treat Fun π¬
This is a wonderful, family-friendly way to connect with neighbors and enjoy the fall season.
π§ Water Bill Assistance Programs
If your family or someone you know is behind on water or sewer payments, help is available. Wilmingtonβs Water Utility Assistance Program offers:
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Up to $1,500 in aid for delinquent bills.
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Up to $3,000 in assistance for eligible seniors.
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Additional discounts for disabled seniors.
Ways to Apply:
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Online: City Utility Payment Assistance Program
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By Mail or In Person at the City/County Building
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Call 311 (within city limits)
This program can help families avoid shut-offs and get back on track.
π Property Tax Reassessment Information
Many community members have questions about the New Castle County property reassessment process.
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π Taxes due: November 30, 2025
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π§Ύ Refunds will be available online once new invoices are issued.
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π Appeals open January 2026.
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π¨ Questions? Email assessments@newcastlede.gov or call (302) 395-5520.
ποΈ Landlord Engagement Town Hall
Hosted by Council Member ShanΓ© Darby
π
Wednesday, November 12
π 5:00 β 6:30 PM
π 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.
π 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 β we encourage families to participate and stay informed.
We Need You! π
Field trips are around the corner, and we canβt make the magic happen without our amazing parent volunteers! β¨ If youβd love to join the fun and be part of your studentβs adventure, chaperone packets are ready for you in the main office. Donβt miss the chance to create memories right alongside your student! πππ